The Sun.
London, England, 1821-05-30 00:00:00

FOREIGN LITERATURE,

[No. XXIV.]

An ELEMENTARY, THEORETIGikLik, and PRACTI-
CAL TREATISE on DANCING, M. CHARLES
BLAsts, First Dancer— Paris, 1921.

" What an important thing is a 'minuet !" said
MARCEL. People laughed 'le-111m, Itiltrthey
were in the wrong. If Marcel had possessed
one spark less of enthusiasm, would he have
reached perfection—would he have been the first
dancing-master of his age—would he have been
Marcel ?
That the invention of the minuet is of less im-
portance than the discovery of gravitation I ad-
mit, to avoid all cause of dispute ; but it is very
desirable that the opinions and admiration of the
world should be equally divided on this point,
as the only means of obtaining at the same time
worthy successors of Newton and Marcel, excel-
lent geometricians, and excellent dancers ; in
short, a good institute, and, what may perhaps
be more generally pleasing, a good opera.
lie who speaks coldly of dancing will always
be an indifferent dancer. It is in his enthusiasm
that we discover the true artist. If M. Charles
Blasis had not announced his quality, I should
have easily guessed it on opening his work ; for
every thing there discloses a fast dancer, one of
those masters to whom alone belongs the art of
instruction, because they alone have overcome
the greatest difficulties in the art.
We are not in want, thank. God, of treatises
on dancing ; but- most of them, it must be con-
fessed, are of no use, and the reason is obvious :
they are composed by pretended amateurs, by
men of letters. 'Who ever fancied persons of this
description well qualified to talk about dancing,
and especially to lay down rules for teaching it ?
Montaigne, who wished that every person
should write only what he knew well, and as
much as he knew, would have said to them—
" Before you attempt to write a work on danc-
ing, learn at least how to dance." But this never
enters the imagination of men of letters. I have
heard of a French Academician who composed a
very fine poem on the entrechat, without ever
having, in the course of his life, cut a single
caper. The man did not even know how to
make a bow, and yet was presumptuous enough
to suppose he could give lessons in dancing to a
polished nation !

Let us take these lessons from Dauberval,
Vestris, Giani, D'Egville, and Gardel : they are
the men whom we should like to hear and read.
It would be easier for us to follow their steps, if
they would tell us by what means they arrived
at perfection in their art. Unfortunately for pos-
terity and the opera, great dancers write little,
and all, or almost all, carry with them to the
grave the secret of their pirouettes. We are,
therefore, the more obliged to M. Charles Blasis
for communicating to his young pupils the fruit
of his long meditations on dancing. Ah! that
he could at the same time impart to them his
talent !

It is a long time since men first began to (lance,
and, if we may rely on M. Blasis, it was the
first occupation of our first parents, who imme-
diately after their creation began to dance, so
pleased were they with their situation ! Thus
dancing is as old as the world. This opinion
does not originate from M. Blasis, for several
learned men had previously said as much. The
Encyclopedia maintains it as warmly as the
opera, and as it appears to me that no inconve-
nience can arise from leaving this opinion in cir-
culation, I shall not attempt to refute it, pro-
vided however it is acknowledged with the Pere
Menetrier, who wrote a very learned treatise on
this subject, that the art being then in its infancy
the ballets of those days were rather deficient in
point of execution. At that period they jumped ;
and it was not till some time after that they
danced.

M. Charles Blasis, in his introduction, traces
the progress of glancing among different nations.
It was brilliant and rapid among the Greeks ;
but M. Blasis should have remarked that the
RoMans during several centuries, to their shame
be it said, danced shockingly ill ; not that the
Roman ladies had no passion or decided taste
for dancing, for this taste is natural to women,
but because they were still ignorant of the true
principles, of the art ; no precision in the time,
no exactness, no elegance in the steps. In short
Greece had long brought the entreelial to perfec-
tion, while Rome had not yet arrived at the first
position of the legs; and yet we are always extoll-
ing these Romans.
, .
But though the Romans danced badly, they
fought well. They conquered Greece, and with
her the arts which embellished her. They con-
quered her musicians, her dancers—l ought
rather to say all that promotes the prosperity of
nations. Soon the conquerors danced and sang
as well as the conquered : these are conquests of
real utility ! You know of what nature the others
must be. .

