The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

Rival Preachers.

An extraordinary scene was witnessed in the market square at Nottingham on Sunday 16th ult. Mrs. H. Law, a lady who professes herself a free-thinker, addressed a congregation of upwards of three thousand persons, denouncing in vehement terms all forms of religion and creeds. Mr. Dupe, 'a converted butcher,' who is the leader of a sect of Christians having a conventicle in Canaan street, got on a cab and called upon his followers, who were mustered in great force, for a hymn. The call was responded to, and the free-thinking lady's voice was drowned for a few minutes. Three other preachers placed their stands around the cab from which the lady was speaking, and the din was literally deafening. Some of the Canaanites collected a quantity of cabbage heads, and one was flung at Mrs. Law with so true an aim that she only escaped being knocked out of her cab by dropping her head. Two well-defined hostile parties were now drawn up. The lady's supporters seemed more numerous than her opponents, and each seemed equally determined on a fight, when the mayor, with a body of police, appeared on the scene, and compelled the crowd to disperse. The lady freethinker, not to be defeated, repaired to the new market of Burton Leys, where she preached upon the French Revolution as a noble attempt to enfranchise the mind of man, until a smart shower dispersed her congregation.