The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-09

Down the ages can be traced his ma
tural luminosity towards any reform
Of the accepted dance. When figure
dance gave way To the square: later
on when the square dance was
usurped by the round dance. and now.
when the new school OF dancing has
entirely driven out the old, Voice
nave been raised in protest and the
unjust charge of immortality has been
made. OF course. the modern dances
can pe made TO appear vulgar. il per
formed by vulCarly inclined dancers.
but the same criticism applies To the
stage and To the novel. Let those Of
the older generation, who still severe
~ comment on the younger genera
tlon s dance-madneSS. Just remember
that the present day Tango fever will
never half equal the epidemic with
which our Observation-Disclosures twist
ed, turned and whirled through the
Polka.
The dances of the present-day are
moving directly toward the seven
teenth century court dances and the
Tango, Hesitation Waltz and Maxine
of today, when danced well, are
equally as dignifed and beautiful.
The present fashion of rhythmic TX
ercise is proving a well-spring of good
spirits and a fountain of youth for
millions Of men and ome When
has 1t ever been heard of in the world
of fashion that the head designers in
Paris could be dictated to? But the
unheard of has come to pass. The
tight fitting. heavy, voluminous
clothes of the past three or four gen
erations have been cast on the BAR
gain counter and women are begin
ming to wear sensible clothes. And
what has caused this? The dance
OF course people 'trotted," what else
could they do in hobble skirts, high
collars and tight shoes? But once
Paris started to dance, Dame Fashion
was forced to quickly change hel
ways. Simple CoifTures have now be
come the fashion, because they do not
become untidy when dancing. Seer
no more is the awkward train and
we are fast witnessing the death O
he narrow skirt.
Good Effect in Health.
But perhaps the greatest attain.
health. When one dances. eminen
physicians affirm, one unconsciously
brings into exercise all the muscle,
t of the body. Some one has sale al
l the evils Of a WOman's life are sum
? mde up in the Words-"One grey hal
2 is a tragedy, fifteen extra pounds is
Z, heart break, and a double chin is tn,
end OF life's illusions,' How man,
I men, as we'll as women, are beginnin;
I to realize that the dance is the rem
edy? 1t is told how q very rich oil
gentleman travelled two continents t
: find a cure for his gout-and foun,
it at last at his country club dancin
: the Tango.
J No longer will thousands of peopl
daily have to undergo the fortunes G
q bobbing up and down, wringing an
t bending their heads to do away wit
e the dreaded avOirdupois-if they wi
I only dance. And they are doing
I too-old and Dung, equity and rheu
matte! The average person of tOda,
if he does not dance, is either an il
h valid or a piano player.
So if the people still insist hat tn
n way the modern dances are done
f vulgar, would it not be a splendi
d thing to to establish dance halls a
over this country Of ours, that will be
e properly run with Instructors to teac
e the new dances in a refined and moo
h est way? We cannot suppress tia
@ which is natural and normal, for tn
v prohibiting Of dancing sets up that a
Il Turing sign forbidden Fruit" Their
d fore will it not be better rather to eI
n courage proper d~ancing-an art Whic
Ie is a pleasure, brings to the frOl
courtesy, grace of body and ease
J. manner and last and foremost, is a
d healthful exercise which develops
+ Joyous and healthful mind
a