The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-16
FASHIONS LATEST FREAK.
The Lum Tum Dance for the Season of
1SSO-SI.
New York letter.

New York Letter.
A new style of round dancing Is iutrod uced
for every summer, and the one for 1880 is
now being taught by the masters. l am
learning 1T of an expert, who has what he
calls an academy in Fifth avenue. 1t is a
waltz with the familiar waltz time and step
for bssis, but with certain characteristics
that make 1t remarkable. Last year the
innovation was sliding step that was a sore
trial to short legs aud very difficult to do
gracefully. 1t was a modification of the
much abused Boston Dip" which in turn
was a departure from the steady cir.
cling waltz previously in vogue. Thus
dancers have been steadily abandoning
the quiet ways of former years, and now we
have what must IN reason be accepted as the
elimination. Propriety can no further go
in the direction Of the ballet. 1t has no
distinctive name that have heard. but
might appropriately be called the Phila-
delphia Fling, because, as am told, it orig
mated in Philadelphia, and il hes the High
land filings space-coveriDg quality. 1t is
danced by main strength allied to agility,
and grace Is a secondary consideration.
Many do dance it gracefully, but that is
owing to their own natural ease of move
ment. L have broken three corset-steels in
two evenings practice, but sm getting on.
In its perfection the Philadelphia Fling may
be described as follows;
woman is slender, willowy and wholly SUBJ
jective TO the movements of her partner.
He encircles her finally with his right arm,
not around her waist, but Just below her
shoulders With his left hand he clasps her
right, and holds it on his left hip. This
brings her exceedingly close to him, and she
is kept snugly in that position not only be
cause he likes il, but because If be does not
have q strong hold of her he can not take
her safely through the dance. Sle literally
sticks her nose into his breast or shoulder
and some day weak girl is going TO be
smothered to death in the midst of her
delight. At the least, pug noses will be
common if the dance remains fashionable
many seasons. 1t is not the correct thing
to stand still in this huggIng attitude.
The dancing must begin instantly on
the couple coming togsther, and false step
at the start is heinous terpischorean offense.
The steps are those of an ordinary waltz,
elongated to a surprising extent, and &C
companied by a swaying movement from
side to side and frequently ,eversals, ell to
rapid music. This carries the couple here
and there, now this Way and now that, with
surprising swifiness. Their course about
the room Is cratic. and their bodies sway In
perfect accord, giving them, in connection
with the long, quick steps, an appearance of
reckless abandon never before seen in social
dancing. A dozen pairs thus engaged are a
remarkable exhibit and it is no wonder that
cautious mammas tevids their forebodings
between the breskage and the improper ex-
posture of their daughters legs.
a few years ago when hoops were worn
such dance would not have been modestly
possible. Now the prevailing style of dress
prevents more than merely bewitching dis
play of the woundrously beautiful silk stock
{ngs which are fashionable. The clingipg
scantiness of the current skirt, though plain
" showing every movement of the darcers
legs, does not reveal great amount OF their
iulmediete coverings yielding her person
implicitly to the guidance of her staIwart
partner she is flung round and round, her
4 feet barely touching the floor. The violence
/ of the exercise is excessive. and for summer
dance this one will prove decidedly unsuita
/ BILE. Poe!ically the woman will come out OF il
In a rosy glow, with her eyes flashing, her
/ bosom rising and falling tremulously, and
her breath making signs Practically her
dress waist will be spoiled by preparation.
the powder on her face will be melted, and
she will gasp for breath like horse with
the heaves. However, she will enjoy the
/ wild sport, whatever may be thought by
the tired fellow VITO has practically carried
her through ii. II 1.-THE, undulstipg girls
dance this waltz in Jerseys-the limited,
skin-tight costumes thst are coming in-the
sight will be rather startling, like the famous
dance of the naked Match girls.
The Philadelphia Fling is the poetry Of
motion in reckless meter, as have described
and experienced it; but 1t must not be sup
posed that II will be always or even general
~ danced in that way. All men are not
muscular and agile. ALI women are not
light of loot and slight of figure. Conse
quently there will be agreat deal of grotes-
queness. Obesity and awkwardness are
unfortunately common and are rendered
comical when their Fossessors try to step
nimbly. II either of apair is a bad dancer,
both might we'll be. A woman who
humps up her back, or tries to keep her
partner at distance, q is heavy and slow,
or attempts to decih for herself when to
reverse, is a horror to ne man who tries to
my teacher. The man who steps on his
partners corns, or bangs her against other
dancers, or let's her fall deserves burning at
the stake. That Isaylrom personal expert
ence.