Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-02-25
Nv: I'm: go: en-: 81:
Old Fashioned Dances.

Tho inlnuct was the great danes of tho 18th
century. Ii had both grfc, and gallantry. Tho
loltla aBd terminating lows have been immor-
talzed BY Burke in passage in which be
speaks of "that generous loyalty to rank and
stZ. that proud submission. that dieniGed obe.
&isnHc.' Tho minuet was the real tat Of
G'&c?inlncss. All balls began With it. and it
vas srch a universal study that tho very scpti-
meat Of it, it has been declared, inspired tho
nation and gave something Of tho tone which
characterized society 10 that age. Of take the
country da5cos-tho cushion dane, for To-
s;arcci who ever hears Of the cushion dance
now2 Yet there must bo somo old peoplo who
remember the figures and the stcps-the tx
change between tho top and bottom couples
the thro~ine down tho cushion as an cxcasa
inr Elsa--thc flight ard pursuit and tho Joy
GUS acitn of the whole Of tho dancers? These
daDc d|cll IN tho memory OF tho old
a fast vanishing raco-and make thoir
youth happy timo to recall. Will our wallzos
and gslors do as much for us? Should you be
sspared iuth old ago. what Impressions shall you
preserve OF the dacces you have danced in your
youth ? Whcic will ho tho old hoartiacss tho
merry, spontaneous laugh tho admirable deco
!
Elack tho cushion dSc) has become tho dance
CT death. When wo grow old wo shall have to
anglo for bright rtcoeetions OF our youth 10
other wells than Whclc cur ball room cxpcri-
eno2s lilo sunk.
Pcrhapsthe only cid fashioned doucethat sur.
yivoa is the ooIilon. This danoo is full OF Span.
ish graoo. ln South America they introduce
soG1o Old tricks into their dancing. Ladies' gill
ompty egg shells with eau dc cologne and carry
them TO tho ball; thcro they break thom upon
tho hoadB OF tho eentlcmcu. 1t is meant as q
challenge. The gentlemen who receives this
moist tribute is bound in ealantry to find out
tho lady and return tho compliment. Another
trick is for young man to 70 behind o girl,
place his sombrero dirocty over her head, letting
It tlll over her eyes. and than to spring back
ancns the dabCors. lflhe girl throws eff tho bat
lt means that sho can dispense with any
attention the gentleman would like to nay her,
aud no is obliged to pick up bis hat amid o
general laugh. If that hat is retained then at
Tho tho end Of tho dapce tho ownor CLAIMS it
from tho lady ard with it her hand for tho rest
OF the evening. Tho cotilIion is clearly basod
on fancles Of this kind. Tho introduction of
tho chnlr, the seating of lady, tho presepa.
tlon OF tho gentleman. The blindloIdirg of q
gentleman, with lady on either side of him,
and bis htzlrdous CHOICE Of ouc of them az
partner. src distinctly Southern elements, ri7-
lbg graceful lfo AID laughter TO tho wazng
accompaniment. This survives, but The other
dances are ended. Whether they aro worth
rHVlVlng is question fer girls to decide. At
oil events, ono may believe that q eiri could
never look moro pituresquo than when engaged
in etc ct these old fashioned dauces, Just as it
Is certain that girl is Devcr seen to worse sd ,
van!Gso taan when she has released herself
from The grip II man, al'or iorg. psp,irs
"nd rcrcD;rrs waltz ms this dsEc. is n0gl r,r.
formed. - InH Mall Gn:cHc