The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-08-10
The Rose. the Thistle, andtheshamrOok.

Chambers Journal giees he origin Of
these national emblems, as follo,es:
TnE RosE or ENobAND.-In the
early part Of the reign of Henry VI,
about the year 1850, a few noblemen
aud gentlemen were discussing who was
the rightrul heir to the English crown.
After time they adjourned to the
Temple Gardens, thinking they would
be more free from interruption. Scarce
ly, however, had they arrived when
they perceived Richard Pantagenet
approaching. Unwilling to continue
the conversation 10 his presence, a great
silence eusued He, however, asked
them what They had been so anxiously
talking about when he joined them, aud
whether they espoused the cause of his
party, or that of the usurper, Henry Of
Lancaster, who had filed the throne
A false and absurd politeness prevent
ing their making any reply, he added,
"Since you are so reluctant to tell your
opinion by words, tell me b. signs, aud
let him that is an adherent Of the House
OF York pull white rose as | do"
Then said the Earl of Somerset, "Let
him who hates nattcry, aud dares TO
maintain our rishtful king, even in the
presence Of his enemies, pull red rose
with me-" When Henry VII married
Elizabeth Of York, the rival house were
blended aud therosc became the emblem
Of England.
THIsTLEoF SCOTLAND in the reign
Of NIaleolm L, in the year 1910, Scot
land was invaded by the Danes, who
made descent on Aberdecnshire, in
teniing TO take by storm Stuines Castle,
fortress Of importance. The still hour
ofmiduight was selected as the time for
commencing the attack. When all was
ready, aud there was reasonable hope
that the inmates Of the castle were
asleep, they commenced their march
They advanced cautiously, taking off
their shoes to prevent their footsteps
being heard. They approached the
lofty tower, their hearts beating in
joyous anticipation Of victory. Not a
sound is heard from within. They can
scarcely refrain from exclamations Of
delight, for they have but to swim across
the moat and place scaling ladders, aud
the castle is theirs But in another
moment cry from themselves rouses
the inmates to sense of their danger,
the guards fly to their posts, aud pursue
the now trembling Danes, who fly be.
fore them. Whence arose this sudden
change of affairs? From very simple
cause. 1t appears that the moat, in-
stead Of being filed with water, was in
reality dried up and oyergrown with
thistles, which pierced the unprotected
feet Of the assailauts, who, tortured with
pain, forgot their cautious silence aud
uttered the cry which had alarmed the
sleeping inmates Of the castle.
SHAMROCK OF IRELAsD.-0ne day
st. Patrick was preaching at Tara He
was anxious to explain the doctrine Of
the Holy Trinity. The people failed to
understand aud refused to believe that
there could be three persons and yet
but one God. The holy man paused u
moment, absorbed in thought, aud see
Ing shamrock poepius from the green
turf exclaimed, DO you not see in this
simple little wild flower how three leaves
are united into one stalk Z" His au-
dience understood without difficulty this
simple yet striking illustration, to the
inexpressible delight of st. Patrick
From that day the shamrock became
the national emblem OF ireland.