Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-15
VOL. 7..---N0. 81.
ABOUT DANCING.

Dancing is very ancient and likewise a
very universal s'institutInn.'' 1t is practised
| by barbarous and civilized nations-by religI-
Gus societies and in society to which religion
is stranger. 1t is the recreation and amuse-
inent OF the Fejee Islander and Guinea negro
as we'll as of the most cultivated and refined
nation. David, we are told, danced before the
Tabernacle, and Socrates delighted in the
dance. France, however, was the birthplace
of modern dances and balls, and Catharine OF
Medcis was distinguished above all the
Queens of France, for the gcrgeousness and
originality OF her festivals and court balls.
Once, while on visit to Bayo her court
was composed of her daughter, the Queen of
Spain, the Dukes of Saxony, 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 beautifully wooded island in the
BayOnne river. Here was erected large cir
cular saloon, handsomely decorated and sur
rounded by twelve arbors. Festconed chan
deiers depended from the trees, and within
each arbor was table that would seat twelve
persons. In the center of the saloon was pia-
ced the table for the King, the two Queens,
and the higher dignitaries of the court. The
musicians Were hid among the trees, so as 10
be heard and not seen. The royal table was
served by the Queens maids of honor, dressed
as wood nvmphs and naiads, while the edibles
and liquors were brought in by servants in the
guise of satyrs. Whilst supper was in pro-
gress numerous groups Of dancers appeared in
the saloon, attired in their national costumes,
accompanied by musicians performing charac-
teriStic airs and executing national dances.
As the royal party and the guests arose from
the table, the saloon, arbors, tables, and dan
GERS, disappeared if by magic, and the
toniShed guests found themselves within a see
mingly natural amphitheatre. A series OF the
stately dances of that period concluded the
affair.
At court balls in the sixteenth century il
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, whereupon the en-
tire assemblage also rose. The King then
opened the dance with the Queen or princess
royal. The restfollowed the royal couple in
order of their rank the ladi les on the right
and their partners on the left. While the roy
al party on the floor il considered
breach OF good manners for any one to be sea-
ted. Persons of the highest 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 coTsets the dresses low in the neck, and
exposing the shoulders a coiffure 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 fascinating dances OF the
present day impossible, and rendered even
the slow and dignfied steps of that age wea-
risome task instead of pleasure. A dancer
who excelled in the minuet secured a Europe
an reputation, and Don John, Of Austria, Vice
roy of the Netherlands, once journeyed
ncognito from Brussels to Paris in order to
see himself, unrecognized, the best dancer of
the Continent-Margaret OF Valois--go through
a mnuet al Court ball