The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-01-23
The Ball at the Central House,

''>~S '~~ s'AN AANSt pASeN"s Poiey Va sAS
season. 1t is more agreeable to attend
small party, to have plenty Of room
and an opportunity for becoming ac-
quainted with all who are present, than
to be one in vast crowd Of persons
who all have as much as they can do to
keep from being engulphed by the liv-
ing masses. Then how much more ra-
tional, to take light repast Of hot cof-
fee and tea, with such palatable eata-
bles as can be taken in the way Of a
collation., leisurely, than to scramble for
an uncomfortable seat at table loaded
down W 18th all the substantial fare re-
quired to appease the hunger of a party
of English fox-hunters, with chance of
having good dress ruined with grease
and gravies and sauces? Dancing is
designed as sort Of mental as well as
bodily recreation. 1t requires, to be en-
joyed, lively, poetic temper Of mind,
to which indulgence in the grosser tempt
atoms of the table, is not conducive.
Dancing, properly conducted, with
chaste, correct music, has tendency,
not only to improve the manners, but to
elevate, to ethcrialize the mind. The
ballroom should be the home of. deco
rum and propriety. The bar-room
should never be carried into the ball
room. The ballroom is place where
every gentleman will avoid any degree
Of coarseness. 1t is no place for cant
words and Westernisms. 1t is no place
for gentlemen or ladies', to indulge in
grotesque costume or eccentricities Of
action or smaltnesses Of expression.
ANY person who tries to be conspicuous
in ballroom, by anything fantastic in
dress, odd in carriage or remarkable in
expression, may depend upon being re-
garded as vain or vulgar person, by
the well-bred.
There are some improprieties to be
avoided at balls, which it may be we'll
enough to mention. p
1st. Avoid the meanness Of neglect
ing to pay your bill. No man Of the
least self-respect, would think of spong-
ing his evenings entertainment. AS for
those who enter into sort of half COM
munion with the ball-who plant them
selves in the way of the company while
dancing, who eat supper, who do every
thing but dance and pay their bills, it is
the duty ofmanagersto turn them straight
out of doors. They are an intolerable
nuisance-like men who climb up and
ride on the boot of the stage, rather than
pay their fare and take an inside seat.
I'd. Gentlemen should not wear pumps
nor thick boots in ballroom; nor worse
yet, moccasins, unless they wish to join
in scalp-dance; but fine boots. No
person should presume to dance without
gloves. Gathering, humping time, pig
convincing and all fantastic splurges
with the feet, are extremely vulgar. 1t is
improper to shake hands in ballroom
1t is ill-bred, for one or two couples to
attempt to show their skill in waltzing,
while cotiilion sets have nothing to do
but stand upon the floor and witness
human whirligig until it runs down. 1t
is ill-bred, yes! and i'll gotten bread, for
a lady to sweep quantity Of cakes and
nuts into her handkerchief, at the table,
to carry home. She might as well pock-
ct the sugar bowl and the teaspoons.
Of course no lessons In these elemen-
tary principles of etiquette, are needed
in the refined society of Minnesota; but
we have readers in the Sandwich islands.
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