The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-18

WV 'dS6A AoSoS VIII duuo GueII escape.
This wc'learn by press despatch from
Augusta, but have received no details.
ST.. PATRICK's DAY-THE HIDEnNIAN
BENEVOLENT SoC1E1Y.-This society,
composed Of Irishmen and the descend
ants OF natives OF the green isle, yester-
day, celebrated its fifth anniversary and
the 373d return of the natal day OF st.
Patrick. The saint, by-tha.way, was a
Scofchmhn by birth-having first seen
the light abont the year 372, at the
mouth of the river Clyde, near the site
OF Fitzpatrick. There have been many
disputes as to the date of his birth, but
the l7th Of March has been settled upon
as the day for celebrating il. Samuel
Lover gives the following poetic version
OF it:
On the eighth day Of March it was,
| some people soy,
That st. Patrick, ut midnight, he first
saw the day;
While others declare. twas the ninth he
| was born,
And twas ull mistake between mid
night nnd morn,
For mistakes ,oM occur in q hurry and
shock;
And some blamed the baby, and some
blamed the clock,
Till with all their cross-qucstions, sure
no one could know,
Ii the child was too fast, Or the clock
was too slow.
Now the first faction Gght in ovid Ire
land, they say,
Was all Oh account Of St. Patrick 8
rth-dny;
Some fought for tho eighth-for the
ninth more would die,
Aud who wouldn't see right, sure they
biackeued lis eye!
at last, both the factions as positive
| grew,
That each kept birthday Pat then
had tpO;
Till Father Mulcahy. who showed them
their sins,
Said, "No one can have two birth -days
but twins"
Says he, Boys, don't lie ftin' for eight
Or for nine,
Don't be always dividin'-but some
times combine;
Combine eight with nine, and seventeen
is the mufk,
So let that be his birth day" Amen, "
says the clark.
IF lie wasn't twins, sure our history
will show
That. at least. he's worth any t,co saints
that We know!"
Then they ull got blind drunk-whioh
completed their bliss.
And We keep up the practice from that
day to this.
The saint was prisoner in Ireland; lie
escaped to France, where he spent four
years in monastery. In the year 432,
he landed at Stamford, Ireland, and
baptized Dioho, the Chief of that Dis
trict. 1t is related that the King of
Munster was disposed to receive the
truths of Christianity, but could not
understand the doctrine of tue Trinity.
st. Patrick, seeing shamrock npon the
ground. took it up and exhibited to the
barbarian monarch the three little
blades OF that plant, each distinct, yet
all together forming but one stem. The
monarch became convinced, and the
shamrock is the wreath which crowns
the glory Of st. Patrick, and to day is
tho national emblem OF Ireland He
lived 10 be ninety-two years old, and
died in Ireland in 4Gi So much for the
saint-now for tho supper.
Tho tables were tastefully orname ited
with evergrcens, flowers and flags. The
cooked articles evinced the skill of
Mons. Vincent Do Stamps; while the
tab!e decorations were the handiwork
OF the head waiter, Samuel Harris
who, with bccts, carrots and turnips,
manufactured excellent artificial birds
and flowers. Prof. Buchar, with de.
tachment Of the Post Band, performed
u number Of appropriate airs.
About 10 o'clock. The guests having
assembled, the doors OF The dining hall
OF tho Wheeler House were thrown
open, and in an incredibly short space OF
time, the admirers of the good old saint
las we'll rs good things generally seated
themselves around tile tables. There
l,ok