The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-20 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

OPEN••AIR PREACEIING.—TiIeReV. Richard Hibbs, who
appeared before Mr. Corrie on former occasions for creating
a disturbance by collecting a crowd in front of the Duke of
York's Column by preaching, and at whose request the
charge was adjourned, again attended this morning to show
that he was acting within the law, and that the police had
no authority to take him into custody. •

Inspector Wilson said--In consequence of the complaints
of Sir M. Ridley and several members of the clubs, Sir R.
Mayne had directed the police to prevent preaching near to
the Duke of York's Column, and because Hibbs refused to
desist he was taken into custody.

Mr. Hibbs—l should liko to know if there has been any
particular objection to me ?

Inspector Wilson—Yes, several gentlemen of the clubs
have frequently complained.
Mr. Hibbs—You don't call that a complaint of the in.

habitants.

Mr. Corrie—l don't see under what section in the police

act you are proceeding.
Mr. Hibbs—Neither do I see any section which declares
preaching a nuisance. How do you make it a nuisance
and annoyance?

Inspector Wilson—By the crowd collecting.
Mr. Hibbs—Did you find the crowd and myself dis-
orderly ?
Inspector Wilson—No. There was no disorder, but you
were proceeding at the top of your voice, and have been
told that the members of the Athenamtn Club have been
compelld during the hot weather to close their windows in
consequence of the annoyance.
Mr. Coriie—That is the club to which the learned men
belong.

Mr. Hibbs—Can you say the distance from the
Ather reum at which I was preaching ?
Inspector Wilson—No, not exactly, but I should say
about GO feet.

Mr. Hibbs—Well, would it be possible to select a more
desirable site for the purpose of preaching ?
Inspector Wilson -- Supposing preaching was allowed
there I should say you could not take up a better spot,
It was nearly in the centre.

Mr. Hibbs—Now, referring to the complaint of Sir M.
Ridley, do you consider that the persons who were listen-
ing to my preaching could be called "noisy rabble and
bad characters ?"

Inspector Wilson—Well, I can't say that. There was a
large crowd, and you were preaching. As you refused to
go away, I took you into custody.
Mr. Hibbs—And that led to a breach of the peace occa-
sioned by the constable.

Mr. Corrie—You do not act in this matter under any
particular section of the act, but from .the general order you
receive, to disperse all crowds?
Inspector—Yes, your worship, that is so.
Mr. Corrie—The better course for you to adopt, Mr.
Hibbs, as you contend you have done no wrong, is to show
me the right you have to be there.
Mr. Hibbs—There was no obstruction to begin with.
Mr. Corrie—Thero wore, according to your own state-
ment, about 200 persons listening to you.
Mr. Hibbs—There was enough room for two carriages to
pass together between the crowd and the kerbstone. There
was no obstruction, and I do complain of the conduct of the

police.
The Rev. G. Townshend, incumbent of St. Michael's
Burleigh-street, said he knew Mr. Hibbs, and he con-
sidered his preaching was quite of a consistent nature. He
had Ken Mr. Gladstone listening to Mr. Hibbs preaching.
Mr. Brook, of Newgate-street, said Mr. Hibbs was most
scrupulous in his observance of the law. In addition to
Mr. Gladstone, he had noticed the Baron and
Baroness Bernstorff, the Duke of Leinster, and
others of the nobility listening to his preaching.
With respect to the members of the Athenaeum
Club, he did not wonder at their shutting down their win-
dows ; he was only surprised they did not draw down the
blinds. (Laughter.) They sat all Sunday reading news-
papers, and a more irreligious body of people he did not know.
(Laughter.) He considered that the proceedings of Mr.
Hibbs had had a beneficial effect rather than otherwise, for
he had frequently seen many highly influential persbnages
listening to him.
Mr. Mathew H. Field, of 24, King's-road, Notting-hill,
spoke of the orderly manner of the crowd.
Inspector Wilson—There had been no less than seven
persons preaching in the space before the column that par-
ticular Sunday.
Mr. Hibbs—l cannot see, as beyond all dcubt the Bishop
of London and Lord Wrottesley Russell have preached in
the open air in Covent-garden market, that I can be cm-
sidered to have committed any offence against the law.
After a long discussion with the rev. gentleman,
' Mr. Collie said ho did not think Mr. Hibbs had a right
to preach in the place he had selected, and as the police had
prevented the repetition, he was not called upon to proceed
farther with the matter.
Mr. Hibbs—l don't know but what I've a cause of action
for illegal arrest against the constable.
Mr. Corrie—l've nothing to do with that.
The rev. gentleman and his friends then left the court.