New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-12
DANCING A MILITARY DUTY.

herman courts OF law being called upon
&c determine the question as TO whether dancing
IS part ard parcel Of the military duty Of army
oIncers Il seems that como artillery officers hav-
ing organized a subscription ball were called upon
by the local authorities 10 pay the customary tax
On pleasures, known as the Observation-Disclosures :"
Hrd declined to comply. on the ground that dancing
vas Part of their military duty. and therefore
einpt from taxation
The officers certain to win their case for
they can show that proficiency in dancing is ex-
acted from the subalterns of regiments bv their
commanding officers, especially when the regiments
IN question happen TO belong TO the Berlin Pots
dam garrison. Not long after the accession OF EN-
peror William TO the throne there were many
RIDICULOUS mishaps on the highly polished and par
quoted floors at the court balls that the Kaiser
summoned the generals commanding the various
troops stationed in and around Berlin and instruct
ed them to direct those Of their officers who were
not able to dance properly 70 acquire proficiency in
the art in order 10 avoid making faux-pas when
attending imperial entertainments Since then young
ocers are put through their PAGES by their seniors
and have to display n certain mastery IN dances
around the billiard mess table before they are
allowed 10 dance at court
Iumbles at court balls far frequent
than is generally believed. At Vienna court ball
young secretary of the Rumanian Legation fell
unfortunately while dancing with one of the
archduChesses that he actually came down in a
sitting position on her face and caused her Haps-
burg nose to bleed It need scarcely be added that
lie left Vienna the next day. and week later OBJ
talned his transfer to another post. I remember
on one occasion at n court ball Mt Berlin when Il
young subaltern incurred the anger of the late
Prince Frederick Charles by tripping up his part
ner. The Red Prince assailed the young officer so
bitterly that Emperor Frederick then heir ap-
parent, was obliged TO intervene short time be-
fore the tragedy OF Meyerling Crown Princess
stepharie had n very nasty fall. owing the
gaucherie of q cavalry officer with whom she was
Waiting. The Emperor was extremely annoyed
and Crown Prince Rudolph spoke his mind in no
measured tones 10 the offender. Throughout the
reign Of the late Emperor William watzes were
forbidden at the court of Berlin. owing 10 the fact
with young noblenan at a court ball not long
after her marriage suddenly trpped up IN
adVertently by her partner and precpitated to the
moor at the very feet of old Empress Augusta.
The latter who was terrible despot the score
or etiquette. could not bear the idea Of a dance
which could have the effect OF placing a princess
OF the blood in such uudignifed position. and
turning q deaf 70 all arguments about the
mishap being due 10 the awkwardness of the
dancer rather than to the dance itself, she vetoed
the inclusion OF the waltz thenceforth IN all pro-
gTammes Of court balls.
At the Tuileries one occasion a middle aged
officer and his fair partner came to grief at the
very feet of Napoleon III. As the Emperor ex-
marked TO her very gently: Madame. cest IA
deuxieme fois que jai tomber NJ. le Colonel. La
premiere fois c'etat le champ de batRille de
Magenta" CMadame. this is the second time that
I have seen the colonel fall. The first time
the battle field Of Magenta)
Al court balls Il Is always young officers who
are called upon 10 direct the dances. At the Aus
TRAN and German courts they called "VOrtaen-
GER and are selected for the purpose by the
monarch. AS a general rule they lead off the ball
and parcel Of their military duty. All this goes to
show that dancing IS one Of the duties Of officers
Of the army
MARQUIsE DE FONTENOy.