Identifier: storiesofpersons00bene (find matches)
Title: Stories of persons and places in Europe
Year: 1887 (1880s)
Authors: Benedict, E. L. (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: New York, London, G. Routledge and sons
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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ells or Shannon.—Through the bog region from north to south,draining the lakes of the central part, runs the Shannon, the chief river ofIreland. It abounds in fine scenery and furnishes a water-way for manyparts of the interior. Canals connect it with the chief water courses of thenorthern and eastern regions, and costly dredgings from Limerick down to the sea, make it passable there for large vessels. Overlooking the wide estuary that begins to broaden out at Limerick,stands the old cathedral of the town with its fine peal of bells, whose music Ireland. 137 resounds far over the waters of the Shannon, and have become widely notedfor their sweetness. The history of this set of bells is as remarkable astheir tone. They were made many years ago in Italy, by a young Italianwho devoted many months to the task, and when they were done, sold themto the prior of a neighboring convent. With the profits of his sale theyoung manufacturer bought a little villa near the convent, and settled down
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with the expectation of growingold amid his pleasant surround-ings, and within hearing of hisbeloved bells,—the work of hishands. But misfortune in the shape ofwar visited his quiet home. Hisvilla, his friends and all that he had perished ; he alone was left. Even theconvent bells were gone. The building in which they hung had been razed to the earth and the bells taken away. The man became a wanderer; traveledall over Europe but found no place that satisfied him. After years of travel-ing, when his hair had turned gray he was possessed with a desire tohear again those convent bells which alone of all he had once loved, were 138 Persons and Places in Europe. left upon the earth. Hearing that they were in the cathedral of Limerick,he took passage for Ireland. As the vessel came to anchor near the city,some one pointed out to him the steeple where the bells hung. Procuringa small boat he was rowed toward the town, his eyes fixed all the whileon the steeple of St Mary. The evening was a

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