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Story
April 8, 1884
Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer
Seattle, King County, Washington
What is this article about?
A Baltimore correspondent contrasts strict Sunday observance in London with Baltimore's, noting closed stores, restaurants, and bars, and describes churchgoing at Spurgeon's Tabernacle where contributions grant better seating.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
SUNDAY
IN
LONDON.
[Cor. Baltimore American.]
Talk about the Sunday law and its enforcement in Baltimore. It does not compare to the observance of that day in this great city. One hardly knows London today after the bustle and whirl of yesterday. The stores are closed, 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 that I would go to the Criterion and get a lunch. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at that great 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 chop houses, the "grill rooms" and the "buffets" are all closed until 6 o'clock in the evening, and even the drinking bars or 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 one 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, as well as the charitable, do this, and to them the side gate or door is always open. The sexton places you in a back seat, and requests of you to wait until 10:50 o'clock. The rule is, pew-holders must be in their seats by that time or lose their places. When the hour arrives the sexton tells you to go up the aisle and take any seat vacant. When those who have contributed are seated the great doors are opened and the crowd is admitted. Then the service begins.
IN
LONDON.
[Cor. Baltimore American.]
Talk about the Sunday law and its enforcement in Baltimore. It does not compare to the observance of that day in this great city. One hardly knows London today after the bustle and whirl of yesterday. The stores are closed, 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 that I would go to the Criterion and get a lunch. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at that great 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 chop houses, the "grill rooms" and the "buffets" are all closed until 6 o'clock in the evening, and even the drinking bars or 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 one 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, as well as the charitable, do this, and to them the side gate or door is always open. The sexton places you in a back seat, and requests of you to wait until 10:50 o'clock. The rule is, pew-holders must be in their seats by that time or lose their places. When the hour arrives the sexton tells you to go up the aisle and take any seat vacant. When those who have contributed are seated the great doors are opened and the crowd is admitted. Then the service begins.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Sunday Observance
London Customs
Restaurant Closures
Church Attendance
Spurgeon Tabernacle
Where did it happen?
London
Story Details
Location
London
Story Details
Observer describes quiet Sunday in London with closed businesses and restaurants, contrasting with Baltimore; details church procedure at Spurgeon's tabernacle where contributions allow better seating.