The Sun.
London, England, 1821-03-16 00:00:00

SAINT PATRICK.

St. Patrick, from the eminent services he ren-
dered to the Irish, in converting them from ido-
latry, is called the APOSTLE and FATHER of the
HIBERNIAN CHUACH ; and he has also the ho-
nour of being selected, as the Patron or Tute-
lary Saint oft7that Island. The name this Saint''
received at his baptism was SuccEATn, formed
from the British language, and expressing " Va-
lour in War." His parents, who were Britons by
birth, were of great respectability and repute,
and resided at the spot now called Kirkpatrick,
near Dumbarton, where it is generally acknow-
ledged that this eminent character was born on the,
sth of April, 373." But the Irish assert him to
have been a Genoese Friar, who travelled oti
foot through Italy and France, from whence he
embarked for England, through which he also
travelled on foot to the coast of Scotland, and
embarking at Portpatrick, landed at Donagha-
dee, in Ireland.
The Irish have a tradition relative to the land-
ing of St. Patrick on the eve of the ancient
Baltiene, or Holy Fires,&c. &c.; but: the legend
is so interwoven with absurdity and superstition,
that the factis not noticed by the most accredited
histories of that Saint.
The wearing the Shamrock on the Feast of St.
Patrick is attributed by some to the following
circumstance :—When he first endeavoured to
plant the seeds of Christianity in Hibernia, he
found great difficulty in inculcating the doctrine
of the TRINITY into the minds of his rude and
barbarous auditors, and therefore had recourse
to a visible image whereby to illustrate his dis-
course. Thus, when expounding that tritheis-
' tical mystery, he held in his hand a leaf of the
Shamrock or Trefoil, as representing the divisi-
bility of the- Divinity into three distinct and
equal parts, but its junction or union in one stem
or original ; and this ingenious mode of account-
ing for the wearing of the Shamrock may possi-
bly have truth for its basis, although it is more
probable',- that as the Shamrock had been long
before-the time of ST. PATRICK considered as the
national-badge or emblems it was worn on the
anniversary of ST. PATRICK to mark him as their
Patron or Tutelary Saint.

REGISTER OF FASIIION.

FASHIONABLE PARTIES.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York has issued cards of
invitation for a very extensive dinner party, at his house iii the
Stable Yard, on Saturday next. The party, we believe, will,
consist chiefly of Noblemen, and others, interested in the en-
suing contests at Newmarket..
The Duke of Devonshire gave a grand dinner on Wednes-
day to the Archbishop of York, the Earls of Darnl4 and Derby,
and the other Directors of the Ancient Music ; Lord and Lady
Morpetk, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb, and several other dis-
tinguished persons were of the party. Yesterday his Grace en-
tertained another party at Devonshire House.
Wednesday the Earl and Countess COwper gave a grand
dinner, at their house in George-street, -Hanover-square, to the
Marquess and Marchioness of Lansdown, Earl and Countess
Of Jersey, Visc9unt and Viscountess Granville, Lord Mel:.
bourne, Mr. and Lady C. Lamb, Lord and Lady George Ca-
vendish, Lord and Lady William Russell, and a large party of
their distinguished friends.
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is now giving a series -of
private balls at Dublin Castle.
ALMACK'S.—The second ball for the season took place .on.
Wednesday evening, at these elegant Rooms., Dancing com-
menced at eleven O'clock, and finished at three yesterday morn-
ing.—There were present nearly, two hundred distinguished .fa-
sinonablei, being upwards of fifty more than at the second
ball last season.

FASILIONABLE MOVEMENTS.
Viscount and Viscountess Morpeth have arrived at their
house in Park-street, from the Earl of Carlisle's seat, Citstle
Howard, Yorkshire- •-
The Earl and Countess of Darlington and family have left
their seat, Itaby Castle, Durham, for. Yorkshire.
Sir John and Lady'Pollen and family arrived yesterday at
their new residdnce in Albemarle-street, from their seat near
Ahdover. •

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

STATE OF THE ODDS.-:

,ETTING ROOM, March 15
BY.
12 to 1 agst Gustavus
12 to 1 agst Jock.

8 to 1 agst Reginald
10 to 1 agst Morel

OAKS:
b to 1 agst My Lady.
ItIDbLESIVOILTtr. _
2to I agst Reginald I9to 2 agst Selima.
5 to 2 agst Morel

SAINT LEGER.
Bto 1 agst Jack Spiggot 114 to 1 agst Colwell.

EXTRAORDINARY TROTTING MATCH.—Lately Captain
A—, R. N., and J. H—, Esq, of Bromsgrove, .made a
match to trot each other's horses for 50 guineas aside; from
Bromscove turnpike-gate to Worcester turnpike-gate; a
distance of .11 miles, which was performed by Capt. A.'s grey.
mare in 35 minutes, beating Mr. H.'s five minutes.
PEDESTRIANISM.—CIIISP, the Celebrated pedestrian, is
backed for three hundred guineis to walk against another cele-
brated pedestrian,
_ from London to,, Liverpool: They. are to
start from Hyde Park Corner at five o'clock on Easter,Monday
morning, accompanied by. two Umpires on horseback. They are
to halt on the road, at set places, and to sleep but twb nights
on the way. lle that takes the least-time in walking their
respective stages to be declared the winner. - Many bets are
depending on the occasion, but at present Crisp.is the favourite.

Boxmo.—A rare match and treat to the amateur took place
yesterday on Banham-downs, in Hertz and Bucks, as the spot
divided the counties. It was between George Granger, a tried
good man, who beat the Bath Butcher and others, and Thomas
Harding, better known by the rame of Huntingdon Toni, for
thirty guineas aside. At the fourth round Harding was all
abroad. : he was weak and insensible, and Gran Fer won the
fight by hitting hinl downar.cl drawing two of his jaw teeth. •

IADTTA I 1
if„--1

110 USE OF LORDS, ILyicn. 15.

Mr. Irving, from, the Customhouse, presented
certain Papers relative to the T-rade with the
United States of America, and With Cant On.
Mr. Ball, from the Penitentiary at Milbank,
presented the Report of the Committee, with a
Copy of the Rules and RegulationS adopted
thue, pursuant to Act of Parliament.
The General Inclosure. Act Arnetichhttit Bill
was read a third time"and passed.
The Earl of SIIAFTESBURY presented a peti-
tition from the Mayor and Corporation of Col-
chester, against granting any further. concessions
to the Roman,Catholics.—Ordered to lie on the
table. ~ •

Mr. BROGInN, and others from the Ifonse of
Comnions, 'brought up the Silk Manufacturers'
Bill, the Cochineal Bill and the Glass-Duties Bill,
which were severally read a first time.—Ad-
journed• till to-morrow (this day.)