The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-05-08


"a y RhHarOcI<. Ill VIA
Chambers Journal gives the origin Of the ma.
tionaI emblems, as follows:
THE ROSE or ENGLAND.
In the early part OF the reign Of Henry VI,
about the year 1850, q few noblemen and gentle
men were discussing who vas the rightful heir
70 the English crown. Alter time they ad-
journed to the temple Gardens, thinking they
would be more free from interruption. Scarcely
however. had they entered. when they perceived
Richard Piantaganet approaching Unwilling to
continue the conversation in his presence great
silence ensued. He, however. asked them what
they had boon SO apxiously talking about when
no joined them, and whether they espoused tho
cause Of his party or that of the usurper, Henry
Lancaster, who had filled the throne. A false
and absurd politeness preventing their making
any reply.
"Since you are % reluctant to tell your opin.
ion by words, tell me by signs, and let him that
is an adhercnt of the House of York pull white
rose, rs do"
Then said the Earl of Somerset:
"I.et him who hates Aattery. and dares 10 main
tain our rghtful king in the presence of hi. ene-
mies, pull red rose with me"
When Henry VII. married Elizabeth. Of York.
the rival houses were blended, and the rose be-.
came the emblem Of England.
THISTLE OF SCOTLAND.
In the reign Of Malcolm l., in the year 1910,
Scotland vas invaded by the Danes, who made
descent on Aberdeenshire, intending to take by
storm Staines Castle, fortress Of importance.
The still hour Of midnight was selected AZ the
time for commencing the attack. When all was
ready. and there was a reasonable hope that the
inmates Of the castle we're asleep. they commence
ed their march. They advanced cautiously tax.
ing of their shoes TO prevent their footsteps be-
ing heard. They approached the lofty lower.
their hearts beating in joyous hope Of victory,
not q sound is heard within. They can scarcely
refrain FROM ordinations of delight. TOT they
had but 70 swim across the moat and place seal
ing ladders, and the castle is theirs! But in .
moment a cry from themselves rouses the inmates
10 sense Of their danger, the guards fly to their
posts and pursue the now trembling Danes, who
fly before them. Whence arose this sudden
change of affairs From very simple cause
1t appears that the moat, instead Of being Allied
with water, was in reality dried up and over.
grown with thistles, which pierced the unpro-
tected feet Of the assailants, who. tortued with
PAIN forgot their cautious silence, and uttered
the cry which had alarmed the sleeping inmates
of the castle.
SHAMROCK OF IRELAND.
Ono day St. Patrick was preaching at Tara
lie was anxious to explain the doctrine of the
Holy Trinity. The people failed to understand
and refused to believe that there could DO three
persons and yet but one God. The holy man
paused a moment, absorbed in thought, aud see.
ing shamrock peeping through the green turf,
exclaimed:
"Do you zee this simple little wild flower,
how three leaves are united in one stalk ?"
His audience understood without difficulty
this simple vet striking illustration, to the in.
expressible delight Of st. Patrick, and from that
day the Shamrock became tho national emblem
Of ireland. lt3Y7 .EgH flT
Ny other piece Of advice, CopperAeld. you