New-York tribune., 1907-09-07
"ON WITH THE D4NCEt"
A Wholesome Erercise - Greek
Methods AdUiSed for MOderns.

Inc value OF OaHclIlS, only as a pnySlCal
exercise. not merely as means of recreation,
but as an aid to aesthetic development is be
ginning to regain the place it held in the esti-
nation of the ancients The term dancing
should not be understood as meaning simply the
ability to dance the two-step even the waltz,
As a social diversion to-day only the two-step
is commonly danced, both to the rhythm of
waltz and to march music. According to Oscar
Duryea, the president of the Duryea Normal
School Of the Art Of Dancing and 442sthetics in
this city, the waltz itself threatens to become
lost art in America, and is, he declares, taught
correctly only by a few instructors in dancing
in this country This he feels to be a distinct
misfortune as. in his opinion, the waltz is of
much more value than the two-step in every
way.
WHAT Is MEANT BY DANCING"
What is meant by dancing as here used. is
the knowledge and practice of step dancing ard
of folk and national dances and of the higher
forms of dancing which bring into play all the
muscles of the body and impart grace and ele-
e-ance of movement 20 those who become adept
in them. Even if only step dancing and national
dances are attempted however, they will be
found to be exceedingly interesting both as
study and amusement, and will contribute
largely TO the physical improvement OF the
dancers, imparting suppleness, strength and
grace
Suppleness is. in fact, synonymous with dane
ing and dancing produces stamina Muscle in
dica1es strength, but the strength of the strong
est is easily overcome by suppleness and stani-
ina The great universities and colleges have
come to an acknowledgment of the great ad-
vantages of dancing, and jigs. reels and step
dancing. as well as other forms. are now includ-
co in the gynnastic exercises to produce better
men and women physically.
ITS PHYSICAL ADVANTAGES.
The aim of the physical instructor is not
merely produce strong man or woman, but
to produce with staying powers; and for
this suppleness is needed above everything else
The man who is to win collegiate athletic honors
for his university is the man who can stay, and
stay indefinitely, because his muscles are not
only well developed but are pable and supple
enough to do their work without soreness or
excessive fatigue from continuous repetition.
Such muscles must be like the parts Of a care
fully oiled machine, running smoothly without
5ar or shock. Women also profit by the practice
Of dancing, and the exercise is especially adapt
ed TO their needs and physiques 1t is far less
violent than most other forms Of physical de-
veJopr,eut and il gives not only endurance but
that grace, elegance and freedom of movement
that are so much sought after and so difficult
TO obtain by any other means. When asked
what dance was best fitted to produce these de-
sired results Mr. Duryea suggested that the
study of Greek dancing one Of the best
introductions for the beginner TO the higher
forms of the art
Dancing" said Mr.. Duryea. may not make
women beautiful but it makes for beauty, and
base this assertion upon some remarkable in
stances that have come under my personal OBJ
servation Woman does not try to fulfil her
destiny if she does try for beauty; dancing
attunes the mind TO the beautiful, and mind
governs matter-the body.
DANCING POETS"
"C,recian poetry and dancing Mr.. Duryea
continued were undoubtedly closely, even in
trnately. related; Greek poets themselves often
teaching the choruses. or those who performed
the dancing which expressed the ideas Of their
poems Thesbes, Pratinas and Phrynichus were
called dancing poets Plato says that one kind
Of dancing initiates musical recitation and aims
at preserving dignity and freedom, the other
aims at producing health, agility and beauty in
the limbs and parts Of the body, giving the
proper fexion and extension TO each of them;
harmonious motion being diffused everywhere,
and forming suitable accompaniment to the
dance Cevaert in his NIusique de PAntiquite,'
says that ancient poetry is already music from
the point Of view of rhythm; to make real mel
ody Of il, the composer has only TO adopt mel
odic contour Pato's opinion on the educational
value Of dancing is well worth quoting: 'Educa-
ton is given through Apollo and the MUSES., and
he who is well educated VIII be able to sing and
dance Well
AN AID TO ORAL EXPRESSION.
THE early Greek poets appear to have devot-
ed much Of their time to teaching new rhythml-
cal movements the dancing Of their choruses,
nd ran Safal ne eaid invented