The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-02-12
VALENTINE DAY.
Some Interesting Facts in Regard to the
Observance of This Holiday.

Some Interesting Facts in Regard to the
Observance of This Holiday.
The 14th day of February. popularity
known as ST. Valentines day, is re-
1.arkable as being festival which has
no connection with the one from whom
il takes its name. There Is more than
one saint of that name, but in all the
;egerGs connected with them there is
TO trace OF the practice peculiar to the
tay- Bishop Valentine, with whom the
day is most generally connected, was
llartyred at Rome. In the third cen
fury, being first beaten with clubs and
then 5eheaded. The greater part of his
remains are preserved in TIE church of
St Praxedes, at Rome, where a gate
aow the Porta del Popolo-was former
v named from him Porto Valentino"
1t Is most probable that the custom
may have descended 10 US from the
ancient Romans, who, during the Luz
percalia celebrated in the moath of
february used to put the names of
Young women into a box, from which
they were drawn by the men as chance
directed With the advent Of Christian
'Jy, thus pagan eust.m survived in COM
mon with many others, and the church,
1nding il impossible to extirpate IL,
gave II a religious :-spect. The names
Of the certain saints were substituted
for those Of the women, and the one
which was drawn became the patron
saint for that year, and was termed
'Kale11ine." From this the custom ad-
ranced until II became an annual fes-
uval, generally celebrated in England,
Scotland, and IN different parts OF the
continent Of Europe, particularly Lor
raine and Maine in France.
On he eve of ST. Valentines day a
number Of young people would assem-
bic together and inscribe on little bill
lets the names Of an equal number of
lads and bachelors of their acqus-nt-
ance, throw the " hole into recep-
-acle of some sort and then draw them,
by lot. care of course being taken that
each should draw one of the opposite
sex, the person thus drawn becoming
valentine for a year. II naturally
follow ed that the young men would feel
L incumbent to give his valentine
present, which she -eeiprocated with
aower, or some such token Up TO the
18th century ii was customary for both
sexes 10 make each other presents. but
iatteriy the obligation was restricted
10 young men
All this, of course, has nothing 10 do
with the martyred Bishop Valentine,
OF any other of that name; but II really
makes no difference, since the day has
greatly degenerated from its former
observance With the introduction of
so-caIled comic" valentines, the day
lost caste.
A comic valentine is usually nothing
but gross libel, couched in coarse
lyme, and no sensible person VIII
send one under any circumstances. The
practice is not witty. and can accom-
plish 10 good purpose. There are, TO be
sure, very pretty and appropriate val
eutinss, which may be sent with pro-
priety, and which are received with
l5leasure; but even here the custom has
received a setback, since there is
tendency TO make the valentines SO
costly that macy people who cannot
afford to compete with other and rich
ct friends do not send Valentines at
al,
The day is interesting. however. as
a survival of a very anclent festival,
and il VIII doubtless survive for many
,-ears in modified form OF late the
custom is growing of substituting little
gifts such as gleses, ribbons and other
articles dear TO the feminine heart. for
The printed cards. and IN time to come
we may see sorasthing like another
Christmas or New Years day. At pres
enf is observance can be made cheer
iul or otherwise. seeording TO the good
Taste Of the obssrger. and it is hoped
that 10 self-respecting boy or girl viii
take advantage Of the day TO wound
I'D enemy or insult friend.-Golden
DzyA