§ MR. SEXTONasked Mr. Attorney General, If his attention has been called to the fact that a person described as the "Ex-Monk Widdows," has, at the Victoria Park Tabernacle, Hackney (as reported in The East London Press of the 18th ultimo), and at different other places, before public audiences, gone through a parody of the religious service venerated by members of the Catholic Church as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; and, whether a public per- 44 formance of a travesty of a solemn religious Christian rite is an indictable offence, and punishable by law?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES),in reply, said, that he had no official knowledge as to the occurrence, nor was it his business to inquire into it. Without full information as to the facts he could not express an opinion on the matter.
§ MR. SEXTONI would ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether the public performance of a solemn religious Christian rite is an indictable offence, and punishable by law?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)said, he could not give an answer to the Question as put without a knowledge of all the circumstances.
§ MR. SEXTONsaid, he would ask a further Question on the subject.