The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-17
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day This is the day set apart on which to honor the memory of St. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland. And not only do Irish men and descendants of Irishrnen observe
 March 1T. but all those who appreciate Irish scholarship and the influence which this scholarship has had on civilization revere the name of Patrick. Many accepted authorities on the his tory of Erin say that St. Patrick was born in North Hamptonshire. England near Daventry, where he was captured when 16 years old by raid of predatory Irish; that he was carried to North Ire land, where he spent six years as slave. Then he escaped went to Gaul, where he became a monk, and later having re- ceived the papal benediction-about 43l- returned to Ireland as a missionary. Ac- cording to many accounts Patrick estab- lished the see of Armagh. He is said to have found all Ireland heather and left it wholly Christian Tradition puts. the saints death variously-4s3, 492, 493-the former being considered the more prob- able date.
 But no matter what confusion In the matter of dates and the place of St. Pat ricl's birth. all agree that this wonder ful missionary Christianized Ireland.
 Some writers have been quite amusing in their far-fetched notions about the apostle of Ireland, and In the past year or two more theories and claims have been advanced as to the place of PatriclS's nativity than ever before. A writer in the New York Sun, signing himself i've ragh," says:
 "The birthplace of St. Patrick still con- tinues subject of dispute, and the his torians cannot agree as to the country to be honored. It is doubtful if St. Pat rick's birthplace can ever be fixed with certainty.
 "All the historians who have written of St. Patrick agree that he was by kinship connected with France; that his mother was a sister of the Bishop of Tours, and that he himself received his first train ing for the priesthood from his uncle. It is fair inference then that St. Pat rick was a native of Gaul.
 "A study of Irish history dealing with the period immediately preceding the con- version of Ireland to Christianity gives strength to this theory. Irish adventur CTS pushed into Gaul, and 1t is recorded that in one of those expeditions King Dathi was killed by lightning at the foot of the Alps. The adventures carried home to Ireland numerous captives and rich booty, and it is not improbable that St. Patrick was brought in the train of those Christian captives.
 At the same period Ireland and Scot land were known as Scotia. Under those circumstances could native of that DOT ton of Scotia north of the Sea of O'Moyle be captured and sold by the foreigners as slave to his own people who lived di- rectly across a narrow channel?
 Lastly, would St. Patrick, if he were native of Scotland or Britain neglect to begin his missionary labors at home and devote his life to a people having less claim on his charity? It is conceded that the successors of St. Patrick established Christianity and learning in Scotland and northern and central England.
 "A work entitled, St Patrick's Con- fession, has often been quoted as an au- thority on St. Patrick's life. This work, however, has not been accepted as au- thentic as it was not known until sev- eral centuries after the death of St. Pat rick. tn
 "To assert that St. Patrick was born in any particular place or country would mark the person making such a state ment as indifferent to accuracy"