The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-30

from seven shiiiings and sixpencs &c the Crys-
tai Palace and half guinea at sons private
establishments down to the sixpenny fee de-
manded by the thirty eight telegraph boys who
had competitive exhibition, the other day, Of
Towering plants which they bad grown and
wild flowers and grasses which they had col
lected.
The wise philosophy OF life which seizes the
simple pleasures that are easily reached is GER
tainly gaining ground in England and is max
ing itself evident nowhere more stTikingly
than In the widespread. persistent effort 70
cultivate plants and flowers on she part of all
sorts and conditions Of men, and the general
public effort to keep al the old parks and ges
as many new ones as possible.
/ find in the Pail Mall Gazette for August 3,
an account Of an effort that Is being made in
the East of London to introduce harmless
amuSemeuts into the great joyless city after
the fashion suggested in Mr.. Besant's book TO
which | called attention fortnight ago. It ia
very characteristic of the country that the at
tempt should be made under the auspices of the
Church, and that it should be interfered with
by reason OF a legal quibbla
RrUAL1sT1c DANCING CLASS.
A correspondent who Ialnents The hostility OF
EvaDgeiicaIism to dancing. sends Us the following
syInpathetie description of Ritualistic dancing
class at the East End.
In or.;er to show that dancing can be enjoyed
without drinking. and that respectable young peo-
weekly dancing class has lately been established
in connection with the ST Agatla's Working Mems
Club. in she parish Of st. Peters London Docks,
which IS attracting interest from the reeens
Judgment of Lord PenZance against Mr.. &ackOnO-
chic On arriving, the usual preponderance OF the
fair sex, and the groups Of sbecpish young men
round the doors. remind one of West End dance,
and when the les strike up there is the familiar
difficulty in getting most Of tile TO dance at all
ard the usual proud consciousness of their powers
on the faces of the few men who can dance and
VINO thus lords of the situation But there the
resemblance between East and West End ceases,
and when dancing begInsa difference OF tastes IS as
once perceptible. Every other dance on the pro-
grarlme IS a square dance. and not only quad
( lilies ana iancefS Itrgety palrOnlzed, DIT more
/ elaborate series of fgures-Alberts CaiedOnians
the Clrcassian Circle. and other coInbiuaIi0nS-ars
gone through with manifest pleasure. Instead of
supper, lemonade and ginger beer are on sale ~
table IN the corner of the room which the young
men CALAMITY offer to their partners between the
dances a curious feature OF the entertainments Is
/ the absence OF ehaperons. An Old or even midi
die-aged women Is not to be seen; the girls Gxn-
orally arrive IN couples and seem perfectly able 70
take care OK themselves the usual seats OF chap
eFOTs round the room are filed by dOckyard labor
/ ers, who come to spend their evening there. and
who smoke their pipes and look with the most
critical eyes evidently believing they could 10
much better themselves. and not ree-rettne thcir
/ public-honse- There are two intervals IN the en-
tertainment when some one present obiiges with
song IN the good O4C4-fas bioBeG style the Choir
1 uses being we'll taken up by the whole company,
i and the applause most enthusiastic. The actual
dancing IS extremely VIGOROUS. ana the Few sare-
i ing men work very hard indeed as does the origin
atOr OF the scheme While the learners quickly
10 get into step, slli 20 be tte nee from etsilnes
The girls Il appears, are very APT pupils, and Ollcn
master the difficult steps fortnight; the
men are not quick but enjoy learning from their
partners The whole scene is one of real, Enafeet-
+ ed enjoyment given to those Who most need it
| young and girls VINO confined in large
manufactures throughout the day. and who
greatly tempted to so out ut night in quest OF
amusement and often End some Of very question:
able character. Dancing seems to be particularly
Htted Tor young men ana girls VINO are clainped
over their work all day. il gives them healthy
exercise WHILE at the time. the very court
estes OF 'aEcin, and the genial superintendent OF
the gentleman 20 whom the happy idea occurred,
give lessons in politeness, which are much needed
and which must help to refine the manners of bosh
sexes.
it Is hardly necessary 10 point the moral ofthe
success OF this experiment 1t helps to account for
the immense popularity OF Dir. Mackonoehie
among his psFishi0ners. He tries to pTevent Feiy
ion from degeueratIn into aseetielsIn, and 20 pro-
vide for the recreation we'll the instruction OF
his people. However Indifferent may be % MS
actual ienets al must sympathize with an attempt
to increase the small amount OF healthy pleasure
attSinsbie by the jewellers IN the East End No
healsilier pleasure can be imagined than dancing,
both afiOrC.lng capital exercise and pi ssssEs
ter of rejoicing to all who enjoy dancing them
selves to hear that East Eud clergy has been
large minded enough to overcome the usual preju-
dice and afford It's pleasures to those who 80 thor
oRghiy enjoy them.
'Such large u1iIIsiednesss ulust nal e all who lake
an interest IN the life of sFe London working classes
regret that a legal bubble may have the effect Of
checking such career OF usefulness. and hope that
some means may be found 10 enable Mr. 8iael10no-
chic to continue his IAboTs. AS to me originator Of
the kindly scheme, the happy flees Ae arss4ad
him every week and the grateful looks with which
he Is regarded. should De- and his great reward
the London Docks"