The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-14
r4LENrINE;s D4T.
Origin of the Custom-Who Make,
Buy, Write and Read Valentines.

Origin of the Custom-Who Make,
Buy, Write and Read Valentines.
The 14th Of February, which long custom
has dedicated to the service OF Cupid, Is eagerly
anticipated by all sentimental persons, particu-
larry those of the gentler sex. The origin of the
custom is not definitely settled, and is ascribed
by some authorities to the erroneous idea that
birds took cir mates at this season OF the year;
and by others, to practice prevalent In ancient
Rome at the festival Of the Lupercalia, held du-
ring the month of February, when, among other
ceremonies, the names OF young women were
placed in box, from which they we're taken by
blindfolded young men, The pastors OF the ea,ly
churches, finding it impossible to destroy this
pagan ceremony changed its form, and made it
a Christian institution.
Thecustom existed very early in England, and
was much practced in the houses OF the gentry.
There are frequent references to it in Shakespeare,
as, for example, Ophea's song in Hamlet:
Tomorrow is Saint Valentines day,
All in the morning betme,
And |, maid at your window,
To be your Valentine"
The most remarkable valentine mentioned in
literature is that prepared by the united eXertions
of the veracious Sam Weller and his redoubtable
father, for the benefit of Mary, the housemaid,
and having the exceedingly original signature Of
''Your love-sck
PICKwICK.'
The primitive idea OF valentine Is here de.
picted with striking reality, and this famous pro.
duction will doubtless have its thousandth coun.
terpart before the present month is ended.
The season for sending these tokens of affection
is urt Z tbn FpDruarV
though according to some authorities 1t should he
limited to the week preceding anu following the
fourteenth day. During this period the female
bosom may be said to he in a state Of continual
pulsation The greatest secrecy is always neces-
sary in preparing these tokens Of tenderness.
Care must be taken to disguise the handwriting
when addressing them, and no suspicious should
be aroused in the recipient by incautious inqut-
ries, showing that one possesses any knowledge
Of or is implicated in, the undertaking. OF course
the fair Aramnta or the manly Augustus will al
ways be apprised by some hlns from their adorcd
one when q valentine has been sent to them, If in
deed the sensitive heart does not OF itself detect
the sender.
The success of humorous valentines consists in
the skill with which individual weaknesses or
comcalities are exposed ;and If, as is often the
case, little malice has melted the deed, tue fun
Is only heightened to the lockers on, though not
to the victim.
AS the manufacture OF valentines Is purely a
matter OF business, their literary character is
commonly OF the most matter-of-fact kind. Com.
menplace sentiment, weak rhymes, and "ma-
chine" poetry are the rule and real excellence is
exceptional. Their great merit consists in per-
1ph lie n N
its way.
Many persons think the habit OF sending valen-
tines is going out OF fashion; but this is not the
case, as is shown by the amount OF capital invest
cd in their manufacture, and the number annu.
ally sold. The total consumption In the United
ted States Is bet Ieen ten and fifteen millions, the
price of which varies from one cent to twenty
five dollars though the majority are sold for less
than one dollar. The cost rarely exceeds twenty
dollars. Not long since firm in Baltimore man.
ufactured few to order for one hundred dollars
apiece each ohe containing rich diamond ring.
Everything Of interest that can be made the sub
ect of cheap wit Is pressed into che service Of the
valentine maker. Waterfalls, croquet base ball,
carpet.baggers, Planchette, woman's suffrage
and the Grecian bend, have al been made the
subject for valentines. The latter in particular
has been burlesqued in great variety Of styles,
and Is evidently favorte subject for rldicule
Finally, whether valentines contain what
Shakespeare calls 'some shallow story OF deep
love,n or "a deep story OF deeper love-" they
will always be acceptable with the sentimental
portion of the world. for "love delights IN
phrases and every one is susceptible to The dell
cate nattery OF an amatory epistle.>