The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-08

TO Pope Plus X. The story was that the
Pope found the tango. a. danced before
. him. a very dull affair indeed. Tie was
reported to have said he did not see how
it could amuse or interest any one. and
~ a sequel to this expression of opinion
to have mentioned an old Venetian dance
which he had seen in his youth and which
he considered very graceful and attractive.
This dance was the furlana.
At this season of the year it is Monte
Carlo that indicates the course Of fashion.
and Monte Carlo was not slow to seize
upon an opportunity for launching new
dance which had in 1t all the elements
81 popular success. The other after
noon at IA tango tea given at the Hotel
Metropole the furlana WAS exhibited Tor
the first time as "A show dance and ii scored
an immediate success. Without doubt
it is charming. and though the steps seem
complicated they present no difficulties
To dancers who have mastered the intri-
cate movements of the Argentine tango
or Of the maxixe. The music is inspiring
not unlike a Rloriied ragtime. but with
q splendid swing running through it,.
As for the dance itself. it seems at first
sight like mixture Of tango and make
and onestep. II is all these and much
more besides. and I shai he very much
surprised il it does not become immensely
popular.
The furlana is essentially Il sdance Of
youth You can imagine indeed, one
often sees the painful reality-inddle
aged persons dancing the tango: but the
furlana. no, II would be too absurd
The lit of the pusic suggests gay laughter
and twinkling feet and fresh young faces
1t il exceedingly graceful. but il would
he very difioult to make IL laneuid
| think il would be impossible TO iuake
it object onable III any sense of the word
have been interested to observe thai
the best dancers IN Monte Carlo this
season. that is to say the hest amateurs.
are Americans. Almost every after
noon at the Metropole tango teas on"
aces very good looking New Worker
dancing vigorously and he is quite a.,
good as most OF the professionals. Al
the same teas ] have seen an American
bud" who might be described as the
poetry of motion. This lovely girl danced
the furlana at one OF these teas with an
Italian teacher who had given her les
sons and she danced it to perfection
When she sat down "A ripple OF hearty
applause rang through the room. OF
course one expects to find American
young men and girls doing the ra.,time
dances to perfection. but II Is amazing
TO find that they are equally successful,
in the tango and inaxiN..
IT I We're asked 20 name the best all
round dancers in the world should Ger
tsiply choose Americans. Engiishncn
waltz well and Of course the Spaiiards
are inimtablo in their own special genre.
but looking at tue question Of dancing
from broad viewpoint | should give
the laurel wreath TO America
With regard 10 tho tango. ] believe II
70 los dying OUT. ! mean the craze for il
. That j, is "a charming and seductive dance
cannot be denied; that il IL suitable for
ordinary drawing rooms Ii "A moot point.
One il constantly hearing that this tango
or that is quite free from offence. Very
likely But are these very correct tangos
At all liAe the genuine article; And If not
why call this modified dance tango. II
il u fact that up to very recently the
tango was never danced in drawing rooms
in the Argentine Republic. 1t was rec
ognized as "A dance Of the cabarets. OF
the theatres II was regarded there
very much as the Spanish tango is re
gardcd in Spain. Now, | am told. the
suIart set IN Buenos Ayres IL beginning
to dance the tango at private enter
taiDmepts, but It IL an eloquent fact
that the Argentine Minister in Paris
refused to permit the dance to 100 per
formed i'm his house or 10y any member
OF his family
II Il q CURIOUS situation and ono which
IL now being studied rather seriously by
a good many society women. ! believe
that the advent OF the furlana will he n real
relief TO mart hostesses who wish 70 be
In the swim but do not care about taking
up anything which has been openly con-
demned In royal circles. ! saw recently
q list OF don Is" connected with the tango
Don't move your shoulders don't sway
your hips" "don't hold your partner
tightly" don't bend your knees" &c
This is all very we'll and no doubt the result
would be "A highly proper dance. but-not
an Argentine tango.
On a recent afternoon at the Metropole
some very smart and attractive gowns
we're worn and many fascinating hats and
touues The double tunic. worn over
finely plcsted skirt. IN very much in evil
dence at Monte Carlo this season. and these
gowns are frequently made OF shot taffeta
or Of taiTeta and gauze mixed.
Mrs. Arthur Wilson came over from
St Jean for the furlana tea on this occa sion
and in her party there were several very
pretty girls. Ono Of these danced the
make so well that the applause almost
amounted to an encore. She wore n little
Paris gown made of sapphire blue taheta.
and there were two short tunics which
stood away slightly from the draped skirt,
There WAS a bolcro coatee, also in tafeta
which was crossed at the back nd fastened
by n single large button in a very uncom-
mon style. The coatee opened over a
decollete blouse Of Valencienncs lace and
white chiffon.
The hat was n specially fascinating
affair; one of the small round shapes
which are slightly turned up all round
aud IT. we'll down on the head. For trim
ring il had single rose OF great beauty
which jutted out over the briD at the
left side The girl wore cothurnes in
black patent leather over sapphire blue
silk rtockinRs For a dance costume IL