The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-09-22

Inc OalIOOnlng lduleS are swung lnIO
their seats, and now the figures begin.
Deputations to two at a time wait upon
the seated individuals, and whisper
something confidential in their ears.
The bewhispercd then get up, and whirl
round with the Deputation. Then the
whole German betakes itself to its heels
for a time, and dances like mad. The
hooped dresses are not exactly shotted
and skirts that usually sweep the ground
threaten to touch the ceiling. We look
aghast, but as no one seems in the least
Disconnected, and as the matrons nod
apprOvingly, we smile at, our own SIM
plicity, and look on. They are doing
other things now. They have made
themselves into something like all old
fashi med basket-cotillon now they
break the ring flatten out in two lines,
and the whirling begins again. Here
is the ineffable Creature once more,
short but striking, his hair streaming,
his forehead steaming his eyes standing
out with astonishment at his own per-
formances. But he will dissolve, if
this warm work continue-will nobody
come and mop him up? The Rose-tie
divides our attention with him; the pes
tulance of youth is in all his motions {:
he kicks like a colt, and dashes down
the dance as if the remains of a train
wagon were fastened to his heels. But,
like the colt, he brings up somewhere,
and disappears from view behind a
cloud of white muslin, under cover of
which he no doubt pours the most art
full poison into unsuspecting ears, for,
though young, he looks dreadful know
ing. ".-
There-that dress has given way
we knew it would-no matter, bring
a thread and needle and cobble it up.
How are these women skewered up,
that they can expect to hold together,
during such rough usage? These
gauze robes are but fimsy fabrics for
such fatigue-service. Really, nothing
but broadcloth and duck .conld stand
it. And whatever assurance they may
have, there are anxious moments for
beholders, when the centrifugal force
is at his highest, and when the drape-
ries futter far from their belongings.
We are too hard on the ballet-dancers
of the stage. They do indeed cut some
terrible capers, and rather cause ones
flesh and blood to sliiver with sympa-
thetic horror, but ith all their trrnings
and twistings they do not give us such
painful surprises as the young persons
fling in our faces with the most uncon-
scious nonchalance.
i What is it all like? 4 horse-racc, or
a game of romps in alunatic asylum, or
fleet with studding-sails in white
squall, or steeple chase in a high
wind ? Not like any of these; but
while we were dreamily looking and
listening, and wondering how all this
waste of power might he utiliged, how
the whirling women might be made to
do the work of windmills, and the toll
ing and painting men be employed as
trip-hammers suddenly, we saw wha,
it was all like. Like certain witch
dance that was seen by certain Scotch
Nc'erdowed, in an advanced state oi
, intoxication. This was Tam O'Shan.
ter's vision, Haunting petticoats, high
heels, Guilty sark, and all, and as the
profane thought flashed upon us, like
Tam, we fieeted from the presence, as
) fast as foot could carry us, and took
neither pause nor breath till we were
beneath the protection of the respec
table monday heavens. And to oul
little daughter; "My dear, l DOM
, "think l shall pinch to send you tc
: "dancing-school this year. If you
"want exercise, you can skip the rope
off you want hard work, you can rut
"the mahogany but if you want te
acquire modest graces and refined
! manners, you may better attend rag
, ged-school, teachers meeting, and
, woman's rights convention, thar
"spend time and money in preparing
for German at fashionable water
, " ing-place,"