The Washington herald., 1907-08-04

lation of some foolish story to the effect
that the President had refused to dance
with the Queen, or that the latter had
declined to figure as the partner of the
chief magistrate of the French republic.
Some queens are extremely fond OF
dancing, and at their courts foreign en-
voys have owed many OF their diplomatic
successes to the favor which they found
in the eyes of the royal ladies as part
ners in the waltz. Count Nigra, who died
the other day, was able to reconcile En-
press Eugene to his obstruction of her
various political aims. by the genius
which he displayed in leading the cOtl-
Ions AT her Mondays. Count S0lms con-
tributed 10 bring about Italy's adhesion
10 the Triple Alliance, through the favor
which he acquired in the eyes Of Queen
Marguerite, as her best waltZer while
the privileged position which Gen. de
BOisdeffre enjoyed at St. Petersburg,
first as military attache and afterward
as special ambassador OF France. was
mainly due to the fact that the now
widowed Czarina found in him her most
indefatigable partner in round dances.
Just what object the international con-
gress of dancing expects TO accomplish
next year by means of its deliberations !
am unable to say. Nor am I aware in
what manner the various countries tax
ing part therein will be represented. Judg-
ing from the above. it is probable that
cabinet officer or a diplomat Of ambassa-
dOrial rank will be selected TO head the
miSsion-PTesident Roosevelt would have
no difficulty in making choice Of this
kind-and instead of attaching to the dele
cation experts in International law, or in
the art OF war, il would be necessary TO
select some of our best known and most
popular dancing masters for the purpose.
It is understood that the congress will
devise means for the preservation of ma
tional dances, and also for some common
understanding on the subject of the steps
In waltzes and quadrilles so that all
danger may be averted Of political com
plications arising from a lack Of har-
mony between two official partners of d.f-
erent nationality on the ballroom floor.
For the quadrille and the waltz are, after
all, what may be described as the two Of
fetal dances. and like the language Of
courts, Of state, and Of diplomacy, in the
old world, they are French.
many pLbHlL iGAtDl ullICl AllN III O'7itilA
that the waltz is of modern origin, owing
TO the fact that Is was comparatively un-
known in America or in England until
the early part Of the nineteenth century.
But it was brought originally from Prov
ence 10 the court Of Henry II Of France,
at FOntalnebleau, by the Comte de
Saulte. Mary, Queen Of Scots, imported
il into Scotland. For history records her
as having incurred the bitter wrath and
fierce denunciation Of John Knox and Of
other divines of the Land O. Cakes for
dancing It on one memorable occasion at
the Palace of Holyrood, at Edinburgh. To-
ward the end Of the seventeenth century
it was danced throughout Southern Ger
many and Austria, the celebrated waltz
tune and popular song. % DU liebeT Au-
gustin,' dating from 1870 but as already
stated, it was not until the first two dec
AIDES Of the nineteenth century that il
made its appearance in England and the
United States, when Il was alternately
denounced and lauded by the poets of the
epoch. one bard delivering himself OF the
following opinion,
while waltzing females With unblushing face
Dis;lain 10 dance but in mails embrace"
Whereas, on the other hand Lord By
ron writes rs follows.
"Eudcaring waltz. to thy more melting tune.
By Irish jig and ancient ugad00n.'