Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-14

This rigorous system, however, is only for
the professional. The amateur, who would
learn dancing for the pleasure that it gives
as we'll as to improve her physical condi-
ton, should begin as early as possible, but
she need not despair, even in mature years
of acquiring. in a degree the ease and gra ce
which comes from practicing the different
steps.
Will Reduce Hips.
If one wishes to reduce a too pronounced
embonpoint about the waist and hips, let
her practice in the privacy of her ROOM
with herself alone for teacher, some or all
of the following movements:
Standing correctly, rest the weight upon
the left foot and step forward on the right
foot With the knee bent, gradually trans
fer the weight of the body from the left to
the right foot and leg, leaving the left leg
extended. Bend the body forward slightly,
then straighten and throw it backward as
the weight is again brought upon the left
foot. Reverse the movement.
Keeping the shoulders perfectly still, the
body erect, and the head we'll poised, ex-
tend the right foot forward, touching the
toe to the floor on line directly in front of
the position from which it started. Lift
the foot up from the floor when moving 1t.
The weight of the body must remain on the
stationary foot. The movement, of course,
must alternate, first with the right, then
with the left foot.
Extend the foot at the side and touch
lightly the side Of the toe, stretching the
instep as straight as possible. Keep the
shoulders square and to the front.
To develop the ankles and calves rising
on the toes is excellent practice. Step for
ward with the right foot as in walking.
Bring the left heel up beside the right, at
the same time quickly rising on the toes
and lowering the heels to position. Step for
ward with the left foot. Bring up the right
foot rise on the toes and lower the naels
TO position. Step backward with the right
foot and draw the left foot back beside the
right. Rise on the toes and lower the heels
to position. Make the same mavements with
the left foot leading.
. After rising on the toes as high as posi-
BILE, put the heels down slowly, with the
weight of the body remaining on the for
ward part of the foot after the heels are
lowered.
Step forward with the right foot, with
the knee bent Without moving the foot
straighten the knee and transfer the weight
to the rear foot and bend the rear knee
Sway forward to the first position, then to
the second, and SO on, back and forth, ten
or fifteen times.
In bending for grace, take the correct
standing position. Bend the body forward,
raise It, and curve first one arm and then
the other above the head, or on level with
it. Lift the chest and then the head, With
a graceful, arching movement. This move
ment also inSureS an easy polSe or the mead
and corrects any angular gestures.
Try Toe-Tripping.
One acquires great fiexibility, an impor-
tant part in gracefulness, by this toe
tripping, or pas de seul. Society maids and
matrons practice the step. sometimes taxi
ing instructions from a mistress of the
ballet
mot that we wish to learn the art Of
tripping gracefully on the point of one big
toe dear nor they assure you But we
sryich To lyA on col Mi n
ole''
For this reason they also learn the skirt
dance and the fandango. which are really
classic forms of toetripping.
The courtesy salutation, they must
also learn. This is practiced to perfection
in the minuet, which is one continuous
movement from beginning to end of the
great art of bending and rising properly. 1t
is this which makes 1t one the most
charming and beautiful of dances-the
dance of ceremony, Of politeness, of chival-
ry, as it is called.
Elegance must mark every movement, and
each turn of the head an. every glance of
the eye has a subtle meaning. Indeed, it
was said In Olden times that the history of
courtship was contained in the minuet, from
the first advance to the final SURRENDER in
the low courtesy.
With Patches and Wigs.
The minuet is always associated in our
minds with lovely woman in patch and wig.
In 1914, when powder went out of fashion,
so did hoops and this stately dance Nor
was it revived until 1915, when Queen Vic
toria gave costume ball in Buckingham
Palace.
The New York belle is giving it new
vogue So much, indeed, is the minuet in
favor with society folk that every debu-
tante Is expected to know the dance, al
though 1t cannot be said, as formerly, that
dancing the minuet is the crucial test to a
rosebud just entering society.
OF the debutantes of this season, Miss
Jean Reid, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Wh1telaw Reid, is a charming minuet dan
Ger.
Other debutante devotees of this measure
are the great heiresses, Miss May Goelet,
Miss Nora Iselin, the Misses Gladys and
beatrice Mills, Miss Frederick Vanderbilt
Webb. Miss Alice Roosevelt and her cou-
sin, Miss Dorothy Roosevelt; the Misses
Evelyn and Jessie Sloane and Miss Marion
Fish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steuyve-
SAINT Fish.
10 make the minuet courtesy the right
loot Is carried about nine inches from the
left foot and placed parallel to it, while the
lady turns partly to her partner Then the
LETT FOOT is carried back to the rear of the
right foot At the same time the knees are
bent and the body carried backward while
executing the movements The courtesy is
completed by the lady facing her partner.
When making courtesy to a gentleman
at the right, the first movement is made
with the left foot. The movements, both
pending and rising, are made slowly and
with as stately grace as one can COM
mand.
The Graceful Pavane
Another dance in great favor in the smart
salons Is the graceful payane an old meas