Newbern weekly progress., 1860-12-25
ABOUT DANCING.

Dancing is a very ancient and likewise a very
universal ''institution" 1t is practiced by bar
barous and civilized nations-by religious So
cetes and in society, to whiCh'rcligion is
stranger. It is the recreation and amusement
of the Feiee Islander and Guinea negro, as we'll
as of the most cultivated and refined nation.
David we are told, danced before the Taberna-
Gle, and Socrates delighted in the dance
France however, was the birthplace of Medicis,
who was distinguished above all the great
Queens Of France for the gorgeousness and
originality of her festivals and court balls.
Once, while on visit to Bayonne, her court
was composed of her daughter, the Queen of
Spain, the Duke of Alba, of Saxony and Lor-
raine, and other princes. Balls, festivals, and
PLAYS, followed each other in rapid succession;
but the most brilliant of these entertainments
was given upon beautifully y-wooded island in
the Bayonne river Here was erected a large
circular saloon, handsomely decorated and sur
rounded by twelve arborS. FCstoOned chande-
liers depended from the trees, and within each
arbor was table that would seat twelve per
sons.
In the centre Of the saloon was placed the
table of the King the two Queens, and the
higher digntarics of the court. The musicians
were hid among the trees, so as to be heard and
not seem The royal table was served by the
Queens maids of honor, dressed as wood
nymphs and naiads, while the edibles and Ii
Qu0rS, were III ul ScIfduLo III tIic SulSc
of satyrs. Whilst supper was in progress nu-
merous groups of dancers appeared i'll the sa-
loon, attired in their national costumes, accom-
panied by musicians performing characteristic
airs and executing national dances. AS the
royal party and the guests arose from the table,
the saloon, arbors, table, and dancers disap
peared as if by magic, and the astonished guests
found themselves within a seemingly natural
| amphtheatre. A series of the stately dances of
that period concluded the affair.
At court balls in the sixteenth century it
was the practice Of the ladies to sit in rows,
with their cavaliers behind them. When the
| signal for dancing was given the King or the
! Prince rose from their seat, whereupon the en-
| tire assemblage also rose. The King then
opened with the Queen or Il princeless royal.
The rest followed the royal couple in the order
of their rank the ladies on the right and their
partners on the left. While the royal party
, was on the floor it was considered a breach of
good manners for any one to be seated.
Persons of the highst rank usually danced
only the minuet At these balls the ladies'
usually appeared in full gala costume, stiff
whalebone skirts, and richly embroidered
heavy robes, with long trails; uneommonly
tight corsets; the dresses low in the neck, and
exposing the shoulders a cOifure Of immense
height the head and neck overloaded with
jewelry and exceedingly tight shoes, with
high pointed heels
All this would have made any of the fascina-
ting dances of the present day impossible, and
rendered even the slow and dgnified steps of
that age a,wearisome task instead of a pleasure.
A dancer who excelled in the minuet secured a
European reputation, and Don John, OF Aus
tria. Viceroy of the Netherlands, once journey
cd i,acognito from Brussels to Paris in order to
see himself unrecognized, the hest dencer of
the continent-Margeret of Valois-go though
a minuet at court ball.