"ST. LUBBOCK'S DAY" 121 



to do anything on a Bank Holiday which he cannot be 

 compelled to do on Xmas Day or Good Friday. The 

 term Bank Holiday was used for a technical reason ; 

 on other holidays, Bills of Exchange are payable the 

 previous day. On our holidays on the following day. 

 Now if we had used the expression " General " or 

 " National," the provision would have been doubtful, 

 and we therefore chose the special distinguishing term 

 " Bank Holiday." 



The Act, we always hoped and believed, would be 

 generally adopted, and I have always believed that our 

 August Bank Holiday would become the great National 

 Holiday. 



It is sometimes said that it would be much better if 

 some establishments had one holiday and some another. 

 This, I believe, is entirely a mistake. 



On the contrary, it is a great advantage that the 

 holidays are the same for all, because friends and 

 relations, occupied very often in different establishments, 

 all get the same day, can make their plans beforehand, 

 and enjoy their holiday together. 



It is remarkable that these holidays were the first 

 ever instituted by any legislature for the enjoyment and 

 relaxation of the people. 



Every one was surprised that the Bill passed 

 so easily. Sir D. Salmon, M.P. for Greenwich, 

 and Chairman of the London and Westminster 

 Bank, told him that it had not a chance. Mr. 

 Martin Tucker Smith of Messrs. Smith Payne's 

 told him that he had spoken to Disraeli about 

 it, who promised to think it over and consult his 

 colleagues, but finally said the difficulties were so 

 great that the Government could not undertake 

 the task. 



The enthusiastic delight with which the popu- 

 lace received the measure which brought them 

 these hours of liberty, may best be estimated 

 by a glance at some of the articles in the daily 

 and other papers of the day. Irrespective of 



