LIMOGES, le-mozh, France, an episcopal city, capital of the department of Haute Vienne, situated on a hill sloping to the Vienne, here crossed by three bridges, 88 miles west of Clermont. The streets arc narrow and tor tuous; but the fortified walls which sur rounded the town have been replaced by fine shady boulevards. The principal edifices are the cathedral, commenced in 1273, presenting both Romanesque and Gothic features; the Gothic church of Saint Michel des Lions; the church of Saint Pierre du Queyroix; a modern town-hall, palace of justice, bishop's palace, public library of 90,000 volumes, school of decorative art, and meteorological observatory. It is the headquarters of tile 12th army corps. The art of enamel is said to have flourished here from the 12th century, and the city is not able for a series of artists eminent for beautiful paintings in enamel. The principal industry is
the manufacture of porcelain, b:.gun in 1736, and employing thousands of workpeople; there are also wool and cotton spinning mills, paper mills, and shoe and clog manufactures. Book printing is of importance; a press was set up in 1496. It has a considerable trade in cereals, wine and spirits, wood and cattle.
Limoges was originally the capital of the Gallic tribehe Lemovices, and an important R city as the Roman 'Augusboritum There are some remains of the Roman occupa tion inscriptions and other fragments. The city has been twice depopulated by pestilence, in the 10th century when 40,000 are reported to have perished, and in 1630-31, when 20,000 were taken. It was taken by assault by Edward the Black Prince in 1370, when a massacre of 3,000 of the inhabitants ensued. Pop. 92,181.