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SUNDAY. :
" To show the very aye and body of the time."
— -Shakespeare.
The Legislature of Victoria, which seems to be
little more than a catspaw for fanatical pro
hibitionists of all kinds, have made such a
thorough muddle of their attempt at regulating
the, control of Sunday, that hardly a day passes
on which a complaint is not made of the in
fringement of the liberty of the subject. Of
course the law is the law, and while it exists,
no matter how unsatisfactory it may be in its
operations, it must be obeyed. Perhaps in no
instance, at least to the mind of liberally in
clined persons, is it so utterly ridiculous, so
thoroughly senseless, and so supremely subver
sive of its own professed intention, as in the
regulation which keeps the doors of our National
Gallery, Public Library, and Museums closed
against the very class of persons whom they are
supposed to be instituted specially to benefit,
persons indeed who except on Sundays can
hardly avail themselves of their advantages.
We, and with very few exceptions, the whole
of the press, . have protested, again and again,
and in no measured terms, against the Pharisa
ism, which, by being allowed to rule the roost,
brings such an undesirable state of things to
pass. But in vain, the Chadbands, the Stig-
ginses, the Mawworms, the Aminidab Sleeks
are too strong for us, the drum ecclesiastic
drowns our cries. One strong point raised by
the illiberal section of the religious party is
that if these places were thrown open, so would
the theatres. That is a nonsequitur with a
vengeance, a literal absurdity, if not an absolute
contradiction in terms, for if people had the
Museums, &c., open on Sundays they would be
the less likely to want other places of recrea
tion. At least common sense would seem to
tell us so. But let us see what the leading
actors in London have to say on this very sub
ject, where the question of opening the Museums
has been lately raised. Mr. Henry Irving says,
I cannot myself imagine how- any one with a
biain to think for others, or a heart to feel for
them, could wish the opening of Museums and
Picture Galleries to be postponed. There is 110
analogy between the theatres and museums.
The actors themselves would be the first to
resent any encroachment on their day of rest.
For God's sake let a little light into the dark
places of our city." Mr. Wilson Barrett re
cently refused £200 to play "The Silver Kino- "
m Chicago. Miss Ellen Terry says, Nothifitr
could induce, tempt, compel me to act on Sun
days. Mr. Bancroft says, " I am thoroughly
in favor of the opening of Picture Galleries and
Museums on Sundays, and I don't think I kno
a single English actor , who would like to s(T
theatres open on Sundays." Mr. John H !
says, "" Personally I should strongly objectT
the opening of theatres on' Sundays." jj,
George, Alexander says, "lam with' you with
all my heart. Let all the Museums and Picture
Galleries be opened by all means— it is the dut
of the State. But a theatre — a private entbr
prise-— no— decidedly ,110." Mr. Wilkrd, Mr
Forbes Kobertson, Mr. Thomas Thome mr
Henry Neville, Mr. Fred. Leslie, and other
prominent members of the theatrical profession
in England speak in exactly the same terms
So much for the feeling in the old country
And as regards Melbourne we know for we
have asked the question of many actors and
actresses, managers, and entrepreneurs that
while they are unanimous in declaring that our
Museums, tfcc., ought to beopened, they are equally
unanimous in pronouncing that theatres should
not,he opened on Sundays. The fact is that
the opponents of the opening of the Museums
&c., by dragging in the side issue about the
opening of theatres, show the poverty of their
case. What those institutions have in common
with a theatre we fail to see. In conclusion we
say — echoing a sentiment that has been ex
pressed thousands, of tiums before — the opening
of these places on Sundays would be a blessiiw
to the people, a godsend 011 God's day to thorn
sands of "poor people with cheerless lives for the
other six days of the week, to be able to become
acquainted with the masterpiece, and treasures
of our National Gallery, Public Library, and
Museums.
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