The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-04-24

| u
twenty miles long and twelve wide, without
break in its entire expanse. The stratum il
about seven inches thick, with layer of stick!
mud underneath it two feet thick, and unde
| this another stratum Of transparent salt sill
| feet thick in some parts. 1t is ninety five PEI
cent pure salt. As there is q thin crystallin.
| roughness on the top of this lake Of salt, i,
makes it poor skating
The Irish at Home and Abroad: at Limerick and
Cremsna By John Cornelius OCallaghan. 6las
gow Cameron 4 FuTguson.
1t is now twenty -eight years ago since q
young 1rishman, animated with the most
passionate desire to indicate the military
reputation of his country, was seen enter
ing that great establishment, the Biblio-
theque du Roi in Paris. Here he might be
observed, day after day, absorbed in study,
folios, rummaging among dusty manu-
scripts, and taking copious notes of their
contents. The object Of his constant re-
searches was to discover some documents
which might throw light on the history of
Ireland during the Williamite wars. After
found a French journal, published by the
French Government during the siege of
Limerick. This was great discovery,
and was regarded by our young country man
as more precious than gold. 1t is scarcely
an exaggeration to say that it had never
been read during goo years by a SIM le in
dividual. John Cornelius O'Callaghan-
for such was the young Irishmans name
felt more delight in making this discovery
than if he had found a diamond mine. 1t
was, he perceived, the very best account of
the siege that had ever been penned, aud
he Immediately went to work and tran
scribed the rare and precious document
with his own hand. He translated it with
out loss of time, enriched it with valuable
historical notes, and now, after the lapse of
thirty eight years--devoted to the study of
Irish history-he gives it to the public in
the form of pamphlet which every one
who possesses q history of Ireland should
purchase and read.
The great merit of it is, that it gives
what was never before presented to the
Irish-a Frenchmans account of the siege
of Limerick. AS nearly every>Other ac-
count of this event was written by Enlish-
men, hostile to Ireland, this is the only
original history which does Justice to Irish
valor. The French author received his in
formation from Frenchmen fighting in Ire
land, and he accordingly places the courage
and heroism of the citizens and garrison of
Limerick in q true light. He does them
justice. The officers of the besieeed," he
says, have signalized themselves ex-
tremely during the entire siege; and the
Irish soldiers have not only fought, but EN-
dured with an extraordinary patience all
the hardships of it, which have been very
great; because they were almost constantly
under arms, and they were in want OF the
greater part of the necessaries of life, as
well as of medicines for the sick and
wounded" In note upon this passage
Mr.. OCallaghan tells us, "Another account
printed in Paris likewise remarks: Zone
cannot sufficiently praise the bravery and
patience of the Irish who, wanting por-
ton of the necessares of life, have never
been disheartened, although they fed only
upon oatmeal and little crusty loaves
hastily made with some corn bruised be-
tween two stones, and were in need of me-
dicines and surgeOus.'
The governor of Limerick at this time
was q Frenchman named B0isseleau, who,
we are told was "brave and able" officer,
the utmost valor and vigilance,
as did the other Frenchmen who fought in
will be ever remembered in Irish history"
adds Mr.. Buckingham" associated with
Humbert and st. Ruth. He was subse-
quently appointed governor of Charleroy,
in Flanders, aud died in 1893. 1t is Gu
rious fact that Williams army contained
nearly seven thousand Danes, who, on
coming before Limerick, were encamped
on the left, where they found an old fort
built by their ancestors, which they were
very proud Of" "Thosa Northern warriors"
says Mr.. O'Callaghan, "fired with all ina
ginable fury. They had AIS privates killed
and wounded" in one day aud the French
man adds, I" The Danes have had forty-fve
captains, Geutenants or ensigns slain or
put hoTs de Combat.
The notes to this narrative are replete
with valuable matter which every one con.
versant with Irish history will appreciate.
1t is scarcely an exaggeration to cay that if
Mr.. O'Ca1laghan was present at the siege,
be could not be better acquainted with all
its events and occurrences. He is as init
mate with the leading characters as if he
was their personal acquaintance. This
profound knowledge, this thorough init
macy is, we need not say, very rare in
modern books; it gives peculiar stamp to
all of Mr.. O'Callaghan's publications, which,
in depth of research ard a peculiar raciness
Of truth, can only be equalled by the his
torical works of modern Germany.
The last document in this pamphlet
which only costs sixpence-is, if possible,
more important than the first. Il contains
IN original account of the attack on Gre
mona by the Austrian army, which two
Irish regiments defeated in u manner that
filled Europe with establishment. To use
the expression of French writer, Gee
granite evenement fit retOnnement de toute
rEur"pe." A member of the British House
of Commons, speaking of this affair, sad,
i" Two Irish regiments in Cremona have
inflicted more Injury ON England than all
the Irish could have done if they remained
at home in Possession of their estates"