Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-02


on the 18th of the month. It was not in
the ROmulian Calendar, but was aided to
it as the last month of the year by Numa
Pompilius, where it remained till placed
after the month of January by the Roman
DecemYirs 452 years before Christ 1t is
the shortest month in the year, containing
but twenty-eight days, except every fourth
year, which has twenty nine, giving that
the name Of ''leap year." This month is
also the intermediate link between winter
and spring. One of the most noted days
of the month is that of ''Saint Valentine,
which comes on the 18th As the extent
of publishing, sending and receiving val
entines is not generally known, we haveil
compiled and prepared some facts in re-
gard to the same which will no doubt bel
of general interest to our readers. Saint |
Valentines Day is one of much tribulation
to the letter carriers, and as it approaches |
dealers are laying in their stocks.
The subjectsi illustrated and the verses were
formerly designed and written in England;
but of late years many have issued in this
country. The publisher selects designs
suggested by past seasons or by topics of
the day, and sends list of his artist. The
latter sketches them accordingt to his fancy,
and submits them for approval. Cuts are
then made, and the impressions are sent to
the versifer, who is often a story-writer
for weekly newspapers. Fifty cents is usu-
ally paid for verse of six or eight lines.
As the sentimental illusions are without
thought, and the comic attempts with little
wit or point, the mental effort they involve
Is not severe, and the pursuit is profitable,
though short-hved Sixty ''comics" were
raoavfIx, aornyNocad in ono ,,ioI,f h,, ,,oaE
who received thirty dollars for his vigil
Preparations for each season begin towards
October.
The publishers of Valentines are few in
number, there being but six of reputation
in the United States. Of these, three are
in New York, one in Philadelphia, and two
in dorchester, Massachusetts, Their main
business is that of publishing children's
books and songs, and the sale ofstationery.
Their valentine branch is simply an Incl
dent in the years transactions Sales
for city use have declined of late years,
but the country demand has increased.
This is specially the case among the ne
groes of the South. AS they acquire the
ability to read, they are stimulated to
make numerous purchases of cheap valen-
| tines, the exaggerations of the designs APP
pOehAILS W bACA VI Iu6
comical.
The entire yearly sales of the comic val
entines are to the extent of about four mil
lions, but of sentimental valentines less
than a million. The former retail at one
cent, their wholesale price being fifty cents
gross of one hundred and forty-four In
each gross there are seventy-two varieties.
| The next in cheapness are on embossed
1 IN, H.
a small colored picture, with a sentimental
| motto or verse upon the third page.
| These retail at five cents, and cost half
| that sum by the gross. The third grade
| sells at ten cents, costing, at wholesale,
| five cents. The fourth often have minia-
| ture gilded doors, opening on a Cupid, or
blooming beauty. Others range at vari-
GUS prices, up to seventy five cents, and in
| all cases, are at the same ratio in price.
Valentines at dollar rise to the dignity of
pasteboard box for their Enclosure, and
| the picture at the bottom is ensconced in
| fascinating vista of tinsel leaves and
| flowers Superior articles of the kind rise
in value to twenty five dollars at retail
which is, usually, the highest figure The
material is tawdry, and not calculated to
| attract persons of cultivated taste. 1t is
prepared In Germany, together with the
embossed note paper, and cannot be man
ufactlred as cheaply here. No notices
are pasted in the boxes, but a receptacle
exists for cards, which may either be those
for the senders. or embellished with verses
or pictures. As the materials arrive in
loose state, and the boxes ars empty, their
arrangement takes place here. Women
are employed at this duty, and receive
from s. to SO a week, according to their
taste and dexterity. They also ornament
the note valentines.
Publishers tell frequent stories of ex-
pensive box valentines being ordered by
young women, which are addressed to
themselves. The recipients usually live
at boarding houses and request that the
tribute should arrive at dinner or supper
time, when the inmates are all assembled.
If the lady should chance to live with her
family, she contrives to invite several
friends for the expected moment, who may
be duly impressed with the admiration she
| has excited.
1t may be noticed of the negro valentines
that though they nearly all represent carl
catures of the colored race, the versiication
is entirely in good English, and might
equally well apply to white persons. There
are quizzes on walters, girls of the period,
dandies, coquettes, fiddlers, ball room
bellies and others. One of the few African
suggestions relates to the shoes Of cOlored
maiden. The verses close with
"Where you those herring boxes fling,
There's death TO every creeping thing
The valentines for ladies this year will
be, it is said, much devoted to a ridicule Of
the woman rights question. There is the
''Woman's Right to Tipple, personated by
young lady in tunic and pantaloons,
leaning against bar; "Woman's Right to
be a Carpenter" a woOd-sawyer, a cart
driver, a policeman, a conductor, etc, all
illustrated by appropriate pictures. IN
der the representation Of asupposedmember
of the Sorosis Club; the verses close thus
Go on, reform us naughty men;
The cOIcombs cut, eKat the hen;
Laughing We listen to your rants,
And glory in your Tightening pants!
The present style of chignon and water
fall and planchette receive due attention.
Of melancholy looking shirt-maker, the
verses remark:
She dreams of the lover
That new shirt will cover,
And marries him in her sleep.
A nervous woman is complimented as
follows:
You'll rush with fright from harmless bug,
Which the wind has near you carried; |
But yet you don't fear a good stout hug
% Nor tremble at getting married.
A thin old lady is told:
Shaped like lath, fat az a match,
Oh, you'd be glorious catch;
That is, for doctor who wishes to see |
very good case for anatomy. |
A dandy youth is told:
Dear sir, 1 had duly considered your suit;
When to know the result you're Inclined,
You will learn from my dear brothers boot
The final resolve Of my mind
The notices on the 'sentimentals" are
not particularly novel. Il cling to thee"
''Yours till DEATH" Il j e on love for
thee" etc, viii ILLUSTRATED EN-. The more
pretentious often run in Il Is wise:
Oh! quickly loved one, name the day
When may call thee mine;
And we to church Will haste away,
My charming Valentine
The'exces ofletters, valentines, missass,
etc, delivered by carriers and received
through the Postoftice is largely over that
of any other day in the year. Already our
book, stationery and periodical dealers are
preparing and receiving their annual sup
plies, and soon their windows and shelves
will be decorated with every conceivable
variety, from the costly and elegantly de-
signed to the most ludicrous and comical
Circuit Court
The case Of Robinson, of Huntsville, as.
Hickman was yesterday decided for the
third time in favor of the plaintiff, the jury
bringing in a verdict for s., POP 20. A good
deal of interest was attracted to the case be-