The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-17

who we're theu a tattOoed race Of Ph0nioiAn
barbarians. lie accordingly after the most
protracted aud thorough preparations, result.
ing in wonderful development of both his
mental aud physical faculties, was consecra
ted Bishop aud sent thither. 1t is told by
himself in the few authenticated works Of
his, still ia existence, composed Of mongrel
Latin with few prayers from the misssl
ces as sort Of genealogical purgation,
through how many dangers and disasters he
passed as did the faithful through the fiery
furnace, intact lie converted the Kings OF
Munster and Leinster as is related by pluck
ing q leaf Of shamrock from the yerdant car.
net at his feet aud illustrating the unifcatou
Of the trinity, 1t is for this reason that the
inhabitants Of the emerald isle fix the little
trefoil jauutily in their cap on extraordinary
occasions, aud it is considered more eifec.
tual Precipitation Of their patron saint, than
votve offerings and candles, A 1.-THE por.
ton at least Of the inhabitants Of Ireland
are named after him, so many in fact that If
in doubt Of the nAme.of an lrishmsn you
rarely miss it by clubbing him with the unc.
tuous contraction Of the saints name-Pat.
The 18th Of March is the day Of the caen.
dar devoted to St. Patrieius, And through
out the world, for where is there nook or
Granny on the foO!stool to which an Irish.
man has not penetrated, it is celebrated with
feryor, enthusiasm and devotion. Few in
the long aisle Of columned years have been
frightened by the reflection Of so pure a
character as ST. Patricks. Many centuries
after his death he was conouized and now no
lrishman but claims him as O near relative
aud knsman. A legendary stanza set to
roisterous music gives this short historical
verdict of st. Patrick which we are afraid is
little apocyphal, or at least inaccurate. 1t
sets at rest however the story that St. Pat.
ricks father was a swneherd, and ascribes
to his entrance on the worlds stage all the
attributes OF gehulty
"st Patrick was q JintemGn
He came from dscent People,
In Dubln-tOWn he built church,
And on It put steepIe.'
But the exploit which more than all 9th.
srs has endeared st. Patrick to his spiritual
children, is his taking his crosier or eplsco.
pal staff and wsgng fell war on toads,
snakes and all other yenomous reptiles or
vermin, and driving them all incontinentIy
into the sea. For this he is deserving, and
will doubtless receive the everlasting graf.
itude Of Irshmen. This benehcence can the
better be appreciated when one understands
the scarcity Of shoe.l leather or the where.
wthalto purchased in ireland; consequently
the worthy inhabitants are Adamites with
reference to their feet, and 20 barefooted,
and do it moreover with perfect safety by
reason oF their deliverance from singing
reptiles An rAuItug Coupet in the same
metrical legend from which We before quot.
ed, says
lie gave the gnakes and t0ads twisht,
And banished them forever"
Long life and more power to St. Patrck's
memory; and if he were to return to life
and exercise his holy magic on some of the
human vipers who are keeping poor Erin in
eternal turmoil for their own aggrandze.
ment, it would be glorious deliverance
The day was celebrated in this city by
high mass at the Catholic church, this
morninG .H