The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-07

best and purest sensations, and its baptism
in the flood divine" Of song and music.
viDdicates il existence - social necessity
its esthstic propriety, and it, moral limo
ceoce. The form is accidental, but We have
shown that the present form is better than
the ancient. But in the pursuit even Of
innocent sensation, it is necessary that sen.
sation be subordinate to the laws OF health
and growth. Dancing does more itpro-
notes healthful development. The object
Of the ancient dance was sensation-in the
modern, sensation is merely the means to an
d--recreation. The Hebrew dance WAS
obandon, the French dance is discipline.
The chief wants Of American society are
conventional modes Of recreatioH, from the
perpetual strain Of serious pursuits. We
want more rest, more muscular develop
ment, more social fusion, more geniality,
more laughter, more amusement, in q word,
more health. The gayety Of the modern
dance, SO far from being an objection. is one
Of its chief Recommendations. II there were
more dancing parties, there would be fewer
funerals. II there were fewer MIcHAis,
there would be fewer lunatic asylums. We
believe that the modern dance is Q complete
organization OF oil the elements, not Of cul-
ture, for We get that elsewhere, but Of men-
tai and bodily recreation, which gives cul-
ture its vigor and symmetry. The involun-
tary mental exhiliration which music ex
cites without taxing the brain, the luxury
Of motion which is natures reward and in
dex Of healthy muscular action, the soften
ing fascination Of female charms, the pure
delight in beauty and grace, the vivacity Of
conversation, all the better for meaning little
Of nothing. the vague transitions of dissolv-
ing groups, the radiant charities Of mutual
courtesy, the magnetism Of sweet woman's
smile, the mirth, the gallantry, the conscious
seli-poise, the genial interest Of halfformed
friendships, breaking of like BONNER 8
stories as the interest heightens at the edge
Of love; all these, and much more, enter into
the vortex Of the dance, from whose magic
circle a. from the crucible Of the alchemist
the man or woman springs with the bloom
Of youth renewed upon the cheeks, the mind
wbetted Tor the days sharp battle, and the
body strengthened for its toll. We do not
say that dancing affords the best means for
exercise alone, or OF amusement, or Of social
intercourse, but that it is the best union O,
all these.
Mr.. NELL says that, after dance, people
feel fntigued the very best sign In the
world that they have had enough exercise,
and had better 20 home, say their prayers
and go to bed, like the good people they are
or ought 10 be.
One word more. Mr.. MILL complains
that the fashionable dance does not pro.
mote moral purity, and hints that its associ-
atoms are evil IL it be so, the church or
the Michalsm Of 1.-THE church, is mainly
responsible for it. Just so far as the church
has cast out the dance from its guardian.
ship, and abandoned it to the influence OF
fashionable vices, it has become responsible
for its decentralization. Instead of recog.
nizing it as an institution founded upon a
universal and innocent impulse, aud using
its immense influence to correct and educate
its tendencies-it wages an impoteut wal
against the impulse itself, and casts it out
as the Puritan father casts out his daught
for her carnal love Of sketchipg, waterfall,
perhaps) if not with the same result Of ru.
ined virtue and reckless prof gacy, it is only
because all the church does not join with
MIcH,L AID Mr.. MILL, in tabooiug and
ignoring H.