Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-03-20

ST. PATEfoK's DAY IN THE Mogs1s'.-
The solemn stiffness for which our town IL
characteristic prevailed throughout 81.
Patrick's day. We are either so level
headed or 20 much the other way that the
advent of great day does not move us
particle. Other places may go mad over
the wonderful occasions that occur annuai-
ly, but we do not care so long as VIC are let
alone. But perhaps few words about the
noted Saint which we may quietly read,
and at the same time preserve our dignity,
may just here be apropos:
st. Patrick, like Homer, Is claimed NJ
native Of many countries, Scotland, Eng
land, France and Wales laying claim 10
his birth on their soil. His family was
patrician, which, while there IL doubt M 10
his birth, his name implies. He was born,
as near as can BE- told, about the year 5T2.
When only i've years old he was captured
by piratcs, doubtless the Danes or the
Norsemen, who roved In plundering ex-
pedtious along the coast Of Britain, and
who sold him into slavery 10 an Irish
trader, by whom he was resold To M Irish
/ swineherd in the mountains of Sleamsh,
in the county Antrim. lie passed seven
years at this menial service, but the spirit
and inspiration Of the man moved him to
study even then. and 10 the observation
which gave him deep insight of Irish
character and It's needs Escaping from
his master, he wandered over the country
and along the coast, until Of last be WAS
faE East 81 h4 ~ harmon shFa eysat Et,r
to the continent, where be was ordained
priest and bishop, aud once more returned
TO Ireland. whore, with the authority of
Pope Celcstine, he preached the Gospel to
the wild Irish tribes, then heather, and per-
haps the most turbulent people in the
world the descendants Of those other tribes
whom Caesar, In his incursions into Britain,
could never reach for conquest
The opponents with whom ST Patrick
was forced TO meet was the Druids ST.
Patrick did all in his power 10 mollify the
Druids, who In return refused 10 accept his
counsels, spat upon his teaching and dis-
pissed bis kindness. Outraged at this, ST
Patrick cursed tho fertile lands of the
Druids, their fair fields, their sylvan groves, i,
and their yerdsnt meadows, by which they
were converted into barren and dreary
bogs to curse their rivers so that they
produced no hsh TO curse their very kct-
tles 30 that with no amount of FIRE could
they be made 10 boil and ~ a last resort
Of all, 10 eurte the Druds, 10 that the
earth opened and swallowed them up.
One Of the saints fret miracles was while
with a number Of bis followers In the noun
iains. All were suffering from the intense
cold and hunger. st. Patrick directed
them 10 gather quantity Of snow and Ice,
pile them up, when he breathed upon the
mAss Ii became a bright and brisk ire, At
which all found comfort. 81. Patrick's
great feat, and which endears him to
ireland, was the ridjinc Of the Emerald
Isle of all veuomous reptile, toads and
snakes. In the courte Of this miracle be
seized drum 10 lure the reptiles into the
sea, and while thus engaged beat the drum
80 hard that be knocked hole In i;s head,
which 80 angel perceiying, 1t aew to his
aid, instantly repaired the rent and enabled
the drummer ssint to proceed ~itb his
mighty mastering cut Of all snakes from
Ireland.
/; would be impossible 20 trace the pro-
gress of the saint through ireland, bot The
evidence of hts presence il felt and seen
even 20 this day in the titles of places,
mountains, streams and cognomen Of peo-
Pile, as the kilpsiricks, kirkpatricks and
ST Patrick's purgatory, 81 Patrick
woods, 81. Pairiek's rock, 81. PaiYick's
well, at which the faini qucnched his
thirst, rested bis Limits, or reposed at night,
may be counted In scores all over the
Island. He died ai Saul, on the 18th Of
March, COS, aged l2l ycars. The saint
wAs the frat TO instruct the Irish in the
secret Of disiillins poteeH but he forbade
his followers 10 drink in the day time, the
signal for their enjoyment Of the favori:e
PotceH being when the vespcr bell rang.