The various and most signal Blessings derived to this Nation, from the
salutary Mission of this illustrious Saint, require, in Gratitude, our
giving the Reader yet a further Account of the Author of such Happiness
and Glory to _Ireland_.

He was born in the extreme Bounds of _Britain_, (in that Part thereof
which is now comprehended within the Limits of the modern _Scotland_) at a
Village called _Banaven_, in the Territory of _Tabernia_, (as he himself
saith in his Confession) in _Vico Banaven Taberniae_, &c. He tells us that
he was born of a good Family. _Ingennuus fui secundum Carnem._ His Father
was _Calphurnius_, a Deacon, who was the Son of _Potitus_, a Priest; from
whence may be clearly inferred that the Clergy were not restrained from
Matrimony in that Age. He was just advanced into his sixteenth Year, when
he was taken Captive, the Manner of which is thus related by St. _Evin_
and others: His Father, Mother, Brother, and five Sisters, undertook a
Voyage to _Aremorick Gaul_, (now called _Bass Bretagne_) to visit the
Relations of his Mother _Couchessa_. It happened about this Time, that the
seven Sons of _Factmude_, a _British_ Prince, were banished, and took to
the Sea; that, making an Inroad into _Aremorick Gaul_, they took _Patrick_
and his Sister, _Lupita_, (some say _Tigrida_ also) Prisoners. They
brought their Captives to the North of _Ireland_, and sold _Patrick_ to
_Milcho Mac Huanan_, a Prince of _Dalaradia_: Others tell the Story in a
different Manner, and with a stronger Degree of Probability. That the
_Romans_ having deserted _Britain_, to preserve their own Country from the
barbarous Incursions of the _Northern Hive_, the _Irish_ made frequent
Conquests, in _North Britain_ especially, whence returning victorious, in
one of those Expeditions among others brought _Patrick_ Captive. But in
this they all agree, and he himself confirms it, that he continued
Prisoner in _Ireland_ six Years; he was sold to _Milcho_ and his three
Brothers, which gave Occasion of his changing his Name into _Cathraigh_,
or rather _Ceathir-Tigh_, because he served four Masters; _Ceathir_
signifying four, and _Tigh_ a House or Family. _Milcho_ observing the Care
and Diligence of his new Servant, bought out the Shares of his Brothers,
and made him his own Property. He sent him to feed his Hogs on
_Sliev-Mis_. And St. _Patrick_ himself tells us his Behaviour in this
Office.

"My constant Business was to feed the Hogs. I was freq