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families with them： and this in itself would be a check upon them；
even if they were inclined to dissipation； which they really are
not。 Boisterous their mirth may be； for they have all the
excitement of feeling that fresh air and green fields can impart to
the dwellers in crowded cities； but it is innocent and harmless。
The glass is circulated； and the joke goes round； but the one is
free from excess； and the other from offence； and nothing but good
humour and hilarity prevail。
In streets like Holborn and Tottenham Court Road； which form the
central market of a large neighbourhood； inhabited by a vast number
of mechanics and poor people； a few shops are open at an early hour
of the morning； and a very poor man； with a thin and sickly woman
by his side； may be seen with their little basket in hand；
purchasing the scanty quantity of necessaries they can afford；
which the time at which the man receives his wages； or his having a
good deal of work to do； or the woman's having been out charing
till a late hour； prevented their procuring over…night。 The
coffee…shops too； at which clerks and young men employed in
counting…houses can procure their breakfasts； are also open。 This
class comprises； in a place like London； an enormous number of
people； whose limited means prevent their engaging for their
lodgings any other apartment than a bedroom； and who have
consequently no alternative but to take their breakfasts at a
coffee…shop； or go without it altogether。 All these places；
however； are quickly closed； and by the time the church bells begin
to ring； all appearance of traffic has ceased。 And then； what are
the signs of immorality that meet the eye？ Churches are well
filled； and Dissenters' chapels are crowded to suffocation。 There
is no preaching to empty benches； while the drunken and dissolute
populace run riot in the streets。
Here is a fashionable church； where the service commences at a late
hour； for the accommodation of such members of the congregation …
and they are not a few … as may happen to have lingered at the
Opera far into the morning of the Sabbath； an excellent contrivance
for poising the balance between God and Mammon； and illustrating
the ease with which a man's duties to both； may be accommodated and
adjusted。 How the carriages rattle up； and deposit their richly…
dressed burdens beneath the lofty portico！ The powdered footmen
glide along the aisle； place the richly…bound prayer…books on the
pew desks； slam the doors； and hurry away； leaving the fashionable
members of the congregation to inspect each other through their
glasses； and to dazzle and glitter in the eyes of the few shabby
people in the free seats。 The organ peals forth； the hired singers
commence a short hymn； and the congregation condescendingly rise；
stare about them； and converse in whispers。 The clergyman enters
the reading…desk； … a young man of noble family and elegant
demeanour； notorious at Cambridge for his knowledge of horse…flesh
and dancers； and celebrated at Eton for his hopeless stupidity。
The service commences。 Mark the soft voice in which he reads； and
the impressive manner in which he applies his white hand； studded
with brilliants； to his perfumed hair。 Observe the graceful
emphasis with which he offers up the prayers for the King； the
Royal Family； and all the Nobility； and the nonchalance with which
he hurries over the more uncomfortable portions of the service； the
seventh commandment for instance； with a studied regard for the
taste and feeling of his auditors； only to be equalled by that
displayed by the sleek divine who succeeds him； who murmurs； in a
voice kept down by rich feeding； most comfortable doctrines for
exactly twelve minutes； and then arrives at the anxiously expected
'Now to God；' which is the signal for the dismissal of the
congregation。 The organ is again heard； those who have been asleep
wake up； and those who have kept awake； smile and seem greatly
relieved； bows and congratulations are exchanged； the livery
servants are all bustle and commotion； bang go the steps； up jump
the footmen； and off rattle the carriages： the inmates discoursing
on the dresses of the congregation； and congratulating themselves
on having set so excellent an example to the community in general；
and Sunday…pleasurers in particular。
Enter a less orthodox place of religious worship； and observe the
contrast。 A small close chapel with a white…washed wall； and plain
deal pews and pulpit； contains a closely…packed congregation； as
different in dress； as they are opposed in manner； to that we have
just quitted。 The hymn is sung … not by paid singers； but by the
whole assembly at the loudest pitch of their voices； unaccompanied
by any musical instrument； the words being given out； two lines at
a time； by the clerk。 There is something in the sonorous quavering
of the harsh voices； in the lank and hollow faces of the men； and
the sour solemnity of the women； which bespeaks this a strong…hold
of intolerant zeal and ignorant enthusiasm。 The preacher enters
the pulpit。 He is a coarse； hard…faced man of forbidding aspect；
clad in rusty black； and bearing in his hand a small plain Bible
from which he selects some passage for his text； while the hymn is
concluding。 The congregation fall upon their knees； and are hushed
into profound stillness as he delivers an extempore prayer； in
which he calls upon the Sacred Founder of the Christian faith to
bless his ministry； in terms of disgusting and impious familiarity
not to be described。 He begins his oration in a drawling tone； and
his hearers listen with silent attention。 He grows warmer as he
proceeds with his subject； and his gesticulation becomes
proportionately violent。 He clenches his fists； beats the book
upon the desk before him； and swings his arms wildly about his
head。 The congregation murmur their acquiescence in his doctrines：
and a short groan； occasionally bears testimony to the moving
nature of his eloquence。 Encouraged by these symptoms of approval；
and working himself up to a pitch of enthusiasm amounting almost to
frenzy； he denounces sabbath…breakers with the direst vengeance of
offended Heaven。 He stretches his body half out of the pulpit；
thrusts forth his arms with frantic gestures； and blasphemously
calls upon The Deity to visit with eternal torments； those who turn
aside from the word； as interpreted and preached by … himself。 A
low moaning is heard； the women rock their bodies to and fro； and
wring their hands； the preacher's fervour increases； the
perspiration starts upon his brow； his face is flushed； and he
clenches his hands convulsively； as he draws a hideous and
appalling picture of the horrors preparing for the wicked in a
future state。 A great excitement is visible among his hearers； a
scream is heard； and some young girl falls senseless on the floor。
There is a momentary rustle； but it is only for a moment … all eyes