Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10
'D|SPLAY OF FAV0RS
Up-to-Date Reminders of ST.
Valentines Day.
H0MELY VERSES OF PAST
Evolution of Style and Composition
of Love Missives.
ORIGIN OF POPULAR CUSTOM
Attractive Feature Of Observance
outlined-Game of Hearts-Quaint
Specimens Of Sentiment.
ORIGIN OF POPULAR CUSTOM

windows are exhibited pretty displays of
up-to-date favors. Like most everything
else. the designs of valentines change from
year to year, and each recurring February
ii finds new styles in valentines. The evo-
luton of the valentine from the homely
scrawls of long ago-"Roses red, violets
blue, sugar is sweet and so is you''-to the
artistic novelties of today has been full
of interest as it has of panoramic changes.
The post card in many fine designs has
in a measure succeeded some Of the senti-
mental valentines that were sent by love-
sick lads and lassies only few years ago
in great numbers. Not few of the comics
are also sent as post cards nowadays.
Local dealers say the valentines of 1907
are more elaborate than were those of any
preceding year. Some of them are framed
pictures. suggestive of affection, that can
be hung upon the wall and kept for all
time. Then there are the framed mottos
and valentines in wood, glass and burned
leather. ~.S
The prices for the kinds this year run
all the way from three for a penny to SO
each. Thus they fit the purse of all, from
the frowsy headed urchin to- thee sik-hat-
topped magnate who has been smitten by
some fair face and pretty form feminine.
All the varieties at all prices can be found
in the progressive Washington stores.
Youngsters Have No Mortgage.
1t is declared that Valentines day is no
longer the exclusive property of the senti
mental young thing" of either the femi-
nine or masculine gender. That for the
past few years it has been undergoing a
process of evolution until it is now recog-
nized in the shops as day for general
gift-giving. Valentines are notsconfined to
embroidered paper and poetry, but are of
more substantial order, and not alone re-
ceived by the young, but by all ages.
a little volume of Ruskin all tied with
flaming ribbon as is Granddaughter Mar
jory her bunch of liberty roses. Perhaps
they both have little card tucked away
bearing the self-same greeting. ITO My
Valentine" Marjory may blush divinely
when she buries her face in her bouquet
and she doesn't need to be told where it has
come from. Grandma murmurS: How
good of Hugh. He was always SO thought
full of his mother
Origin of the Custom.
The origin of valentines has been prettily
described. 1t is said that at the feast of
Lupercalia, held in honor of the great god
of Pan, the names of the virgin daughters
of Rome were put in a box and drawn
therefrom by the young men. Each youth
was bound to offer gift to the maiden who
fell to his lot, and to make her his partner
during the time of the feast How this
secular custom became allied to the name
of saint is altogether a different matter.
st. Valentine was a bishop of Rome during
the third century. He is said to have been
a man of very amiable nature and most
eloquent of speech, wherefore he was very
successful in converting the pagan Romans
to Christianity. Marcus Aurelius was then
emperor, a relentless prosecutor of the
Christians, and by his order the bishop was
beheaded. The date of his death was Feb
ruary IA. 210 A. d. We find the statement
in Archbishop Whateley's illustrations of
the Book of Common Prayer that ''St.
Valentine man of admirable parts
and so famous for his love and charity
that the custom of choosing valentines upon
his festival took its rise from thence" But
probably the connection of name is wholly
due to a coincidence of date. When the
saints name was placed in the church
calendar the day of his death was made
festival to offset that of Lupercalia, on
the 18th. In Allen Buffers Lives of the
fathers tried to substitute the names of
saints for those of girls in the lottery game.
but without success. So the valentine"
custom spread from Rome through Europe
to Great Britain, always in high favor and
later, in the form Of sending tender mis-
sives, came to America and down to the
present time.
Approves Valentine Parties.
Washington woman believes that one
of the prettiest features of the day Is
Valentine party. To make the room look
attractive take down all heavy draperies
and replace them with tarlatans in delicate
pastel shades. This completely transforms
the house and gives the airiest effect mag
Unable. Cheesecloth is almost as effective
Veil all electric globes and gas jets with
rose crepe paper or the tarlatan. Aspara-
gus vines trailing over the draperies and
from the center lights Is very pretty and
adds faryland effect.
The hostess will that only thoroughly
congenial young people are asked. When
all have arrived pass heart-shaped cards.
bearing the names of the men present to
the ladies, and those of the ladies to the
men In this way partners are found for
the game to follow, which is usually
Hearts on this occasion, for no other
scheme seems quite appropriate.
The refreshment table can be made
thing of beauty with pink and green can
dies, pink and white carnations roses.
oyster. chicken or sweetbread patties in
heart-shaped shells, heart-shaped sand
witches, white grape, nut and apple salad in
aspic heart-molds, cherry ice in heart cases
and pink frosted heart cakes with the usual
accessories will make delicious menu.
The piece de resistance will be a st
Valentine cake 1t will contain two rings.
onc-haif the cake iced in pink and the other
in white. The hostess or guest of honor
cuts the pink half and passes 1t to the men,
while the host or a man whom the hostess
specially wishes to honor cuts the white
and passes to the ladies. Those who find
the rings are supposed to marry within the
year and are in honor bound to entertain
the party on next Valentines day.
st. Valentine Quotations.
The same Washington woman gives the
following quotations from st. Valentines
day publications Of long ago:
''Oh, IL 1t be to choose and call thee mine,
Love, thou art every day my Valentine"
Now all nature seems in love
And birds have drawn their Valentines"
Tomorrow is ST. Valentines day
All in the morning betime.
And /. a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
'.I envy man wealth or fame,
While you my true Valentine
s.oh. there's nothing half SO sweet in life
| As Loves young dream
| For love Is heaven, and heaven is love-
| IT'S better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at ALL
| 'Pains Of love be sweeter far