Though
this custom is openly adopted among relatives and others whose
friendship is reciprocated, yet the secret mode of placing a friend in
possession of an offering is followed largely,--and this it is curious
to remark, not on the _day_ of the saint, when it might be supposed that
the appropriateness of the gift would be duly ratified, the virtue of
the season being in full vigour, but on the _eve_ of St. Valentine, when
it is fair to presume his charms are not properly matured. The mode
adopted among all classes is that of placing the presents on the
door-sill of the house of the favoured person, and intimating what is
done by a run-a-way knock or ring as the giver pleases.
So universal is this custom in this ancient city, that it may be stated
with truth some thousands of pounds are annually expended in the
purchase of Valentine presents. At the time of writing (February 2.) the
shops almost generally exhibit displays of articles calculated for the
approaching period, unexampled in brilliancy, taste and costliness, and
including nearly every item suitable to the drawing room, the parlour,
or the boudoir. The local papers contain numerous advertising
announcements of "Valentines;" the walls are occupied with printed
placards of a similar character, and the city crier, by means of a loud
bell and an equally sonorous voice, proclaims the particular advantages
in the Valentine department of rival emporiums.
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