Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-10-11
Dancing.

We here offer to our readers views
this subject, and for their justice, appeal to eDght-
ened. philosophical physicians. And who. aiming
physicians deserve to called enlightened and PHI
lOsophicaI! Not those most versed in the books the
most familiar with the jargun of Cullen. We call
such physicians the retorciaHs Of The Faculty; the
men well imbuel with that Information, not knowl-
edge, which merely tenches them hnw to their
tools. BY the enlightened and philosophical,
mean those who study human nature as God has made
it in living beings. and not have made ii in
the books; the men who with their own eyes, and
think with their own brains.
We say that dancing. properly regulated, is pre-
sentative of purity in thought and behaviour. Here
we directly contradict those fanatics, those ''unco
guild" as Burns calls them, who condemn i'll amuse
ments sinful, except the singing Of psalms, tai
ent which all do not possess. Individuals and asso-
Citations condemn dancing and offer rewards for con-
demnatory tracts upon it. We admit their zeal for
morality, but say that such movements show their
ignorance Of physical and moral nature.
The instinct Of playfulness is found in all human
beings and in a greater degree than in any of the
lower animals. This single fact shows that il is
eminenty, though not exclusively, human instinct,
and therefore given for indulgence, and TO be ndulg
ed for wise purposes. 1t Is also more active IN the
young than the DID, and therefore demands more in
diligence in youth, than in subsequent periods. Play
fitness acts upon all the fhcues fact proving that
all things, rightly used, are lis legitimate objects.
God has filled the world with beauties, with
of enjoyment to all physical, and especially TO moral
things. All these sources Of enjoyment act upon
some one or more human faculties. And playful
upon each of these faculties, aud
Quenty is involved in the natural connection between
each and It's appropriate Objects infer, we con-
clude, perceive, coHutnced, not only that
amusement, which is the qualification Of payfuInesS,
ia NATURAL and therefore lawful, but that is almost
boundess in If then, danciug be natural,
il is a legitimate source of recreation.
1t has existed Immemorlaly, among all tribes OF
men, is condemned, but implicitly authorized by
Revelation, and appears spontaneously in children,
even before they are able 10 walk Therefore II is
natural, and consequently lawful. Being natural it
is not only salutary but necessary. Ii is naiu
raj mode of exercise designed to expand the lungs
and the limbs, promote healthy growth. lf it be-
restrained, other exercise be bsItuted;
and the substitution, to be equally salutary must
equally excite the instincts Of pIayfulues-. benevo
lence and suayiy, and therefore equally excite laugh
ter and kind and joyous emotions. IL no other
else produces this effect much, is sauiary
within proper limits If exercise he restrained in the
young, the vital energy that ought to be expended
upon bones and muscles and mental faculties, will
fall upon and unduly stimulate functions Tia, require
restraint and careful watching; and the result will be
Impuriiy of thought and behaviour. ST. Anthony,
ST. Jerome, and other monks and herms, dwelling
10 solitude and deprived of all amusement, give Eor~
rble revelations upon the disorders of functions un-
duly excited through want OF muscular and agreeable
mental exercise. Had they travelled, rode, abored
the soil, races, pitched quos, chopped wood,
danced, instead of living sedenary and solitary In
prayer and study they would have escaped what they
called icmptings Of the devil. The proyerb says that
the devil always sets the idle at work. We add that
he always finds that the best hands for im5ure work
among the corporealy idle. Sensuality and laziness
are twins. and hence the mos, inactive generally
the most licentnus. Let those who condemn dancing
think of this. We appeal 10 the enlightened Of the
Faculty.-Pa. Ledger.