The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-17

These countries, he thinks, lie outside the regions of pure philematology, so he will not venture to explore them.
 The Typographical Aspect.
 Then, as If repenting of his modera- ton. Professor Nyrop proceeds to discuss unblushingly the typographical aspects of kissing" He quotes to prove that the mouth is the only place that ought to be kissed. and then says that. while this is theoretically true, in practice 1t Is quite the contrary. He gives considerable space to the story of the contest between Thibaut de Champagne and Baudoin. The latter argues in favor of his sweet hearts mouth The former contents that 1t Is only by kissing her feet that lover proves his love, since he would kiss on the mouth any little shepherdess he might come across. The oontending parties at last agree in the opinion that one ought to kiss both parts. beginning with the feet and ending with the mouth"
 Kisses Taken by Force.
 After time the author comes to the consideration of kisses taken by force. "A kiss" he says. must be given and taken in frank, joyous affection. To have recourse to violence Is unlknightly, un- lovely, and despicable in the highest de- gree This Is a sphere wherein the brutal axiom regarding the right of the strong CT can never hold good" The question of kissing by main force. he says, can be treated from turistic as well as an ethi- cal point of view. Here he takes up at much length a treatise written by Ger man jurist in the eighteenth century on the remedy that a woman has against a man who kisses he against her will. This turist begins by classifying kisses as fol- lows:
 I-LAWFUL.
 A. As spiritual kisses. B. As kisses of reconciliation and kisses of peace
 c. As customary kisses; partly. | (a) By way of salutation. l. At meeting.
 2. On arrival.
 3. At departure; partly (b) As a mark of courtesy.
 Co In jest
 D. As kisses of respect.
 E. As kisses on festive occasions.
 F. AS kisses of love.
 (a) Between married people.
 Cb) Between such as are engaged to be married.
 (c) Between parents and children.
 (d) Between relations.
 te) Between intimate friends; or
 II-UNLAwFUL4
 A. When given out of treachery or mal- ice.
 B. Out of lust
 In discussing the general question, the jurist practically says; Bless you, 1t all depends" He is sure that a kiss is to be considered innocent until the contrary is proved. He thinks, also, that while a woman may repulse the kfsser with box on the ear she must not hit the offender harder than the occasion warrants. She also forfeits all claims when by look or gesture she says: "I should like to see the man who would dare to kiss me-
 English ladies, says the author. regard the matter from quite another point of view. He tells of case in 1887, where MT. Thomas Saverland brought action against Miss Caroline Newton, who had bitten piece out of his nose when he tried to kiss her by way of a joke. The judge acquitted the woman, saying: When a man kisses a woman against her will she is fully entitled to bite his nose if she so pleases."
 A Woman's "No."
 All this leads the professor to consider whether woman's mo" really means mo" He says that it is a matter of general knowledge that her mo" Is not to be taken seriously. He quotes from the poets and argues on both sides, and finally concludes thus: There Is only one thing can lay down for certain, viz, that if man follows his natural simplic- ity and reserve, and takes girls feigned no seriously, she will only laugh at him afterwards-such, again, is woman's na- tpre." A mans natural simplicity and reserve in the matter of kissing Is good. Here the professor gets quite enthusi- astic and warns up to his subject. He says: "The reguish mouth with white teeth and the moist red, delicately shap- ed lips say to every man who is not made of marble; Kiss me, kiss mel How human is Byron's wish that all wo- men had but one mouth so that he might kiss them all at the same time"
 It ought now to be taken as proved, he says, that women-beautiful women-and kisses are all of piece. It is at the same natures ordinancel and we find it veri- fled in all countries and all ages. He is also inclined to assume that women agree with his view. |" I can not bear kissing said the maiden, when I am not taking part in it."
 By the way of conclusion to the chap ter he says that if, in spite of all he has quoted, some rigid moralist should main- tain that kissing Is bad habit, he would reply that in any case it was one of those sins that are venial. He quotes an Ital- ian folk-song which says: Kiss me, the Pope will forgive you; kiss me and will kiss you and the Pope will forgive us both. Then the professor gets really very courageous and says by way of con- clusion
 Child. a kiss is but a. trife,
 If it's only long and sweet.
 Of course, after this chapter on Love Kisses" the other chapters, devoted to affectionate kisses, and the kisses of peace, respect, friendship, are more or less anti-climax. Perhaps Professor Ny rop feels this; at any rate he ends up thus: with this from Paul Fleming
 L'EnvoI.
 Wherefore. methinks. let eY'rY man