, 1861-03-14
The Court Of Love.

Court Of Love most. The world Is full Of the
jingle and elatter Of Courts Of Divorce, Of Pro-
bate, Of Chancery, and an the rest Of H. or
course they are necessary but they are Iaeces-
sary because man is selfish, and spiteful and
stupid-so different from what he was. Bring
back the times when they were not-when there
were no juries Of shopkeepers, but eonclaves Of
earnest and impartial damesand maidens; when,
instead Of bullying barristers, there were gentle
and quick witted lady-pleaders; when stately
matrons were the most honored judges.
Everything about modern courts Is IN keep
ing; dim, dismal, 'irty. Everything about these
medieval courts was in keeping, too; bright,
sparkling, tender. The session commenced in
the gay spring time; the branches Of an elm
tree, just covered with young leav,s. formed q
fitting roof; the beautiful flowers and merry
birds, within sight and hearing, harmonized the
proceedings; the ladies who held Office in the
court were dressed in Natures color, green. The
president sometimes knight, but Oflener lady,
had to be well versed In the forms OF chivalry,
and experienced in the precepts and practices Of
love. The names Of four illnstrious judges are
handed down; Queen Eleanor, first wife Of the
French Louis the Seventh, and afterward the
English Henry the Second; Viscountess Ermen
garde Of Narbonne; the Countess Of Cham
pagne, and the Coun' ess Of Flanders. Most no
ted among the males were Richard the Lion
hearted, and Alfonso, Of Arragon.
Thirty.one articles were the basis OF al the
courts proceedings, as well as rules for guidance
| In private life Here are some Of them translat
ed out Of Andres fourteenth century Latin.
The cases brought under the jurisdiction Of
the court were Of great diversity. few ques-
tions, with their decisions. shall now Gull from
Andre the Chaplain, Martial dAuvergne, and
other authorities Of that age.
Once this problem was propounded Do the
greatest affection and liveliest attachment exist
between lovers or married personsf The Lady
Ermengarde thus determined the matter: The
attachment Of the married and the tender aiiec-
ton Of lovers are altogether different sentiments.
| No Just comparison can be established between
objects which have neither resemblance nor re-
lation to one another.
This question is theoretical; other and more
practical ones are cited. A knight claimed re-
dress under the following circumstan, es: His
mistress had strictly enjoined him never to con-
tend publicly but one day he was thrown into
the company Of some lords and ladies' who said
dis?arsging things about the object Of his love.
At first he restrained his wrath, but at last was
overpowered by the desire Of maintaining the
honor and defending the name Of the absentone
She, instead Of thanking him, Withdrew her a.
vOr, because he had broken the pledge exacted.
The Countess Of Champagne. however, whom
the dispute was brought before her, Judged that
the lady had been unlawfHlly severe, and that
knight could never incur blame by repelling
charges brought against his mistress.
Another knight had more serious grievance.
| He appeared before the same Countess Of Cham
pagne, when she was sitting in full court Of
sixty ladies', and said that be had been tenderly
attached 10 q lady whom distance and other du-
| ties prevented him from meeting es oitena as he
| liked. They had, however, established means
hx,, IF arNr
and for time all went happily. But at length
his laithl, IS secretary showed bis pertidy. He
made an offer Of devotion to his masters mis-
trvss, and succeeded IN drawing OF her afec-
tons, thus violating the most sacred laws Of love
and honor. The court, alter mature delibera-
ton, uttered this decision: That the dishonora-
ble secretary had found his mate in the lady who
could encourage his advances, and that the
knight might be glad to leave them 70 what en-.
joyment their base alliance could afford; but Il
was decreed that they, having broken the rule
ehivalrous society; they must never seek the
| esteem Of knights or ladies, and never show
themselves In any court Of love .'4 f9
In contrast to this action for breach Of prom
ise, take the instance Of q more humorous trial.
Il Is the great case Of /" The kiss" IN which the
lady demanded damages iot the Geloni9us taking
Of that article. The defendant pleaded that be
had long been deeply attached to the plaintiff,
aud that three months previously she had pro-
missed to bestow on himA kiss; yet as Otten as
he claimed fulfilment Of tho pledge, she put Him
off with some excuse or other. Atlast, be said,
he could wait no longer; and, when the ladys
husband was out Of the way, he took her and il
by storm. The plaintiff rejOlhed thatin making
the promise, she had limited herself tonO period,
and that, if leit to herself she would have ful.
filled Il In proper time But the court (Which,
find. generally favored the distressed eavaliers)
oveFruled this excuse as trivial, gave Judgment
against the plaintiff, condemned her 10 pay all
costs, and, in addition, to furnish . supplement
tary kiss.
there Is another kiss affair chrohicied, which,
for the credit Of the sex, wish could tind Fea-
son To doubt. A knight suhm0ned his mistress
before the Court on the charge Of pricking one
cheek, while pressing her lips against the other,
with intent, etc. The lady asserts that the kiss
had been taken, not given, and that the wound,
II inflicted at all, was the accidental result o.
her proper resistance. But unansweTable eyl-
dence was brought; medical certificates were
produced, and her statement was clearly dis
proved. Il was decreed that, by way OF repair
alton, she should kiss the injured cheek a. often
as the plaintiff chose until il was healed.
All these trials took place in the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries, and, alas this Is the nine
teenth, The Court Of Love is dead thing; Ia
last assemblage took place about 1882.
The Rev. H. W. Beecher, formerly an advO.
cate Of Sharp's rifles, has recently become q
convert to the breaeh.loading principle, as may
be seen from his "advice to parents, in late
sermon: "Never strike child on the head
Providence has supplied other and more apPro-
pirate places Of punishment"
There is something imposing in silence; IS
Poctical-sub'imc. But purposelrss speecn Is
disgusting; Il is only like the throwing Of hal
last out of balloon-tlrad matter hung from a
bag Of wind.