“A boat waited for us in a creek beneath a huge rock, manned by four lusty Highland rowers; and our host took leave of us with great cordiality and even affection. Betwixt him and Mr. Jarvie, indeed, there seemed to exist a degree of mutual regard, which formed a strong contrast to their different occupations and habits. After kissing each other very lovingly, and when they were just in the act of parting, the Bailie, in the fulness of his heart, and with a faltering voice, assured his kinsman that ‘if ever a hundred pund, or even twa hundred, would put him or his family in a settled way, he need but just send a line to the Saut-Market;’ and Rob, grasping his basket-hilt with one hand, and shaking Mr. Jarvie’s heartily with the other, protested ‘that if ever anybody should affront his kinsman, an he would but let him ken, he would stow his lugs out of his head, were he the best man in Glasgow.’” Evelyn, in his “Diary and Correspondence,” writing to Mrs. Owen, says: “Sir J. Shaw did us the honor of a visit on Thursday last, when it was not my hap to be at home, for which I was very sorry. I met him since casually in London, and kissed him there unfeignedly.” And Charles Dickens, in “Little Dorrit,” gives us this amusing paragraph: “‘You will draw upon us to-morrow, sir,’ said Mr. Flintwich, with a business-like face, at parting. “‘My cabbage,’ returned Mr. Blandois, taking him by the collar with both hands, ‘I’ll draw upon you; have no fear. Adieu, my Flintwich. Receive at parting’—here he gave him a southern embrace, and kissed him soundingly on both cheeks—‘the word of a gentleman! By a thousand thunders, you shall see me again.’” * * * * * As a token of affection between father and son, the kiss, of course, has prevailed from time immemorial. Wickliffe, in his quaint rendering of the Bible, thus translates one of the earliest recorded instances, that of Isaac and Jacob (Gen. xxvii. 26, 27): “Gyve to me a cosse, son myn. He come near and cossed him.” But the preference in most cases, it must be confessed, is that of the young English sailor in Congreve’s “Love for Love.” On his return, Ben dutifully seeks his father: “_Sir Sampson._ My son Ben! Bless thee, my dear boy; thou art heartily welcome. “_Ben._ Thank you, father; and I’m glad to see you. “_Sir S._ Odsbud, and I’m glad to see thee. Kiss me, boy; kiss me again and again, dear Ben. [_Kisses him._] “_Ben._ So, so; enough, father. Mess, I’d rather kiss these gentlewomen. “_Sir S._ And so thou shalt,” etc. And so he does, with right good will and alacrity. MEMORABLE KISSES. That was a wonderful kiss which Fatima received from her lover: “Last night when some one spoke his name, From my swift blood that went and came, A thousand little shafts of flame Were shivered in my narrow frame. Oh, love! oh, fire! Once he drew With one long kiss my whole soul through My lips—as sunlight drinketh dew.”[7]