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Show CUSTOM OF ORIENTAL NATIONS. Salute by Kitting the Foot I at Old at Hlttory. The custom of kissing the feet ot persons whom It was desired to honor originated with the ancients. The people peo-ple of oriental nationals used to kiss tho hands and feet or hems of the clothes of the persons they wished to show respect for. The ancient Egyptians got this custom cus-tom from tho Assyrians, and later the Greeks ndopted the habit from the Egyptians. The Romans followed the Greeks, and then Pontlfex Maxlmus bad his great toe kissed by celebrities The Btory will be remembered of the old Briton ruler who appeared to do homage to a Roman monk after the conquest of Briton. He was told that it waa customary to kiss the foot of the holy father. He hesitated for a moment and then, bending down, lie suddenly seized the monk by the ankle and, jerking It up to his lips, toppled the worthy father over backward. back-ward. The toe of the sultan of Turkey Is kissed by subjects of high rank. Those of more lowly position are merely allowed to touch the fringe of his garment gar-ment to their lips, and the poorest classes must be content to make a low obelsanco in his presence. Illustrated Sunday Magazine. |