Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-02-14
st. VALENTINES DAY.


slIs.Ives OF the Festival.
Few Of the many customs that have de-
seconded 10 the present generation can lay
claim 10 greater age than ST. Valentines
day, the anniversary Of which occurs to-day.
As in oldcu times the approach OF this icstl-
val Is still heralded by the appearance In the
windows of book stores OF all manner OF
missiyes-some beautifully expressive OF tho
tender passion, and others, again, presenting
the very embodiment Of sarcasm, arrayed In
earicature aud decked out with doggerel.
BY tho former, love, 80 difficult OF verbal
utterance, Is greatly suggested or sweolly
acknowledged, according TO the symptoms
Of the sender. Through the agency OF their
burlesque companions the folblsa aud fancles
OF man and woman are eapltAlly criticised,
and not uuircquenuy, though quito unne-
cossarily, lll.ieellng Is The result.
Valentines day Il, or, more properly, was,
celebrated In England, Scotland and through
out various portions Of the continent, espe-
clally In certain sections Ot France, by pecu-
liar aud happy customs. On the evening pre-
ceding the day number OF unmarried per
sons Of both sexes assembled together aud
wrote upon slips OF paper the names OF AN
equal number OF maids aud bachelors OF their
acquaintance. These were placed In n box,
or something Of that sort and then drawn
out 10 lottery fashion--care being takon that
each should draw a slip bearing the name ot
one Of the opposite sex Tho person whose
name was thus drawn became the valentine
Of the drawer. The imaginary engagements
made In this way ofteutimes, Us may be cOu-
celyed, led TO real ones, as by requirement
ofthe custom, bachelor was compelled for n
whole year 10 play a lovers part toward hls
valentine. Throughout the 18th century this
amusement was quite popular, and was re-
garded with great favor by the aristocracy.
Baileys Dictionary affords the following
explanation OF the custom, the connection OF
which with the name Of st. Valentine being
regarded by many authorities as purely ae-
| cldental. about this time Of the year tho
birds choose their mates aud probably
thence came the custom OF the young men
and maidens choosing valentines Or special
J loving FRIENDS on that day.
From most personal---very. excepting the
postmen, whose labors, poor fellows, arc
greatly Increased thereby-St. Valentine
day receives u welcome, aud lts arrival il
awaited with no little degree OF expectancy.
Tue following boFutiful verses, written by
Lord Macaulay, arc found In volume enti'
tied, "Mlscellanlos,' collected by Earl Stan
hopci
vALEHTIEE
To The Hon MARI s,sSSsSOgs SssHsh'sr Of Lord and
Hall day Of music, day Of love,
On earth below, In air above,
In vain tho turtle fondly means,
The linnet pipes IN joyous tonesi
| On earth the p0stman tolls along,
Bent double by huge bales OF song,
| Where rich with many gorgeous dye,
BlaEes all Cupid's heraldTy--
| Myrllos aud roses, doves and sparrOws,
Loyeknots and affairs, lamps and arrows.
What nymph without Wild hopes and fears
| Tho double rap this morning be ,rs7
| Unnumborod iAsses, young and lair,
| From BethnAl. green 10 Belgraye- square,
with cheeks high flushed, and hearts loud beat.
| Await p az. tender annual greeting.
! Tno lovollost lass OF all IL mine
4 Good morrow to my VAlentine
Good morrow, gentle child and then
| Again good morrow, aud again,
Good morrow following still good morrow,
Without one cloud Of strifS or sorrow,
| And when the god 10 whom We pay
| In Jest our homages to-day
| Shall come 10 claim, no more In Jest,
His rightful empire Ger thy breast,
BeniRnant may bis aspect DO,
| His yoke the truest liberty;
| And II . tear his power confess,
BE 4 tear Of happiness.
IL shall be so. The Muse displays
| Tho future 10 her Votary's gale;
/ Prophetic rage my bosom swells-
! / taste the cak0-l hear the bells
! From Conduit street the olOgo array
| or oharlots barTlcades the way
NJ .siEs tn ,sS S, s.G HSssssSss1 h.n
And half unbend hts brow Of pride,
/ As welcoming 20 fair bride.
Gay lAVors thick a. nakes Of snow,
| Brighten st. Georges portleO;
| within I sec the chAncers palp,
| The orange flowers, the Brussels veil,
| The page on which those fingers white,
sui trembling from the awful rite,
| For the last time shall family trace
The name Of 5tanhope' noble race.
i see kind faces round thee pressing,
I hear kind voices whisper blesslngi
And with those yOiceg mingles mine
All good attend my Valentine!
'rbs statue Of NJ. Pitt In Hanover squsrs