Rom'e, it is said, then lust her primitive man-
ners and virtues. It may be so; but that is a
matter of indifference to M. Blasis and to me.
Rome gained ,what in our eyes as well as those
of true connoisseurs amply compensated her for
such losses. Rome, I say, gained by it the famous
dancers Bathylus and Pylades, whom our own
have not made us forget ; Rome had her ballets,
Rome in short hack a Grand Opera, and an
Imperial Academy of Music and Dancing, which
flourished until the reign of Trajan. This Prince,
in a fit of ill humour, took it into his head to
send away the dancers from the theatre, and ex-
pel them from the city. It is a sad' blemish to
his reign ! however, the fault he committed was
soon repaired. The Romans recalled the dancers,
an act of politeness which they took great care
not to be guilty of towards the philosophers, who
had also been banished. It was becAuse dancing
is an art of the first necessity, whereas on ,the
contrary philosophy is only an object of luxury,
a superfluity, and not very agreeable ; and be-
cause, in every polished state, whether constitu-
tional or not, it is quite impossible to exist with-
out dancers, whilst it is very easy to manage
without philosophers.
It is, M. ,Blasis rightly observes, to his country
that we owe not only the restoration of letters
but also that of dancing. Yes, it is Italy which, in

. ,
modern Europe, had the honouf'd firdrettirni4,
to harmony ; happy had it been if she had never'
departed from ,it 1. but her intestine divisions in-
troduced. discords.. " The decline of certain
powers in this country," judiciously remarks M.
Biases, "was the 'cause. of dancing suffering
anther fall.u. Pray. do not ask if the fall of
datitiftg brought on" that‘of. the powers just al-
luded to. The consequence is inevitable. Every
state in which dancing experiences a fall is on
the eve of ruin. - There is one which often gives
me very great disquietude ; but I perceive that
dancing was never so honoured there as in the
present day, and this circumstance affords me
some consolation.

