SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 151, 14 February 1874, Page 3

SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY

’Txs Saint Valentine’s Day!—a red letter day, indeed, for lads and lassies all over the world. Everybody knows what is the correct thing for ail true “ loviers ” to do at this time of the year ; and it is a ve y lucky thing for Mr King that there is no delivery in Tauranga—his slender, almost’fairy form, could not possibly stand the weight of the countless “love letters” posted yesterday for Tauranga young ladies by their devoted ones. “ Over all creation, Gentle love spells fling ; Waking earth to love and mirth Hail thou blessed thing !” This is probably what Mr Booth will say when he rises from his stretch —, couch we mean, this morning ; and here is a valentine especially written for him on beautifully scented paper, and picked up by our typo near Captain Tunks’s peach orchard, where Mr Booth, during the season, is generally to be found ; To Dearest William Isaac. “ O little tender hot house flower, Once “ nursed with tender care,” Torn rudely from Australia’s bower To brave New Zealand air ; Y’ou shiver in its breath unkind, And cry from morn to night, Blow warmer, warmer, Cupid’s wind, Nor chill his heart outright.”—Daffodil.. There is a postscript entreating William Isaac not to make himself ill again with “ those nasty poaches,” but we cannot quite make it out. We are sorry for Daffodil —seems “ rough times ” for her, poor thing. This is from an American paper, and is published for the special delectatian of our maiden lady readers as a suitable chorus for Saint Valentine’s Day : “Ye Girl of Ye Period’s ‘Psalm of Life.’ “ (A long way after Longfellow). “ Tell us not in idle jingle ‘ Marriage is an empty dream !’ For the girl is dead that’s single, And things are not what they seem. Life is real i life is earnest! Single blessedness a fib ; ‘Man thou art, to man roturnest!’ Has been spoken of the rib. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow. Is our destined end or way, But to act that each to-morrow Finds us nearer marriage day. Life is long, and youth is fleeting, And our hearts, though light and gay. Still like pleasant drums are beating, Wedding marches all the way. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of life. Be not like dumb driven cattle ! Be a heroine —a wife. Trust no future, however pleasant; Let the dead Past bury its dead ! Act —act to the living Present! Heart within and hope ahead. Lives of married folks remind us We can live our lives as well, And, departing, leave behind us. Such examples as shall ‘ tell.’ Such examples that another, Wasting time in idle sport, A forlorn unmarried brother Seeing, shall take heart and court. Let ns, then, be up and doing. With a heart on triumph set; Still contriving, still pursuing. And each one a husband get.”