itting leader of a forlorn
hope. Originally, one of the "Gentlemen of the Guard" under the Merrie
Monarch, his defence of Limerick was a military achievement worthy of
the ambition of any general; nor were his Williamite opponents slow to
cordially appreciate his valour. But he was fated to die, "on a far,
foreign field." The sieges of Limerick led up to its name of the City of
the Broken Treaty. William of Nassau, having routed King James in
August, 1690, invested the city with 35,000 men. Tyrconnel and Lauzun,
Commander of the French allies, had cleared out, considering that the
place could not be defended. Sarsfield, although not in command, with
other kindred spirits, decided to defend the position. The heavy
ordnance of the Williamites, while on the way to the scene of siege, was
surprised at night at Ballyneety by Sarsfield and a hero called
"Galloping O'Hogan," and the guns spiked and the ammunition mined and
fired. Auxiliary artillery was, however, brought into camp, and the
assault delivered. The guns breached the walls, the outworks were
carried, but before the garrison could pour in, the townspeople--men and
women--the latter, vieing in valour, flowed out and swept away all
opposition. The siege was raised. But a year later, Ginckle again
invested the place by land and sea. After three months' defence,
Sarsfield agreed to capitulate, the chief conditions of the treaty
being, that Catholics should be admitted to practice their religion
without hindrance, and that the Jacobite garrison should march out with
the honours of war. The latter condition was kept, but when Sarsfield
and his regiments had gone beyond the seas, the former was shamefully
violated. By the Thomond may be seen the Treaty Stone, on which the
capitulation papers were signed, October 3rd, 1691. In the Cathedral
place is the modern monument to Sarsfield. The castle, which was built
by King John--now a store--is an excellent example of the military
architecture introduced into Ireland by the Normans. The Shannon, the
largest river in Ireland, flows through the city. Limerick lace is
valued wherever people of taste are. The industry still thrives; but the
former greatness of the glove manufacturers has departed. Bacon curing
is the great industry of the city to-day, and the names of Denny,
Matterson, and Shaw--the principal manufacturers--have become household
words. The greatest factory in Limerick, however, is belonging to the
famous Condensed M