AUNT HILDA’S LETTER

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 62, 14 March 1931, Page 18 (Supplement)

AUNT HILDA’S LETTER

ST PATRICK’S DAY

443 A.D. JJEAR CHILDREN,— Tuesday next is St Patrick’s Day, and a few words about him will help to expand your store of general knowledge. lie was a very saintly and venerable priest of Ireland, living in the 3*ear 443 A.D., nearly 1500 years ago. That his memory is still reverenced after all these centuries is a wonderful monument, don’t you think? You will associate St Patrick’s Day with the three-leaved shamrock, which it is said he used to demonstrate the idea of the Holy Trinity, which you have had explained in your several churches. It is also believed that he drove the snakes out of Ireland at one period, and many pretty legends are woven around that talc. One little verse reads: Success attends St Patrick’s fist For he’s a saint so clever; He gave the snakes and toads a twist And banished them forever. The outstanding gift of a true Irishman is his native wit, and also his warmth of sympathy and his geniality. I met a true son of Erin just recently and he kept everyone simmering with laughter just by brilliant and witty repartee, an acquisition, alas! sadly lacking in the average conversation. But although St Patrick belongs primarily to Irishmen and their religion, all others who perhaps do not share the same views, can feel thankful that Ireland gave the world a man so great that his memory would persist so far down the centuries. Here is an Irish competition to amuse you on the 17th of March. St Patrick’s Day:— U)—A large European city and green? (Paris green.) (2) Green and a dairy product? (Green-cheese.) (3) Green and a part of your body? (Green-back.) (4) and a musical instrument? (Green-horn.) (5) Green* and a reptile? (Green-turtle.) <6)_Green and a name for a fool? (Green-goose.) (7) —Green and a dwelling? (Green-house.► (S)—Meaning always and green? (Evergreen.) (9) and a tradesman? (Greengrocer.) (10) Green and a portion of country? (Greenland.) So if you see little pieces of emerald ribbon in a coat lapel you'll know all about it, won’t you? Love to you all under the rose, the shamrock, the thistle and the fern. /TV _