The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-25
WHAT IS DANCING?

THE SUIT AGAINST NIBLos GARDEN-LAwYERs
LEAD THE COURT THROUGH THE MERRY
ArAzEs
The publicity of the fact that the case Of Niblo's
Garden Theatre management and Mr.. Michael
Daniel. of No. ss East Houston street. who are
charged by the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
to Children with having violated the laws of 1876
allowing Celia Daniel eight years OF age the daughter
OF Michael Daniel. to dance in the ballet OF the
"Black Crook. was to up before Police Justice
Smith. yesterday afternoon. at the Tombs Police
Court drew quite crowd thither and the little ex-
animation room crowded to the doors.
The society was represented by its counsel. Mr..
Delafeld. and Mr.. A. Hummcl appeared for the de-
fenco.
Dir. HuMMKL SUMS CASE.
Mr.. Hummel first took the floor. and asked for
dismissal OF the complaint the ground that It had
not been proven that tho child danced. He then
said, 'The child Ia in court. q witness for the
defence. to show that its morals not impaired.
but that on the contrary the dressing rooms Of each
entirely separate and apart from each other
Mr.. Hummel then quoted from the Scripture. refer
ring to Miriam. who took timbrel in her hand and
danced for JOY. and David, who dapced before tho
Lord with all his might. claiming that the Orentas.
when indulging in 1erpsichorean art did so by gyra
n s T s went IN n any
disquistion OF ancient dance ore spoke OF the wild
character OF the dance OF tho inhabitants
OF Crete md Phrygia whose dancers armed,
and when dancing. dashed together their swords
and shields with extravagant fury Of Greek dancing.
which was gymnastic and military Us well Ms a
ligious exercise. Thcn dolving into mythology.
counsel alluded to tho Pyrrhc dance described by
Plato, as remarkable for somersaults, tumblings
and swift evolutons in the midst of projecting
daggors aud drawn swords. Oliver Goldsmith. in
his deserted Village" had said:-
Alike all ages; danes Of ancient days
Have led their children through the mirthful mase
And the gay grnndssrs skilled In "gostic loro,"
pEIAYIEID's REPLY.
ut is the duty of the society to protect children
from moral injury as well US physical injury" said
Mr.. Delanoid land children are injured when they
are hired for such purposes. The question is not
what harm has boon done the childrcn but il the
question asked would say that keeping them
up until a late hour is hurtful to them and lot
us nsk ourselves whether would allow
our that DC t 1uas minds a
heads turned by the glare and glitter behind tho
scenes and coming in contact with Indecent women.
do not claim thai It is injurious to health. When
at school the children ut great disadvantage.
They are sleepy and lstless: Children who are ed
day time but these arc not again especially call
your attention to the two classes OF evils, aud
physical. What is dancingg To move with meas
ured steps 1t is not necessary for ono to have his
feet elevated in order to dance. Shakespeare says.
Many time he danced them on his knee"
Justice SMITH suppose that in that the i'm
morality would depend entirely upon the age of the
child. uaughter.)
Dancing" resumed Mr.. Delaacld may be done
entirely with the arms aud hands, without even NOV
ing the feet. For example. refer to the manner in
which many OF the uncivilzcd nations OF Indians
dance. The Zulu dance consists merely of singing
war songs. The bravery dance Is composed of COM
pany OF Indians and sqiaws the males armed with
clubs and the females with long spears. The funeral
dance il merely walking backward and forward.
Some OF these gentlemen who have testified arc
shortsighted. As to their experience. one OF tho
witnesses could not even explain u quadri1c.
As Mr.. Dolaheld sat down Mr.. Hummel said, "We
deny Your Honor. that there is AN indecent woman
employed stage. and you will md that they
compare with any employed on any stage In tho
city"
Justice Smith desired to withhold his decision for
day or two. TO duly consider the lilo
said that he had visited the theatre and behind
the scenes where he saw tho children 20 through
their entire performance from tho time they entered