The Shasta courier., 1862-03-15
ermon on Dancing.

ede dancing and junketing in
4b A. such time as the present, but
s.<ll.l;; ...lsfSspccffu "a ana foolish.
If father or q brother lay in mortal peril
in IN upper chamber, would it not be brutal
in his children to be s'cutting the pigeon
wing below stairs? Hundreds and hum
dreds of fathers and brothers are languishing
in the hospitals of this very city, and lovers
are exposing their lives in the field, to savs
US from subjugasion and here we are, pro-
tected by the living wall of their dauntless
breasts, kicking up our heels aad tripping on
the light fantastic toe in the most joyous
manner. This is not the way to show a de-
cent respect or a merely human sympathy
for cur suffering defenders. This is not the
temper which will or ought to save people
from conquest.
Far be it from us to arouse needless fears
or to repress innocent amusements. Properly
guarded, dancing is delightful, healthful
pastime-in6nitely better than the dry and
dreary reunions where only conversation,
half scandal and whole nonsense is allowed
But if we must dance, let us confne ourselves
to the old-fashioned, decent and respectable
dances-the cotillion and the like. Heaven
save US from the round Dances" as they
are called-the loathsome products of a pru-
rient French taste. We regret extremely to
hear that these Ground dances'' are becom-
ing all the rage at fashionable parties and at
the "big hops" at the great hotels Words
cannot express our detestation and abhor.
renee Of these dances. They ought not to be
tolerated in the Confederacy. The girl who
dances them ought to take Hamlet's advice
to Ophelia, 1" Get thee to nunnery." They
will do well enough for the ramping female
animals Of the Yankeeland, but they ought
to be secuted by every pure minded and re-
fined Southern lady.
We know that the advocates ofthese shame
less dances will throw in our teeth the old
adage, " evil to him who evil thinketh" A
suspected cyprian might do the same thing
These dances are utterly disgusting. They
are disgrace to respectable society. They
seem studiously designed to prompt the worst
suggestions and sensations. To say that the
wrangling, worming, whirling, squirming,
bobbing up and down motions of these dances
e grossly indecent is to say the very least
~e. No good man can look at them for
- first time without being shocked no
good woman without feeling her cheek tingle
with the scarlet flush of terrible shame. On
ly when the frequent repetition of them has
dulled the natural sensibilities can they be
viewed with anything but disgust.
There is very simple test by which the
round dances and all other amusements of
young people may be tested in regard to their
decency. Are they proper and permissible
in private? What father would like to catch
his daughter dancing tho polka in the arms
of young man when by themselves in par
lor? What father, who had never before
witnessed the iilthy spectacle, would notkick
the young man out of doors, and send the
young woman to an asylum? Dancing the
polka in public does not make it less intrin-
scally indecent. We are mortified and in
dignant to think that these abominable exhi
bitions are becoming popular in Richmond.
We are getting corrupt too fast. What
uiM cheating, erto,tfng, drfnhtny and dancing
the round dances, we are leaping into the fo,l
depths of Washington degradatioD at a sin
gle bound. five must become rotten, let us
rot little less rapid. Let US taboo and kick
out Of respectable circles immodest and i'm
pure dances. and them that dance them. If
not, if we prefer 70 rush into the fashionable
deprayaty Of the European and Yankee cap
itals, let us by all means do itwith an impet-
uosity and absolute license that will in some
sort redeem our depravity. Let us have s'the
German in our churches after morning ser
vice. let us introduce the Cdnean into our
private drawing rooms, and have model
artist exhibitions every night in the parlors
of the Exchange and Spottswood. d.-Richmond
Uhi0