St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-15
1t Always Existed, and, Heav-
en- Be Praised, Always
Will Exist.
Proof That 1t Has Ever Been
One Of the Most Popular
Customs.
The "Odic" Force--a Writer
Dishes 1t Up Scientific
ally.
The Kiss Respectful. the Kiss
Hospitable, and the Kiss
Afectionate.

Popular Science Monthly.
The mutual kiss OF affection or pas
sion by the lips between persons of OPP
posite sex is generally considered to be
instructive. Reichenbach sought to ex-
plain it on the theory that the mouth
was the focus of his "odic force" and
that these two foci of opposite sexes
possessed natural attraction to each
other. The fact that the mutual kiss
between opposite sexes is not general
among the tribes of men is abundantly
shown by the observations of travellers
in the lands where savagery and bar
practiced it is not probably of great
antiquity. In some languages, notably
the Japanese, there is no word for kiss.
When, however, the kiss was intro
duced to include women, its vogue, like
that of other new inventions, was car
ried to excess. According to the chron-
icle of Winsenlus, it was unknown in
England until the Princess Rowena, the
daughter of King Hengist, of Friesland,
instructed the insular Vortigern in the
imported salute. Though the Saxon
statistics are not probably exact, it is
historical that in England, not many
years ago, it would have been the i'm
perative duty of visitor to have kissed
all the ladies of the household, even
without previous acquaintance. Such
was the experience of many surprised
literary foreigners, notably Erasmus.
The contemporary drama shows the
usage to have lasted into the Georgian
era, and it is to be noticed that the
performance was generally called
salute" sometimes ''the salute"
The history Of the early Christian
At first the kiss was the adopted sign of
felloWship-"G all the brethren
with holy kiss" q Thess., ", 26l. 1t
early passed into ceremony, as the kiss
of peace given to the neWly-baptiZed
convert and in celebrating the EuchriSt.
But, as it was found to have some quail
ties not adapted to religious and spirit
ual use between the sexes, 1T was Or
dered that only men should kiss men
and women women. The aWkwardness
of this practice, or perhaps the expert
ence that promiseuouS kissing, even
when limited to the same sex, was liable
to convey contagious diseases, induced
another amendment, by which the cere-
monial kiss Of the Roman church was
only passed between the miniStrantS,
and a relic, or cross, called the oscula-
forum or pax, was passed to the people
for their lips.
1t may, perhaps, be suggested thatone
reason for the very long delay in the
practice of the mutual kiss was in the
general use by one or both of the sexes
of nose-ringS or labretS, either of which
would prevent the approximation
requisite. If such use be not admitted
as cause sufficient. it at least affords
evidence that the kiss was not custom
airy among the people by whom nose
rings and labretS were worn. Indeed,
Prof. Dali gives instances where, lab
rets being common and the kiss I'M
known, the tongues are protruded in
affectionate salute.
The kiss of the hand Is undoubtedly
ancient, and, therefore, is not derived
from that of the lips, but probably the
converse is true. The hand kiss is
loosely asserted to be developed from
Servile obeisances, in which the earth,
the foot and the garments were kissed,
the hand and cheek succeeding in order
of time and approach to equality Of
rank. But it is doubtful if that was the
actual order, and it is certain that at the
time when hand kissing began there
were less numerous gradations of rank
than at a later stage.
Kissing of the hands between men is
mentioned in the Old Testament, also
by Homer, Pliny and Lucian. The kiss
was applied reverentially to sacred OBJ
jects, such as statues of the gods. as
shown by ancient works of art, and also,
among numerous etomologies, by that
of the Latin word adore; and it was also
metaphorically applied by the inferior
or worshiper kissing his own hand and
throwing the salute to the superior or
statue.
In republican Rome kissing the hands
of SuperiorS was common, but the greet
ing was more energetic than the emper-
orS could endure, and soon courtiers Of
even important station were compelled
to kneel and with the right hand carry
the hem of the emperOr'S robe to their
lips. Even this became too precious,
or, through proximity, too dangerous
privilege, and they were only allowed
to salute at distance by kissing their
own hands, as when fhey adored the
gods. The sign of Rome'S decadence
has survived in the locality.
The mouth kissing the hand, by which
Job described species of idolatry. is a
species of adulation practiced by every
cringing servant in Italy. When the
actual practice has ceased, it survives
in phrases. Austrian men habituaily
say to one another, 'kusS d'handu A
variant form was found among the AL
gonkins, and IroQuois, as Chapman re-
lated in 1929, that ''they kissed each
his own hand and then placed it in
mine."
Affection, together with respect. is
sometimes shown in the Orient, when
servant salutes master, son father
or wife her husband. by kissing the
others hand either on back or palm, or
both, and then carrying it to the kiSser'S
itor approaches the man he wishes to
salute with his hands joined as if in
supplication, while the other touches
them lightly with his own on either
side, and afterward raises his hands to
his lips OF FOREHEAD. These motions are
similar to the ceremonies in the feudal
acts of homage and fealty. The Micro
nesians, notably in the Pelew and Car
oline islands. took up either the hand or
the foot Of the party respected, and
rubbed their own faces with it. Some
religious sects-e. g., the Dunkers-
also kiss one another's feet after wash
ing them.
The original concept expressed by the
hand kiss was that of good" In very
early times to possess what, had good
taste was of the greatest Importance to
man, and, therefore, a good taste was
the symbol of any good thing or person.
So. when practicable, the hand of the
person saluted was carried to the lips to
signify that he was good. This act is
naturally accompanied by the bowling
of the head. The common gesture sign
ant expression. Tho spontaneous ex-
preston of deaf-mutes is much the
same SignifyinU not only greeting hut