The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-02-22

the manner of the celebration OF the
day likewise experienced many
changes. a. q
Under the Christian dispensatiOn,
maidens chose Their mates as well as
bachelors, and in the north OF Europe,
particularly, certain obligations and
courtesies early grew out Of the custom,
giviag it a real social value and grace.
Early in the last century the lottery
of love was drawn in England and
Scotland, the Valentines giving balls
and treats to their lady loves and wear
ing their billets several days upon their
breasts or sleeves. This sport often
ended in love. 1t was practiced in
Merrie England as early as l476. I'm
der the Merry Monarch, Charles H.
married folks as well as single were
liable TO the conscriptionS Of Cupid,
custom eXacted gift from the favored
swain.
In modern Spain the custom Of
choosing Valentines by lottery still
obtains in some localities, and the
swain favored by fate must become
the lady's escort upon all social Occas-
ions during the ensuing twelvemonth.
The custom, however, was long kept
alive in quick tempered Spain, more
because it acted as a preventive OF
vuarrels in public, osten ending in
bloodshcd, than for its poetic senti-
ment. M.
The modern custom Of sending the
objecte Of ones affections or dislikes
anonymous missives, sentimental or
sarcastic, revived very nOticeably dur
ing the past few years. Had the shade
OF Valentine been abroad on Thursday
itsmlght have exclaimed with Brown
ing:
"A-lack al day for the sunset red"
For the day has degencrated in these
later years-grOwn somewhat disrep-
utable, as it were. The nineteenth
century realism has crushed out its
dreams and the sun Of its sentiment is
passing behind a cloud. Loves mis-
sives have lost their saccharine flavor.
and, in most instances, the senders'
arrows have become shafts of venom
Gus jealousy and merciless ridicule. 1T
is no longer the welding power unit
ing 1.-TWO hearts that beat as one" but
rather an instrument through which
two hearts are made to beat as two
and beat alone.
The bachelor, who may be known as
casting a favorable eye upon worthy
spinster, is treated to vision Of false
hair, a chin covered with bristles, and
a slouchy appearance. 1t may turn
his course and usually does.
A respectable gentleman'S dinner Is
spoiled by penchant for pork chops,
receives a basely executed caricature
of IA huge hog in the last stages of sur
location as a result of overlooking.
The barber, the baker, and the
street car conductor in whom the al
legged cartoonist Of the comic valen-
tine foundry finds a gold mine OF up
roarously funny ~ material.
Valentine lies Wondering, or rather
moldered, in his lonely grave by the
Mediterranean sea. His voice Is
no longer the voice of the living, and
his eye Of piercing black has not been
seen in the Roman forum for many a
hot and dusty summer American
tourists, with more money than brains,
and American artists, with more
brains than money, pass by his lone
tomb, but he is only remembered on
the l4th of February in disrepntable
sort of way.
But then, this general disrepute is
undeserved. Valentine cannot help
it. He is unable to protest that If his
his chest protector had not been
dubbed by Claudius, some other man,
equally as undeservng of his fate,
might have meet his DOOM and in
stead of Valentines Day, we might
now celebrate a day named for some
other saint whose feast day had been
calendared too near the heather festl,,
val of the selection of lovers and
sWeethearts.