Daily national Democrat., 1861-01-09


A LITTLE OF THE HIsroRY OF DANCING
Dancing is very ancient and likewise "a very
universal ''insitution." 1t is practiced by
barbi ,us and civ lized nations-by religious
societies and in society to which religion is a
stranger It's the recreation and amuse-
ment of the Fejee Islander and Guinea ne
gro, as well as Of the most cultivated and re-
fined nation. David, we are told, danced
before the Tabernacle and Socrates delight
ed in the dance. France, however was the
birthplace of modern dances and balls, and
Catharne of Medicis was distinguished above
all the Queens of France for the gorgeous
ness and originality of her festivals and court
balls. Once, whyle on a visit to Bayonne,
her court was composed other daughter the
Queen of Spain. the Dukes of Alba, of Sax
ony, and Lorraine, and other princes. Balls,
festivals, and plays followed each other in
rapid succession; but the most brilliant of
these entertainments was given upon beau=
tifully wooded island in the Bayonne river.
Here was erected large circular saloon
handsomely decorated and surrounded by
twelve arbors. Festooned chandeliers de-
pendrd from the trees, and within each arbor
was table that would seat twelve persons
In the centre Of the saloon was placed the
table for the King, the two Queens, and the
higher dignitarie5 of the court. The musi-
clans were hid among the trees, so as to be
heard and not seen. The royal table was
served by the Queens maids of honor, dressed
as wood nymphs and naiads, while the edi-
bles and liquors were brought in by servants
in the guise of satyrs. Whilst supper was
in progress, numerous groups of dancers APP
peared in the saloon, attired in their nation
al costumes accompanied by musicians per-
I 4 Il. ..s..
tional dances. AS the royal-party and the
guests arose from the table, the saloon, ar
bors, tables, and dancers, disappeared as if
by magic and the astonished guests found
themselves within seemingly natural am
phitheater. A series of the stately dances OF
that period concluded the affair.
AT court balls in the sixteenth century it
was the practice for the ladies to sit in rows,
with their cavaliers behind them. When the
signal for dancing was given the King or
! Prince rose from his seat, whereupop the en-
tire assemblage also rose The King then
opened the dance with the Queen or a prin-
cess 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 waf
considered a breach of good manners for any
one to be seated. Persons of the higest 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
uncommonly tight corsests the dresses low
in the neck, and exposing the shoulders, a
cotfure Of immense height the head and
neck overloaded with iewelry and exceed.
ingly tight shoes, with high pointed heels
All this would have made any of the fascnat-
ing dances of the present day impossible, ant
rendered even the slow and dgnihed steps o
that age a wearisome task instead of pleas
ure. A dancer who exceled in the minue
secured a European reputation, and Dor
John, of Austria Viceroy ofthe Netherlands s
once journeyed incognito from Brussels {,
Paris in order to see himself, unrecoenized
the best dancer of the Contnent-Margare
of Valois-go through a IuiaaeL at the Cour
ball.