To-day being St. Valentine's Day, the letter-carriers and officials at the Local Post Office have no doubt had more than their usual share of work, although the custom of sending valentines is not as much observed here as at home and elsewhere. Still there is probably a sufficient proportion of the community labouring under that peculiar phase of hallucination known as fancying themselves "in lov to ensure the postal department a substantial increase of revenue during the next day or two; especially if they avail themselves of the opportunity afforded them by some of our enterprising storekeepers.
On Monday we visited the establishment of Messrs. Kelly & Walsh and inspected their large and valuable stocks of valeutines and presents suitable to the occasion. Amongst the former were many specialities, both English and American, which we do not remember having seen before and which for beauty of design and moderate price ought to command a ready lo. We were particularly struck with shape of a fan with fringe, cord which was painted a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley, azaleas and other pink and white flowers on a light blue back-yround, with the legend " Life without thee is a garden without flowers"—an assurance which will probably give joy to the heart of some love-sick person before to-day is over; those who intend speculating in anything of the kind will perhaps be glad to know that they can make this treasure their own for the small sum of $1. Besides this there wer some others with rich designs of baskets of flowers, amongst which forget-me-not largely predominated, at prices varying from tive to seventy-live cents. We also noticed a few photographic ones~ which although less striking than others, certainly possessed the charm of novelty. Those who prefer the old style will find a large assortment of Inca paper valentines from which to select; whilst others who prefer fun to sentimentalismn will be sure to appreciate the varied stock of caricatures which Messrs. Kelly and Walsh have on hand, As tastes differ and many prefer jul presents instead of meannities a largo variety of arti these are some handsome card ith embossed leaves, flowers and fruit, reticules in plush, boxes covered with the same material on which are pictures in satin. We were also shown evaluable scont case in calf with nickel mounts at $12 and several Indies' watch-stands in purple velvet with oxydised gilt, the samples of gold and silver pencil and pen cases were curious and elaborate. One composed of the shape of one end a would fy out of the atier. ips lamp; by pulling out
Besides this there were others in the form of telephones, fishes, owls, champagne bottles, Armstrong guns and screws in gold and silver, all of which are intended to be worn at the and of a watch-guard and would therefore prove acceptable presents to both ladies and gentlemen. Some neat vinaigrettes of tinted glass with silver tops would probably be more appropriate to the former. Ladies sending valentines to gentlemen might do worse than to present them witt a cigar or cigarette case or a meerchaum pipe, in cas of which they will find a rare assortun at this store. they object to the noxious weed and do not care so far encourage ils use, a handsome Russia leather purse or'a photographie case with embossed designs thereon might he given instead. Under this head we may also mention some splendid phologtaphic albums which we were shown; maw of them were richly illuminated but one entitled the Army and Navy Album was really a magnificent work of art. On each page were richly coloured drawings representing the uniforms of officers and men of the navy, and officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the cal branches of the British army, interspersed hero and there with battle scenes. Those whose proclivities are musical have all the latest songs and dance music at their disposal. Many panel flower designs and photographe which we saw here would be gladly welcomed as valentines, In the way of books there is also a wide range of choice, Kate Green away's 'Flowers and Fancies' would be a most appropriate present for to-morrow, as also would a handsome cabinet edition Poctical Works, There are also ditions of most of the British ious sizes and hindi at $1.25 is especially noteworthy. In addition to these were some handsomely bound Prayer Books and Church Servi amongst the latter was one in tortoi shell marked at $20; a high price, but fully warranted by the "get up" of the book.
After leaving Messrs, Kelly & Walsh's store we next, w that of Messrs, Hopkinson & Ca. in Nanking Road. Here there were no specialities peculiar to St. Valentine's Day, thole consignment having been accidentally delayed, Ther were, however, some neatly bound and valuable editions of standard works, as well as some elaborate sketches and panels, all of which would prove very satisfactory investments in honour of the great festival of St. Valentin Smasemgnts,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.