The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-13


Tomorrow will DO 81 Valentines D1s OF inc oes'a-
ming OF the seasonfor IL u supposed 10 Last
the montndevoed TO the exchange Of political dsc'a
tons OF love and fidelity between those wh>ss hearts
have been pierced by the arrows Of the naive % GOO
or course there will be host OF sentimental verses es
powered in all styles Of dainty Design sent and
ceived and still greater number OF comic aliuslons
the foibes and fraties Of the recipients will DO de-
soatchsd through the mails. Tho custom OF sending
valentines very old 81. valentnus aourshed in tue
third century beheaded ia Rome under the reign OF the
Emperor Caudins, A. u. 27o). and was according to
Wheatey 80 famous for his love and charity that che
OF choosing valentines on this festival took
its rise from thence" DINERS derived the GUS
tom from birds being supposed 80 select their mates
this day. others again from toe practice prevalent ia
ancient Rome the festival Of tue Supercaiia held
during ia month Of February, when, among other
ceremonies the names OF young women we're placed ia
box and taken thence by young men rs chance direced
1t claimed for St. Valentine that nndng - impossible
TO extrpxte this custom no changed is orn among the
Christian and maidens OF Rome, SUBSTITUTING the
transmission between lovers Of scrplura exeerps ana
religious motes, Tor the usual declarations OF PASSION
The has greatly changed since the days OF tn0
good old saint and probably ever think OF tho iaes
wnicn animated him. much iess OF cariyns vus - ~
been gradually falling into disuse though on the IeCuI
renee OF this season. with Its attendant devices o. ovo
and sero comic sentiment, tue Fancy stores anu Wy
shops give evidence that II not entirely EXTINCT
Daubs OF every hue are for sale, as usual ana cosby
valentines can DO purchased, II desired.
The advent Of St Valentines Day brings to mind what
Is said by old Burton The anatomst OF melancholy "it
Is worth the trouble 10 inquire Of love whether
1t be god or devil or passion OF the MIND. OF
partly god, partly devil and partly passion" Judging
from The devices Of the Valenna prints on exhibition
however, the purchaser, Ike the BOY In the menagerie
pays his money and lskos his choce" Every style and
descr ipon may be had, from tho costly embossed and
gilt massive that It's face the gentlest 0feasl:
ings or tho universal passion TO tho commonest aAd
most cornlcai ha'penny affair that can DO imagined
Laery the bisaess incident TO the former celoora-
ton OF the carnival OF ST. Valentine have been greatly
modified. Although there 10 mass OF trash among
the vesicular notices which make their appearance ~
this season, sometimes gem may be found ~ Tor
instance
Though memory's fair record fades,
Though house and kindred be forgot
Though friendships pass like deeting shades.
Yet still forget me not
Some OF the attempts 10 become POLITICALLY dev0tooe
toward the objects or onos passion are specially uas
larceny, petted a dove and naay sont on pgrim.
age In which latter event may be supposed 10 aos -
an avail vet nurse
on, thon, It is--it must be love
That r0bs my soul Of rest;
Go forth, speed the trembling dove,
pilgrim 10 thy breast
Or the following, which imps fearfuuy 10 'ts metncA
Beauty and gold are fair to soc.
But give me tho girl With y heart Tor mo:
You the one
My darliog-my own
Aud will your Valentine bo.
or course every one has memorlzsd the 0ofaiissd
Tho rose Is red,
The vioel's blue,
The pink Is pretty,
And you.
The following 10 associated with the earliest memories
or nearly every ONE
The ring Is round,
II hath no end,
So 10 my love
For You, my friend
II the decadence OF the custom continues Il Will n0s
b many years before II dies out altogether