SUNDAY DISTURBANCES AT EASTBOURNE. pro THE EDITOR OF THE "
SPECTATOR."1 SIR,—Any reader of your article on the Sunday diversions of Eastbourne might conclude, from one passage in it, that the exceptional state of the law in that town is owing only to a local by-law. Were this the case, the authorities might potentially rescind or alter the by-law. But, if my informa- tion be correct, the prohibition against Sunday processions and bands is of a weightier and more lasting kind, being con- tained in an Act of Parliament. This, of course, cannot be altered except by Parliament.
For the mob at Eastbourne I make no excuse; yet it may be said that, in their own rough and indiscriminate way, they show a desire that statute law should be complied with. So far they are not to be ranged with law-breakers, though their methods may not be marked by the tenderness of culture. For the authorities of Eastbourne great allowance must be made. They are bound to uphold the law ; and with a very limited force, and in face of great difficulties, they endeavour so to do to the best of their ability. But a larger question remains behind. When Parliament meets, an attempt will certainly be made to repeal the local enactment of which mention has been made. Considering the inestimable value of peace and quietness in our streets on Sunday, considering the divided state of religious feeling, and the ease with which animosities may be raised, I deem the Eastbourne enactment one calling for very grave and full consideration. Instead of repealing it, I should incline to extend the operation of this local enactment to the whole of the Kingdom.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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