Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1883 — Sunday in London. [ARTICLE]

Sunday in London.

Talk about the Sunday law and its enforcement in'Baltimare! It does not compare to the observance of that day in this great city. One hardly knows London to-day, after the bustle and whirl of yesterday. The stores have c losed, the wagons have disappeared, the cabs seem to run more quietly, and the people seem almost afraid to speak aloud. What a contrast after a continental Sabbath! I was hungry this morning, and thought I would go to the Criterion and get lunch. Imagine my suprise when I arrived at that restaurant and found it closed, the Gaiety and St. James likewise. All down the Strand, up in the West End, and even in “the city” the restaurants were closed tighter than the proverbial clam. Not a place to eat on Sunday save the dining-room of a hotel. The chophouses, the “grill-rooms” and the “buffets” are closed until 6 o’clock in the evening, and even the drinking bare and ale-houses —as far as exteriors are concerned —are dark and uninviting. Unless you know the proprietor, and can enter by the “family” or “wholesale liquor” entrance there is no use trying to get in before 1 o’clock. There are plenty of churches to visit and good sermons are preached, and the people seem to take advantage of this and go to church. At Spurgeon’s tabernacle the crowd is always great, and every stranger pays it one visit at least. When you approach the entrance you are met by a verger or official who gives you an envelope. This envelope requests you to give a contribution —a penny or more—and drop it in the box provided. The far-seeing, os well as the charitable, do this, and to them the side gate or door is opqn. The sexton places you in a back seat and requests you to wait until 10:50 o’clock. The rule is, pew-holders must be in the.r seats by that time or lose their prices. When the hour arrives the sexton tells ydu t® go tip the • ajsle and take any vacant seat. When tfchose who have contrilffited are seated, the great doors are op’frned and the crowd admitted. Then the services begin.—Cor. Baltimore American.