The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-08-09
The Fandango,

This IS no. nm animal, n bird, or fsh nei-
ther Is II an Indiln tribe-but the universal a.
r1useulent Of the Megcdns, both uf high and low
decree iandnngo .s Il dance. generaitS Tree
70 ali, though sometimes the centefna, l. ., the -
urpsrcr1s, Or the aris;ocracy, give one, ana IN.
wife all whom they wish 10 be present lhese,
however. are stiff To see real Mexican Ian
clsngo, YOU must 20 among the people where g.
very one goes, and where there is no restraint
Here you will see the aristocracy alike with the
mobocracv and the plebeian for so tond are the
Mexicans Of this dance, and so few are the amusc-
ments, that all GO without regard TO where the
fandango may be- or Of what persons It may con-
sist You NAV see cne of the first ladies OF the
place her servant, or perhaps, u peon, her slave.
and fashionable cour;ezan, dnncing side oy side:
No conversation takes place beiv cen gentlemen
and ladies when danting, III fact, believe II -
considered impolte The ladies being uneduca'
ted possess but little conversational powers;
hence il would DC iGnpolite to lead lady into
conversation uhish she could not maintain,
/ At these fandangoes the ladies' nre well and
gen,celv dressed Elegant silks, sa'lns and mus
Inns nre as common as IN the United states. Inc
ladies' are also very graceful IN their inahnefs'
and 90 through dance rs well as pupll rom
our fashionable dancing schools. l wish con'u
say ls much of the gentlemen or those calling
themselves such The male portion OF these as
semblies ls rs mixed ns the female ! have seen
present the officers Of the post in their uniforms,
the priest the most respectable ciuzens OF lhe
town and /. considerable sprinkling OF low fellows.
You may see long.ta coats, and short jackets
without tails, and some with no coats At all.
FrOck coats, blanket coats. and flannel wrappers,
are cqgally conspicuous There you see also the
Mexican in full dress, with short velvet Jacket.
md pantaloons open at the legs from the hip t"
the ancle, showing al inner pair of white cotton.
, The ladies' sit mum and wait the ghoi y
Of an invitation to dance. lnroductions "
/. required Ii you see nne Of the fair 81
strikes your fancy, whether she is svf'"N
o lady YOU step up to her extend your hanA {.
, leod ber on the foor When the dance IS '
E YOU conduct her to her seat again, without sayN
s q word If you find her pretty, agreeable, nm
good dancer, you hold on to her for the neNS
d dance or waltz. | have seen an American gen
/. ,leman get an agreeable partner, and retain her
for every dance There is no such good fortune
d for the senoras here as at the north where they
?, are engaged hall dozen dances ahead.
!. There is another custom which have not men
Q toned You will ask, "how are llicsa dances sup
o ported, wien they are frcer It's this Afteryot
have danced with lady, it is expected that yo'
Vt will take her TO the bar, or the room adjoining
e an treat her to n glass Of wine and some cake
or suyar.plumbs 1t would be considered th'
n Lpiyht Of Tudencss not to do thls-not to the lad,
,f alone but to the hoast, whose hospitality yol
ie have bcea e-joyng. Reckoning ian(It9x
t. five or fifty cents s1Sliu I'D. y