Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-09-18
Madison, Sept. 13.

Madison, Sept. ID.
There is excitement among the dane
ing people of Madison society over the
report that came from New York the
other day to the effect that the right
hand of the lady and the left hand OF
the gentleman should hereafter be 1ree
The New York report, which was COM
mented upon by the Chicago Post IN a
somewhat facetious manner, the POST
man suggesting that the lady might be
held with a rope, is as follows:
Hereafter in the waltz and tWo-step
the woman will manage her skirts with
her right hand, while the man Will al
low his left hand to hang naturally by
his side. No other attitude will be
considered good form. The American
Society of Professors of Dancing de-
bated for two days over the change.
Just before the close Of the convention
the new position was adopted. Here is
the official description applying TO all
round dances.
.'The gentleman holding the lady by
the waist with his right hand, his lett
hand falling naturally by his side; the
left hand of the lady resting upon the
gentleman's upper arm, her right hand
lightly holding the dress.
Was Not Approved.
Prof. F. W. Kehl, who is member
of the society, said last evening that
the report is untrue and misleading.
1.-THE idea is preposterous!" he ex-
claimed. mo one would think OF
dancing in such a position and no self
respecting dancing professor would
teach it. 1t may be adopted
in second rate halls but never
in good society. The society
did not approve of it at all and the
statement that it did is nothing more
nor less than New York newspaper
sensation. Prof. Bournique, who Is
president of the society, explained the
matter on Monday as follows:
''This subject came up before the
convention, but was discussed only as
to the possibility of making the man
ner of hand holding more natural than
il has been in the past. The dancing
masters have no intention of deprlvlng
dancers of any rightful privileges. They
only desire to do away with absurdl-
ties in connection with the art.
Statements to the effect that the
man will hereafter drop his left hand
at his side during the dance, and tnus
allow his partner the freedom OF her
right hand, with opportunity to hold
L, 1nnOT-
correct. The convention recommended
that beginners be taught to waltz WITH
out taking hands, in order that the
balance of the body might be perfect.
A simple, natural holding of the hand
will be taught by the masters, and eX-
aggerated methods, such as the mans
holding the woman's hand clasped on
his shoulder, will be correspondlngly
discouraged. do not consider 1t nee
essary that woman hold up her
gown while dancing, and any provl-
sion for such work is unnecessary.
New Dances Adopted.
what new dances were adopted,
professor.
"Six new dances were introduced by
the convention-three ballroom dances
and three educational dances. Inc
first three are:
Imperial Three-Step-Polka redoWa
movement, in ga time, both in open
and waltz position.
'eThe Netherland-W Waltz movement,
in ga time, the first part slow, second
part regular time, waltz position.
'"The Observation-Disclosures, "a time,
two parts, first open position, second
waltz position.
THE three educational dances are:
'"The Gavotte Pompadour-ln AZ
time. This is danced by couples around
the hall in a circle, open position, with
the addition of a few minuet move
ments.
'The Verona Minuet-A modification
of the minuet de la occur, introduced
AS an educational dance.
Cuban waltz 10 "A time"