The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-17

There is one day in the year when every
son OF Erin, wherever he be, Is wholly irish ID
thought, word and deed-a day on which around
| his mother country cluster the memories OF the
yalor of the soldier, the fire Of the poet and the
wisdom OF the statesman. grand festal day in
which, amid hilarity and rejoicing, men unite TO
place new offerings OF love on the common a!tar'
and renew their VOWS OF allegiance to the dear
isle which, though not yes free, has spilled her
blood and set her seal on thousand walls.
True. there Is chronic belief that st. PatrfcE's
| Day generally brings bad weather, and grumb-
lers there are who would leave the 18th OF March
out OF the calendar on that account; but despite
weather and grumbllng, the true Irfshman Will
faunt his shamrock and pay tribute 10 the
memory Of his patron saint. The saint, by the
way, was gentleman, but whether born In
England Ireland, Scotland Wales or France, re-
mains an open question. Te was unqestionably
buried at Downpatrick, In Ulster County, on the
coast OF the Irish Sea. His pedigree is likewise
known to be good, for the poet tell US
Oh St. Patrick was gentleman,
Who came of decent people;
He built church In Dublin Town,
And on 1t put Steeple.
His father was Gallagher,
His mother was Brady;
His aunt was an O'Shaugnnessy,
His uncle an OGrady.
So, success attend st. Patricks fist,
For he's saint so clever;
He gave the snakes and toads twist,
And bothered them forever !
Born about the year 3I2 he was carried away
by pirates, sold into slavery, remained captive
in Ireland for seven years. finally became priest
and bishop, and preached the gospel to the luhab-
itants.
How the 17th Of March happens TO be selected
for the anniversary. and the differences as to The
birthday OF Ireland's patron saint were finally
adjusted, is thus explained:
"'Twas on the eighth Of March, as some people
Betwixt midnight and morning, Patrick first saw
the day,
While some wad contind on the ninth he was
And it was all mistake betwixt midnight and
Some fought for the eighth; for the ninth some
wad die,
AM who wouldn't see right got shocking black
At length the contintlon 50 positive grew,
That each klpt the birthday; so st. Patrick had
two,
TIL Father Mccauey, who showed them their
Said, No man can have two birthdays, except
he be twins;
Don't always be nghting for eight or for nine
Don't be always dividin', but sometimes kimbine,
Ktmbine eight with nine SEVENTEEN Is the mark,
Let that be his birthday Amen = says the clark.
So they all got blind drunk, which completed
their bliss,
And they've Kept up the practice from that day
to this"
The various societies will celebrate the day In
their usual happy manner. The Hioernlans mark
their SEVENTEEN anniversary By grand dinner
at Hbernian Hall, at s O'Clock. This Is the feast
OF the year. The society will assemble at IL
O'Clock for the election Of officers for the ensuing
year, and the transaction Of other business.
The St. Patrlck's Benevolent Society will cele.
brate Its ffty.thlrd anniversary by assembling at
s O'Clock A. NJ, at Masonic Hall, and proceeding
thence after the transaction Of business, to hear
mass IN st. PatrcS's Church, corner OF ST. Philip
and Radcliffe streets, where discourse suitable
to the occasion will be delivered by the Rev. Harry
p Northrop, after which collection will be taken
up for the benefit Of the orphans under the charge
OF the Sisters OF Our Lady Of Mercy. The society
win then return to their hall through the prncl.
pal streets, when the annual election of officers
will take place. At 8 O'Clock P. N. banquet will
be served.
The religious services at St. Patrick's Church
will consist Of an early mass at seven O'Clock,
and solemn high mass at half.past ten, when Rev.
Harry P. Northrop will deliver an address appro-
pirate to the day. The annual distribution OF
prizes to the various Sunday school classes will
take place at three O'Clock P. NJ. Yespers ct Ave
O'Clock.