Neglected in Italy, dancing, like all the fine
arts, came to embellish the Court of Louis XIV.
and contribute to the glory of an age almost as
celebrated for its ballets as for its literary chefs-1
d'oeuvre. We all know what astonishing pro-
gress it has since made. Much more capable,
than I am to appreciate its wonderful improve-
ments, M. Charles Blasis cannot speak of it but
in terms of the warmest admiration. He thinks
that all the world should go to France to learn
dancing. With all my heart.,
M. Blasis gravely complains of what ought to
give you some concern, inasmuch as the reproach
is well deserved. Your comic dancers are per-
fect, you have excellent serio-comic dancers ; but
w here, asks M. Blasis, are your serious dancers? I
repeat the question,where are yourserious dancers ?
Answer, what have you done with that style of,
dancing in which the Dupres and the Vestris for-
merly excelled ? what are become of those grace-
ful positions and noble attitudes which distin-
guished them so gloriously among the dancers of
their days? where are their successors ? where,
once more we ask you, M. Blasis and I, where
are your serious dancers ?
-" Is it not unfortunate," says the author,
" that the finest style of dancing is new so
neglected 1.." Yes, certainly, very unfortunate ;
and yet, less disheartened than M. Blasis, I do
not consider this style as " entirely lost ;" but I
think that if we do not take care, we run, a great
risk of losing it. But I have no wish to treat
lightly the great danger, perhaps the only one
which threatens us. Many others, with which
they attempt to frighten us, are only imaginary.
I feel, for instance, in spite of all people can say,
very easy respecting our institutions and liberties.
We shall take good care of them ; but let us
watch elsewhere ; it is not the. Constitution which
is in danger, but serious dancing.
I do not know how far it might be practicable
in England, but there is an easy way of saving it
in France. I would propose to the Minister
who has the controul of the Opera in his depart-
ment, that lie should add to his budget an ar-
ticle, entitled Schoolfor Serious Dancing. He may
be quite certain that this article would not meet
the slightest opposition. The French, whenever
there is any proposal about dancing, are always
very willing to pay for the music ; and I am not
quite sure, that if such a charge were included'.
among the expences of our Lord Chamberlain, it
would be strongly objected to by the Noble
Peers and Senators of Great Britain, with their
increased and
,daily growing love for operatic
exhibitions, and indifference for the legitimate
drama. I would say to the French Chamber, or
to our House of Commons, if I were employed to
bring. in such a measure, I would say With M.
Blasis, " Consider, Gentlemen, that the most
graceful motions, majestic measure, and elegant
steps, belong to this style of dancing." The
Members could not resist such powerful reasons,
and serious dancing would be saved.
If, however, die Opera is deficient of serious.
dancers, it is by no means in want of pirouetteurs.
The pirouette is the triumph of France. Their
ancient dancers imagined that nothing could ex--
cel their three TURNS on the pointy' the toe. The
contrary has been proved ; 'for the most surpris-
ing pirouettes have, especially during the last
years, been performed, and, as M. Blasis justly
says, in every variety of manner. I rather doubt
whether the feats which M. Blasis most esteems
are the most deserving of admiration ; for it is
evident enough that the performers of pirouettes,
formerly seldom to be met with, are now become
very common. Indeed, where are they .not to
be found ? The Opera may, if they please,
boast of their own ; but I have beard of some
who are equal, if not superior, to them.
I regret that I cannot discuss at length the
didactic part of the Treatise of M. Blasis. The
precepts it contains pronounce him to be a dancer
of a good school and the first order. What the
author says on the Study of the Body and on the
Study of the Legs appeared to me luminous ;
but I was much better pleased with the chapter
dedicated to the Study of Me Arms.
It is too generally imagined that we dance with
the legs : this is an error which it behoves us to
correct. The legs, certainly, are not useless to
the dancer (I know not how we should manage
without then* but we dance with the arms as
well as the' leas.;- It is well observed' by M.
n
Bias's, that the easy position of the arms and
grace in action denote the accomplished dancer.
—" I wish above all things," said Dauberval, as
does also M. Blasis, " I wish to interest the
heart," for it is acknowledged that the arms
affect the heart more than the legs. Dance,
therefore 7 as much as you can with the arms, and
leave vulgar (lancers to dance with their legs.
" Keep ,your balance." M. Charles Blasis in=
culcates strongly this point, which is in fact of
great importance, for we cannot dance unless we
preserve our equilibrium ; and it is by the way, a
very remarkable coincidence, but which I believe
has never before struck any person, that dancing
and political constitutions are dependent on the
same principles.
.We ought to say to our modern
legislators, as to our dancers, keep your balance:
all is lost when it no longer exists between the
different estates. It is just as necessary to, a
mixed form of.gos%rnment like ours as it is to
dancing ; and we may rest assured that all the
faults which are made, in governing as well as in
dancing, arise from.the want of keeping up a
proper balance : which coincidence gives to the
lessons of M. Charles Blasis an importance which
he perhaps never thought of.
1 -terminate this article by an eulogium which
cannot, without great injustice; be withholder

from the author of this Treatise. atheritive
written very, heavily on dancing, but M. Stasis
has not been guilty of this error in judgment :
he has adopted the style best suited to his sub-
, ject ; he writes as he dances Land his style has
all the lightness and all the elegance of his steps.
C.

WORCESTEIt AV WORCESTERSHIRE SOCIETY.

.The Anniversary Meeting of this .Society was
held yesterday at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street.
About 100 Gentlemen, chiefly of the County, sat down to an
excellent dinner at half-past six o'clock; Colonel DAvrz S, M.P.
in the Chair. The Hon. Chairman was supported on his right
by Lord Deerhurst, and on Iris left by Sir. T. E. Winnington,
Bart..M.P.; there were also present the Hon. Colonel Lygoza,
M.P. Sir IL Gresley, .Bart. Sir E. Blount, Bart. Colonel
Charlton, Hon.- J. Coventry, Hon. W. Coventry, Hon. T. Co-
ventry, Robert Barclay, Ex'. Robert Pardoe, Esq. Edward
Bigg, Esq. &c.
After the cloth was removed, Non Nobis -Domine was given
in excellent style by Messrs. Hawes, Webb, King,and Collyer.
These Gentlemen contributed subsequently to the evening's en-
,tertainment by a pleasing variety of songs, and glees.
A succession of loyal toasts followed-Non Nobis Doff-line.

