The proceedings were then adjourned.

So far have we quoted from the Freeman’s Journal.  Of the closing scene Saunders’s News-Letter, grieving sorely over such a fiasco, gives the following account:—­

The adjournment of the court was attended with a scene of tumult and disorder that was rarely, or never, witnessed in a police court, in presence of the magistrates and a large number of police—­both inspectors and detectives.  The crowd of unwilling witnesses who had been summoned to give evidence against the defendants, clamorously protested against being brought there as crown witnesses, avowed that they were present taking part in the procession, and loudly declared that they would not attend at any subsequent hearing of the case.  The latter part of the case indeed was marked with frequent interruptions and declarations of a similar kind, often very vociferously uttered.  The proceedings terminated amid the greatest and unchecked disorder.

In plain words, “Scene I, Act I,” in what was meant to be a most solemn, awe-inspiring government function, turned out an unmistakable farce, if not a disastrous break down.  Even the government journals themselves, without waiting for “Scene II.,” (though coming off immediately) raised a shout of condemnation of the discreditable bungle, and demanded that it should be forthwith abandoned.  Considering the course ultimately taken by the government, these utterances of the government organs themselves, have a serious meaning and are of peculiar importance.  The ultra-orange Evening Mail (Tuesday, 17th December,) said:—­

   THE POLICE-COURT SCENE.

The scenes of yesterday in the Dublin police-court will cause an astonished public to put the question, is the government insane?  They suppress the processions one day, and on the next proceed with deliberation to destroy all possible effect from such an act by inviting the magistrates’ court to be used as a platform from whence a fresh roar of defiance may be uttered.  The originators of the seditious demonstrations are charged with having brought the government of the kingdom into hatred and contempt; but what step taken, or word spoken or written, from the date of the first procession to the last, brought the government into anything like the “contempt” into which it plunged itself yesterday?  The prosecutions now instituted are in themselves an act of utter weakness.  We so declared when we imagined that they would be at least rationally conducted; but what is to be said now?  It is literally impossible to give any sane explanation of the course taken in summoning as a crown witness one who must have been known to be prepared to boast of his participation in the procession.  Mr. Sullivan boldly bearded the prosecutors of his brethren.  It was a splendid opportunity for him.  “I was present (he said) at that funeral procession.  I participated in it, deliberately and heartily.  I call this