PRAISE GOD BAREBONES

Evening Star, Issue 20558, 9 August 1930, Page 2

PRAISE GOD BAREBONES

Every schoolboy who possesses even an elementary knowledge of English history has heard of Praise God Barebones. He was a member of the Parliament summoned by Cromwell in 1653, which met for the first time on July 4, and was dissolved five months later. It is known in’ history as the Little Parliament, because it consisted of only 139 members, or derisively as the Barbones Parliament. Most history hooks assert that Praise God Barebones was a leading member of this Parliament, which was named after him. But as far as available records show he was a very unimportant member, and took no part. in the debates. He was a leather merchant carrying on business in Fleet street, and had been selected by Cromwell to represent the city of London in Parliament. His name was not Barebones, but Barbone. Carlyle, with his passionate admiration for Cromwell and ali bis works, scorned the wit which gave birth to tho name Earphones Parliament. “Truly it seems rather a distinguished Parliament — oven though Mr Praise God Barebones. ‘ the leather merchant in Fleet street, be, as all mortals must admit, a member of it” wrote Carlyle in ‘Cromwell.’ “Praise God, though he deals in leather, and has a name which can be misspelt, one discerns to be tho son of pious parents; to be himself a man of piety, of understanding and weight —and even of considerable capital, my witty flunky friends!” ’ According to report Praise God Barbone had two brothers, who bore oven more remarkable names. Ono had been christened “ Christ-Came-Into-tho World-to-Save Barbone,” and the other If-Christ-Had-Not-Died-Thou - Had’st-Been-Damned Barbone.