" The King;" trine times three—Verse and chorus, ".God
save the King."

" The rest of the Royal Family"—Glee; " Glorious Apollo."
- 44 The Duke of York and the Army."
" The Duke of Clarence and the Navy"-:-.." Rule Britannia:.
The CHAlRMAN.proposed the health of a_Noblernan, who,
though absent, was ably represented by his son then, present.
He called on them to drink with enthusiasm the 44 Lord,Lteu—
tenant of the County of Worcester, Lord Coventry." ' The-
toast was received. and drunk with bud cheers. •
• 'Mr. GnArrE., the Secretary, read a letter from Lord Coven-
try, apologising for his absence, aria expressing his best wishes
for the Institution.

Lord DEERIIIIRST said lre had only to expresi, 'viva vine.
that, which they had heard read by their worthy. Secretary.:- Liy
begged leave td declare on behgf of his Noble Father; that hp
was most anxious to do all in his power for the interests of the-
county, and not among the least of his solidtudes was ile.pros—
perity of thiS Society.
Song—" Hero of Bailin O'Crea.v."—Mr. Webb.
• The CHAIRMAN then- gave— The Members fi)r.
County." _ ,

Colonel, LYdo.w and Sir T. E. WINNI.NGTON seventy re_
turned thanks.

•
Glee--" Drink to-night."
Sir T. WTINNINGTON proposed--" The licalths of the Mem-
bers for the City of Worcester."—[The toast was drank with
loud and vehement cheers.' •
Lord DEERIIIIRST declined saying' any thing more than-
would suffice to return his thanks. Having the apprObation of
his own conscience for his public conduct, it was so muds
'bore agreeable to receive the approval of his country:Men.
Colonel Davits followed the example of his Noble Col-
league. Other occasions might make it necessary in the course-
of the evening to address them as to the objects-of the meeting_
He reserved himself for those opportunities.
• • • Song—" Paddy Carey."—Mr. Webb.
, The CHAfftmaN gave The health of Lord Beauchamp,"
Which was drunk with appropriate warmth. •
Mr. GRANE read a letter from his Lordship, containing a
satisfactory explanation for his Lordship's absence on the score
of illness. .

A number of stout healthy boys, who had been apprenticed
out by the Institution, passed round the room. -
Lord Dx-EIIIIIIRST took that opportunity of pressing on the
feelings of those present the chief object of their.social meeting.
His Lordship remarked, that Great Britain was not less distin-
guished for her political and military greatness than by her
extensive and various charities. He strongly recommended the
claims of the candidates for the benefits of the Institution to the
charitable dispositions of the assembly. He concluded by pro--
posing as a toast, " The Chairman, his Hon. Colleague—(with
-vilionr he declared himself to be its strict alliance in charitable
objects, however they might differ in political affairs)—and pro-
sperity ter the Worcestershire Society."—(Loud and continued
cheers.l
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks. 1k professed his con-
currence in the sentiments expressed by his Noble Colleag,uct
and strongly recommended the charitable objects of the meeting-.
to. their good feelings. He expressed himself to be niost:
anxious to serve the county and city of Worcester in any co
Pacity for the execution ot which his humble talents capaettat-
ed him. He gave subsequently_
Lord Foley, late Vice-President of the Society." The.
toast was- well received.--Song by Mr. King.
Mr. CRANE, the-Secretary, then. rose and announced a lise
of-subscriptions winch had been handed to him, making a con-
siderable amount. -

e I" AIRTiAN gave " The Members for Evesham," and
afterwards " The Members fee' Droitwieh." _

' Colone) CHARLTON returned thank-for himself and his
colleague, who had been prevented from, attendance by indispo-
sition ;though he would-answer for-it that the sovereign panacea
for his sufferings...would be the good wishes of, the company pre-
sent.—(Loud Cheers.)
SpT hng—Mr. Webb—(4 Be a good boy, and take care of yourself."
e Secretary announced a second list of subscriptions which,
he had received.

