sessions.  The avowed object of this assemblage was to seize provisions by force, or at least to lay down a scale of prices beyond which they should not be raised.  The authorities had, of course, timely notice of this movement, and left a sufficient force in the town to protect it.  The precaution was not an idle one, for soon after the dragoons took their departure for Kilmacthomas, about five thousand men entered Dungarvan, led by a person named Power, well known in the locality as “lame Pat.”  The town was guarded by sixty soldiers and fifty-four police, but in the face of such numbers, their officers considered it the best policy to stand upon the defensive, and do nothing until a breach of the peace had been committed.  They, however, cautioned the people, and advised them to return to their houses; they did not take their advice, but went round to the various places in which corn was stored, and threatened the owners, if they attempted to export any of the produce they had purchased.  They next proceeded to the shops where Indian meal was on sale, and uttered similar threats against the vendors if they charged more than one shilling a stone for it.  Meantime Captain Sibthorpe, the officer in command of the detachment of the 1st Royal Dragoons that had gone to Kilmacthomas in the morning, finding the number of people there assembled less than he had anticipated—­only five hundred or so—­and being aware that a much larger body was expected at Dungarvan, asked permission from the magistrates to return to that town.  At first, they were very loath to grant his request, but having at length yielded, he left forty-eight policemen for their protection, and marched his men back to Dungarvan.  It was a journey of three or four hours.  On their arrival they found the people under Power had concluded their preliminary business of visiting the stores and shops, and not being provided with a commissariat to supply them with rations, they were levying contributions from the bakers of the town.  Seeing this, Captain Sibthorpe ordered his dragoons to ride them down, and drive them off, which they did.  Some prisoners were taken, lame Pat Power, their leader, being of the number.  The prisoners having been secured, Mr. Howley, the resident magistrate, addressed the people; he explained to them the illegality and folly of their proceedings, and assured them he would forward to the Government any document detailing what they considered as their grievances, provided that it was couched in respectful language; and further, that he would do all he could to have any reasonable request of theirs complied with.  Upon this they retired and drew up a statement which they handed to him, and which he promised to send to the Lord Lieutenant.  So far so good.  The day’s proceedings might be fairly supposed to have ended here—­but no—­what about the prisoners?  The people refused to go away without them.  The magistrates would not release them, but assured their comrades that their