Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-11-25

posite place, reaches his own partner.
All salute opposite couples and the above
figures are repeated to regain places.
Figures are now reversed. In this mum
Der they are danced only twice. great
similarity is observed in the fourth mum
Der to the figure in the lancers in which
couples lead to the nearest couples, salute
them, lead round to opposite and circle
with joined hands into places. A feature,
somewhat similar to the basket figure to
the lancers, is seen when the ladies, form,
a cross by Joining hands with the OPP
posite ladies, are encircled by ring
formed by gentlemen with joined hands,
when all move to the left the ladies
marching and gentlemen gliding, keeping
opposite partners.
The fifth number is properly con
sideIed the climax of the octogon. The
second couples march to the center,
right and left about face and march
back to places. The first couple faces
outward, with lady on the left
when the second couple remarches
to its place the gentleman extends his
left hand to his partner and both, turn
ing half round, face in the same direct
ion as the first couple. The corner coup
les, five and eight, join hands in line of
-four behind the first couple, while side
couples, tn zee and four, Join hands behind
tho corner couples thus formed. Corner
complies six and seven, form behind them,
and thus all facing in one direction exc
cute a neat balance step. Those in
the center lines then raise their Joined
hands high enough to permit the first
couple TO march under to the bottom of
the set. The center lines now unclasp
hands and rejoin them on the other side,
thus forming two arbors. The first coup
lie separate and, the lady passing under
the arbor on the right, the gentleman I'M
der that ON the left, regain their places.
This figure is followed by balancing to
partners. The figure is repeated until all
the couples in alienation have led.
Preceding and terminating the num-
Der, grand promenade chain is per
formed.
The adoption and evident popularity
of the dance is a pregnant indication of
the departure of the era of boisterous
square dances. The new round dances,
while sprightly as may be judged from
their description, as a combination of
THE POLKA, REDowA, AND GALop STEPS,
are yet simple and graceful. These are
the Columbia and the American gavotte.
The Columbia is destined probably to be
come the greatest favorite being more
easily acquired. In resembles the redo
wa glace. The American gavotte is
somewhat like the Esmeralda.
The reform that has made such pro
gress in the last two years in the way of
shorter and earlier hours for dancing has
/ brought with it the tendency
to popularize socials and early
! receptions, where the dancing
ceases before midnight. Formal balls
are no longer so frequent, nor do they
obtain so much patronage from the best
circles as formerly.
In the matter of dress it is to be de-
| plored that hegood influence of sensible
matrons, which was being exerted with
no small effect TO secure the ostracism of
the decollete costume, has been overborne
by that of the example of our leading
! ladies' at Washington, and those who take
their pattern from the Partisan mode, sc
shat the low-necked. sleeveless dresses
will in all probability retain their popu-
larity during the coming season. Fol
gentleman no substantial change in the
full dress costume has been made.