The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
KISSING ALWAYS EXISTED.
THE BEAUTIFUL CUSTOMS HISTORY.
It Has Always Been Popuiar-A Writer
Discusses 1t ScIentiicRl'y-The kiss
Respectful, the Kiss Hospitable
and the Kiss Afectionate.

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 observa-
tions of travellers in the lands where saw
agery and barbarism still exist. Where
it is now practiced it is not probably of
great antiquity. in some languages, nota-
bly, the Japanese, there is no word for
kiss.
When, however, the kiss was introduced
10 include women, its vogue, like that of
other new inventions, was carried to ex-
cess, says the Popular Science Monthly Ac-
cording to the chronicle of Winseaius, it
was unknown in England until the
Princess Rowena, the daughter OF King
Hengst OF Friesland, instructed the
insular VOrtigern in the imported salute.
Though the Saxon statistics are not
probably exact, it is historical that in En-
gland not many years ago it would have
been the imperative duty of a visitor TO
even without previous acquaintance. Such
was the experience of many surprised
literary foreigners, notably Erasmus. The
contemporary drama shows the usage 10
have lasted into the Georgian era, and it
is 10 be noticed that the performance was
generally called salute" sometimes
''the salute"
The history of the early Christian church
nfAo~I, f,,r ot5D On taio A tfret
the kiss was an adopted sign OF fellowship
Greet all the brethren With q holy
kiss" II Thess., V, 26.l 1t early passed
into ceremony, as the kiss of peace given
to ne WY baptized convert, and in cele-
brating the eucharist, But, as it was
found TO have some qualities not adapted
TO religious and spiritual use between the
sexes, il was ordered that only men
should kiss men and women only women.
The awSwardness of this practice, or per-
haps the experience that promiscuous
kissing, even when limited to the same
sex, was liable 10 convey contagious dis
eases, induced another amendment by
which the ceremonial kiss in the Roman
church was only passed between the min
istrants, and a relic or cross called the
osCuatorlum or pax was passed to the
people for their lips.
1t may, perhaps, be suggested that one
reason for the very long delay in the prac-
tee of the mutual kiss was IN the general
use by one or both of the sexes of nose
rings or lsbrets, either OF which would
prevent the approximation requisite. Ii
such use be not admitted as a cause
sufficient, it at least affords evidence that
the kiss was not customary among the
people by whom nose-rings and iabrets
were worn. Indeed Prof. Dali gives in
stances where, labrets being common and
the kiss unknown, the tongues are pro-
truded in ahectiOnate 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
in which the earth, the foot aud 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-kissinc began
there were less numerous gradations Of
rank than at later stage.
kissing of the hands between men il
mentioned in the old testament. also by
Homer, Pliny and Lucian. The kiss was
applied reverentiallv to sacred objects,
ElCIl 10 EbtlIutS VI stC SOQss % bAOhu w
ancient works of art, and also among nu-
merous etymologies, by that of the Latin
word adore; and it was also metaphoric-
ally 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 greeting
was more energetic than the emperOrs
could endure, and soon courters OF even
important station were compelled to kneel
and with the right hand TO carry the hem
OF the emperor's robe to their lips. Even
this became too precious, or. through
proximity, a too dangerous privilege, and
they were only allowed to salute at a dis
lance by kissing their own hands, as when
they adored the gods. The ign of Rome's
decadence has survived in the locality.
The mouth kissing the hand, by which
Job described a species of idolatry, is
species of adulaiion practiced by every
cringing servant in Italy. When the
actual practice has ceased it survives in
phrases Austrian men habitually say to
one another, "Kuss d'Hand!" A variant
form was found among the Algonkins and
lroquOis, IS Chapman related in 1922,
that "they kissed each his own hand and
then placed it in mine."
Affection, together with respect, is
sometimes showL in the Orient when q
servant salutes a master, son father,
or wife her husband by kissing
the others hand either on back
or palm, or both. and then carry
ing it to the kisser's forehead. Among
the Malays the visitor approaches
the man he wishes to salute with his
hands joined az if in duplication, while
the other touches them lightly with his
own on either side, and afterward raises
his hands to his lips or forehead. These
motions are similar to the ceremonies in
the feudal acts Of homage and fealty. The
Micronesians, notably in the Pelew and
Caroline islands, took up either the hand
or the foot of the party respected and
rubbed their own faces with it, Some re-
ligious sects-e. &, the Dunkers-also kiss
one anothers feet after washing them.
The original concept expressed by the
hand kiss was that of ''eCod." In very
early times to possess what had a good
taste was OF the very 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 10 signify
that he was good. This act is naturally
accompanied by the bowling OF the head.
Tho common gesture sign for good" in
all senses is TO carry the hand to and from
the lips with q pleasant expression. The
spontaneous expression of deaf mutes IS
much the same, Simplifying not only greet