The Divided Sabbath

THE following Report, found in the Times of August 2d, 1852, appears to be, on one side at least, demi-official. It has given occasion to the Remarks contained in this pamphlet.

“We are happy to be able to state, that so far as the Government are concerned, no impediment will be thrown in the way, and that there is now no fear of the people’s losing their palace on the day on which they can best avail themselves of its many means of elevation and refinement. When the Directors of the Crystal Palace Company applied some few weeks since to Lord Derby for a Charter, they communicated to his Lordship the terms upon which they proposed to open the building and grounds on Sundays. They were of opinion, that until after one o’clock no trains should run from London, and the Crystal Palace itself should be strictly closed. After that hour they proposed to throw open the Park and the Winter-Garden, but not to exhibit those departments of the building, which will partake exclusively of a manufacturing and commercial character, the intention being to devote a certain portion of the space to specimens of manufactures, &c., which the public will be invited, upon certain conditions, to display. In the third place, the Directors undertook that on Sunday no spirituous liquors should be sold in their grounds. On Monday last Lord Derby requested an interview with the Directors, who, with Sir J. Paxton, waited upon the Premier and the Home Secretary in Downing Street. At this meeting his Lordship acquiesced in the stipulations proffered by the Crystal Palace Company, suggested a few trifling variations, and promised to grant the required Charter.”

An article in the Times, four days later, Aug. 6th, gives a full account of the ceremony of erecting the first column of the New Crystal Palace.

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With every desire that the best interests of my Countrymen should be promoted, and with sincere respect for those who entertain a similar wish, I have felt it my duty as an Englishman, and still more as a Clergyman, to submit the following considerations to my Queen and my Country.

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The Crystal Palace now erecting at Sydenham is designed to be the most splendid display of national greatness in the earth. No objection can exist to its grandeur, its beauty, the marvellous exotics to be exhibited in it, or to the display of ingenious manufactures. Some things it is intended to expose, which may prove decidedly objectionable: I refer to the sculpture-department. But I will not enter into details. The one great evil characterising the plan, is this—That it is designed to open the building to visitors during one half of the Lord’s Day.

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