The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-10

most vulgar movement danced in the little villages
of Hungary, and in the encampments of the Hun
garian soldiery, who, in consequence of the spurs
attached to their boots, Obliged to move their
feet in a certain easy and strange position, which
is neither graceful nor elegant, so as not to endan-
ger their legs. This is the origin of the polka; ye
We see our fine young men and our beautlfu
young ladies' vieing with each other who shal
dance with the greatest vlgor and accuracy, this
low camp Dance which would be disgrace to an
Indian wigwam. To such an extent has this
mania laid hold of them, that in the United States
Hotel at Saratoga, and in the Ocean House at
Newport, it might be safely SAID there is not a
camp-follower In the Bohemian or Hungarian
army, who could surpass them.
The singular downward history of the model
artists, in this city and elsewhere, Is, we suppose
but parallel to similar fate for the far-famed
polka among our fashionable circles. Powers
Greek slave, figure pure and ethereal as the scup
tors chisel and the artists genius could form,
the first, and ought to have been the last exhibition
of that kind in New York. But Collyer, with his
model artists, quickly followed, and led the way
to the vulgar, gross and obscene exhibitions which
disgraced, not only the theatres and public places
of amusement, but the saloons and bathrooms OF
the higher classes in this country. The polka,
as danced at Newport, Is not in any degree less
Objectionable than these other xhibitons-indeed,
it Is rather more so; for while purity and modesy
would shrink abashed from outrage when model
artists We're exhibited, the conventional usage of
society-the haut tost-has thrown its protection
overthe Hungarian camp dance, and obtrudes upon
the young and unsuspecting what would be repu-
dated III Canal street.
The truth is, our fashionable circles, who pretend
to such extraordinary refinement, are wholly desti
tute of cultivated taste, polished manners or moral
feelings sufficient to check the introduction of TO-
reign Righteousness and corrupt manners. Ifthey
were only ambitious to be the respectable descen-
dans of respectable mechanics and to fill their re-
spective positions In society, with honor to them
selves and credit to their families, and not aspire
to what they are, neither by education, manners,
nor correct taste able to attain, they might be con-
sdered good and honest citizens, pass through life
without notice, and escape without reproach. But
when we see individuals of the grossest manners,
the greatest deplorably def
cient in mental and moral training. with no other
recommendation but the possession of little pro-
perty, no one knows how acquired, making a show
of themselves before thepubhc eye and sapping the
foundation of public morals. we feel 1t to be our
duty to denounce this vulgar and disgusting dlcta-
ton to arouse the public indignation against he
bad taste that is flooding with its impurities, and
to exert ourselves TO save the innocent and unsus-
pectng from ITS contamlnatlng influence. We have
seen every kind of society," from the highest to the
lowest, on the continent of Europe; but we must
say that the indecency of the polka, as danced at
Saratoga and Newport, and patronized by the
fashionable circles of New York stands out IN bold
relief from anything we have ever witnessed,
among the refined and cultivated ton of the vari-
Gus European cities we have visited. No parallel
can be found for it anywhere. II even oustrps
and throws IN tie shade the most dlsgraceful ex-
hibitions of the lowest haunts of Paris and
London.
twithstandlng this, however, the sanct1mon-
Gus sachems and corrupt fathers of our city, who
can turn up then eyes in the approved or evan
gellcal fashion, and the prudish danes who would
fly into Mysteries If any lmputation were made upon
their modesty, are the leaders of the company on
these OCCASIONS and as far as they can by counte-
nance and example, neutraize the disgusting and
hateful impressions which are first created by it in
the minds of inexperienced youth aad unsophlsti-
Gated innocence. What shame and discredit
upon the taste refinement, and virtuous character
OF fashionable society IN this city
In our future articles we shall 90 more into de-
tails and give curious and interesting ANALYSIS
OF fashionable society in New York and elsewhere.