The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-11
SCratCh-Pad
Reflections,

tfaNogant way some glarinE ~ccccnliN"s
OF his neighbOr through the safeguard VI
anonymity Will do well TO remember on
next Wednesday that the former vicious
custom OF sending vulgar lampoons on
ST. Valentines Day has been assigned TO
the limbo OF exploded ideas. There was
an clement OF cowardice in this uprehhed
practice, though people OF taste and cui-
ture were slow to recognize Il. The Gus
tom of sending what ars known as
.comic Valentines IL now limited chiefly
10 children with a harmless sense OF the
ridiculous. and adults by no means au
fait in matters OF etiquette. IL is not at
all edifying 10 have ones self caned on
a crowded t~horoughfare, so 1t will prove
n source of benefit TO those considering
the ACCESSIBILITY OF sending anonymous
Ibels TO stop for a moment and con-
| slider whether this underhand means OF
criticism Is worth the danger TO which
one is liable.
Authorities differ as TO the origin OF
celebrating the 18th of February. Ac-
cording 10 one Roman legend. Valentine,
who was q mighty good man. away back
wonder in the times when there "efeh I
anv electric cars and "at homes, was
thrown into chains by the Emperor Clau-
dius. Now. Claudius was a sort OF all
] TUlU1 HDOtt. anu, lint lAlFA
reporters. he wasn't Overburdened with
religious enthusiasm. lie got mad with
Valentine. because he couldn't make
him think his way, and had the Ga
Saint pulled" Valentine was thrown
into chains, and remained in the station
house. or whatever kind OF prison they
| had. for a long time. How he spent the
time ia prison is uncertain. He might
have whiled away the weary hours by
writing some thrilling patent medicine
advertisements for the newspapers. FL
naily, however. he was beaten 10 death
with CLUBS on the 18th day Of February.
and thai date was fixed as st. Nalen-
tines Day in COMMUNICATION OF the
event
Another legend says that on February
18th young ladies and gentlemen used to
get together for n froIic. The names Of
the young ladies were put in some sort
Of Il vessel and the young society men
would draw them. Whatever name a
young man happened TO get that lady
was called, FOR the time, his Valentine.
II must have been a ticklish business.
for the legend doesn't describe the ladies
win any other adjective than young
a1d that is "A very indefinite sort OF
description. at least in these days when
art largely counteracts the effects Of
time.
IL has also been suggested that there
is Il similarity between "Nalentine' and
the French "Galentin." the diDunutiVe
from gallant" II is quite true that some-
how men grow a little more gallant on
the approach OF spring. and consequently
do the correct thing by spending a
weeks salary for some dainty present
on the iith OF February. But this ex-
PLANTATION seems very thin, as are ike
wise many others. The first would APP
pear the most reasonable loop-hole out Of
The dilemma; but you can take your
choice, they are all pretty good FISH
yarns.
One Of the most conspicuous figures
10 be present at the National Convention
Of School Superintendent. which meets
in this city for the first time Oh the -Otn
of this month, is that OF DR.. William Il.
Harper, formerly Of Yale University. now
president OF the University Of Chicago. DR..
Harper. whose name appears upon the
programme for an address on THE Uni
versity in its Relation TO the Teaching
Profession" is one Of the most eminent
educators and lecturers on the continent.
Though scarcely thirty years of age his
reputation as a Biblical critic ana In
guist is not confined TO this country. he
IS regarded as the greatest He1raist Of
his age in America. DR.. Harper has de-
voted his life largely TO studies in the
Oriental languages, in which he is con
ccded to be one Of the first specialists
OH this side the Atlantic. For some years
he was the editor OF The Old and New
Testament Student" a very able jour
nal devoted to matters Of Biblical cri-
E-F " 49,. H. alAA ~ g
one OF the leading lights OF the country.
AS a Biblical critic ne is liberal, but by
no means radical" and Doids fast b.
the inspiration OF the Scriptures. The
distinguished scholar is a young maj OF
striking personality. He Is tall. has q
spendid physique. an intelligent, unshaVen
face. light complexion, and a Keen,
searching eye. His energy and endurance
are remarkable. AS a speaker he Is logi-
cal and vehement. DIR. Harper = now
delivering a course of University Eyten-
sion lectures in Chicago. and is attract
Ing widespread attention among scholars.
In this generation, when the cry from
every side is 'amuse u.s." 1t is very dis
tressing 10 have ones self bored. es-
pecially when a 50 cali0re revolver IS
employed in the process. The average
' liIt IA 10 0ItIl- az AZ - $500
danger OF finding himself a subject for
the undertaken. There's no fun IN this
kind of experience. IL may be well
enough TO write an article b-istling with
satire or sarcasm. but wnen a Fellow
armed with a ilve-shooter saunters into
the Office. and with his han In his hip
pocket. demands the name OF the scribe
who took the liberty OF giving the public
an inkling into his short c0mings, why.
you feel as though yon wouldn't mind
making your frame scarce FOR the time
being. 10 was Just one Week ago / was
perIsing a scintillating piece OF copy
about a sly elOpement, hen a tall, stern
looking individual staggered in and cOolly
demanded the name OF the reporter who
Informed the public that ne was fined SO
I'm the Police Court. He was a transient
from the far West. where, az a con-
temporary Of mine says they nave every
kind OF tree except the family tree. Ny
visitor demanded an apology.
we never make apologies I'm this
Office said /; but If we have done you
an injustice. why. we will take pleasure
in correcting It in to-morrow's issue
This did not seem TO be satisfactory.
and the wild Wesierner. with the butt
end Of q revolver sticking out OF his
hip-pockct. Informed me that he would
return the next morning. and see 10 it
that the apology was made. I've never
came back however, and perhaps Z
was best that ne didn't: for each member
Of the local staff had supplied himself
with a few articles for self protection.
You can find a number OF individuals
- ~ - - - Ls