Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-26
NUMBER Z.
DdncinG.

In the W Omans JOurnal, COiOnel Dig
ginson has an article in which he urges
that dancing should be more generally
allowed as a social amusement. especial
ly in country towns. He says: heard,
the other day, of lady, in the rural
regions of Maine. who has proved her.
self to be a thorough philanthropist.
She found, by observation, that the peo-
pie of her vicinity had little amusement
and this little was not, in her opinion, si
desirable kind.
Dancing was prohibited through that
whole region. The consequence was
that when young people assembled. they
devoted themselves entirely 10 "string
games"-this meaning kissing games. of
the most boisterous description.
Wishing to obtain moro refining and
civiiziug influences for her own chill
dren, she formed dancing school at her
house, being herself, the teacher. Fol-
lowing this up, she offered ber services
to play for dancing, far aud near. and
often travelled many miles, in sleighs. to
carry out her bene VIOLENT mission.
Wherever she went, dancing followed;
the Pied Piper of Hamein, of whom
Browning sings was not more success
ful in leading the young people. Dane
ing being thus brought 10, IS ring games,
went out, and boisterous familiarities
came to be considered as in bad taste.
Every one who knows much OF New
England life can estimate the value OF
this reform. Under the very eyes OF our
revivalists, in the church sociabes, them.
selves, these rude and indelicate iamil-
iarities flourish, where the most innocent
square dance" would be severely CEN
sured.
There are many communities where
the prohibition OF dancing, reaching the
public schools, has the same effect. Left
to themselves at school festivals. the
young people would like to dance. The
dancing being held Objectionable, some
thing else must. be introduced and on
the proposition OF "string games" one
may see church members, descons, and
for ought know ,clergymen, themselves,
joining in the rude sport. have known
it serious ground of objection to public
schools, ,on the part OF well-bred parents,
and they would not consent to have
their young daughters rudely kissed by
halt the town, on such occasions; and
have seen such prejudices gradually re-
moved by the substitution OF dancing.
In a.village in Rhode Island, visit
was paid to lodge of Good Templars.
some years since, by n lodge from anoth-
or yillage. After the public exercises,
they prepared for social evening; but
an unfortunate difference occurred, on
point not laid down in the ritual. The
visiting lodge disspproVed OF dancing,
but practiced string games. while the
hosts prohibited string games, bat sp-
proved Of dancing; so, after an attempt
at compromise, which no most worthy
grand sire Was able to bring about, the
visiting lodge di.odged itself and went
home.
In ordinary cases, it is the business oil
the host TO conform to the wishes oil the
guest; but, really, there are limits to
this. Otherwise people might carry IN
their trunks supply oil ropes ior
"string games" and Copenhagen"
might be established in any ones front
entry.
II is really matter worth con nsidering.
The owner Of a picnic grove once ex-
pressed TO friend OF mine, great salts
faction that, at certain picnic, there
was 10 be dancing. I'VE find ii the best
security for good order" he said.
when there is no dancing, there are all
manner OF romping games, people chas-
ing each other about, mock marriages.
and so on. When there is dancing, we
commonly expect them to behave ike
gentlemen and ladies'" This one state
ment, from what might be called bus
mess point OF view, is worth a hundred
sermons, preached by good men VINO
never in their whole lives saw dance.