The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-16

When the dawn breaks tomorrow
morning the Irish will be happy, Tor theh
the celebration of the Srea day IN
Erin's year will begin. ST. Patrick
Dav, like Christmas comes but once e
year. and while it is here the day is
stretched until long after the midnight
hours tells OF the dawn of the 18TH just
how many years this annual celebration
has been observed is not recorded. Like
the earthly stay of the patron saint 1t is
obscured by time. That its memory
shall ever be fresh. though, has been the
aim of all good Irish and not to wear
green on st. Patrick's-Day is as bad a
breach of national etiquette as eating
beefsteak on Thanksgiving-Day.
Why the 18th day of March has been
set apart as a Gay upon which to 90
reverence to the saints name is also a
secret of past history. One historian.
though, has made himself responsible for
the assertion that it was on that date
about fifteen hundred years ago. that
st Patrick laid in wait for the spring
migration of snakes from their winter
holes. in Irish soil and drove the reptiles,
one and all, young and old, into the sea-
That may. be true. for st. Patrick.s repu-.
tation as a snalle-charmer has outworn
the deeds he did. which gained for him
the blessing, Of the Pope.
LIFE OF ADVENTURE.
Outside oftthe life of a snake charmer
ST. Patrick had a. career as full of adVen-
ture as the hero of the modern melo-
drama.
Before the Popc's blessing was bestow-
cd upon the Gall, ST. Patrick was born
of Gallo parents, he was known as
Father Succat Calpurnius his father
was a farmer on the coast of Brittany
in the fourth century. While Succat was
vet a, younsster and only known as a
dutiful farmers lad. he was kidnapped
py pirates and taken to Ireland.
CAREER AS MISSIONARY
There began the lads career IS a mis-
sionary. He escaped from his captors and
finding the Irish particularly. ignorant OF
Christ he began crusade that waS not:
without fruit, for he soon established
many churches and then journeyed to the
Pope at Rome, where he was canonized
and took the name of ST. Patrick.
The good man loved the Irish and .he.
returned to the Emerald Isle. It was
after his return that he rid the country
of snakes, which he found so numerous
that wine was not needed to multiply the
sight of one. Besides the feat which mace
him more sanity than ever in the eyes OF
the Hiber1ans ST Patrick is SAID 10 nave
established sos churches and baptized over
1900 converts: He. also. blessed nlahy
priests. monks and nuns. His deeds have
lived, after him. and to-day the Irish are
still faithful servants Of the Catholic
Church and the Pope. 3,
ST Patrick is said to have llvedsto the.
great age of 49, and then on "a day when her
Ireland was bathed in great Story OF
light. which historians beieve.sto have
heon an Aurora Borealis, the good saint
and IreIand's greatest benefactor departed
this mortal life.
When the Saints converts We're asked
where his last resting place should be the
crv was unanimous "Downpatrick.' and
ST. Patrick. was buried as they wished.
There was no intentional irreverence in
the remark. as DoWnpatrick was the seat
of the Saints Irish see.
"A. RELIGIOUS. DELIBERATIONS
The local celebration Of St Patriok's