Where, then, is the alarming evil? Is it, that a saunter through the Crystal Palace grounds, reached by a railway, is so much more irreligious than a stroll in the Parks, reached by an omnibus? Does a change of scenery transform the character of the deed? Do a man’s nature and tendencies become metamorphosed by exchanging, for a few hours, his squalid abode for a public-house, a gin-palace, a steamboat, a tea-garden, or a Crystal Palace? Is there something so deleterious in a Sunday glance at the beautiful prospects of Anerley, that the country must be convulsed to prevent it? {12} It becomes Christian men to look this matter fairly in the face, and not be deluded by cant and prejudice. Let them manfully examine facts and probabilities, before they commit themselves to unreasoning clamour. Neither the cause of religion nor of truth will gain by allowing common sense to be overborne by invective and exaggeration. The Sabbatarians themselves will admit that the people who are likely to crown the heights of Norwood are _not_ those who would otherwise frequent a place of worship; but, for the most part, overworked artisans and labourers, with their families, who systematically spend the Sabbath at the tea-garden or ale-house—who, if they were not at Sydenham would perhaps be at Gravesend—who, if they could not enjoy the beauties of Sydenham, and restore their wasted energies amidst its health-inspiring breezes, would probably kill the time by the indulgence of depraved appetites in a poisoned atmosphere. The recreations of Sydenham are as elevating, refining, and harmless, as at any other place of Sunday resort—probably more so. At the same time, they are more attractive. Is it, then, so very irrational to suppose that, under the circumstances of the case, the change will be a gain? Surely it is not Quixotic, though opposed to the Sabbatarian view, to conclude, that the facilities offered to the working classes by means of steam for recruiting their strength and improving their tastes by country excursions, and, in particular, the superior attractions and judicious regulations of the new Crystal Palace Company, are, on the whole, calculated to promote the health, temperance, and morality of the people.