The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-07-15
The First Dancing Master in "the
Land Of Steady Habits"

Land Of Steady Habits"
The New Haven Comm Register
gives the following rominisoenco con-
nected with the early history Of that
Aourishing town:
On a December evening, in the year
Of our Lord, l775, there were congro-
gated in a store near the corner of York
street and Broadway, some half dozen
substantial and serious looking gentle
men in short brooches, knee-buckles,
and other garments peculiar to tho last
century. They had met, as was their
wont, Cat the principal gossiping place
Of the neighbOrhood,) TO hear the news
Of the day, discuss political matters,
and talk upon their local concerns. On
the occasion alluded to, it was evident
that some topic unusually disagreeable
had been brOachcd-for Indignation and
surprise were visible on every c0unte-
nance One of the gentlemen was
walking up and down with rapid steps,
and ever and anon giving the floor a
hard blow with the end Of his cane;
while others were gcsticulating violent
ly, and evidently in high displcasuro.
Stopping short before one who held the
"New Haven journal and Post" i'm his
hand, the first described person oxclaim-
led, deacon, be good enough to read
again! | cannot believe my own senses!
Is it really so, that things have come to
such pass in this Christian country?"
Adjusting his spoctacles the person ad-
dressed deliberately raised the paper
and concentrating his gaze as if the To-
Gus Of his glasses was about to burn out
the accursod spot, he read as follows:
"Francis Vandale, from old France
intends to open a Dancing School in
this town, and also teach tho French
language on very reasonable terms; as
he gave entire satisfaction to his pupils
of both sexes at Cambridge, Boston,
&C., in these necessary arts, he will ac-
quit himself of his duty here in the
same way. He is a Protestant, &C."
"We'll sec about thatl wen sec about
that! the infamous scOundrel!" exclaim-
cd one of the listeners. "To bring his
French tricks, aud his worse morals
into this godly community to contain
mate our young men and turn the heads
of our daughters, with his doylish fd-
die and grimaces and vanitiesl 1 tell
you, noighbors, it will never do! 1t
must be stopped at once, gentlemen, or
the food gates Of vice will be opened
upon usl" And the speaker brought
his stick again in such violent contact
with the floor, that it was evident to
perceive that he was in earnest.
"Woll, deacon" said another, "what
is to be donc2 How are we TO proceed
in avoiding this great evil? Monsieur
Vandale is the guest of Squire Edwards,
who will be likely TO protect him against
all we can do"
Gwen see about thatl" responded an
other Of the company. "Well give him
fair notice TO quit the town, and twenty
four hours to 90 inl If he isn't of,
bag and fiddle, in that time, I say let us
try the virtue of tar and foathers Let
us give him a pair Of artificial wings to
fly with" The suggestion was hailed
with dignifed applause-and a commit
toe Of two appointed to call upon Mon
sicur next morning, make known this
agreeable intention towards him, and re-
port progress.
This duty devolved upon two sturdy
deacons Of the Presbyterian Church,
who called at the residence Of Squire
Edwards, and politely, but firmly re-
quested that he would inform Monsieur
Vandale that his proposals for dancing
school, &C., had better be indefinitely
postponed, and himself taken out of
town at the earliest practicable moment
To this they werc replied, that "Mons.
Vandale was here at the solicitation Of
some Of the FIRST families in the town;
that he was the guest of one Of them;
that the dancing school would 90 on;
that the law would protect him, and
punish all assailants;' ending with an
intimation that "New Haven had been
ruled long enough by deaoons Of the
Presbyterian order" Tho committee
retired-perhaps with ga hoa in their
car -loI luoIo was mlbHty Du1AluS
in and about Broadway when the result
Of the mission was reported; and il was
evident that those who had "put their
hand to the plow," had not the rcmotest
idea of taking the back track For the
remainder Of the day, messengers were
hurrying from one point 10 another
whispering, winking and giving omin-
GUS and portentous shakes Of the head,