Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-17

country, he cannot but feel more closely
drawn TO his native land on st. Pat
rick's day than at any other time dur
ing the year. Small as the country is.
there is but one Ireland in the whole
world. one land where that indescrib-
able Celtic charm so controls the smil-
ing faces, genial laughter, quick wit
and ready sympathy as in the island of
the shamrock. He who thinks though
that the little trefoil grows in every
field and meadow is quite mistaken.
for one may journey miles without even
seeing shamrock.
The land has many surprises for the
traveller whose opinion of the Irish has
been formed from his visits to the
theater. where Pat" is always dressed
in some impossible style, speaking
harsh and disagreeable tongue and al
ways ready to protrude his Importance
upon the audience. If such a type ever
existed it has left Ireland, for the
brogue of the Irish is pleasant diver
sion to those who visit the land There
IT is recognized as the accomplishment
Of those who have preserved their own
native Gaelic tongue and who speak
IL in soft pleasing voices. Perhaps it
is because the other races have gem
orally failed to understand the people
of Ireland that the inhabitants of the
land. although cordial assume a re-
serve with strangers. If. however, a
tourist boasts of a relationship or even
strong friendship with one of their
countrymen he is at once taken into
the hearts of the people, who love
TO feel a fellowship with their guests
Even the jaunting car driver points
out the sights of Dublin to his patrons
with dignity and reserve, not presum-
ing to make much of even the beautiful
old castle of which he is really proud.
When. however. the stranger asks some
question about the Royal Chapel or St.
Patrick's Hall in the old building, or
shows in some other way that he has
been interested enough to learn some
thing of Dublins buildings, a broad
smile spreads over Michael O'Leary's
face and perhaps he answers, You be
knowing bit about Dublin" and then
the barrier is broken down and before
long Mike makes his way to Phoenix
Park He stops to show the original
tavern of the city and to ask if the
freshment' from Nancy Hands Hole
in the Wall. Whether Mike wishes for
the day of home rule or not he forgets
all politics as he drives through the
beautiful park. There he points out
just where the royal band was sta
toned last summer when King George
and Queen Mary visited Ireland to re-
ceive the people.
1t is said that the old Phoenix Park
dueling ground, upon which many man
of low degree gained such renown and
social position as to finally put him
the bench, was just nine acres but the
plot is pointed out to tourists as the
fifteen acres" In the day when this
part of the park was at the height Of
its popularity dueling was looked upon
the most honorable and ambitious of
pastimes. He who had never fought a
duel could never expect to achieve prom
inence, for pistol advertisement brought
surest returns. Luckily in this genera.
tion dueling is not practiced. or Lord and
Lady Aberdeen, who live in simple ele-
gance at the vice regents palace in the
park. would never be able to enjoy a
quiet sleep after sunrise.
+
To great part of the peasantry of Ire
land Daniel O'Connelrs name conveys
only the idea of a hero, but the Dublin
citizens exercise a feeling of ownership
and responsibility for their departed fell
low-countryman. The great tower which
rises over O'Connelrs remains gives such
touch Of realty to Irish history that its
force is felt by the traveller who has
never even tried to understand why some
are "agin" the government, or why the
Orangemen cry Long live the king" and
so the american feels that at last his
interest Is aroused to learn something
OF Irish politics. No guide who finds
that his patron has even touch of SYM
PATTY for what Ireland chooses to cali her
cause will allow the tourist to leave
the Glasneyin cemetery without a visit
TO another grave close by.
There no huge monument arises, as
only an iron cross, with the initial ..P"