The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-23 00:00:00

OUR MUSICAL CORNER.

(Froin Eliza Cook's Journal for February, 1854.)

Winter, and especially such a winter as this, is the
proper season for dancing, though a little tripping over
the green turf on a July afternoon at a merry picnic, or
a "carpet quadrille" suddenly got up on au autumn
evening, are seldom considered as unseasonable, we be-
lieve. Yet it is in winter that we are mostly called upon
to attend the regular " parties " where " dancing " is
the prominent feature—where dance-music claims the
attention of our organs of tune and time, and where we
often are exceedingly distressed by observing the fre-
quent want of union between the dancers and the music.
We seldom dance ourselves. We are not of a Terpsi-
chorean temperament, and generally sit up against the
wall, obscured by very stout dowagers and very full skirts,
and take note of what is going on. The last affair of
this kind we mixed up with found us between two mam-
mas, who were so sedulously occupied in watching the
graceful movements of their respective daughters, that
we had ample opportunity for indulging our tendency to
" reflection," So, after remarking that three out of the
four young ladies who alternately stood before us were
ridiculously small in the waist, and painfully crooked in
the ribs, we began to define why it was that so many of
the mazy throng kept such uncertain company with the
really excellent band.
Having come to a definition very satisfactory to our-
selves, we will ask our young friends a few questions,
believing that they will eventually concur with that de-
finition. Have you never observed that young ladies and
' gentlemen who know "the figures" perfectly well, and
can go through them correctly, often contrive somehow
or other to get either before the music or behind it, and
instead of gracefully subsiding into stillness as the last
strain dies away, find themselves setting to partners,
or standing in motionless doubt until it is some one
else's turn to begin ? Have you never noticed couples
in the whirl of the waltz or in the " hop scotch" of the
Polka and " Schottische," or in the slide of the Cellarius,
jumble against each other as two persons do who do not
keep step in walking ? You must have done so, and
we will endeavour to tell you the reason.
It is not that they do not know how to dance.
Monsieur Balaneez or Herr Yon Twist would pronounce
their choregraphic knowledge complete as far as the
"steps" go. The fact is, that a deal of dance-music is
not strongly marked enough to enable those who have
defective ears to keep pace with it. Of course, it
is always the fault of the musicians, and you hear
complaining exclamations of "I never heard such a
wretched and,"—" It's quite impossible to dance to
such playing." Now, my dear young friends, let us
assure you it is not the fault of the musicians at all, ex-
cept that they are wrong in choosing such music,—and
it is not the dancers' fault either ; it is their misfor-
tune. Our experience tells us that what the phrenolo-
gists call " a well-developed organ of time" is a very
unusual gift—even to those who have a fine sense for
tone and melody. We see examples of that every day
in poetry and music as well as dancing. There are
lines, each harmonious in itself, jumbled up into dis-
cordant stanzas, which the most " accommodating"
reader cannot make march on smoothly. There are
young ladies who play duets, and the one, perhaps,
with the best ear is obliged to skip a bar at the conclu-
sion, so that the two may come in at the death together
—just as there are dancers who jostle one another, and
find themselves in the middle of a figure when they
should be at the end.

Despite all the elaborate and scientific quadrilles
issued, still the dear old " popular tunes," with vulgar
names and marked accents are the best to dance to.
"Kitty O'Lynch " and " Rory O'More " would beat
Hertz out of the field, and we would back the " Young
May Moon " to put Schubert in the shade any Christmas
evening. As for waltzing, many are obliged to fetch an
odd step now and then, to " get right" with Strauss and
Labitsky, but the dullest timist can generally keep pretty
straight with "Jenny Jones" and "Drink to me only "
to lead them. The "first gentleman in Europe" was
heard to call for "Callam Shingles" at a court-ball, and the
vulgar old Irish air was done ample justice to. We are
informed by competent authorities, that "Pop goes the
Weasel" is often heard to echo within the walls of
stately Windsor. Where lies the secret in this ! Why,
that there are no complicated tricking inv)lutions in
these primitive melodies ; their measures are plain and
simple ; no mistake can be made as to where one bar
begins and another leaves off, and they manage to in-
spire the palace-bred princes as readily as the hovel-
sheltered peasantry. Pure, unsophisticated, earnest
melodies, will ever keep their influence over the com-
monest of ears, and equally charm the most highly edu-
cated ones, on the same unerring principle that genuine
poetry, which appeals distinctly and truthfully to the
human heart, is as sure of appreciation at "the people's"
fireside as in the student's library.
We do think that dance-music ought to be inspiring
rather than perplexing. Give us "Ap Shenkin," "Off
she goes," "Bonnie Dundee," " Croppies lie down,"
" The Ploughboy," Norah Creina," and such like, and
see how much more " life" will be in the "fantastic
toes." These are the tunes to dance to, and we advise
all bands who wish to win a first-rate reputation, to
choose an arrangement of such strains for miscellaneous
companies, and then they may chance to hear fair lips
exclaim, "What delightful music !" Having had our
own say, now let us get into our corner, and proceed
to business.

SPORTING NOTES.

WAIFS FROM WARWICK.

