as good a one as ever came to heavy…laden mortals； let one whole day in every week be removed from the mon life of the world； lifted above mon pleasures as above mon cares。 With all the abuses of fanaticism； this thought remained rich in blessings； Sunday has always brought large good to the generality； and to a chosen number has been the very life of the soul； however heretically some of them understood the words。 If its ancient use perish from among us； so much the worse for our country。 And perish no doubt it will； only here in rustic solitude can one forget the changes that have already made the day less sacred to multitudes。 With it will vanish that habit of periodic calm； which； even when it has bee so largely void of conscious meaning； is； one may safely say； the best spiritual boon ever bestowed upon a people。 The most difficult of all things to attain； the most difficult of all to preserve； the supreme benediction of the noblest mind； this calm was once breathed over the whole land as often as sounded the last stroke of weekly toil； on Saturday at even began the quiet and the solace。 With the decline of old faith； Sunday cannot but lose its sanction； and no loss among the innumerable that we are suffering will work so effectually for popular vulgarization。 What hope is there of guarding the moral beauty of the day when the authority which set it apart is no longer recognized？……Imagine a bank…holiday once a week！
V
On Sunday I e down later than usual； I