“I wish ’twas in Ireland—for, there’s the place,” Said Burke, “that we’d die by right— In the cradle of our soldier race, After one good stand-up fight. My grandfather fell on Vinegar Hill, And fighting was not his trade; But his rusty pike’s in the cabin still, With Hessian blood on the blade.” “Aye, aye,” said Kelly, “the pikes were great When the word was ‘Clear the way!’ We were thick on the roll in 98— Kelly and Burke and Shea.” “Well, here’s to the pike and the sword and the like,” Said Kelly and Burke and Shea. And Shea, the Scholar, with rising joy, Said: “We were at Ramillies; We left our bones at Fontenoy, And up in the Pyrennees; Before Dunkirk, on Landen’s plain, Cremona, Lille and Ghent: We’re all over Austria, France, and Spain, Wherever they pitched a tent. We’ve died for England, from Waterloo To Egypt and Dargai; And still there’s enough for a corps or a crew— Kelly and Burke and Shea.” “Well, here’s to good, honest fighting blood!” Said Kelly and Burke and Shea. “Oh, the fighting races don’t die out, If they seldom die in bed— For love is first in their hearts, no doubt,” Said Burke; then Kelly said: “When Michael, the high Archangel, stands, The Angel with the sword, And the battle-dead from a hundred lands Are ranged in one big horde— Our line, that for Gabriel’s trumpet waits, Will stretch three deep that day, From Jehosephat to the Golden Gates— Kelly and Burke and Shea.” “Well, here’s thank God for the race and the sod!” Said Kelly and Burke and Shea. SOME EARLY CELEBRATIONS OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN NEW YORK CITY, 1762–1788. BY HON. JOHN D. CRIMMINS.[8] St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in New York City as early as 1762. Of this fact we have a record. But the anniversary was, doubtless, observed here even at a much earlier period, if not by organization, then by groups of congenial friends. Irish residents of Boston, Mass., celebrated St. Patrick’s Day as far back as 1737, and, we have no doubt, the anniversary was as early recognized in New York. Thomas Dongan, an Irish Roman Catholic, became governor of the Province of New York in 1683 and held the office until 1688. There is little doubt that during this period the anniversary of St. Patrick was, in some manner, observed by the governor and his friends and countrymen in these parts. It would be strange if this were not so, and we shall not be surprised if, one of these days, evidence confirmatory of this comes to light.