s brought up in that faith. I
went to meeting in the morning, I danced with the parson's daughter on the
green in the afternoon, and I played whist with the parson in the evening."

[1] Edward Atkinson, Esq.

The legislature of Massachusetts in the year 1760 passed the following
laws in relation to Sunday and to the proper observance of Saturday
evening:--

"Whereas it is the Duty of all Persons, upon the Lord's-Day
carefully to apply themselves publickly and privately to Religion
and Piety, the Prophanation of the Lord's-Day is highly offensive
to Almighty God; of evil Example and tends to the Grief and
Disturbance of all pious and religiously disposed persons.

Therefore that the Prophanation of the said Day may be fully
prevented: Be it further enacted, That no Person whatsoever shall
keep open their Shops &c. &c.--do or exercise any Labour nor any
Sport, Game Play or Recreation on the Lord's Day or any part
thereof &c. &c. under penalties of not exceeding twenty shillings
for every offence."

Travelling was also prohibited, and it was enacted,--

"That if any Person or Persons shall be recreating, disporting or
unnecessarily walking or loitering, or if any Persons shall
unnecessarily assemble themselves in any of the Streets, Lanes,
Wharves, High-Ways, Commons, Fields, Pastures or Orchards of any
Town or Place within this Province upon the Lord's Day, or any
Part thereof, every Person so offending shall forfeit and pay
the sum of five shillings and upon a second Conviction bound for
good behaviour,... If any Persons being able of Body and not
otherwise necessarily prevented shall for the space of one Month
together absent themselves from the Publick Worship of God on the
Lord's Day, they shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten shillings.

"And whereas many Persons are of opinion that the Sabbath or Time
of religious Rest, begins on Saturday evening, therefore to
prevent all unnecessary Disturbance of Persons of such Opinion,
as well as to encourage in all others a due and seasonable
Preparation for the religious Duties of the Lord's Day: Be it
further enacted, That no Person shall keep open any Shop,
Ware-House or Work-House or hawk or sell any Provisions or Wares
in Streets or Lanes of any Town or District, or be present at any
Concert of Musick, Dancing or