Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-12

Approach of st. Valentines Day.
Publication, Sending and Reception
of Valentines.


spring and the gardening and planting
season. The name Of the month is from
Fe6rlG, the festival Of expiation, which
was held on the 18th of the month Il
was not in the Romulian Calendar, but
was added to it as the last month of the
year by Numa Pompilius, where it re-
manned till placed after the month of Janu-
airy by the Roman Decemvirs ASP 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 he name of '1eap
year. This month is also the interme-
date link between winter and spring. One
OF the most noted days of the month is
that OF ''St. Valentine" which comes on
the 18th. As the extent of publishing,
sending and receiving valentines is not
generally known, we have compiled and
prepared some facts in regard to the same,
which will no doubt be of general interest
to our readers. Saint Valentines Day is
one of much tribulation to the letter car
riers, and as it approaches dealers are lay
ing in their stocks
The subjects illustrated and Tire verses
were formerly designed and written in
England; but of late years many have is
sued in this country. The publisher Sc
lects designs suggested by past seasons, or
by topics of the day, ard sends list to his
artist The latter sketches them according
to his fancy, and submits them for ap-
proval. Outs are then made, and the i'm
presslons are sent to the versifer, who is
often a story writer for weekly newspa-
pers. Fifty cents is usually paid foz a
verse of six or eight lines. As the seuti-
mental illusions are without thought, and
the comic attempts with little wit or point,
the mental effort they involve is not Sc
we're, and the pursuit is profitable though
short-lived. Sixty ''comics" were recently
composed in one night by poet, who re-
ceiyed thirty dollars for his vigil Pre-
paratiOns 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 Worchester, Mass. Their main
business is that of publishing children's
books and songs, and the sale OF stationery.
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 negroes of
the South. A they acqUire the ability to
read, they are stimulated to make numer-
Gus purchases of cheap valentines, the ex-
aggerstiOn Of the designs appealing to
their strong appreciation Of the comicsl
The entire yearly sales of the comic va
sntines are to the extent of about four mil
lions, bat of sentimental valentines less
than a million. The former retail at one
cent, their wholesale price being fifty cents
a gross Of one hundred and forty-fOur. In
each gross there are seventy-two valentines.
The next in cheapness are or embossed
paper, in note form, bearing on the face a
small c0lored picture, with q 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, fTe cents.
The fourth often have miniature giIded
doors, opening on a Cupid, or blooming
beauty. Others range at various prices,
up to seventy-ive cents, and in all cases,
are at the same ratio in price. Valentines
at a dollar rise to the dignity Of q paste
board box for their inclOs1re, aud the
| picture at the bottom is enseOGced in
| fascinating vista of tia5el leaves and
| flowers. Superior articles of the kind rise
| in vslue 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. l. is
prepared in Germany, together with the
| embossed note paper, and cannot be man
utactuTed as chCsply here. No notices
are pasted IL the boxes, but receptacle
exists for cards, which may either he those
for the senders, or embeliished with versts
or pictures. As the materials arrive IA
L. 80, ! III
arrangement takes place here. Women
are employed at this duty, and receive
from s. to SIS week, according to their
taste and dexterity. They also ornament
the note valentines.
Publishers tell frequent stories Of e1PeI-
sive box valentines being ordered By
young women, which are addressed to
themselves. The recipients usually live
at clearinghouse 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 contrivos 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 valeu-
tines that though they nearly ell represent
cation is entirely in good English, and
might equally well apply to white persons.
| There are quizzes on walters, girls of the
| period, handles, coquettes, fddlers, ball
room bellies, and others. One of the few
African suggestions relates to the shoe Of
a colored maiden. Tile verses close with
'sWhcre you those herring boxes fling.
There's death to every creeping thing
The valentines for ladies this year VIII
| be, il is said, much devoted to a ridicule
CT the woman's rights question. There is
the ''Womans Right TO Tipple,' person
ated by young lady in tunic and Panta-
| looms, leaning against q bar; woman S
Right to be a Carpenter wood-sawyer,
cart-driver, a policeman, q conductor,
ETC., all illustrated by appropriate pic
| lures. Under the representation of sup
| posed member of the SOrosis Club, the
verses close thus:
| Go on, reform us naughty men;
The cOXcOmbS cut, eXalt the hen;
Laughing we listen to your rants,
And glory in your Tightening pants
The present style of chignOn and water
4 III opI y,laDchatfa racaiya dine atfeDfIOy1