The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-20
KISSING HANDS.
IAll the Year Around /

In Morocco the number "fve" is never
mentioned in the Sultan's presence, because
Eve is the number Of the fingers of the hand,
and the hand. as the wielder of the scepter,
sword ind pen should be, 10 the symbol OF
authority eli the world over. This gives q
meaning to the custom of sslating q rulers
hand by way of homage, and no courtly cere-
of kissing hands. Priam, suppicating Achil-
les to restore the body Of Hector. calls himself
the most miserable of men in being forced to
kneel before the murderer of his children and
kiss the hand yet reeking with their blood.
Roman soldiers kissed the hand of their gen.
erals. Consuls, tribunes and dictators per-
mitted . favored few to pay them the same
mark of respect.
Under the Emperors, kissing the imperial
hand was held an essential duty. on the part
of courtiers of high rank, and, tearing leaf
out OF the Pagan's book, as was too much
their habit, the bishops of the early Christian
Church gave their hands to the lips of infe-
rior ministers. The wearers Of the triple
crown were content with being honored in
the same fashion, until one OF the Leos, not
ted his foot, and no one daring to protest
against the innovation. his SUCCESSORS were
careful not to resort to the less abject cere-
mony. When the Duchess of Savoy prof
fered her fair fingers to that lip loving church
man, the master John, Of Lorraine, he de-
clined the favor with disdain, declaring he
was accustomed to make free with the lips of
the greatest queen in the world, and was not
going to do less by dirty little duchess; then
selling the astonished lady by the waist, the
bold Cardinal, spite of struggles and pertnbs-
tions. kissed her thrice upon the mouth
With equal disregard for etiquette, but with
more simplicity, did the country danes to
whom Charles II presented his hand, put no
their lips for the king to kiss. breach Of
custom the cry monarch readily forgave-
forgive, We may be sure, with more sincerity
than James forgave Sir Henry Yeiverton for
speaking disrespectfoliy of his countrymen.
when, in token Of pardon, he allowed the in
discreet orator to kiss his royal hand thrice
ere he left the presence. Kissers at court are,
We believe, forbidden to appear with their
hands gloved.
1t was not always 80. for in q letter dated
1925 we read: This day my Lord Coke, with
his gloves on, touched and kissed the Kings
hand, but whether to be considered council
Tor or cashiered cannot yet learn" From
kissing hands at court came kissing hands in
counting, Q practice the learned Salden con-
sidered as. foolish as to eat the pairing Of an
apple when one might taste the fruit itself;
AAcCAAA8
hands for politeness' sake and the use Of the
phrase. II kiss your hand, IS q SALVATION
upon leave-taking, without thought of
suiting the action to the word. A story
is told of an old laird, who, being presented
TO George the Fourth at levee, in his
ignorance and anxiety to get through the
business, ignored the hand extended to him.
and with hasty bow edged toward the door
with all speed. Brought up by Lord Eorolls
reminder, "Kiss hands! kiss
hands," the startled old gentleman, facing
about, kissed both his hands at the King, as
i waiting cordial recognition to friend at
! distance. All unconsciously, the laird was
acting according to ancient rule, for only the
greater subjects of the later Caesars were per.
mitted to press their lips upon imperial
angers. Inferior folks kissed their own hands,
Is they were wont to do upon entering the
temples of the gods, q custom Pliny set down
among those which we're followed for no
Known reason but their antiquity.