The question has not a material interest for the middle-aged, but there be young folk who have been in doubt when St. Valentine comes—that is (for we all know that to-morrow, Sunday, is the 14th), when ought the peculiar epistolary rite of the festival to be performed, Saturday or Monday? Delicate details suggest themselves to those who send and receive valentines. As a moralist, I should say, observe the rite on the Saturday, so that minds may not be diverted on Sunday by speculations as to the number of hearts and darts that will arrive. Let the ledger of love be made upon Saturday night, and balanced. The commercial rule with bills may be applied in St. Valentine's case, probably, too, this rule will be approved by the youngest, who are not fond of deferring pleasure. But a friend in the Post Office—where, truly, people are likely to know a good deal on the matter—says that Monday will be the great day, and it is then that those who have been lucky enough to inspire admiration may look for their musical letters, scent-bags, fans, lovers' compasses, perfume-bottles, and all the other delights which Rimmel and refinement minister to the tender-hearted. It is, by-the-way, a good sign that the valentine missives have become elegancies. Anything is better than the vulgarities which used to satisfy us, and which still satisfy too many. But the affection whose expression can be bought is poor stuff after all, and the girls of the period have an opportunity of showing that they are not so selfish as they are sketched. Let them exultingly display all the costly and splendid gifts; but when a lover has become a poet on his own account, and sent the result of his own inspiration, let the Grateful Fair (as our ancestors said—I suppose the fair were grateful in old days) declare that she values more than anything some lovely verses which she will not show to anybody. This will make one youth very happy and annoy all the rest, so that the gracious act will have double zest. By-the-way, do those who consider that it is not well to marry in Lent consider that the valentine, which ought to tend in same direction, ought not to be sent. One would be sorry to spoil pleasure or to injure the Post Office revenue, but here is a grave question. Should not St. Valentine be kept on Easter Monday?
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, Feb. 13, 1869, p.155