Colonel CHARLTON required the company, after the give
pleasure which had been derived from the attendance of Mr-
11rebb on so many occasions, to spew their gratitude to him by
drinking his health.—f The toast was received with loud applause•)
Mr. WEBB returned thanks.
Glee—" Merrily rung the bells."
LYGON proposed—" The health of the late SecretarY":
Mr. JONES returned thanks. He expatiated on the bencut,
likely to accrue from the efforts of the Society, to which he Isro
most anxious to add his endeavours.
Song—Mr. King—" Should auld Acq.naintanee be forgot.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of trey Secretary.
CRANE returned thanks, and expsed his pride arc!
'satisfaction at having been allowed to assist so respectable
assembly in the works of charity.
• Song—Mr. Webb.
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Committee."
Mr. LETHBRIDGE returned thanks for himself and his SS'
sistants in the Committee.

Colonel LYGON proposed the health of Sir R. Gresley.
The Baronet returned thanks, and expressed his satisfaction
at having been present at the meeting. He attributed his co
flexion with the Society to the persuasion of his Noble Friew..,
(Lord Deerhurst). He acknowledged the-honour which ha
been done him. He had only been a year connected with tit'
Society, and the debt which he owed it, he was sorry to 03;
was still due from him. He was to have succeeded the pre'TT,,
Chairman, but had been superseded by one more worthy.
only reason for lamenting this was, that he was not likely "°..,
able to meet them on any subsequent occasion in that carat'''.
Glee—" Beviamo tuttc tre."
Lord DEE u Ray proposed "The Duke of Wellington..--
Three loud cheers.

Song. Mr. Webb—" My Grandsire beat."
• The CHAIRMAN gave " The health of•the Stewards:"
The Hon. JOHN COVENTRY returned thanks.
Song, Mr. Collyer. t,/
The next toast was—" The health of the subscribers 0,
evening."—(Drank with three times three.)
The CriaißmAN begged leave to appoint Sir Thomas Intl'
nington, Bart. as his successor for the ensuing year..—(l"-
cheers,) - . • . .
Sir T. WINNINGTON took the Chair.
Lord DEEItUuUCT proposed the health of the Baronet, %iirld
congratulated the assembly on the Chair being so deciciectlY,,
r
object of competition, aad on its being filled by so able a 5"
cesso. •
Sir T. WrNwINGToN briefly returned thanks, and concl`l4'
ed by proposing the health of their late Chairman. - fjr
Colonel DAviEs. returned thanks for 'this third proofof,s,tl).ol-
kindness towards him, and expressed his wishes to make 1;04
self serviceable to the interests of the inhabitants of the city
county of Worcester. • fot
Lord DEEIIHUILST gave " The health of the Merobel
Bew
LE dley."
-.. Fe"
Mr. THBRIDGE returned thanks,' and gave Ti`e
males of the Coventry Family."
Lord Dr ERIIHRST returned thanks, though with relive it,
as he never felt dread except in returning thanks for the wtdeci
so much more capable of doing it themselves. He con-
by byproposing as a toast,
" ,
May that tree ever flourish which in its natural 0-- be•p-
tected a Monarch, and in its converted state proved th.e
bulwark of our country."—(Loud and vehemaar cheeriug )
Song,,,Mr. Webb. es of the
Mr. GRANE, the Secretary, announced , the nao)
stewards for the ensuing year. foll°"611'
A number of toasts, songs, and glees, whic.),
_.e hour,
lengthened out the entertajnments of the evening to a la,"_assed.
at which the company separated, well pleased at haviV their
the time so agreeably, to shemselves,and so protitablY
countrymen.
__#ts

The new Cavafry Barrack& 14 the Rege7;
Park are just completed.- There are stabling I°
i
424 horses, and replete barrack l
accomnlodat
for as many men. The Royal Horse Guar°
Blue, now at Windsor Barracks, are to take )3°l
session of them the 24th 'of next inPilttl.