The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-14
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
FACTS AND TRADITIONS ABOUT
IT AND ITS CUSTOMS.
How the Day Was Celebrated In the Past
Designs This Year - Cciiuloid In the

How the Day Was Celebrated In the Past
Its Observance Nearly Obsolete Now
Designs This Year CcIiuioid in the
Lead.
This is 81. Valentines Day.
The 18th day of February has for many
centuries been observed in commemoratiOn
Of saint Valentines, a bishop or presbYter
who was decapitatod in go A. D., during
the Claudian persecution OF Rome. The
custom Of sending valentines detrimental
or comic love messages. often in ryme and
adorned with ornamental or grotesque de-
yices) is a very ancient one, and some trace
the custom 10 the Roman Lupcrcalia 0eb-
ruary l5th), when similar practices were
observed. and traces Of il have been detect
ed among the obseryances Of the Northern
pagans Of ancient Europe.
In this day and generation there is no
feast Of 81. Valentine such as was cele-
braied by the merry people Of past ages IN
the old country. Juhiiant occasions for the
youth Of those days they must have been.
How the interest must have eliminated in
the drawing Of The valentines when 10 each
participant in the game was awarded by
lot, the name Of some person Of the opposite
sex. who was then regarded as his or her
valentine for the ensuing year.
SWEETS TO THE SWEET.
suitable gifts. such as sweetmeats, BON
bOns, trnkcts. and the like. were inter-
changed. and 10 each brave lad belonged the
privilege of esc1rting his fair valentine 10
the various gatherings, festivities, and mer-
rymakings which should intervene for a
twelve month. Certainly in those times 81.
Valentines Day held iav0rs not 10 be dis
regarded. and since human nature remains
pretty much the same the world over. II
may be surmised that the valentine draw
ing must have been attended with consider
able anxiety, and. perhaps. even little
harmless -lratagcm may have been resOrted
% in mating the valentines.
IN these days when, rs some one has OBJ
served referring TO the almost universal
craze for decoration, " even our almanacs
and calendars are works Of art il is no
wonder that there are valentines of the
very dainiiesl design.
ON THE WANE.
But the pretty custom is dying out and
very few manufactures now make the
goods, and consequently very few mer-
chants handle them. ON Main street, yes
ierday. scarcelya Valentine could be found,
and only some of the booksellers and news
dealers on Broad street had them, and the
principal kind 70 be found were the dis-
gustingly vulgar comic ones.
DESIGNS IL CELLULOD.
In the finer grades a few beautiful styles
were 20 be seen. mainly i'm white. pink. cream
and blue celluloid. They were translucent
with a glazed surface, decorated with dell
cate sprays. flowers, landscapes and gold
lettering. All were remarkably pretty and
dainty. when not spoiled by too much rib
bon and lace setting, but the word "cellu-
lOid" seems so closely associated in the
public mind with "c0llars and cuffs that
lhe purchasers invariably prefer 20 call
them By tine more attractive term, Ivory"
by which they are also known. or the
small. unprotenti0us valentines, the style
that is most popular is the tiny card, which
is bought TO 9end by mail in "a diminutivc
envelope. The cards contain no decOra-
lions, bat simply stanla from poem.
They 30 exactly into the envelopes, which
are scarcely large enough TO hold a stamp
and the address, being not more than one
inch i'm width and TWO inches in length. The
back of the envelope contains in place OF a
seal fancy design Of "A heart pierced by
am arrow, figure of Cupid. or some such
device.
Many of the inscriptions are limitations
i'm sentiment and photography Of the old
time valentine as the following. which may
Doe preservation Of some quaint old lines
and have done q similar duty scores OF
years ago:
eco ladye fair, before thy shrine
Behold this doubling heart Of mlnci
IthOpe OF wvnc
Meet wish of thyme.
g.. .a.f ]. r|I.II. q Ina.