Marked shortcomings were displayed in the supply of
sport at Warwick on Tuesday ; the fields were nume-
rically insignificant, the character of the competitors was
in some instances below mediocrity, and the races occa-
sioned little active or important speculation. The Trial.
Stakes and the Willoughby Handicap were unquestion-
ably the leading events of the day, and they excited an
interest which is likely to be long sustained Of the once
attractive list of nominations for the Trial Stakes,
Orestes and Rataplan only appeared to dispute the palm
of superiority. Odds were laid on Mr. Parr's horse, but
from start to finish the result of the race seemed scarcely
in doubt. Rataplan made the running at a somewhat
slow pace, and Orestes "pulling double," waited upon
him until just within the distance, when he rush-
ed past him, was never afterwards caught,
and won cleverly by a length. That Orestes's
victory was scarcely expected, the betting clearly
indicates, and indeed it is even now asserted that had
Rataplan made the pace more severe a different result
would have been recorded. This opinion is plausibly
supported, but still it is unsound. Since his running at
Salisbury, Orestes has strikingly improved ; his condition
appears to be more satisfactory, and his action is de-
cidedly lighter and freer. So grown and thickened, too,
does he look, that they who saw him last year would
now scarcely recognise him. Elia performance has
slightly influenced speculation on the Northamptonshire
Stakes and the Derby. Its effect on the betting on the
Handicap has, however, been somewhat negative, for
although the success of Orestes was calculated to
strengthen the confidence of the backers of Defiance, yet
its encouraging influence may be counterbalanced by the
defeat of Rataplan, Defiance's stable companion. The
supporters of King Tom for the Derby are filled with
fresh hopes by this achievement of Orestes,
5 to 2 was betted on Bourton for the Willoughby
Handicap, and the "jumper ' proved himself to be
equally as successful and almost as formidable over the
flat as across country. Still he, obtained no .easy vic-
tory ; he was challenged by Ethelwolf when opposite
the Stand, and appeared to suddenly tire. The " Count,"
however, was as usual incapable of making a finishing
effort, and was seemingly compelled to hold on tight by
the bridle. Ethelwolf was, therefore, beaten by a neck.
Had a professional jockey, or indeed any other " gentle-
man rider," been up, I have no hesitation in declaring
that Bourton would have been defeated by Ethelwolf.
The Count's graceless display was particularly annoying
to the "fielders," whose books were seriously upset by
his equestrian incompetency. Ethelwolf's victory would,
it is said, have made a difference in favour of the "Le-
viathan" of about 1,000/.1
The Free Handicap was won by Alonzo, on whom 11
to 8 was laid, and who, strange to say, Wasperseveringly
"peppered" by a gentleman connected with his stable.
On the Monday night, I am informed, this gentleman
betted 4 to 1 against him !
Wednesday's sport was superior in quantity and cha-
racter to that decided on Tuesday. On the Great War-
wickshire Handicap, the betting was unexpectedly brisk,
and although Cleveland was steadily supported by his
own " party " up to the hour of starting, yet the ad-
vance of Ethelwolf and Itch diminished the number,
and lessened the confidence of his backers. Cleveland '
achieved the victory somewhat cleverly by a length. He
was most patiently and ably ridden by " Tiny
Wells," who bided his time with a consummate
calculation of pace, and the manner in which he rode his
horse from the distance displayed admirable tact and
ability. Ethelwolf ran a game horse, but his jockey
evidently made too much use of him. Itch was beaten
by a head only for second place, and the forward posi-
tion wbich she obtained proved that her backers had
sufficient grounds for the confidence which they placed
in her. Newbold, a " youngster" of seeming power
and promise was a good fourth ; before starting he
repeatedly overpowered his little jockey, who evidently
lacked the strength to hold him in the race. Newbold
must not be forgotten.
Several investments were made on the " imposter"
Contentment, who, some people will, doubtless, be sur-
prised to hear, was started to make running for Cleve-
land. Selina, the much thought-of and talked-about at
Newmarket, made a miserable exhibition ; in my opi-
nion she is not worth the money that was paid for her
stake. The winner looked in capital condition ; not a
wrinkle or a crease was perceptible in his coat. Ethel-
wolf's appearance, too, attested the ability of his trainer.
The owner of Cleveland is, I believe, a large winner,
and be deserves his good fortune. Lately he has been
most unlucky, but the tide in his affairs has now, per-
haps, taken a favourable turn. He is a ripe and true
sportsman, and is invariably a spirited supporter of his
own horses for all their engagements.
Border Chief won the Two Year Old Stakes in a
canter. A finer or more racing-like colt I have seldom
seen. He is, I believe, highly tried, and the public ap-
peared to be well acquainted with the horse's merit as
his owner.
Kohinoor cantered off with the Handicap Plate. He
was, it is said, one of the horses in the trial with Little
Jem, who has in consequence advanced more promi-
nently into notice for the Northamptonshire Stakes.
Time will not now allow me to extend my remarks to
the other events. In conclusion, however, I must state
that the meeting was creditably conducted, and that the
Clerk of the course evidently delighted in his labour.
The attendance of noble and influential turfites was par-
ticularly large. The " fielders," however, had a " sorry
time of it" and on the two days they must be heavy
losers. A FRESH MAN.
Leamington, Wednesday Night.