The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-08
WALKING, HOLD YOUR PARTNER LIGHTLY.

q De men who are devotees of the
waltz, attention. Here IL an i'm
perative message for you from the
National Association of Dancing
Masters, whose convention has
5ust closed in Asbury park. No longer Is
II good form TO hold your partner so
tightly that you crush her finery and her
roses. You must unlearn the lessons OF
last year. This Is imperative.
The position which has been adopted is
not new. 1t is old as the waltz itself. II
Is the position which all good dancing
masters indorse as correct Faddists in
dancing teach new position every sea-
son, and freak dancers follow their In
structions, sometimes with results start
ling TO behold. But the conservatives al
I ways teach this position, which is In
dorsed by the National Association OF
= Dancing Masters.
You must extend your left hand TO your
partner. taking her right. simply permit
ting the tips of your fingers to close over
hers. Her hand must be held In such a
position that the right arm is slightly
curved.
You may not spread your right hand
all over the back OF her chiffon waist.
The fingers must be clustered together, so
that the tips alone wfll touch her. just
over the spine at the waist line. Her
little above the elbow. Then the associa-
tion gives you this parting admonition--
that you must hold your partner lightly.
That IL supcrfiuous, because IL their pre-
vious instructions are followed you can
not do otherwise than hold her lightly.
Here are the rules In detail:
1.-THE gentleman offers his left hand
TO tho lady and she places her right hand
1.-THE gentleman closes his left hand
firmly around the fady's right.
3-The lady curves her left arm and
rests the left hand above her partners
1.-The fingers OF the gentlemans right
hand are clustered and merely touch his
partner at the waist line.
S-The walters now begin to revolve In
time with the music virtually holding
each other at arms length.
Nothing prettler has been seen for
many seasons than the three new dances
adopted by the National Association Of
Asbury Park. They are clever combi-
nation of familiar movements. with
enough originality In their composition
10 give distinction 10 them.
As danced by August II. Fricke. OF
Philadelphia. they are prophetic OF future
popularity. THE Asbury." particularly.
II dance that will promptly win favor.
II is not too fast. and is graceful and
rhythmic.
"There will be no radical changes in
the dance this year" says Mr.. Fricke.
The waltz will be the ever popular glide.
with the slight dip that Is a consequence
of the rhythmic motion of the entire
body. That IL the perfect waltz. There
Ii nothing new In the position we In
dorsed. 1t Ii the old position. the only
one which IL In accord with the laws Of
good taste.
'Our Endorsement OF II was an effort on
the part OF the association to prevent the
young from dancing with their arms
around each other. This Is custom
much to be deplored. II brings the dance
into disrepute. We discussed this ques-
ton seriously at the recent convention.
We realise that many persons condemn
the dance because of this custom.
Tho great mass Of dancers viii do
a. they please. despite our decision. but
Va have done all we possibly can do In
the matter. n the arm is held out. 1t In
in the way, or II grows weary and Is
doubled up with the hand on the shout
der. Then II In certain to slide around
the neck. or course. It II easier to dance