Show L 1 valentines a len tines morlo more po pular popular than ever i N THE latter part of the eighteenth century the valentine those ornate creations of lace paper silver and gilt artificial flowers scrap pictures and sentimental verse which we know grew from the simplest processes by natural degrees of elaboration before valentines became recognized article pi ll 11 a of merchandise lovers were constrained to construct their own A quill pen a sheet of writing paper and ability to write doggerel was the required equipment soon there appeared obliging little chap books called the Gent lemans new valentine writer cupids cupida Cup ids annual charter the school of love and the ladles ladies polite valentine writer 11 there also was a valentine writer for and one for the joker called the quizzing valentine writer these valentine writers were little sixpenny six penny pamphlets contain containing ine choice specimens of doggerel for a al most all degrees of love and sent ment here are a few samples round Is the ring that has no end so Is roy my lovo love to you my friend you are witty you are pretty you are single what a pity I 1 am single for your sake what a handsome couple we shall make in the trades peoples valentine writer valentines tor for almost every trade and profession were provided here is one for the pawnbroker I 1 pledge my word for thee I 1 live and am sincere when honor calls oh then my dear an answer give you know where to at the three balls oftentimes these homemade home made valen times were of the cut and torn paper variety beautiful designs being worked out by cutting or tearing the paper about the year 1800 the manufactured article began to steal away the early charm of st valentines day transformation scenes were a conceit of the german manufacturers A lorn on bachelor sits and bemoans his fate of solitariness until a shifting scene reveals to him what bliss life would bo be with her of his dreams the more elaborate of these manufactured va valentines 1 were wonderful examples of human ingenuity and handicraft aal and some were very expensive the manufacturer of valentines 60 50 years ago gave remunerative employ ment to an army of women to whom the work of construction was ed germany furnished most of tile the material in bulk for valentines hut but the beautifully made artificial cambric roses e each no longer than a pea wen made in french convents by womer to whom valentines were never sent and who were vowed to celibacy and single life the anonymity of the remembrance is its charm as in the case of tho the young artist of charles lambs acquaintance who expended hours and his best work on a valentine for his neighbor a young girl with whom lie he had never spoken but whose radiant girlhood had given him joy to behold to her surprised eyes came his exquisite testimonial and like pleasure shared our grandmothers when in the good old days folded sheets with lace edges and most delicately handwritten verses beneath crudely sentimental sketches found their insidious way under their front door |