6 
influences that tend to rob them of it, as well as from what has taken 
place in the countries of Europe. 
It is the popular reverence for the day as a non-secular day, 
which is its main defence as a rest day. Break down this popular 
reverence for the day as a holy day—destroy this distinction 
between it and the week days, and it will inevitably become a work- 
ing day. This is especially true in a country like ours, where com- 
petition is so severe and exacting. 
Open the Museums on Sunday and I fear you cannot stop there. 
Other so-called “instructive recreations and entertainments ” will 
follow. 
If it is right to open Museums on Sunday for the study of 
works of art, the question may be asked, why is it not right to 
study art at operas and theatres alsoon Sunday? If persons who 
find recreation and amusement at museums and art-ga leries may 
have such public entertainments opened for their benefit on Sun- 
day, why should the classes who have no taste for museums or 
art-galleries, but who do enjoy theatres and operas, and minstrels 
and circuses, not be allowed to have such places open on Sunday ? 
This is the very ground taken by not a few who are pressing 
this measure. This is what they call a Free Sunday, this is the 
Sunday of Paris, and this is what they aim to have here. 
By this means the distinction between the secular and non- 
secular days of the week is broken down, and a breach is made in 
the workingman’s defence of the day as his rest-day. 
The next step would be, as is the case in France, the overthrow 
of all laws which protect the workingman’s right to rest on 
Sunday. 
I cannot help quoting here a sentence or two from the London 
Times, June 9, 1877, on this very point. 
“The Streets of London on a Sunday are a strong contrast to those of a 
great Continental town, and bespeak a population who are tasting a day’s re- 
spite from business of all kinds. The closing of our National Museums and 
Galleries we believe to be eminently conducive to the health, the good order 
and the mental and moral balance of our population. To open these institu- 
tions on a Sunday by a formal Parliamentary vote, must of necessity have an 
extensive reflex effect. Where is the line to be drawn between public and 
private exhibitions, between galleries and theatres, for instance? In point of 
fact, in the parallel cases abroad, the line is not drawn; and we may be quite 
sure that if drawn in this country it would not be maintained. We should 
make a complete breach in the defences which now protect the Sunday as a 
day of rest, and should have definitely abandoned our general rule. Once 
throw open by a resolution of the House of Commons all national museums 

