The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-14
City Intelligence.
ST. VALENTINES DAY.

II scarcely necessary for to that this
St. Valentines Day. for crowd of young ladies gathered
around every sationers store in the Bowery Chatham
and Nassau streets each pointing at the among
the many hundreds displayed in the Windows that will
suit her best is sign that the day for sending
amatory missives has arrived. Amongst all the Gus
toms rites and festivals which held sacred by civil
lied nations, St. Valentines Day possesses pee uar
interest for is the lovers holiday and is regarded
BY al nations devoted to fun frolc and earnest
Instead of the lover signing like furnace and wi,
woeful ballad made to his mistress eyebrow he
sumes his courage this annual day and sends TO his
fair indmofdta b dour redoent with scent and love.
NO name is attached but the lady generally ners Alright
to the sender Thu light skrmishng often leads to
close engagements" and OF course the pointed
the sonnet, and the elegant the establishment
the sooner viii the general action" commence On
the other hand the lady fair in order to encourage
faint heart dispatches valentine of most uneauiyo-
cal meaning Thus earnesness is often concealed under
the guise OF fun But the is repeatedly reversed
and earnest love is npped in the bud absolutely tckea
to death and young loves dream leaves not rack
behind Such being the case, it is wonder ST. Va
lentines Day Is always anxiouy looked for by lovers
IN general Tor all expect TO receive victorious wre.ths
cupid however, Is not the only prime mover on st.
Valentines Day" for the spirit Of mischief is also al
ways busy at work melting his victims 70 annoy their
neighbors by sending them sarcastic rhymes and libel
lous portraits The approach of st. Valentines Day.
store window, for they have been decked out with
valentines of all shapes, coors and sizes. The de-
signs are OF a most miscellaneous character, and
the sonnets are Of all sorts-loye sarcasm and libel
All the books Of mythology to have been ransacked
for there portraits Of all the gods and goldesses
shipped by the ancient and the attributes of each
denoted distinctly The onnets placed under the Illus
trations ofcourse pertinent the subject and
tain very meaning illusions There are the sero tragic
the poetic the romantic the comic the sarcastic the
mpudent and the libeous. Such medley There is
display of every species Of imaginable talent Here
,In liz ub.I,
line sketches The species betrays artistic excellence
of high order, and the other combines humor with
sketching ability There pictures OF gods and por
traits of butchers-scenes ofoye and ofcontenon Then
there is the poetry ranging from the sublime to the
ridiculous" 1t is written in in all sorts OF sanzas from
the Spencerian TO doggerel Who the poets is
trey matter of conjecture but their being anonymous
is in perfect keeping with the nature of valentines which
intended to be secret possible Thinking of these
unknown poets, may exclaim with Gray
Many flower is born 10 blush unseen
And waste its fragrance the desert air.
But not alone are artists and poets concerned in the
manufacture OF valentines; there are the printers and
the fancy taoners whose abilities displayed in the
cooring and the shaping. For instance the valentine
may contain which, being drawn out discovers
heart which Is meant to show the depth of affection
teraned by the sender There also other pretty things
of like nature The numbers of valentines displayed
in the stores Throughout the city is poof that the me
honored" custom is still conserved and further proof is
afforded in the fact of the number passing through the
postoffce.
PRESIDENT PrERcEs VISIT TO New YoRK.-The folio wing
letter has been sent New York reply to the invita-.
ton of the authorities
CONCORD, N. H., February S, 1853
Ny DEAR SRI had the honor to receive your letter of
the 4th inst this morning and with it copy of the pro-
ceedngs Of the city authorities of New York inviting
to accept the hospates OF the city, my way to the
seat OF government
beg you communicate to the Mayor and the CO ord
nate branches Of the city government their marked
Kindness and profered hospitality my grateful acknow
Judgments.
Under other circumstances, it would have been ex-
treme TO avail of the opportunity grace
fully rendered 10 exchange sautaons with the citizens
OF the great OF country and to thank them
for the decided manifestation of partial judgment with
which, but few weeks SINCE they pleased to honor
me.
