The Press.
London, England, 1856-09-13 00:00:00

SIR BEN AND THE PREACHERS.

Is consequence of Sir Benjamin Hall's edict that there shall be play-
ing in the Parks but no preaching, a deputation from the ministers of
religion, who feel aggrieved at the prohibition of their labours, waited
upon Lord Palmerston, on his arrival in town a few days ago, to repre-
sent to him that the Chief Commissioner of Works was interfering
very improperly. Sir Benjamin was " requested" by his chief to meet
the deputation, which he did, it was understood, with some reluctance,
but Lord Palmerston's invitation was of rather too peremptory a cha-
racter to be disregarded.
The Deputation, which consisted of clergymen and ministers of
several denominations, briefly stated their case, and explained that
although the plea for the general prohibition was that certain profane
spouters had also occupied the ground, they saw in that fact an addi-
tional reason for persevering in the duty of teaching the people.

Lord PALMERSTON.—WeII, T don't see, Hall, that there is anything
unreasonable in that. If an Opnosition speaker holds forth, a Minister
should be allowed to answer him. What was your idea in prevent-
ing it

Sir B. llALL.—Complaints were made to Inc that these gentlemen
provoked discussions which had better be avoided.


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Lord PALM ERSTON.—Upon my soul, I don't know why. If
people like to squabble about creeds and doctrines, why the devil
shouldn't they? It keeps them out of mischief. Do I understand
that there were any disturbances ?
Sir B. HALL.—Nono that I know of. But it seems to me that the
Park is not a place for preaching. If folks want sermons, let them go
to church and chapel. They come to the Parks to hear tho songs of
birds, to admire the goodness of Providence, and to --

Lord PALMERSTON.—To listen to the " Ratcateher's Daughter r
Sir B. HALT..—The bands play nothing ungenteel, I believe.
A MEMBER OF THE DEPUTATION.—We may be permitted to deplore
the evident hostility which exists in the worthy baronet's mind to any
thing religious.

Lord PALM ERSTON.—No, no, you may not, you mustn't say that.
Her Majesty's Government is essentially a religious one, and I should
be excessively shocked if I thought that any of my colleagues under-
valued that great and important subject. We never hold a Cabinet
Council without singing a hymn. So do not allow any such idea to
take possession of your minds.

The MEmaga.—Your Lordship's assurance is most gratifying. But
we feel that the bands in the Parks were wrong.

Lord PALMERSTON.-But, d--n it, I put them down. I felt they
were wrong, and I squashed 'em.
The MEMBER.—But bands do play, with tho permission of Sir B.
Hall.

Lord PALMERSTON.—VoIunteor bands, that play nothing but volun-
taries. I thought, gentlemen, that some of you approved of the
voluntary system.
_... _ _ ___. .

TheMimaen.—Without venturing to imitate your Lordship's wit,
all we ask is the permission to speak to the people who are attracted
by the music. There seems nu great aggression in that.
Lord PALmEasTos.—No, and if there is a serpent in the band, it
is clearly your duty to win folks away from the old Serpent.
Sir B. HALL.-But if these gentlemen preach, other folks preach
also. lam told that some of these persons abuse the most sacred
things.

Lord PALMERSTON.—DO they abuse her Majesty's Government
Tf not, lam inclined to let them go on. I say, do you preach on tubs,
like Orator Henley, or how?
The MEMBER.—Wre find no difficulty, my Lord, in obtaining an
attentive and respectful audience—there.

Lord PALMERSTON —Don't be offended. I didn't mean to annoy
you. I think you are very good sort of men, and that your exertions
do you a devilish deal of credit. Still, there is something in Hall's
notion that you induce bad fellows to spout profanely.
The MEMBER.—We believe that we can deal with the arguments
of such persons, my Lord, and that the population, generally, will soon
become disgusted with mere ribaldry. At least, permit us to try.
Lord PAuseastori.—What do the Bishops say about it?
Sir B. HALL.—What do the Bishops ever say about anything?
Lord PALMERSTON.—Come, come, don't sneer. I know a certain
Bishop of St. Davids who has had one or two things to say about a
certain baronet. I think St. David put your Welsh harp out of tune,
my dear fellow.
Sir B. HALL (sulkily).—Matter of opinion. But the long and the
short of this story is that I wish to be impartial, and I think that a
Government that refuses music ought to refuse sermons.
Lord PALMERSTON.—But they don't ask us to supply the sermons.
I fancy I see you, and Bernal Osborne, and Cockburn, and Charley
Wood, composing sermons for the good of the parks. Isn't thero
something about " the foolishness of preaching?" By Jove, the Parks
would see what it was like, if you were the divines.

Sir B. HALL.—Your tone is slightly contradictory of your state-
ments to these gentlemen about the religious character of the Govern-
ment.

Lord PALMERSTON.—Not a bit—innocent mirth, that's all. Reli
gion never was designed—to make our pleasures less, eh? Well,
finally and lastly, gentlemen, I don't know what to say to you. My
personal opinion is that you ought to be allowed to preach.
A MEMBER.—WO are glad to hear that expression of your Lord-
ship's views.
Lord PALMERSTON.—The first duty of a Minister of the Crown is,
however, to be consistent.

A MEmasa.—Consistency is an important thing, assuredly.
Lord PALMERSTON.—WeII, I thought that there ought to be bands
in the Park.

Sir B. HALL.—And you originally said you thought so.
Lord PALMERSTON.—I know it, and you needn't remind me. Well,
I thought there ought to he bands—and I put them down.
Sir B. HALL —And so—

Lord PALMERSTON.—IViII you be quiet? And so, as I must be
consistent, I think you ought to preach, and I must prohibit you from
doing so.

Sir B. HALL.—Just so, gentlemen, and we regret that you have
taken and given unnecessary trouble in the matter. And so good day
to you.

[Exeunt the Deputation.
Lord PAT MERSTON.—Confound those Parks ! They have been the
cause of one squabble or another ever since you took office. I wish
you'd be good enough to let 'em alone.

[Exit, disrienserl.
Sir B. HALL (tyrter a powge).—Wlirtt light has lie to speak to mo in
that manner. D—n him ! I'm as good as he ! He be blowed !
[Exit, with dignity.

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