Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-11-21

dance will see it introduced in Wheeling.
The Octagon derives its name from the
fact that the eight couples required to
dance it face so as to form an octagOn hg-
ure. 1t is made up of five numbers, each
consisting of various figures. The
first number is thus described. After
the formation of the set, con-
sisting of eight couples, salutes to part
ners, then to the center with join hands
all around follow. The sides now move to
the right and corners to the left. In this
movement a very attractive step, similar
to the minuet step, is used, as the couples
advance and retire. Then two couples
form a circle, and glide round to the left.
The corners join hands and allow them to
pass under. Returning to places, sides
Join hands and corners pass under. All
now separate from partners, and, each
lady giving her right hand to the gentle
man nearest on her right, they march
round each other till they meet their re-
spective partners, when they dlsengage
themselves and march to their respective
DldCGS. luCoC hSulSo "a ASPS'SNN
formation four times.
In the second number eff the dance the
sides and corners advance and retire; gen.
tlemen remain in places, while ladies, ex-
tending the right hand to Wis a Wis, march
to the opposite couples and salute. They
then balance to their new partners, using
a ~cOurtly, graceful balance step; ladies eH-
tend right hands to each other and return
to their own partners; four side gentlemen,
without moving, form a cross, giving lett
hand, and, retaining partners left hand,
they raise arms high enough to allow cor
ner couples to pass under. These figures
are reversed and danced four times al
ternately.
In the third number the initial Saluta.
tons are followed by a movement of the
sides to the right aud corners to the left
then all advance and retire, then salute.
The ladies perform a half chain by giving
right hands to partner, then, marching,
present left hands to opposite gentleman
and pass around, making a half turn, and
remain. The gentleman having turned
the lady halfround with left hand, extends
his right hand to the opposite gentleman,
and, marching to opposite place, reaches
his own partner. All salute opposite
couples and the above fsurs are repeated
to regain places. Figures are now reversed.
In this number they are danced only twice.
A great similarity is observed in the
fourth number to the figure in the Ian
Gers in which coupl 8 lead to the nearest
couples, salute them, lead around to the
! OppOSlUes auu circle with joined LIDS
into place Another feature somewhat
similar to the basket figure of l%ancers, is
seen when the ladies, forming a cross by
Joining hands with the opposite ladies, are
encircled by q ring formed by gentlemen
with Joined hands, when all move TO the
left, the ladies marching and the gentle
men gliding, keeping opposite partners.
The fifth number is properly considered
the climax OF the Octagon. The first and
second couples march to the center, right
and left about face and march back t
places. The first couple faces outward,
with lady on the left. Then the second
couple remarChes to its place, the gentle
man extends his left hand to his partner
both, turning half round, face in the same
direction as the first couple. The COrne,
couples, five and eight, join hands in lint
of four behind the first couple, while side
couple, three and four joir
hands behind the corner couples
thus formed. Corner couples, six ant
seven, form behind them, and thus all
facing in one direction execute a neat bal
ancc step. Those in the center lines then
raise their joined hand 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 or
the other side, thus forming two arbOrs
The first couple seperate and, the lady
passing under the arbor on the right, the
gentlemen under that on the left, regain
their places. The figures il repeated unit
all the couples in alienation have led.
Preceding and terminating the number
a grand promenade chain is formed.
There are also a number of new round
dances in vogue in the East this season
among them being the Columbia anC
American gavotte. These, while sprightly
are simple and graceful and will in course
of time become very popular. The Co
lumbia resembles the redOwa glace, whil'
the gavotte is something like the Esmer
aida.