A hundred years ago
as
From the 'Spectator,' 22 June 1867—Lord Amber- ley's Bill authorizing -lectures on Sunday with money taken at the doors was on Wednesday defeated, the main argument against it being that it would open the door to theatrical entertain- ments, and thus to ordinary work. Theatres are much healthier places than public-houses; but there is a real danger of the day becoming a day of work, to the very serious injury of the people. If a man may work to amuse others and be paid, why should he not work to maintain his family? The present system is a gross infringement of the liberty of the minority, who have a right to amuse themselves on a Sunday if they do not think it wrong, but to reconcile their liberty with the liberty of the majority is a problem which Lord Amberley has not quite solved. The majority want to be free for one day in the week from the competitive driving whip, and how they are to be kept free, and yet the minority left free too, We confess we do not see.
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