LANGUAGE AND 
CLOVER. 
I PROMISE. 
The white Clover , or Shamrock, is the na¬ 
tional emblem of Ireland, and claims an equal 
place in history with England’s rose or Scot¬ 
land’s thistle. This symbol of their loved Eme¬ 
rald Isle is worn by Irishmen on the anniver¬ 
sary and in commemoration of St. Patrick s 
landing near Wicklow, in the beginning of the 
fourth century of the Christian era. The patron 
saint is reported to have explained to his disci¬ 
ples the mysteries of the Trinity by means ot a 
clover leaf, or trefoil. 
This emblem of promise has received innume¬ 
rable tokens of their regard for its good qualities 
from the poets of ill-fated Hibernia, but patriot¬ 
ism, more than love or friendship, is the sym¬ 
bolism portrayed. 
“Brave sons of Hibernia, your shamrocks display, 
For ever made sacred on St. Patrick s day, 
’Tis a type of religion, the badge of our saint, 
And a plant of that soil which no venom can taint. 
n Though jovial and festive in seeming excess, 
We’ve hearts sympathetic of others- distress. 
May our shamrocks continue to flourish, and^provo 
An emblem of charity, friendship, and love.” 
