3-071-047 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Morn of St. Valentine, 1881. 'This day is consecrated, by ancient popular tradition, in merry England that used to be, and probably also, with a certain degree of ecclesiastical sanction or toleration, to the festive celebration of betrothal rites, private or public, which that genial personage is deemed to regard with a peculiarly benevolent countenance of approval. Some curious archaeologist may here interpose, for the twentieth time, with stale particulars of biographical information concerning a Bishop of this name fifteen centuries ago...We do not care to hear any more of that just now, while looking at this happy pair of English lovers; the gentle damsel of good birth and breeding, who looks out from the opened window of her father's mansion; and the manly young fellow, dressed like a country squire of the last century, who has ridden over from his own place, so early in the morning, to give her a flower, and to assure her that he is "her own True Valentine." This is "the old, old fashion" of life's best earthly treasure, discovered anew by every succeeding generation of mankind; and we trust there are many who shall find it surely theirs, on the anniversary of St. Valentine in the present year'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.