AN ACTION TO RECOVER THE VALUE OF KISSES.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 79, 7 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

AN ACTION TO RECOVER THE VALUE OF KISSES.

A French journal gives the report before a Justice de Paix, of a claim made on an actor of one of the small theatres of the suburbs of Paris, for a certain number of kisses and a certain amount of tender squeezing on the stage. We get to know exactly by this arousing incident of real life the cost of a theatrical k'ss, according to the drama tic law of the stage of France. A high and noble authority has said — " The kiss you take is paid by that you give: The joy is mutual " That is a poetical sort of estimation ; a love's young dream sort o{ estimation of embracing. Hear the prose story. One M. Narcissce appears before a Justice of the Peace, and addressing the judge says : — Monsieur le Jude, I am a dramatic actor. I play the parts of lovers in the theatre of the Banlieu. My parts oblige me to be extravagantly pas ion ate, excited and enthusiastic. I'm obliged occasionally to love women of all a#es, of all conditions of life, actively and perseveringly sometimes fo- a couple of hours together. Lovemaking may become laborious, Monsieur le Judge, and even repulsive and annoying, if one is obliged to make love. Well, Sir, and will you believe it, all my fire, devotion, my artistic amorous skill so unceasingly addressed to the pir, has got me into grief : Judge : " How so ? " Narcisse : '* Parbleu ! I gain only one lOOf. a month for running away with young ladies, making love to confirmed coquettes, and often seducing unsuspected innocence, and they want to make me pay 150f. Tor articles delivered," Judge : " Articles delivered ; and pray what were they ?'' Narcissee : "Kisses — (much lau^ghter) — 150f. for one man to pay for such trifles ! That is what M. Valsin demands of me for, in fact, kissing his wife on the stage whilst playing mjrole." Judge : *' How is this V Valsin : "It is a very simple affair. There are certain regulations which belong to all theatres on the subject in question. Art. 1. says, ' When an actor playing his role is called upon to kiss a lady, he shall only appear to do so.' Art. 2, ' Any actor who shall really kiss an actress without her previous formal consent shall be fined sf.' Art. 3, ' Pressing sincerely to the heart pays a fine of 2f. 50c' Now, Narcissee has vigorously embraced my wife ten times, and. unmistakeably kissed her twenty -five times, for which I demand 150f." Narcisse : " The price is beyond all reason." (Laughter.) "Valsin : "I demand that sum according to the usages of the dramatic law." Narcisse : " Come, let us comprom se the matter; there are faults on both sides." Valsin : " Good !*' Narcisse : " 1 stole twenty kisses !'' Valsin : " Yes." Narcisse: " Well, then I offer to return them '." Here the Court lost his gravity, and the Judge dismissed the case, says the report from which I translate, referring the matter to a higher Court of Justice.