The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-06-20
DANCING.

we see dancing mentioned. 1t was
| practlced among the ancient Israel
ties, the ancient Greeks and other
nations OF antiquity. In the Grecian
mythology, one of the seven muses. is
represented as the goddess of dancing.
This goes to prove that like music
dancing must have been cultivated as
an accomplishment, at verv remote
period: savage and barbarous nations
also have their dances. The Africans
are noted for their great love of music.
and dancing according to the state
ment or certain writer when the sun
goes down all Africa dances. In the
East dancing is only performed by the
women. 1he two sexes never dance
together. as in Europe. In the remote
towns OF Spain where many of the
Moorish customs still linger the
dancing differs from that in other parts
OF Europe. In some respects these
dances resembles those of the Orien-
tals with this exceptions that both
males and females dance together.
The Spanlard has too much gallantry
70 look at the ladies dance alone.
ihey are people that pass much of
their time in the open air. Their
beautiful climate seems to favor this
custom. When night approaches and
the glorious moon beams on light the
world, they retire to some favorite re-
sort selected for that purpose, where
the balrly night air is rendered fra
grant by the surrounding gardens and
orange groves. 1t is here the Ande-
luslan damsels love to sing and dance
away the night, to the sound of the
castinets and the melody cf their
tavorlte instrument the guitar. Dane
ing Is often mentioned in the Bible.
Christ spoke of it more than once :
but in no instance did he condemn it.
solomon says there is time to dance.
But there are two instances mentioned
III the Bible, where great mischief re-
suited from dancing. The first is
where Jacob and his family were
thrown into trouble by allowing his
daughter to attend a dance at a har-
vestlng. In another place it is men
toned that the daughter of Herodias
dance before Herod In reward for
which she demanded the head of
John the Baptist in charger 1t
is related of Mr.. Veins who was the
author of the life of Mr.. Marion and of
general Washington that he was not
only clergyman of his time but a
skllful performer on the violin when
ever he was called upon to celebrate
a marriage ceremony, his violin was
10 more forgotten than his prayer
book.
When the ceremony was over he
then tuned up his violin and PLAYED
for them to dance. John Bunyon
who live lived long before Veins, was
also preacher. He was the author
of that beautiful allegory called the
Pilgrims Progress. In that work Oh an
occasion he introduced music and dane
ing among his pilgrims on their way
to the Celestial City. From the fore
going remarks one might conclude
there is 10 harm in dancing at least in
the abstract or when confined within
limits. But since the days of Parson
Veins things have changed. The
clergy of all denominations have COM
menced to oppose it on the grounds
that The excess and abuses that of late
years that attend dancing conflict too
much with moral and religious training.
In many places they have entirely sup
pressed 1t. In the the remote districts
)f the South many years ay.f balls
were little more than were social gath
-ring of families in neighborhood.
md their kiudred. The only refresh
provided, Were cakes and coffee some
lines "A substantial supper. In some
houses decanter of old peach or
We was produced, but this was for
he old men who came with their
antilles and whose dancing days had
ong passed. The men did not drink.
It was considered impolite to drink
nd dance with lady. The young
nel who We're invited as guests were
frequently the musicians, who plaved
~ turns. When this could non be
lone some old darky from the plai.ta-
ION was called upo1 to act rs the
)rphens of the assembly, whose Gaal
i:atlons as fiddler required h,a TO be
sood on "break down. tie favorite
style of dancing III these days and It'll!
Kept mp III some of the distant settle
htnts. lie comes out in his best suit.
Which Is seconded handed of course in
ashton dating perhaps quarter Of a
century backand dilapidated stovepipe
lat tomateh. He comes forward thus
lgSed pretty much i'll the style of
Dandy Jim of Carolina. His fees are
small, this however with a supper and
good cup Of coffee lie is perfectly
atlstied. Nothing pleases him better
han to play for the white folks to
lance; Now and then in playing lie