The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-09
PILOT & TRANSCRIPT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 0.
OPERA DANCING.

As this amusement is becoming very fash
ionable in the United States, the following let
ter, written by Mrs. Adams-wiie of our Sc
cond President--while in France in 1885, will
be read with interest at this time.
"To MRS. cRANcH.
".auteuiL, February 10Th, 1855.
"My dear sisier.-This day eight months
sailed for Europe, since which many new and
interesting scenes have presented themselves
before me. / have seen many of the beauties,
and some of the deformities, of this old world
| have been more than ever convinced, that
there is no summit of virtue, and no depth of
vice, which human nature is not capable OF
rising to on the one hand, or sinking into on the
other | have felt the force OF an observation,
which have read, that daily example is the
most subtle of all poisons / have found my
taste reconciling itself to habits, customs, and
fashions which at first disguised me. The
first dance which saw upon tue stage shocked
me; the dresses and beauty of IN, performers
were enchanting; but, no sooner did The dance
commence, than l felt my delieacy wounded,
and was ashamed to be seen to look at them.
Girls. clothed in the thinnest silk and guaze,
with their petticoats short, springing two feet
from the floor, posing themselves In the air,
with their feet flying, and as perfectly showing
their garters and drawers as though no petucoat
had been worl, was a sight altogether new to
me. Their motions are as light as air and as
quick as lightning; they balance Themselves to
establishment. No description can equal the
reality. They are daily trained to 1t from ear
ly infancy, at royal academy, instituted Tor
that purpose. You will very often see little
creatures, not more than seven of eight years
old, as undauntedly performing their parts as
the eldest among them. Shall | speak TRUTH
and say thatrepeatedly seeing these dances has
worn off that disgust, which at first felt, and
that see them now with pleasure? Yet, when
/ consider the tendency of these things, the
passions they must excite, and the known
character, even TO proverb, which is attached
to an opera GIRL my adherence is not lessened,
and neither my reason nor judgment has &C
companied my sensibility in acquiring any de-
gree of caousness. The art of dancing is car
Tied to the highest degree of perfection that 1t
is capable OF. AT the opera, the house Is nel-
Their so grand, nor OF so beautiful architecture,
as the French theatre, but it is more frequented
by the beau monde, who had rather be amused
than instructed. The scenery is more various
and more highly decorated, the dresses more
costly and rich. And o! the music, vocal
and instrumental, it has a soft, persuasive
power, and dying sound. Conceive highly
decorated building, filled with youth, beauty,
grace, ease, clad in all the most pleasing and
various ornaments OF dress, which fancy can
form; these objects singing like cherubs to the
best tuned instruments, most skilfuly handled,
the softest, tenderest strains; every attitude
corresponding with the music; full of the god
or goddess whom they celebrate; the female
voices accompanied by an equal number Of
Adonises. Think you that this city can fal
of becoming Cythera, and this house tenn
pie of Venus?
when music softens. and when drncing fres,'
it requires the immortal shield of the invnci
bic Minerva, to screen youth from the arrows
which assail them on every side.
sAs soon as girl sets her foot upon the foo
of the opera, she is communicated by th'
Church, and denied burial in h.ly ground. Sht
conceives nothing worse can happen to her; al
restraint is thrown off, and she delivers hersel
to the first who bids high enough for her Blu
let me turn from picture of which the out
lines are but just sletched; would Willingly
veil the rest, it can only tend to excite senti
ments ofhoTor.'