Town & the fame of a ship built in the Town & furnished with
Sails from our own manufactories urged a curiosity so strong that
few people were left in our houses of worship. Weather fine.

Thus we see that pecuniary success and pleasant weather were as influential
in 1792 as they are in 1886 in diverting individuals from their ordinary
religious privileges.

* * * * *

The following extracts from the "Salem Impartial Register" of July 27,
1801, will perhaps have interest when considered in connection with some
circumstances which have taken place in Salem within a year or two:--

_THE CONNECTICUT SABBATH._

IN ancient days, 't was God's most sacred will,
To give his law on Sinai's lofty hill,
Whose top terrific issued clouds of smoke,
And thus, amidst the flames, th' Eternal spoke;
Six days, said he, (and loud the same express'd)
Shall men still labor, and on the seventh rest:
But here alas! like yon great pious town,[A]
They break his law, and thus prefer their own:
"And let it be enacted further still,
That all our people strict observe our will:
Five days and half shall men and women too
Attend their business, and their mirth pursue.
But after that, no man without a fine,
Shall walk the streets, or at a tavern dine.