The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
Greek Balls mud Da nccs.

Greek Balls mud Dances.
GREEK BALL..-All Greeks are passion
ately fond of this amusement, which i.
encouraged by the priests, who sanction
its indulgence even on the Sabbath.--Any
exclusion from a.village ball is unknown
nominations are necessary. The doors
of house are thrown open, the guitar
and fiddle strike up, accompanied by the
stentorian voices of the musicians, and the
rooms are instantaneously filed as it were
by magic. Even women with infants in
their arms are admitted. The occasional
squalling of these bra;s adds TO the fun.
No WALKING, no quadrilling has yet reach.
ed Pyrgo. The old Greek dance is all
sufficient; it maintains its ground on
an earhen floor, and laughs at innovation
Some people even bring their own proyi-
sions; and the host is seldom expected
TO be prepared with more than ga clean
swept floor" and few musicians. A
man of the name of Strata IS the Weiperl
of Oxomaria. His costume is purely
Hellenic, with one exception-a pair OF
English top-boots. With these he stamps
out the time in manner that out-Herods
Herod !; and he is thus enabled to confne
his fddlestick to the strings of the instru-
ment, instead of hourishing it in the air
for the mere purpose of beating time,
which his boots more strkingly effect;
the chief charm of Oriental music-noise
is, much to the qualification of his au-
dience, considerably increased.
He who gives dance is expected to
prepare but his rooms, and to find ont
Sneak's noise, nevertheless, even this, the
music, is not at his sole expense for az
ter each bout the young men who have
figured in the dance always throw the
musicians a few lepras or drachma, which
contributions, during the afternoon or
evening, generally amount to sufficient
sum to remunerate them handsomely.
GREEK DANcE.--The Greek dance is
commenced by three men holding the
ends OF two kerchiafs. in such a manner
that they are, as it were, linked together.
One generally waves and nourishes third
kerchef, while his companion on the
other flank snaps his fingers in imitation
OF castanet. They first make two or
three circuits Of the room, and at last
break or cast off, when two select partners
from the surrounding crowd. The two
ladies take the disengaged ends of the
kerchiefs on the TANKS so that the num-
Der IN the dance now consists Of FIVE per-
sons who continue making the circuit cf
the apartment together, each showing Off
'he most favorlte steps, while the nusi-
clans cease not TO play and sing most boz
sterously. In some cases the ladies take
the dlsengaged ends Of the kerchiefs held
by the man in the centre, and the other
men from the TANKS. This is certainly
the pretticr fashion. In few minutes
three return to their seats, leaving but one
lady and one gentleman to proceed with
the more interesting part Of the figure.
These two face each other. The gentle.
man next ''goes the circuit following up
the lady with as much anxiety as a young
harrls,er looking out for brief.-The art
OF making love is now explained by pan,o-
mimic action. Don Felix urges his suit,
bnt Vlolante will not listen; the Don be-
comes gloomy, dances more slowly, and
casts not glance at his enamorala
Upan this Violante re-commenccs her
ocoi!s skirmishing, the gentleman is east
ly induced TO make second attack, Vio-
lante shows symptoms Of surrender, sig
nails are playiully exchanged with the
white kerchiefs, the dances increase in ra-
pidiiy, the music is sound, and cries from
all parts Of the room of "Vasta, vasta ="
quicker, quicker-and the manual ap.
plause of the company. When both of
the dancers are fatigued, they make way
for another set. The girls generally tire
out two or three partners. The latter
only are allowed to be relieved. - knights
Oriental Outlines.
Daniel Room.
DANIEL Boon, one of the first. one OF