PAT (o.
PATOMAT, Ind. a two mast vessel:each mast carries one sail of four un-equal sides. It likewise means a mes*senger.
PATRICIAN, from the Latin Patri-chiSf one descended from a noble family,The term was used among the Romans,to distinguish the higher class of the in-habitants of Rome from the lower, whowere called plebeians. See Kenuett’sRoman Antiquities, pages 97, 98, &c.
Order of St. PATRICK , instituted byKing George III . Feb. 5, 1783. Theinstallation of the first knights was inthe cathedral of St. Patrick , Dublin , onthe 17th of March following, being thefestival of that saint. It consists ofthe sovereign and fifteen other knightscompanions. The lord-lieutenant ofIreland for the time being oliiciates asgrand master of the order. The arch-bishop of Armagh is the prelate, thearchbishop of Dublin , the chancellor,andthe dean of St. Patrick , the register ofthe order. The knights of the order arealways installed in the above-mentionedcathedral. Their robes are splendid, andthe badge is three crowns united to-gether on a cross, with the motto round,Quin separubit , 1783, fastened by anIrish harp to the crown imperial; a starof eight points fastens it on the coat.This is the only order belonging to Ire land , and is one of the most magnificentin all Europe .
PATRIOT, a sincere lover of hiscountry; a term generally used, littleunderstood, and seldom practised.
PATRIOTISM, ( patriotisme f ¥r.) AFrench writer observes, that patriotismis a virtue which many men affect to pos-sess, without having one single attributethat forms its character. Real patriotismconfines the whole of its views throughlife, whether civil or military, to gloriousand good actions, but it never desceudsto cruelty or injustice.
Macchiavelian , or modern Patriotism ,that sort of patriotism, which, under themask of public spirit, frequently concealsthe most selfish private views, and sticksat nothing, spiritual or temporal, to at-tain its object.
PATROL, any party or round ofsoldiers, to the number of five or six,with a serjeant to command them.—These men are detached from the mainguard, piquet, or quarter-guard, accord-ing to circumstances, to walk round thestreets of a garrison town, &c. for the
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purpose of taking up disorderly persons,or such as cannot give an account ofthemselves. It is their duty to see, thatthe soldiers and inhabitants of the placerepair to their quarters arid dwelling-houses, (in conformity to specific direc-tions which are given out to that effect)and tiiat ale-houses and guttlers’ boothsare shut up at a seasonable hour. Theyare likewise to take up every personthey meet without a light, and that can-not give the watchword or countersignwhen he is challenged. All sucli per-sons must be conducted to the guard-house, and a report be made of them tothe commaudant or governor of theplace, by the town-major.
Patroles are formed out of the in-fantry as well as the cavalry. When aWeak place is besieged, and there is rea-son to apprehend an assault, strong pa-troles are ordered to do duty; those onfoot keep a good lookout from the ram-parts, and those that are mounted takecare of the outworks.
PATRON, one who countenances,supports, or protects.
Kennett, in his Roman Antiquities,page 97, has the following passage, onthe origin of the word :—
Romulus, as soon as ids city was to-lerably well filled with inhabitants, madea distinction of the people according tohonour and quality; giving the bettersort the name of patres or patricii, andthe rest the common title of plebeii -To bind the two degrees more firmlytogether, he recommended to the patri-cians some of the plebeians to protectand countenance; the former beingstyled patroni , and the latter clientes(Vide Dionys. lib. 2 . Liv. lib. 1 , Plu-tarch in Romulo.)
PATRON de la barque , Fr. a familiarphrase among the French , signifying theperson who has the lead in any parti-cular society, club, or company.
Patron, Fr. This word also meansany person of inferior condition ; henceGare a vous, patron; Ranges vouz f pa-tron. Take care, fellow*; Make way,fellow.
Patron, Fr. among the French , thecaptain of a trading vessel is so named.There were likewise sea-faring mencalled ojfficiers mariniers , who served onboard the French ships of war, andwho were entrusted with the manage-ment of sloops and barges. These weregenerally called patrons.