The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-29

each other gracefully but graveiy two or
three times IS though reluctant 10 mge;
then advance slowly with smile ana Jo,p
hapdsS then coquettfshlys retire, still racing
and smiling: then hesitate, and piroueue,
and even absolutely turn away from eaco
other ultimately, however, advancing WIN
smile and Joining both hands and return
Ing 10 their places. It was IN this manner
that the minuet was danced at the Academy
of Music.
The memory of this old Amusement has
been kept alive through various causes, ano
at times the dance has seemed on the point
OF returning to public favor. Thirty years
ago In the capitals of Europe there we're de-
cided SYMPTOMS of it. It was danced al
Vienna, and at London, and elsewhere, out
It's reign in Europe was short. 10 tn's couh'
try it has been taught at Baltimore, IN west
ern New York, at Boston, Philadelphia, New
York, and elsewhere. About ten years ago a
coterse of young people enterprisipSiy at
terppted to master its difficulties, 10 send an
additional charm to the private entertain
mens of a wealthy gentleman OF this CITY.
Something by the name OF the m!noet IS
danced in the academies OF instruction nere
every winter, and only last Saturday nlsnt
this uuadrille minuet was one OF the features Oh
the evenings pleasures at an assemotaSe VI
Young devotes of fashion on Filth avenue.
Two wears ago, something by the name OF
the minuet was also brought cut upon tne
stage. as will be remembered by every oody
who saw .'Tbe School for Scandal, - at Inc
Fifth Avenue Theatre. That sterling orama
was illuminated by a dance having some o.
the steps Of the minuef, and followed oy tne
rapid gavotte, a furious wblrl that sometimes
was allowed TO supplement the graverngures
as the later jig concluded the quaafihe. IL
will be seen, therefore, that for thirty years
there has been some promise ola revlYsi OF the
fayori,e dance of our great grandRotbers:
and. waiting like Electra iu the old tale for the
return of Orestes 10 all the glory OF bis an
cient name, the dancing masters of the coun'
try have been anticipating for years that the
next season surely would see the installation
Of the minuet as positive feature OF private
gatherings for amusement 10 good society.
Until the present moment, however, no.
thing has been visible of the wanderer-cer-
tainly nothing really to justify the hopes OIL
the professors.
It would not be strange, however, II SO.
ciety in one of its wayward freaks took up
the old dance again. The greatrGrand.
mothers who are still surviving saw the
minuet depart with powdered Lair, long
trains, and old.fasboned country gentlemen.
The times are again changing-in fact
have changed. In grand social assemSlages
toilets are worn that do not comport we'll
with rapid motion, and do notappear TO tee
best advantage in the favorite dances of So
ciety. The spirit of the age creates pas
sion for the waltz, galop, and redowa- AS
it is put by Grafulia, who survey the bali
room with veterans eye, "everythInS is
now veIocipede." 1t cannot long remain so
with the fashion of wearing elaborate and
beautiful costumes at the ball. And it Is
questionable whether the dignity ard pro.
prety of grand balls in good society would
rot be vastly promoted BY relntrodnc'ng
such dances as the mipuet, and whether they
would not really be more eDjoyable.-NeU
York Tribune.