4 THE FOUR-LEAVED SHAMROCK. 
selection is thus accounted for. When St. 
Patrick first preached Christianity in Ireland, 
he was at a loss for some natural object to 
illustrate the mystery of the Three in One, so 
that his barbarous hearers might understand 
it, when, casting his eyes upon the ground, 
he observed the Shamrock; the Trinity had 
therein an emblem, and, in commemoration 
of this, the Shamrock became the national 
banner. We have selected the four-leaved 
Shamrock as the emblem of happiness, as 
there is a saying in Ireland, that he who 
meets with it finds happiness. 
There are, however, those who see in the 
saying nothing more than “ as specimens of 
this shamrock are scarce, you are as likely to 
meet with happiness as with the four-leaved 
grass.” 
“ True happiness is not the growth of earth; 
The search is useless, if you seek it there; 
’Tis an exotic of celestial birth, 
And only blossoms in celestial air.” 
