The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-06-12

and very difficult 70 do gracefully. 1t was a
modification Of the N UGH bused "Boston dip,
which in turn was departure from the steady
circling 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 rs the culmi.
nation. Propriety can no further go in the
direction of the ballet. 1t has no distinctive
name that | have heard, but might appro.
prAtcly be called
THE PHILADELPHIA FLING,
Because, as am told, it originated in Phila-
delphia, and it has the Highland filings space.
covering quality 1t is danced by main
strength, allied to agility, and grace is II sec.
ondary consideration, Many do dance 1t
gracefully, but that is owing To their own nat,
ural ease of movement | haye broken three
corset steels in two evenings practice, but am
getting on. In its perfection the Philadelphia
| fling may be described as follows: The man
tall muscular and agile The woman is slen.
der, wllowy and wholly subjective 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 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 because he likes it, but be.
cause if he does not have Il strong hold of her
he cannot take her safely through the dance.
She literally sticks her nose into his breast or
shoulder, and some day "A weak girl is going
to be smothered to death in the midst of her
delight. At the least pug-noses will be com
mon if the dance remains fashionable many
seasons Ii Is not the correct thing to stand
still in this hugging attitude. The dancing
must begin instantly on the couple coming to.
gc,her, and false step at the start is a heinous
terpsichorcan otlense. The steps arcthose of
an ordinary waltz elongated to a surprising
extent, and accompanied by Il swayIng move
ment from side to side and frequent reversals,
all to rapid music. This carries the couple
here and there, now this way and now that,
with surprising swiltncss Their course about
the room Is erra:ic, 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 divide their forebodings be
tween the breakage and the improper exposure
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 DISPLAY
OF the wondrously beautiful silk stockings
which are fashionable The clinglng scanti-
ness of the current skirt, though plainly show
ing every movement of the dancers legs does
not reveal II great amount of their immediate
coverings. Yielding her person implicitly toI
the guidance of her stalwart partner, she is
flung round and round her feet barely touch
ing the floor. The violence of the exercise is
and for summer dance this one
will prove decidedly unsuitable POLITICALLY
the woman will come out of it IN rosy glow,
with her eyes flashing, her bosom rising and
falling TREMENDOUSLY and her breath making
signs. Practically, her dress waist will be
spoiled by perspiration, the powder on her
face will be melted, and she will gasp for
breath like horse with the heaves TTowev.
er, she will enjoy the wild sport, whatever
may be thought OF the tired fellow who has
carried her through 1t. If 1.-the,
lndulatlng girls dance this waltz IN Jerseys
he limited, skin-tight costumes that are com.
ng ln-the sight will be rather startlingly like
he famous dance of the naked Nautch girls.
The philadelphia fling" is the poetry of mo-
ion in reckless metre, as l have described and
experienced 1t; but 1t must not be supposed
hat It will be always or even generally danced
n that way. All men are not muscular and
agile All women are not light of foot and
light of figure. Consequently there will be q
great deal of grotesqueness Obesity and awk-
yardness are unfortunately common, and are
endered comical when their possessors try to
kip nlmbly. If either of pair is bad dan
,er, both might as well be. A woman who
humps up her back, or tries to keep her part
Ter at distance, or is heavy and slow, or at
empts to decide for herself when to reverse, is
/ horror to the man who tries to dance with
Ter. That take on the word of my teacher
The man who steps OH his partners corHs, or
,angs her against other dancers, or lets her
all, deserves burning at the stake. That l say
rom personal experience.