y go to promenade in the gardens.
--_Wheaton's Travels_.

* * * * *

In the "Salem Observer" of Dec. 10, 1829, is the following notice on the
Sunday-mail question:--

SUNDAY MAILS. The following resolution on the subject of stopping
the mails on Sundays, was passed at a recent session of the Salem
Baptist Association in Kentucky:--

"_Resolved_, That we as an Association cordially approve the
Report and resolution, as presented to the Senate of the United
States, by Col. R.M. Johnson, Chairman of the Committee upon the
subject of the petition to stop the mail on the Sabbath: and
sincerely advise all friends of civil and religious liberty, to
refuse to subscribe any petition that has the least tendency to
influence the legislative powers to act upon _religious matters_;
for we consider an association of _civil_ and _ecclesiastical_
power or an union of _Church_ and _State_, as one of the greatest
calamities which could befal our country, and that it should be
resisted in every possible shape in which it may be presented."

* * * * *

A great change has taken place in some of our towns within a few years in
reference to the Sunday mail. Twenty-five years ago it was rare to see a
person belonging to one of the Evangelical sects at the post-office at the
time of the opening of the mail on Sunday noon; whereas now it is not
uncommon to see deacons and numerous other members of such churches hurry
from their several places of worship to get their letters and papers with
as much eagerness as "heretics." Sunday papers moreover are now bought by
the same class. The same change too is observable in the use of horse-cars
on Sunday. Few men are governed by the conscientious scruples once held
about riding to and from church, especially if the day happens to be hot or
stormy. This may or may not be an improvement; it depends upon the point
of view from which we look at it.

One of the most radical men we ever knew, one who thought "Sunday should be
abolished" and a "new Bible made by men of modern ideas, and reasonable
views introduced, and the old one discarded," said he was brought to these
views by having been forced when young to attend church and engage in
religious exercises, and told that he must conform to the established
belief and never ask any questions. It will be said that this