The sortie was conducted in a most admirable manner:—the gates were thrown open by an instantaneous movement: a sergeant's guard, armed with carbines and swords, appeared drawn up in line on the inside: the Grinders beheld the formidable force, and the word “_ready_” struck such a panic into their hearts, that they ran off in confusion, without waiting for the “_present_.” However, they did not run far; but halted at the end of the road, about fifty yards from the gates; and their leaders were in the act of encouraging them to return to the assault, by appealing to the powers that watched over the “_rights of the people_.”—“Magna Charta, and the cause of the Grinders!” were the last words of the chief; and the effect of his speech was manifested in loud huzzas. At this instant the Broomsticks sallied out upon the Grinders, with a desperation which obliterated in a moment even the traces of their chief's harangue. Little was the use of the hammer, the knife, or the poker; the obtundity of the broomsticks beat down every point, and workmen with their tools were strewed along the inglorious ground—_ground_ as it were, while they ought to have been employed in _grinding_. Never was military power exerted over the “power of the people” more to the satisfaction of every body, except the Grinders themselves; for they were not cut in pieces by the sword, nor their heads blown off by the ball; but belaboured with broomsticks in the most admirable and _popular_ manner, by a force two-thirds inferior to their own! It is much to be regretted that plebeian freaks should produce serious evils; but effects will follow causes, in spite of our regrets. This affair, although attended with no loss of lives, produced considerable loss not only to the employers of the Grinders, but to the families of the unfortunate combatants; for seventy were taken wounded to the hospital in an hour after the first attack, and some suffered a long time under their wounds. They, however, received an excellent lesson, which they did not soon forget; for when the 5th Dragoon Guards, in a few years after, were quartered amongst them, instead of insult they met with the greatest respect—(_à la distance_)—from the entire body of the Grinders. FOOTNOTES: [21] The lowest order of workmen employed in the manufacture of cutlery. [22] Both the officers were men of considerable private fortune. One was a captain, now retired from the army, and residing on his estate at Newcastle-on-Tyne. A ROUGH PASSAGE TO PORTUGAL: SKETCHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUNG OFFICERS. At mercy of the waves, whose mercies are Like human beings during civil war. BYRON.