But, with weight at my heart which has well nigh
disqualified me for the discharge of pressing duties
nected with their interests am sure they will hardly
expect consent to anything like public reception on
my way to Washington Suffering to some extent from
the want Of usual health and elasticity need repose
and have full confidence that my friends win consider
ately accord to me, as far practicable secusion
With much respect, your obedient servant
FRANK PIERCE.
THE WEATITER.-AsorHER FALL OF SSow-Contrary to
the expectations of everybody had fall of snow YES
terday At early hour in the morning it began to
descend rapidly and did not cease until ten O'Clock A. NJ
at which time rain fell and continued to do until two
O'Clock 7. NJ when the wind changed to the west,
which ,,e was the means Of changing, the day from
that OF wet to very fine The remainder of
the day clear and the shone again with all its
brapcy. The fell to the depth of two inches but
the combined influence of both the rain and sun soon
thawed it in such that the walking was any
thing but pleasant AT ten O'Clock last night the Their
zero The side walks at this hour very slippery,
caused by the rain which had fallen during the day reez
ing them and no doubt many people sustained slight
injuries from falls.
LECTURE OF THOMAS FRANCIS MacHER THIS EVENING
AT Metropolitan Hall this evening lecture will be given
by Mr. Thomas Francis Mcagher upon Grattan and 1852
the of the volunteers and the legislative Independence
of relandone of the few bright spots in the dark pages
of her history lecture such subject from such an
orator as Mr. Meagher, must prove highly interesting,
FREs-About half past o'clock last night officer
Keefe attached to the Office Of the Chief of Police OBJ
erved thick smoke issue from the store of Mr. Char
pener, No. 3l3 Broadway and was speedily convinced
that the premises ire. He over and endea.
vored to break open the door and falling gave an alarm
when large number of remen attended and upon
flames 1t occupied by Mr.. Charpentier q gentle
mans French furnishing and hosiery store and the
costly nature OF the stock thcre considerable damage
done although the fire was soon extnguished The da
mage is estimated at 81, 500. Mr. c. has insurance
Captains Brennan tchstt and other officers attended
Were it not for the timely exerton and alarm of Mr.
keee, there would have been very extensive confagra
ton.
On Saturday evening fire broke out in the baking es
Enlistment No. avenue A. and would have been rather
serious had not the Ere department been early on
the ground who extngushed the flames before any ma
teria damage effected The woodwork Of the store
nd the stock, somewhat damaged both by fire and
water.
SHOCKING AoIpNT-CAuuoS TO PERSONS USING CAM.
melancholy accident, which may yet prove
fatal occurred about half past O'Clock Saturday eve
ming, by which woman named Mrs. Brabur burned
in frghtful manner On the above mentioned evening
she was trimming campbene lamp which fell ont Of bsr
hands the flames Immediately gned and fire to her
clothes. burning her body and in q shocking man
ner She Immediately conveyed to the City Hospital
where she lies in precarious state. This il OF
the many accidents which occur to who
less in the OF this dangerous article and this
tropbe should be warning those who burn it, not to
have any light them while engaged in trimming
phene lamps.
The WAR or 1S12The survivors OF the artillery and
n companies of this state who served in the have
called meeting for this evening Of all their fellow
soldiers with the descendants OF those who persisted for
the purpose Of taking action TO have the Bounty
land act-passed September IS. 1s50-extended so as
that hundred and sixty be granted for each
claim The meeting will be held at the American Hail.
corner Of Broadway and Grand street, at clock
=. ". is expected that eloquent speakers will
address the assembly.
TIE BRENNAN GUARDJ intend giving their annual ball
the Apollo Rooms. Broadway, 10 evening From
the number Of tickets already sold, 1t promises to be a
grand affair Adkins brass band has been engaged for
the occasion and nothing has been left undone by the
managers 10 render the members and guests happy.
WAITE Ne in On