Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-10-25
Dancing.


Much has been said in relation to the Dance and in
this community many we'll disposed people have mani
tested decided this amusement in any form
Sumo clergymen have opposed it, aud church gov
ernnens forbid IL for manifold reasons all o which we
consider futile when this innocent and delightful amuse
ment Is conducted with proprely That II, like all 9TH
er pleasures is often pracsed in excess, will not de-
ny but that is reason why this pleasure should be IN
terdcied. IL natural for the youth of both to
seek each others society and at their reunions CONVEX
saIion music promenades rides and the Dance serve to
fill up the time. When The dance is objected To, var
plays and games substituted with infinite regret
We have often witnessed the performance Of many OF the
rompng ungracenl and undgnhed plays substituted
OF graceful Dance have blushed the
want of good judgment the part of those who have
splfishly opposed IT, At fashionable parties find The
polished and graceful, and the stiff and awkward; those
wh" can converse, play, dance ana sing those VINO
from innate dffdence dare do neither those who can
play and promenade, but cannot a rational
subject those who dance aud talk, but sing
or play We hold that there is no way in which meet
ing of the for innocent pleasure be pleasing
ly passed ct when the dance is introduced Ii is an
heatul and agreeable exercise, exhlerang 10 the mind
and body; all who know how participate. Ii i'm
parts grace, confidence, and delight good and
good feeling flow from il ample lime is afforded Tor con-
versaiion The tacturn become Joyous, and the stupid
enlivened Music and the dance now, has been, and
ever will be, sustained and patrnnized by some OF the
most refined among nations Ii lie inherent IN our being;
Is natural all animated nature, and in man, (created
alter Gods image) prevails from the lowest of his
species to the most exalted We migh as well forbid
the desire of this innocent and fascinating
pleasure We2have examined this question with some
care and do not propose the assertions OF our own Tor the
consideration of opponents without presenting
authorities which sustain We have looked into the
sacred scriptures without finding in any part of them
this amusement forbidden; find il alluded to in
twenty-five different places the bible, and most always
10 The sense Of Joy aud gladness-lel US quote
"rhou hast turned from my mourning into dane
iRg-'-Psams 80: IL.
"Let them praise his name in the dance let them
- - -.
Psalms I49 3.
"Praise him (lhe Lord) with the timbrel and dance
praise him with stringed instruments and organs. =
Psalms $50: q.
"Thus shall virgin rejoice in the danee."-Jer.
81: b.
"We have piped unto you and you have not danced "
"And David danced before the Lord with all bis
might."-2 Sam 6 Ia.
'And all the women went out after her (Mram) with
timbrels and dances. Exc 10 20.
"And King David leaping and dancing before the
Lord.'-2 Sam. q: 10.
virgin of Israel thou shalt again be adorned with
thy tabres, and shalt 60 forth in the ounces Of them
that make merry''-Jer. 81: 4.
"Jepthah's daughter meet him at Mizpeh with
timbrels and with dances '-Jer Ii "a.
"Gaiey of every degree this side of peure levity, il
wholesome to the body, the mind and the morals"-H
| W. Beechers Lectures TO Young Men, p. III.
| Mr. Smieis says-"Nature by her irresistible power
obliged children 10 frisk and romp about and to enjoy
those various pure pleasures which result from activity
|
"When children cannot go abroad, they may be exer
cised in running about passage, in leapnl
and dGncng-a certain eminent physician used to SAY
he made his children dance instead of giving them ply
sic."-Dr. Dick
Pluarch says-"That which respects pleasure alone
honest recreation bodily exercise ought be con
temned."
Lucian says of the dance" IT'S elegant thing
which cheereth up the mind, exerciseh the body, de
lights spectators ieacheh many comedy gestures, equal
ly affecting the and soul ITSELF Dancing ha
always been IN use among all nalions both civilized ant
barbarous"
"There is a time to mourn and a time 10 dance ,
Eccles 3 a and sometimes it is made of reIi
gOn. Thus David danced before the ark to honor Go,
and express his Joy for its the city of Sion
and find many references this practice in the reli
gOus soemnes Of The Jews, from them passed to th
Egyptians, and afterwards TO the Greeks and Romans
Cybele daughter of Mnoes, King of Phrygia, and by
dement's his wife, invented the ageoet of several pipes
dansng, the tabor, and the cymbal. Socrates himsel
learned late in life 20 dance of the beautiful and
Pshed AsPasa, and Cato, with all his rigor and SEVERITY
OF manners did not dsdan, at upwards of sixty years
age occasionally to dance. "-Encyc. .4rt Dancing.
Sallust "discommends singing and dancing in Sem
Prona not that she did sing dance but that she did
in excess"
Plato in his commonwealth, would have d,ncin
schools That young folks mi ht meet be acquainted,
one another, and be seem
''The disposition of rythm and measured motion
deeply implanted in human nature, in hi
rude state wishes TO express elevated feelings whaeve
be their cause-ioy, DEVOTION patriotism he makes
of rythm measured ''-Encyc. americana
"For sedentares select their company and NEE
in the afternoon evening, always avoiding over exer
tioD practiced often Qhe dance) would supply in par
that deficiency of muscua action which man
to sieken and diswould restore many invalid nov
perishing by inches with pure inanton, and preser,
and reinvgorae the health Of many going int
decline Dancing, in fact, is founded on the ma
ture of man.'Foiolers Physiology, 4nimai and Men
tai, p 242.
Professor Dungliuson, in his work on health, is entire
y in favor of the Dance, under proper restrictions espe
cialiy for those who do take much exercise.
Is quite unnecessary To continue quotations. LIE
all in the enjoyment of this exquisite exercise, avO
all excess, and will have but little complaint from
opponents in regard TO it. p b. L. S.
THE HUNGARIAN Crown which was carried off b.
Kossutb when he fled into Turkey, is fabled by tn