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were wafted on the air； from the wild flowers which blossomed on
either side of the footpath。 The little church was one of those
venerable simple buildings which abound in the English counties；
half overgrown with moss and ivy； and standing in the centre of a
little plot of ground； which； but for the green mounds with which
it was studded； might have passed for a lovely meadow。 I fancied
that the old clanking bell which was now summoning the congregation
together； would seem less terrible when it rung out the knell of a
departed soul； than I had ever deemed possible before … that the
sound would tell only of a welcome to calmness and rest； amidst the
most peaceful and tranquil scene in nature。
I followed into the church … a low…roofed building with small
arched windows； through which the sun's rays streamed upon a plain
tablet on the opposite wall； which had once recorded names； now as
undistinguishable on its worn surface； as were the bones beneath；
from the dust into which they had resolved。 The impressive service
of the Church of England was spoken … not merely READ … by a grey…
headed minister； and the responses delivered by his auditors； with
an air of sincere devotion as far removed from affectation or
display； as from coldness or indifference。 The psalms were
accompanied by a few instrumental performers； who were stationed in
a small gallery extending across the church at the lower end； over
the door： and the voices were led by the clerk； who； it was
evident； derived no slight pride and gratification from this
portion of the service。 The discourse was plain； unpretending； and
well adapted to the comprehension of the hearers。 At the
conclusion of the service； the villagers waited in the churchyard；
to salute the clergyman as he passed； and two or three； I observed；
stepped aside； as if communicating some little difficulty； and
asking his advice。 This； to guess from the homely bows； and other
rustic expressions of gratitude； the old gentleman readily
conceded。 He seemed intimately acquainted with the circumstances
of all his parishioners； for I heard him inquire after one man's
youngest child； another man's wife； and so forth； and that he was
fond of his joke； I discovered from overhearing him ask a stout；
fresh…coloured young fellow； with a very pretty bashful…looking
girl on his arm； 'when those banns were to be put up？' … an inquiry
which made the young fellow more fresh…coloured； and the girl more
bashful； and which； strange to say； caused a great many other girls
who were standing round； to colour up also； and look anywhere but
in the faces of their male companions。
As I approached this spot in the evening about half an hour before
sunset； I was surprised to hear the hum of voices； and occasionally
a shout of merriment from the meadow beyond the churchyard； which I
found； when I reached the stile； to be occasioned by a very
animated game of cricket； in which the boys and young men of the
place were engaged； while the females and old people were scattered
about： some seated on the grass watching the progress of the game；
and others sauntering about in groups of two or three； gathering
little nosegays of wild roses and hedge flowers。 I could not but
take notice of one old man in particular； with a bright…eyed grand…
daughter by his side； who was giving a sunburnt young fellow some
instructions in the game； which he received with an air of profound
deference； but with an occasional glance at the girl； which induced
me to think that his attention was rather distracted from the old
gentleman's narration of the fruits of his experience。 When it was
his turn at the wicket； too； there was a glance towards the pair
every now and then； which the old grandfather very complacently
considered as an appeal to his judgment of a particular hit； but
which a certain blush in the girl's face； and a downcast look of
the bright eye； led me to believe was intended for somebody else
than the old man； … and understood by somebody else； too； or I am
much mistaken。
I was in the very height of the pleasure which the contemplation of
this scene afforded me； when I saw the old clergyman making his way
towards us。 I trembled for an angry interruption to the sport； and
was almost on the point of crying out； to warn the cricketers of
his approach； he was so close upon me； however； that I could do
nothing but remain still； and anticipate the reproof that was
preparing。 What was my agreeable surprise to see the old gentleman
standing at the stile； with his hands in his pockets； surveying the
whole scene with evident satisfaction！ And how dull I must have
been； not to have known till my friend the grandfather （who； by…
the…bye； said he had been a wonderful cricketer in his time） told
me； that it was the clergyman himself who had established the whole
thing： that it was his field they played in； and that it was he
who had purchased stumps； bats； ball； and all！
It is such scenes as this； I would see near London； on a Sunday
evening。 It is such men as this； who would do more in one year to
make people properly religious； cheerful； and contented； than all
the legislation of a century could ever accomplish。
It will be said … it has been very often … that it would be matter
of perfect impossibility to make amusements and exercises succeed
in large towns； which may be very well adapted to a country
population。 Here； again； we are called upon to yield to bare
assertions on matters of belief and opinion； as if they were
established and undoubted facts。 That there is a wide difference
between the two cases； no one will be prepared to dispute； that the
difference is such as to prevent the application of the same
principle to both； no reasonable man； I think； will be disposed to
maintain。 The great majority of the people who make holiday on
Sunday now； are industrious； orderly； and well…behaved persons。 It
is not unreasonable to suppose that they would be no more inclined
to an abuse of pleasures provided for them； than they are to an
abuse of the pleasures they provide for themselves； and if any
people； for want of something better to do； resort to criminal
practices on the Sabbath as at present observed； no better remedy
for the evil can be imagined； than giving them the opportunity of
doing something which will amuse them； and hurt nobody else。
The propriety of opening the British Museum to respectable people
on Sunday； has lately been the subject of some discussion。 I think
it would puzzle the most austere of the Sunday legislators to
assign any valid reason for opposing so sensible a proposition。
The Museum contains rich specimens from all the vast museums and
repositories of Nature； and rare and curious fragments of the
mighty works of art； in bygone ages： all calculated to awaken
contemplation and inquiry； and to tend to the enlightenment and
improvement of the people。 But attendants would be necessary； and
a few men would be employed upon the Sabbath。 They certainly
would； but how many？ Why； if the British Museum； and the National
Gallery； and the Gallery of Practical Science； and every other
exhibition in London； from which knowledge is to be derived and
information gained； were to be thrown open on a Sunday afternoon；
not fifty people would be required to preside over the whole： and
it would take treble the number to enforce a Sabbath bill in any
three populous parishes。
I should like to see some large field； or open piece of ground； in
every outskirt of London； exhibiting each Sunday evening on a
larger scale； the scene of the little country meadow。 I should
like to see the time arrive； when a man's attendance to his
religious duties might be left to that religious feeling which most
men possess in a greater or less degree； but which was never forced
into the breast of any man by menace or restraint。 I should like
to see the time when Sunday might be looked forward to； as a
recognised day of relaxation and enjoyment； and when every man
might feel； what few men do now； that religion is not incompatible
with rational pleasure and needful recreation。
How different a picture would the streets and public places then
present！ The museums； and repositories of scientific and useful
inventions； would be crowded with ingenious mechanics and
industrious artisans； all anxious for information； and all unable
to procure it at any other time。 The spacious saloons would be
swarming with practical men： humble in appearance； but destined；
perhaps； to become the greatest inventors and philosophers of their
age。 The labourers who now lounge away the day in idleness and
intoxication； would be seen hurrying along； with cheerful faces and
clean attire； not to the close and smoky atmosphere of the public…
house but to the fresh and airy fields。 Fancy the pleasant scene。
Throngs of people； pouring out from the lanes