Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-27

part in this singular proceeding
but the effect on . middle-sged
gentleman Of aldermsnic proper
liens III performing such an ac-
IObaiic saluiation off-hand would not.
one would imagine. be unattended with
awkward results. Although not 50
difficult Of accomplishment. the Inhab-
iisnts OF the Philippines are lovers OF q
somewhat complex attitude in their
ssluiations, which consist in bending
the body as close as possible to the
earth, placing the palms Of the hands
on the cheeks. and then slowly raising
ore foot in the air. with the knees
bent.
The Chinese demonstrate their ma
tionsl vanity and affection in their per-
sonal ciyilities. and the name Of their
artificial ceremonies is legion. They
are not content with their reyerences"
and their singular postures, but add
quantity to kind. the number Of their
salutations beirg calculated to q nicely,
and vary irg IN accordance with the
rank and importance Of the person
they would honor. IL two per-
sons are brought together after a
lengthy separation, it is their Gus
tom to sink down on their knees,
and bend the face to the earth. this
ceremony being repeated two or three
times. Should you meet q Chinese
and venture " How d'you do?" he
will in all probability reply verbosely
IN such a strain as - Very well, thanks
TO your abundant felicity" or, if he
should take the initiative, you will be
overwhelmed with some such greeting
as Prosperity is painted on your
face" or " Your air announces your
happiness" But perhaps the most Gu
iious Of all these IS the custom of salu
tation after sneeziBg, relevant TO
which an amusing account is given
Of the effect which attends the
sneezing Of the King Of Monomo-
taps. 1t is said that "those who are
near his person salute him in so loud
tone that persons in the ante-chamber
hear it and join in the reclamation IN
the adjoining apartments they do the
same, till the noise reaches the street
and becomes propagsted throughout the
city. so that at each sneeze Of his Ma
jesty results horrid cry from the salu-
tations Of many thousands Of his vas
sails" But, perhaps. the climax Of
sbsurdiiy is reached when the King Of
SEMINAR INDUCES in this luxury. for the
whole Of the courtiers turn their backs
on him and loudly smack their RICH.
thigh.
The Turks cross their hands, place
them on their heart. and bow, exclaim-
ing. BE under the care of God y
" Forget me not in thy prayers "
by visits are as rare as tine days -
an ancient greeting. as II is by no means
applicable 10 the present country. The
Romans in ancient times exclaimed.
"What doest thou: - 4" BE healthy "
or d" Be strong !" when 1t was Gus
tomary 10 take up children by the
ears ana kiss them. Italians, on
meeting. kiss the hands Of ladies'
10 whom they are related, with the
strange inquiry, How does she
stand:" Manillss bend their bodies,
place their hands upon their cheeks.
rs-e one leg. and bend the knee. Per-
SLAMS salute by inclining neck over neck.
AID then cheek to check. with the eX-
tlavsgsnt greeting: Is thy exalted
high condition good:" May thy
sLadow never be less " and
- Peace be upon thee " In PO-
land the inhabitants bow to the
e. ound. with the significant in
quiry. Art thou gay" and " How do
you live on" BE well " and 4
common exclamation. which means lite
rally God be with you " has degene-
rated Of late years into the opposite
"Deyil take you ;" The HollaRders,
with their proyerbial love Of good liy-
ing. salute their friends by asking,
" How do YOU fares " Have you had
a good dinner Z" Laplsnders, when
they meet on the ice, press their noses
firmly together. Bengalese call them
selves the most humble slaves -
Of those they desire 10 salute.
Bohemians kiss the garments Of
the person they wish 70 honor. Siamese
PROSTATE themselves before superiOrs,
when a servant examines whether they
have been eating anything offensive.
If so, they are Kicked out if not, they
are picked up. CeylOnese, on meeting
superiors. PROSTATE themselves. repeat
ing the name and dignity Of the IN
diyidual. The Moors Of Morocco ride
at full speed toward stranger,
suddenly stop. and then fire
pistol over his head. Mahomme-
dams say: " Peace be with you "
to which the reply is: son you be
peace " To which is added 4" And
the mercy and blessings Of God :" 4
The Swedes. on meeting one another.
simply inquire How can you I: "
The Burmese apply their noses and
cheeks closely TO a persons face and
then eXclaIm - Give me a smell -
attributable 10 their great use of per-
fumes and the French say - Com
ment vous porter vouz " which lite
rally signifies " How do you carry
yourself :"
There are many causes which intlu-
ence these diversified salutatiOns among
the various nations Of the earth, some
resulting, apparently, from the national
temper or disposition Of people, while
others are doubtless the outcome Of
superstition. Many are remarkable for
their simplicity. while others display
considerable cornplexity aud are
highly grotesque in form. But,
generally speaking, the further
a nation degrades from the simplicity Of
lis infancy the more ornate become its
ceremonies Of politeness. There must
exist the outward form and actions for
these different customs. and i is but
natural for each nation to imagine that
it employs the most reasonable. But
whether we find them in a simple or
complex form, it may fairly be inferred
that they are not without their
value. in that they place in
the hands Of every man pre-
scribed mode Of approaching his fellow
man without giving or receiving offence.
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