The Express.
London, England, 1864-09-12 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

(THIS DAY.)

BOW-STREET.
TRY HIV. MR, HIBBS AGAIN.
.1)* /fib's. a clergyman of the church of England,
~ • at the bar before Mr. Flowers to answer the
of having caused an obstruction to the public tho.
~..rme by preaching in Trafalgar-square.
mistable Henry Comten A 616, was about to give
. • ,leuce, when the defendant demanded his address and
mod him as to his comprehension of the sacred obli.
of An oath, almost before he had utterred a sentence.
!icer being at length allowed to proceed, stated that
• a.,, on duty in Trafalgaraquare at half-past 3
on staiday afternoon when he raw a large crowd
:.,,,,asseuibled in the thoroughfare. The defendant was
zed ou one of the terraces giving out a hymn. He was
.•
„e 1 between the National Gallery and the Crescent
Witness went up to him, and requested him to
v no he could not be permitted to preach there.
a crowd of five or sin hundred persons gathering
• .e time, causing serious obstruction RI the carriage
r toe vehicles passing through the square. On
• iv week witness and other constables had removed
_.from the same place. The defendant came down to the
• but refused to leave, and went on "arguing" with
•. Decide. Finding that be would not go away witness
• , him into custody, and the charge was taken at the
'3. the defendant, who bad several friends with him
liberated on bail.

-feadaut— W I not walking towards St. Martin's
actual:y going away, when you took gne into
witiless —You walked a few yards only. You said ►oo
. , written order from Sir Richard Mayne to preach there.
Flowers—lf that is so, Mr. Hibbs, you can produce
.:1 there is an end of the case _

~-feadaut—lt is not exactly an order, but a notice, which
~.ib,ted here on a former occasion, and which gives me
. to preach unless requested by the inhabitants to
•Now, sir, (to witoess)—lid I Dot call on my friends
• Pow me to lAueseter.square.
t, ttle,l-I_er, you waved your heed to them, and said,
‘s, friends, to Leicester square."
~frodant—ls not this sufficient proof that the constable
per;ored himself ! He has sworn that I refused to go,
DOW admits that I was actuallygoing. The fact is I took
cumber in my book, and wrote by the side of the entry
•.. words, "very insolent." He then took me out of
- - - -

Mr:Flowers—l think it very probable that you intended
: cud that the constable may have been mistaken as to
- intention. I shall, therefore, discharge you ; but you
' - tot preach in public thoroughfares to the obstruction
• ...le traffic. I dare say you think it is very wicks for
7. buses and cabs to be out at all on Sundays, bat you
- not expect your judgment to be universslly adopted.
...re now discharged.
,rfetidant—Oh, I have not done with this man yet. Now,
• 7—soil this is • very grave matter, air—are you the con-
•'.Dle who addressed to me, a clergyman of the church of
zlarid, the offensive words, " None of your slang r
witness—Yes, I did use those words.
....feodant (with great vehemence)—Now, sir, let the
Air see what sort of men they have to deal with.
Mr. Flowers—That was an impudent remark, no doubt;
Mr. Bible, we must bear in mind that • policeman u only
man, having blood, heart, and temper, like other men ;
.:d if you, a clergyman of the church of England, cannot
.-ep your temper (and anyone who has seen your excited
:Luther must be clear upon that point), you must not be
• .rprised if • man in the coestable's station of life should
rget himself also. I dismiss the case.
The defendant, who seemed anxious to keep op the case
:uch loner, then reluctantly retired from the dock.