The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-13
VALENTINES DAY.
The Festival Falls Tom0rrow...its
0rigin--Excellent Design Of
the Crop Of 1855.
THE DAYS ORIGIN.


which always falls on February IA, and
seems to have been inherited from the
ancient Romans, bat ialhcred upon st.
Valentine in the earlier days OF the
church, in order TO ChristIanize it. There
is no occurrence in the legend of the
saint, u Presbyter beheaded under the
Emperor Claudius, that can have given
rise to the ceremonies observed on this
anniversary. which are too well known
to need any description. Birds
are said to choose their mates
about this time of the year, whence in all
probability came the custom of young
persons sending valentines and of sending
some amatory of flattenng illusions TO
the object of their preference and alice
ton Some attribute the festival to have
its origin in ancient Roman superstition.
at is a ceremony" says one writer,
'never omitted among the vulgar to draw
lots, which they term valentines on the
evening before Valentine day, The
names OF select number of one sex are
By an equal number of the other nut into
some receptacle, and out of that any one
draws a name, which for the present is
called his or her valentine, and is looked
upon as a good omen of their becoming
man ANA wife. afierward' Like many
olher customs and festivals, il is always
more or less observed.
THE STYLES OF VALENTINES.
The styles this year are not only more
elaborate bnt vastly prettier and more ar
listic than ever before. The variety of
designs is endless and there are remarka-
bly, few poor ones. The prevailing idea
s ems to be the satin puff and it is used
in every conceivable way. 4 very pretty
effect is gained by placing an elaborate
puff, in chiste colors, upon an imitation
birch bark background. The little bits
of landscape either autographed and
pasted on, printed or manipulated, and is
touched up by a varied combination OF
bows, plush, ribbon work, fringes, en-
bossing and other and delicate ornamen-
tation.
A still more elaborate style is found il
a very large and deep puff, almost re
sembling pillow or cushion. Ii
many cases this is hollow and contain
within its recess a lovely little picture
either landscape, winter scene or figur
piece. The opening through which thi
appears is covered by a satin card, neatl,
padded and handsomely decorated, whicl
drops down and conceals the openn!
when the valentine is not actively engaged
in being looked at. This style, also i
made in large variety, and is beautiful
from first TO last The subjects depicte,
on the front cover ard within embrac
almost everything imaginable. but tn
lawn tennis and croquet run throug
many Of them in some place or other
either in the picture or on the border
The older style of plain cards, bearin
some pleasing subject and ornamented il
quiet way, will figure more or less prom
inently among the more striking ones.
Nearly or quite all the valentines o
this year are mounted upon hinged ease
backs, or il not so mounted, have deco
rated backs. Another improvement tina
is quite noticeable is the absence of sill
] sentimental gush in the verses borne b
; the different patterns. The spirit of til
> RHYMES is almost without AN exception
e that Of honest admiration, heightened b
, honorable respect or sincere regard, hu
: unfinished by any nonsense abont star
; and Ell, sian fields and heaven on cartl
r and other ideas equally inapplicable t
. the life Of this generation. The ebay
when such verses us
, If you love me As love You.
NJ knife Gu cut oar love in two,
And all such nonsense have gone, Than
heaven. Such tokens of affection as thi,
The roses red and ,iolets blue,
hHt noue h,lf 80 sweet as you,
i Are seldom seen now Th It %ush va
!. uuuscaling, aud lis dis appearance viii b
j., unwept aud unmourned. Honest ad
miralion, heightened by earnest rsteel
, and sincere regard, is the spirit of tn
, new verses Reference to stars of one
soul, Cupd's darts in quivering heart.
heavens pleasures in starry ey d god
desses have been. almost entirely dis
, carded. In discarding these reference
g the valentine manufacturers have show
good sense; their good sense will be al
n preciated by all sensible purchasers
valentines. A move should now be mao
to cause suspension of the printing {
the homely and insulting comic waller
|, tines, which seldom has any appropriate
+ ness to the recipient, and is generally tt
3 missivc of coward
l Well Received
4