The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-16
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
Again it Has ReeurTed-SOme Scraps
from the History of OuId Ireland's
Patron saint-His TribuIatiOns, Works,
and iraCIpa.

We do not know whether there be any one
fish surname which has obtained the wide-
sprt ad acceptance of our English or American
"Smlth;'' but we do know that neither England
nor America can exhibit q prenomen as uni
never at a loss to attract the attention of re.
cent importation from the "Emerald Isle"
Sing out Pat" and he is sure to bob his head
Now, many wise antiquarians and pedigree
unraveilers have muddled their brains In
an attempt TO elucdate the reasons for the
general adoption by irish parents OF this pre-
hx, Patrick" !" for their male children. Learned
treatises have been written, and mighty argu-
ments piled in them, to prop up this or that n.y.
pothesis in explanation. But the truth is ina
NUT hell. You needn't hurt yourself In your
If yen only allow common sense to speak. In
the first place, then, the main reason why
are dubbed "Pat" is because Pat" was the
name of certain old chap who figured
in Irish history H ana SS VINO o1 dor led sui as
"SJ Patrick" Again, everybody knows that
the majority of the poor ana more ignorant in
Ireland are Roman Catholics by faith; knows
the horror they entertain of any person dying
unbaptized; knows that this class of the popu
that the children al received into the Church
by the baptismal rite almost before they are
born. OF course, the Introduction Into this
world of another unit, in the shape of human
baby, has ever been happy. yet trying, en-
barrasstng, and d d.sconcerting eventto the anxi-
Gus. Irish parents are not unlike other parents
at such times, except in this; their ex-
treme eagerness and hurry to have the
ment has taken them by surprise. They have
not yet pitched upon q name for the ''autict.
pated." When the thing has actually happened,
at their wits ends for fear that the little Irish
man may die before he is sprinkled with the
holy water, they naturally fall upon the name
OF the individual by whom they have been
Rccust omed swear, ana "Bt. Patrick" is COM
| PEELED 10 yield them the privilege of naming
| the child after himself. So the baby Is called
Pat" and great IL the rejoicing. Now, then
as we know the reason or reasons why almost
| all Irishmen are named Pat" and as we also
| know the peculiar reverence in which they
hold "St. Pairick," and as "St Patrick's ID lyG
will come OFF again on the morrow, let as take
| glimpse at the history OF that celebrated and
| honored personsge.
| His origin is wrapped In mystery. No person
| can tell exsctly the place of his birth. We are
| forced to content ourselves wi h the kno WledQe q
| that he entered upon his earthly career about
| the year A. ID. 372 while IL is quite i'm BILE
| to determine whether England, Scotland
| Wales, or France has the best claim To be con
sidered the country of his birth. When buI
sixteen years OF age he was stolen away by 8
| band of pirates by whom he was sold iutS
slavery in Ireland. For seven years thereafter
his master compelled him to follow the humbl,
occupation of a ineherd on Mount Sleam
ish, In county Antrim.
| He contrived in the end to escape from Gao
tivity and after encountering innumeraOl
perils both by land and sea- to make his wa!
| 10 the continent, where he entered the Church
and was successfully ordained deacon, prizes
and bishop. Then, armed with the authority