The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-19

with special music. Bessie Clayton in the Fonies of 1909, and others to numerous to mention. All the best dancers the world has ever known were pantomimists Adeline Genee, Isadora Duncan, Maud Allen, Ruth St. Dennis, Loie Fuller and all the other dancers whose names are familiar use pantomime in their inter pretations.' !"
 And do you consider dancing a help Tn physical culture. Tell me your ideas about that2" l asked.
 'I have always contended that the old idea of teaching calisthenics for strength was wholly wrong said Mir. Miles. ITO build up graceful bodies you must train in graceful measures. In dancing every muscle in exercised and yet every move- ment is grace personified.
 Whatsoever a man soweth that shalt he also reap is no more true of scriptural teaching than it is of other things. Teach grace and freedom of movement and you reap grace and freedom. Teach the at tainment of strength by merely mechani- cal means and you will gain strength at the expense of grace.
 T teach grace, and the boise of body and strength of muscles come of their own accord. Dancing combines al lof these elements. To aim at beauty and grace of manner tends to beautify the mind.
 So, from a standpoint of health, you think dancing benehcial?" I suggested
 "I will quote you what the famous Dr. Sargent, physical director of Harvard. says" replied MT Miles. " He says, Ten per cent of the people. including college students and professional men, come to the gymnasium wearied in brain, but not in body, and demand recreative exercises instead of disciplinary gymnastics. The remaining 90 per cent, including wom- en and children, have not the ability to hold themselves down consistently to a disa greeable task because it Is thought to be the proper or the correct thing 10 do. Such mental and physical efforts as they make are prompted by the stin- ulus of necessity, and all extra efforts must afford immediate pleasure in do- ing or promise of pleasure, as the re- ward. Dancing gives free play to the lungs, brightens the mind, gives self-con- fidence and exercises the limbs under dis ciplinary supervision. The American girl takes to dancing as a duck to water, and these traits are all telling preceptibly upon her health and bearing.'"
 ~ And the fancy dances are commended for health, as well as grace" I said.
 For both," replied MT. Miles. For boise, balance and quiet grace there Is nothing to equal the minuet, and for grace and freedom of manner nothing is more admirable than the various Russian dances, in which the steps of the polka, mazurka and polonaise figure prominently. The Russian calp dance is well liked. and among other national dances the tarantelle. the Spanish fandango, the hop mo amka, a Swedish favorite; the Danish ring dance, the tantli. form of the schottfsche, and the French pa- vane, very like the minuet; as well as la volta, of Provence, very similar to the American waltz.''
 Dancing appeals to such large ma jority that it may be looked upon as a perennial joy" I suggested, "and from a social. as well as from a professional standpoint, we will see great innovations this season, no doubt"
 "Yes, everywhere the revival of danc- ing is notable" was the reply. "and New York is to see real dancing this winter The Imperial Russian ballet said to be the greatest and most costly in the world Is coming to this country. The premiere, Mile. Pav1ova, is said to have the won derfu1 Genee out-classed and M. Nijin- sky is a marvel. MT. Clalif, who danced in the Russian ballet for years, relates wonderful stories of his ability to leap and remain suspended in midair while he dances gracefully. Paris, Berlin and Lon don have set their stamp of approval on these dancers and New York is cer- tain to do the same. It would seem where may other forms of exercise lose their novelty, dancing almost fnvaribly holds the interest. It has always been called with delight by people of all ages and na- tions, not only for It's educa tional value, but as a most charming form of recre- atfon and diversion"