The valentine satirizes the Irish for drinking, violence, and Catholicism. The Irishman holds his fists up, carries a pipe, and wears knee-breeches., Text: Arrah! paddy, my darlint, wid a big stick, / Are you after a row with Dennis or Mick? / Or, perhaps, a Know-Nothing you'd like to spy, / I'm sure if you find him he'll blacken your eye! / And at a wake you're sure to get tight. / In the street you're a nuisance, with a nasty old pipe., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The Irishman has copious facial hair, smokes a pipe, and wears knee-breeches. He stands in front of another man and a ship. The "Know Nothings" were an anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant group, and the valentine mocks the Irishman for knowing so little that he would join a group that opposes him., Text: It's Paddy from Cork I am; sure you'll be knowin' me; / And I'm jist over, good manners to tache: / Faith, I'm a know-nothing, and soon I'll be showin' ye / How to git into office, and stick like a lache., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
