The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-10
Close OF the Fashionable Season Mt Saratoga
and Ncwport-New Developments OF the
Polka.

Polka.
A few ordinary individuals, of common-p place
manners and little style, are all that remain now
at the fashionable watering places of Saratoga and
Newport We understand that the last of the live
fashionabes-me and horses, dogs and monkeys
have taken their departure from BOTH and although
the weather is beautiful, the sky as clear the
as bright, and the moon as serene as before,
these inestmable gifts are, of course thrown away
upon the motley group who are congregated there
at present, without single belle or solitary ex-
qmsite among them capable of dancing the extra
ordinary Hungarian polka, which, during the last
two years, has been the rage of the fashionable
classes in New York and elsewhere
One Of the greatest attractions at these watering
places has doubtless been the polka as perperated.
performed, and executed by the several corps de
ballet ard fashionable coteries, each headed by a
dowager, clothed In fat and impudence. It is now
some months ago since the statue of the Greek
slave, chisseled by the genius of Hiram Powers,
arrived from Italy in New York This beautiful
work Of art delighted every eye and filled every
imagination. II was model; but not model
artist The fa6(taur rirants, however, followed
soon after; and under the influence of the prece.
dent, which many considered the exhibition of
Powers statue gave them they came to the con-
cluson that the living original was better than the
marble copy, and went on by degrees. strippiug off
their drapery, and disclosing at every new exhibit
ton more complete state of nudity. till they ar
rlved TO such pitch Of shameless DEGRADATION and
infamy as to call forth the condemnation of the
whole city, and the action of the civic autho-
rites for their suppression. The polka tlatIs now
danced so gracefully IN the fashionable assemblies
OF New York, and at Saratoga and Newport dur
ing the season just closed, has gone through the
same cycle as the Greek slave and the model
artists, TIL public propriety has become so outraged
that IN all probability il will soon he CONSIGNED TO
a similar doom.
few years ago the polka was first introduced
into fashionable society in tins country by the cele-
braed Korponay, an officer in the Hungarian army
of Austria, who had been engaged in dueI with
superior officer, and was obliged to fy his coun-
try in consequence. lie came 10 New York an
emigrant and fugitive. lie was an elegant and
accomplished man, and danced the Bohemian
polka with the greatest facility and grace. Having
obtained an introduction tc the fashionable circles
of this city, he got the opportunity of exhibiting
the fascinating figures OF this dance, and subse-
quentiy made many thousand dollars. by teaching
1t to the beaes and beonr who hocked TO him to
learn IT.
But the history Of the polka like that of the
model artIsts, went on from one step to another,
until II has reached SIMILAR point of nlamy and
degradation.
The polka as now danced IN our most hiehlyr re-
fined and fashionable circles and recently ut New
port and Saratoga, is ole OF the most indecent,
immcdest, and scandalous exhibitions ever exhi-
bted out OF the common gardens of Paris, and
can only be paralleled by the dances to be seen
there at or O'Clock in the morning, in Mabis,
ChGfeau Rouge, or Chdumirc. We were utterly
astcnishcd to the highly respectable descen
dants Of the pious butchers, and honest baker
and tailors Of The last century, Joining in the
dance with an abandon, dissoucncss and gross
ness, that would not be tolerated by the police of
any city in Europe, if it came under their obser-
vation. The polka which Is now danced IN the
fashionable circles Of New York, is tho lowest and