HISTORIC KISSES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue I, 26 June 1897, Page 4

HISTORIC KISSES.

Kissing was introduced into England by royalty, tradition tells us. The British monarch, Vortigern, gave a banquet in honour of his Scandinavian allies, at which Rowena, the beautiful daughter of Hengist, was present. During the proceedings the princess, after pressing a brimming beaker to her lips, sainted the astonished and delighted king with a little kiss, * after the manner of her people.’ Little doubt that he took kindly to a custom inaugurated in so charming a manner ! At all events, the lovely Rowena afterward became his wife. An amusing story is told of Whitelocke, Cromwell’s ambassador to the court of Queen Christina, of Sweden. The queen, one day, accompanied by her ladies, dined with him. At the same time she requested him to teach her suite the common English mode of salutation. Whitelocke at once complied with her wish, snd soon found his pupils apt scholars, in spite of a little shy reserve on their part, when first following his instructions. That roystering fellow, King Charles the second, was partial to kisses from the fair sex, and it is recorded that when he was making his triumphal progress through the land, certain ladies who were presented to him, instead of kissing the royal hand, in their simplicity held up their own hands to be kissed by the king. The king excused the blonder, and accepted the new form. Some historic interest attaches to the famous salute offered in Continental fashion to her Majesty Queen Victoria when she went to France after the Crimean War, and Napoleon the Third kissed her on the cheek. When Adelina Patti bad the honour of singing before the Queen Regent of Spain, the singer asked permission to see the little king, as he was the only sovereign in Europe with whom she was not personally acquainted. Alfonso the Thirteenth was brought into the room in his nurse’s arms. Patti made a deep cuitsey to him and pressed his little dimpled hand to her lips. But the queen interposed, saying : *My son shall not be the first Spaniard who is so ungallant as to permit a lady to kiss his hand ; allow him to avenge himself with a kiss.’ Obediently Alfonso threw his tat little arms around the neck of the prima donna, and bestowed upon her a most warm and unkingly kiss.