The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-02-14
VALENTINES vAGAR|ES.
Cupid Cuts Curious and Conf
cal Capers.
LOVE LINKS LASS AND LAD.
Some Sweet Scented Samples Of
Sentiment and Satire Still
Sent 10 Sweet-hearts by
Saints and Sinners.
Some Specimens.
Friday, 18Th OF February.
ICoPYRtGIIr.l


"A5 flowers turn toward tho sun,
And his genial sway.
so urn my e. ought o thee. dear friend,
On Is nuspi ious DAY.
he day which good ST. Naleutiue.
Claims his own FROM Aud Lang
Syne.'
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
To-day is known throughout the
civilized world as the anniversary of
ST. Valentine, but why the customs
peculiar to the l4th of February
should be in any way connected with
the good old saint, the authorities
have not determined. The manner
of celebration dutes back nearly
1000 years. and in the legends of
the different saints of that name no
trace OF the practice peculiar to the
day can be found.
This day Is one in which every
lassy will have her daddy, and it will
be of interest to the young readers
OF The VIRGlNIAN to know some.
thing OF early-day celebrations.
Says an excellent authority: ION
the eve of st. Valentine a number
OF young folk, maids aud bachelors,
would assemble together and IN
scribe upon little billets the names
of an equal number of maids and
bachelors of their acquaintance.
throw the whole into receptacle of
some sort and then draw them lot
terywise. care, of course, being
taken that each should draw one of
the opposite sex. The person thus
drawn becomes ones valentine.
ONES VALENTINE.
OF course besides having got n
valentine for ones self, one became
by the universally of the practice.
some other persons valentine. and
as Nilsson, q learned traveller in the
earl y part Of the last century re
marked: The man stuck faster to
the Valentine that bad fallen to him
than to her to whom he had fallen.
these imaginary engagements often
lead to real ones, because one nec
essary consequence of them was.
that Tor o whole year Il bachelor re.
manned, bound to the service of his
valentine"
AT an early period it was custom.
airy Tor both sexes to make presents.
but laterly the obligation seems TO
nave been restricted to young men.
During the fifteenth century the
practice was very popular in the
Old World among the upper classes.
ana at many European courts. Since
the days OF ancient Rome the young
people OF all lands have looked for
ward to the 18th of February with
q
anticipatioDs and they INDUCED in
sports OF peculiar kind about the
middle of the month. st. Valentine.
according to old Christian record
was an eminent bishop who lived in
the reign of the Emperor Claudius
about the year go. The day dedi
Gated to the saint was the 18th of
February, upon which for n thons.
ana years the people of Rome looked
forward to the celebration, Presents
OF gloves. jewelry, flowers, sweet
meats, sandals and garters flew
aDout IN all directions, and the
young men and maidens were full
OF expectation.
BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT.
The custom had its origin in q
bca"liui seutlIueul, out as almost
everything has Its ridiculous and
comic side, SO st. Valentine has not
escaped, and the comedy feature
seems to be the most popular
Young lady, when the missiye ia
received, do not be sure that the
tinted envelope hides from view
loving words OF q devoted heart. On
the contrary you may have your
pedal eXtremlties compared to those
OF the Chicago girl. Some promi.
nent trait Of your character NAV he
pointed ont IN u way not altogether
polite. Don't be fretted, but remem
Der lis st. Valentines Day.
III you are told that you educate
yonr feet to the neglect of your
head don't lose your temper.it IA
st. Valentines Day. But II ia for.
sunate that st. Valentine permits
Doth the comic and the sentimental
Pefchanoe you may receive loving
words from your best beaux. and
while yeae iitt!o heass goes patti %.