Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-02-25
SAN FRANCISCO LETTER.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
SAN FRANcIsco, February 1s, 1871

1t is curious to observe how old customs re-
new their vitality by transplantation. Who
would have imagined for instance when those
solemn Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth
rock with the intention of founding colony in
which Old World superstitions and irrationali-
ties should find no room for growth that in a
few generations their descendants would have
adopted one of the most senseless of European
observances-the tradition of st. Valentines
day-and have given it new lease of life on
this American Continent And again, when that
typical pioneer jumped ashore at the foot of
Clay Street somewhere about the year lS49,
supposng, no doubt, that he had forever oosed
himself from the trammes of civilization or at
least from its absurdities, how little he would
have believed that in half score years the OBJ
servance of st. Valentines day in the city he
was going to build, would be almost as marked
as that of Fourth of July. Yet so it is proving
as the Latin proverb has it, that it is only the
country and not mems minds that change in
crossing the seas. Certain it is that to-day St.
Valentine, with the single exception of St. Pat
rick, is the most potent of all the Saints in the
calendar and his power is increasing every year.
Prior to 1859, there not such thing as q
valentine in the State, except perhaps a few
stray ones sent by Eastern maids to their wan
derlng lovers. In that year the late D. Il. APP
peton imported a small invoice, selling some
where about 500 worth and the year after 5000
worth. Finding that it was possible to build up
an extensive trade in the tinselled missives he
advertised largely on the recurrence of the next
anniversary, and his sales that year amounted to
81 500. Since then, the business has contin-
ned to increase until last year it reached 81 ,OO0
excluding So 900 worth purchased by interior
dealers. Most Of the comic valentines are made
by Mr.. Laughlin & Co. of New York, which firm
it is said keeps private poet, for the purpose
of composing the rather personal illusions,
which are printed on these highly colored sheets
The sentimental valentines are all made either
by Fisher & Dennison, of New York, or the
Whitney Manu- featuring Company of Worcester,
Massachusetts--the material being imported
from Germany. The latter firm devotes itself
exclusively to this business, employing from
thirty to forty hands all the year round. Their
goods range in price from five cents to seventy
. 1--WE uulldrS anu MS may De supposed from the
riest daubs to really artistic productions This
year the local demand for valentines has been
greater than it ever was before. At the com
mencement of the week the stores where these
messengers of cupid were ON sale, com
pletely blocked up by customers, and if the
throng was any criterion of the number sent, |
pity the postman. Last year Appleton's mes
Anli ala
tanning valentines and this year am informed
the number has been exceeded by two thousand. :.
OUR NEW CITY HALL,
on which 81 800, 900 is to be spent, 1 will wager
something it costs double that sum before it is
fnished) is at last in fair way of being COM
menced. The site-Yerba Buena park at the
corner of Seventh and Market street-has been
graded, and the work of excavating for the base.
ment will begin next month. A design of the
structure has been on exhibition in Montgom-
cry street window this last week. and has at
| tracted a constant crowd of people. Architect
uraly it is very beautiful, resembling somewhat
the Albany State Capitol, and far excelling our
capitol at Sacramento. How long it will be be-
fore it will be ready for occupation, is some
thing would not like to hazard prediction on
but my private opinion is that it will be about
II or '7s.
| WHATS YOUR FIGHTING WEIGHT ?'
was the text selected by one of our clergymen
for his sermon last Sunday night. don't know
in what part of the Scriptures the reverend gem
tleman found his quotation; whether it was the
question addressed by Peter to the High Priests
attendant Just before he sliced off the latter's
ear, whether it David's little remark to
Goliah before engaging the giant in mortal COM
bat, in fact all that know is that Mr. Walker of
the Howard Street Methodist church chose this
subject for his discourse, and that in order to
draw crowd, he advertised it in the papers.
We may expect any quantity of such sensation
aisms in the course of the next few weeks for
DR.. Scudder is going to leave us and there will
be keen competition for his vacant cap and
bells. Mr.. Walker has merely taken time by
the foreock, and if he exhibits as much ability
in the treatment of his subjects as he does in
their titles, he stands an excellent chance of
winning the prize.
POLITICAL.
| told you some weeks ago that the Republican
party in this section would concentrate on Selby |
for Governor, and everything seems to confirm
the opinion then expressed. The Alta of this
morning comes out squarely for him, and be-
lieve the Bulletin viii follow suit very shortly
Mr.. Selby would make an excellent Executive
and if nominated would certainly be elected
James A. Johnson will arrive here about the
| 9th of March, from Washington, to take the
field for Governor against Haght. The latter's
chances do not seem to improve, while Johnson
looms up more formidable.
ARRIVAL OF JAPANESE DIGNITARIEs.