3-039-007 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Fourteenth of February," by G. B. O'Niel, 1871. Engraving of a painting. 'We are close upon St. Valentine's Day - the true "silly season"...The habit of sending such foolish missives on St. Valentine's Day is, it is said, extending upwards from the lower orders; and, judging by the statistics of the additional labour which falls on our poor overworked postman, we presume that this is the fact. Another cause, however, of the increase, probably, is the extension of the habit to the younger members of our families. A childish custom naturally finds favour with the juveniles. This is the last of many forms in which St. Valentine's Day has been celebrated; and it is not only the most innocent, but it may well afford a large amount of harmless pleasure...As the day approaches mysterious intimations are given that something extraordinary is to be expected from the postman; and so it happens that, when the auspicious morning arrives, he finds at many a threshold, standing on the very tiptoe of expectancy, a group of young people...Let us hope that the valentine which poor Molly has anxiously retired to read in the background may be all that she could desire, and in the handwriting of the right person'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.