The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1871-02-18 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

VALENTINE.—AII sorts of stories ale Crarenti about St. Valentine, whose festival is kept on the 14th of this month, as the Poet-office authorities know to their cost. 'l'he following account of his saintsbip is abridged from Alban Butler's Line the Sqinte, vol. ii. •• St. Valentine, Martyr, was • holy priest of Rome, *Lc, with St. Marius and hie family, assisted the martyrs 10th persecution under Claudius It. He was apprehended mil sent by the Emperor to the Prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises let &anal to make him renounce his faith, commanded him to be beaten with club, and afterwards to he beheaded. This mite.cu was executed on the 14th of February, about the tear A 1i.:7). Pope Julius 'staid to hare bu Eli to his ruend.ry, near Pont. Ilole, cho rot =Lich for • long time gave its name to the g= to now called Poets del Yopolo, but which formerly was known as Porte S Valentini, and In Ciaibh:lll times*. the Porta Planainia. The greater part of his relics are now In a church not far from the gate. The name of Valentine la celebrated as that of an illustrious Martyr In the Sacramentary of it. Ciregory, the Roma Mime of Thomaelus, in the calendar of Pronto, and in other martdrologies of this day. To abolish the 'lewd, heathenish, and superstitious' custom of boys drawing the names of girl, In honour of their goddess Februta Juno OD I the 15th of this month, several rcaleua pastors substituted , the names of this and other saints in billet• even on this I day." Hence, probably, arose the connexion of Ct. Valentine Iwith the Postrodice authorities by • gradual proem whisk It Is not difficult to understand.  WOMAN'B REVEVIOK !—American wouitn continue to take the law into their own bands against men whom they judge to be guilty of offence against them. Tne New York Times roticce the course adopted re. cently by a lady of Wayland, &entail County, in that State:—  " Fee'leg herself aggrieved by certain remarks of one Mr. Lewis, a merchont of the place, she took the simple priest'. then of ill ooting Win dead when, the other morning, be visited her house on bakes'. Having eased her Conscience by the pe•f 'Tontine of thin duty, she next proceeded to the house of her brother, and requested him to step outside, as she wished a private interview. 1 his he declined to do, but invited her into the house, and led the way Into a bedroom. Following him as he entered, she puke pistol to his Lead and fired. From the effects of ah wound he too, has since died. F hiding her character not yet .polles., this worthy woman then determined to offer up • third victim on the altar of Insulted reputation. She directed her kind attention and her unerring atm towards her nephew to an adjoining room. This time, however, fortune failed her, and before she could fire she was seized, her weapon taken from her, and haulr placed to custody, with her fair lain. not yet thoroughly vindicated. Whin asked why shelled committed this double murder she le meld to have replied rather hiconsequentlally, and with a serous oblivion of the laws at God and grammar, 'that she would learn Mr. Lewis not to be the cause olin rutieh talks, then had been about her.' Whether her lesson will have the effeeS of diminishing the talk about her we so not know There can be at least no doubt that poor Lewis tan been effectually taught to hold his tongue for evermore.'  AN UNbC.