San Andreas independent., 1858-05-15
SKETCHES OF IRISH HISTORY.



Like almost every spotin Ireland, Ath-
lone calls forth many deeply interesting
"reminiscences. Its sieses, its vicissi-
tudes, the patriotism and bravery of its
inhabitants in by-gone days, are themes
which give more than ordinary interest
to its history
Little is recorded in the early annals of
Ireland of its origin, or its history Its
fame is derived chiefly from the part it
took in the contest between James Ii.
and William III. of England. 1t was
famed of old as a pass-wdy "out of Ire
land into Connaught; and many san
culinary battle was fought undor its walls
long before the period of which we are
about to speak. Its castle was famous
even at the time of the Anglo-Saxon in
vaders for when Henry granted the do
minion of Ireland to his son, he express
ly reserved to himself the Castle of Ath-
lone and subsequently when the pro-
vince was granted to Richard de Burgo
the English King retained for his own
special use, five cantreds of land con-
| tiguous to the fortress"
The bridge which unites it to the
Leinster side of the Shannon, is dated
back to the early part of the reign of
Queen Elizabeth. This bridge was built
under the direction of Peter Lewis, an
apostate monk who had abandoned his
cell and the faith of his fathers, and as
sumed the Office of preacher in the law
church of England. Being man of
distinguished scientific and mechanical
knowledge, he was entrusted by Sir Henry
Sidney, in addition to his clerical duties,
with the erection of this bridge In
compartment of this structure is the figure
of Lewis attired in his Geneva attire, for
it was from this city he came to Ireland.
In his right hand is a badly designed pis-
tol, and on this instrument of death is
the figure of rat, in the act of biting
the thumb of the hand which holds it.
The legend connected with this strange
representation is as follows: Lewis, for
some time previous to his death, had been
haunted by mysterious rat ; whereso-
ever he went it followed him. BY day
and by night; in bed and at meals on
horseback or on foot, this disgusting ver-
min pursued him. Even in church he
was not free from its unwclcome attend
ance. One day he ventured to preach in
the church of st. Mary's, and 10 the
rat was there peering at him during the
whole of his sermon. This was too much
for the divine to endure, and after de-
sccnding from the pulpit he drew pistol,
which the chronicle of events informs us
he always carried to shoot the unsightly
; animal, when the sagacious creature to
avoid the shot, leaped on the pistol as
represented on the monument, and seiz-
ing the parsons thumb, inflicted such a
wound as to bring on the lock jaw, which
terminated in the death of the unfortu-
, nate Lewis.
The town of Athlone is divided by the
river Shannon at the only place where it
is fordable for distance of twenty miles.
t After the battle of the Boyne, General
Douglas, who commanded for William,
laid siege to Athlone At that time the
place was defended by Colonel Richard
Grace, an experienced officer, in whose
skill and fidelity James placed every re-
lance. His reputation had been estab.
lished during the war of the Common
wealth, and he appears to have been the
last person of distinction who resisted the
republican power in Ireland In 1862,
: price of 9300 was offered for his head
} He was an old man when appointed Gov
3 ernor of Athlone, and his enemies flushed
with recent victory, anticipated an easy
and bloodless triumph
! In this, however, they were mistaken.
t When the veteran Colonelwas summoned
to surrender in July, 1890, he returned
| most resolute defiance "These are my
f terems," he exclaimed, discharging his
| pistol in the air F" these only will | give
: or receive; and when my provisions are
: consumed, | will defend my trust till |
= have eaten my boots"
r Irritated by this defiant reply, Doug las
2 closely invested the town, and carried
f on the siege with the utmost vigor. But
2 his attempts were fruitless. His assaults
were met with the most determined reso-
= luton and valor by the Irish soldiers and
5 their brave old commander. The assail-
5 ants were repulsed in every onset, and
7 driven back with heavy losses. After
many Intellectual attempts, Douglas was
obliged to raise the siege and retire in
r digrace, leaving fora time the veteran Irish
; Colonel in undisputed possession of Ath-
lone
This stronghold, however, was of too
great Importance to be left long in repose.
: Accordingly we find General Ginkle ear
: ly in the following summer invested the
: place with strong force and heavy train
: of artillery. The portion of the town on
7 the east bank of the river being almost
, entirely abandoned, fell an easy prey to
the enemy. From this position the Eng
lish cannon could easily reach the fortii-
cations on the western side, and for some
days an incessant discharge of balls and
bombs was made Breaches were soon
effected, and on the Both of June the at
tack was commenced; the signal for ford
ing the river was given by the tolling of
the church bell
In the meantime ST. Ruth, the French
r.