Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-08-31

such sub.erfuge as paliation to lessen
his conviction, to prove TO others, or 10 con.
vince himself that he is guiltless. This
process Of reasoning and standard Of action
would do immense injury if it had any prac-
ticsl bearing on the transactions of life. u
is unnecessary to say no analogy is drawn
between dancing and stealing, bu. it is in
troduced 10 show that an excuse for dane
ing, based upon such reasoning, is absurd.
Many excuses and reasons are offered by
persons in The habit Of dancing 10 convince
themselves, and TO prove to others the pro-
priety Of prac.icing, and The benefits result
ing from this fashionable amusement. A.
mong them may be stated-"ihe exercise is
beneficial" sit improves the carriage )" sit
makes young people free and easy in So
cie,y."
All agree that exercise is not only bene6-
cial, but essential to health Of body and en-
ergy of mind. Active habits commenced in
early life will often give frmness to the mos.
imbecile constitutions. This law of action
is inscribed most deeply and visibly in our
constitutions, end if we disregard it our jus,
reiribution will be infrmity, disease, and
too often morel consumption. Well has it
been said that ian active hfe is the rampar,
Of virtue aud the 9gis of heal!h.'' Blu, ex-
ercise to be beneficial should be uniform,
moderate, and taken as much as possible in
The open air. Dancing as practiced around
US is not uniform, or moderate exercise. II
is generally KEEP, up to late hour. il in
fringes upon those hours which should be
devoted TO the repose Of The functions. !,
is usually conducted in crowded and con-
fined rooms-in an aim ,sphere rendered
impure by fires, lights, and respiration. Un-
der such circumstances, il being usually al
tended with free persplration and often urg-
ed to undue fatigue, The body becomes par
ticularly susceptible 10 aimospherical trans-
i,ions TO which it is liable TO be exposed.
Furthermore, the dancers are generally
tempted with unsuitable food and drink at
the most Objectionable period, viz: at night,
and the most improper conditions OF the
system-un heat and exhaustion
Too much moral exci,emen. is also apt 10
be associated with This amusement, and the
unhealhful feelings Of envy and jealousy
are not rarely awakened, continuing pei
bsps even after retiring 10 rest and conse-
quenlly disturbing needful repose. But OBJ
e4 pst he ai 81 q ea room .. e .a.-
enances bespeak tale of health. Or marksz-
them on the ensuing morning, and do their
wan and salIow cheeks and inexpensive
eyes indicate bene6. from the exercise of
The preceding night: In the strong and
healthy the effect, to be sure, may be at first
but little visible and soon subsidies, but in
the nervous and excitable i. will be far more
severe and lasting. The comparatively in
nocent. and really wholesome exercise of
The simple dance of the primitive state Of
society, more particularly when prac,ised
by day, and on the green sward in the open
air, has passed, and the writer would be
considered sn,iquated in notions, though
verdant in years and experience, to suggest
such an idea a, this advanced sge of refine
men,. All our capabilities ere perfected, and
all our energies wax stronger, when subJec-
ted within the limits of safe endurance TO
exercise and exposure. The tree that has
grown up unshel.ered from the agitation of
the winds and the storm may play graceful
Iy amid the storm which would uproot the
more protected and less hardy native Of the
forest.
''Dancing improves the carriage" say its
advocates, sand makes young people free
aud easy in society, therefore i! is impor-
tan. they should learn and practice it," If
i! does improve the carriage and make y oung
people graceful, do no. think this atones
for lis evil consequences, or even the slight
es. risk. There are other species Of exer-
ercise and Amusement. lha, do not tend 10
dissipation, and yet give free ven. to youth
full exnberance of feeling, make them free
and easy in society, equally graceful with
the most accomplished dancers; and at the
same time do no. retard preparation to meet
and discharge the various duties Of life as
they arise, and TO extend The sphere OF use
fulness as we advance in life. Surely no
one would offer this as an argument for
adults. 1t is to be presumed that they are
as accomplished as they ever will or desire
10 be- One of the most unmeanlng scenes
the writer ever witnessed, was while sitting
quietly in corner OF party room, with a
finger placed upon each ear so as to exclude
the sound of music, the tread Of footsteps,
and the din of voices, and noticing what was
passing before him. Gentlemen bordering
on .o.lering old age, children almos! infants,
young ladies' and young gentlemen, smiling
faces and sad expressions, the glow Of health
and pale cheeks, indications of accomplish
ed plans and of appointments some
walking, some running, some skipping,
some standing still, and others performing
antics without a namc;-all appearing to
be performing some WORKOUT pantOmlme
for The beneG, of very Few spectators.
The sense of all that has been written
may be condensed in few words. ]. is
merely an opinion .ha, dancing, however
inuoceoi abslracledly considered, Is in dan