Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-12-30
GUIDE TO THE USAGES OF SOCIETY.
by COUNT ALFRED DORSEY.
"Manners make the man."
DANCING.

| DhNCING.
With the etiquette Of q ballroom, so far as it
goes, there are but few people unacquainted
Certain persons are appointed 10 act as stew ards,
| or there will be master OF the ceremonies :"
whose office it is to see that every thing be con.
Quoted IN proper manner: if you are entirely
stranger, it is 10 them you must apply for a
partner, and point out Quietly, any Young lady
with whom you should like TO dance when. If
there be no obvious inequality of rank, they
Will present you Tor that purposes should there
be an objection, they will probably select some
me they consider more suitable; but do not, on
any account. go to a strange lady yourself and
request her TO dance, as she will unhestaney
decline the honor" and think you an impert.
| nent fellow Tor your presumption.
Any presentation 20 a lady in public ball
room, Tor The mere purpose Of dancing does not
| enttie you TO claim her acquaintance afterward;
therefore, should you meet her the next day. do
not attempt 10 address her. At most you may
lift your hat but even that is better avoided
unless, indeed, she first how-as neither she nor
her friends can know ,oho or tchat you are
In France, Italy, GERMANY, and Russia, gen
tlemen invariably take off their hats TO every
lady in whose society they had ever previously
been. even though no introduction had taken
place; but they 10 not consider themselves al
thoIzed to address a lady in conversation to
whom they have not been presented. This is
surely the usage most consistent with true DO.
Ii ehess toward women.
Do not wear black or coored gloves lest your
partner look suky even should you be in mourn
ing wear phte gloves, not black. People in
DEEP mourning have no business in ba II room
at all.
LEAD tie lady through the quadrle; do not
ri hpr bapI IL 10
oil wood, lest she not unustIy think you boor
You will not If you are wise. stand up in a
qnadI'lle without knowing something Of the fig
ure; and il you are master Of a few Of the steps,
s. much The better.
But dance quietly; do not kick and caper
about, nor sway your body 10 and fro: dance
only from the hips do,onward; and lead the lady
as ghty as you would tread measure with a
spirit OF gossamer.
Do not pride yourself on doing "steps neatly"
unless you are ambitious Of being taken for
dancing MASTER between whose motions and
those Of gentleman there is great difference.
II a lady should civIly decline 10 dance with
you, making an excuse, and you chance TO see
her dancing afterward, do not take any notice of
it, nor be offended with her. 1t might not be
that she despised you, but that she preferred
another. We cannot always fathom the hidden
springs which influence a wonan's actions, and
there are many bursting hearts within white
satin dresses; therefore do not insist upon the (ul.
hment Of established regulations ode rgueur.
Besides, it is hard case that women should be
compelled to dance with every body offered them,
at the alternative Of not being allowed 10 enjoy
themselves al all.
If friend be engaged when you request her
10 dance, and she promises 10 be your partner
lar fnn Of tln Call
not neglect her when the time comes, but be in
readiness to fulfil your office as her cavalier. or
she may think that you have studousIy sighted
her, besides preventing her obIiging some one
else Even inallention and forgetlulness. by
showing how little you care for lady, form in
themselves tscit insult
If lady waltz with you, beware not to press
her waist; you must only lightly touch it with the
open palm OF your hand, lest you leave disa
gleeable impression not only on her ceinture, but
on her mind.
Above all, do not be prone TO quarrel in
ball ROOM; it dStuI5s the harmony OF the com
pany, and should be avoided il possible. Re
collect that a thousand little derelctions from
strict propriety may occur through the ignorance
OF stupidity OF The agsressor, and not from any
attention 10 annoy: remember also, that really
,1eu bred women will not thank you for making
them conspicuous by over oficiousness in their
defence, unless, indeed, there be any serious or
gl4ring violation OF decorum. In small matters
ladies are both able and willing TO take care Of
themselves, and would prefer being allowed to
overwheIm the unlucky offender in their own
any.
! IT, while walking up and down a public
promenade, you should meet friends acquan
tances whom you do not intend to join, It is
| A. E..E n
passing: 10 bow or to nod to them every round
would be tlresome, and therefore improper; do
not he afraid that they will think you odd or
unfriendly. as, if they have any sense al ALL they
will appreciate yoar reasons. If you nave any
thing 10 say 10 them, Join them at once.