Code of Terpsichore the art of dancing, comprising its theory and practice, and a history of its rise and progress, from the earliest times

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RISE A N D PROGRESS OF DANCING. 43 the time of the entrechats. These eight lines are admirable, and may serve as a lesson to dancers. Marino describes with exactness the principal action, and every movement accompanying the spriug from the ground. But our dancers would not he much encouraged in those violent efforts, which, although natural, are far from being graceful. The entrechat must be performed in an easy manner. The strength of the instep and tension of the calves and loins give a sufficient impulse to the body. But facility and elegance in doing this can be acquired only by dint of study, and constant practice. 23. W e have already observed that lightness, elevation, vivacity, vigour and elasticity, are essential qualities to form a good dancer. The poet again in­troduces them to our notice, and makes a proud display of them in the Goddess of dancing. 24. Vide the Chica. 25. This dance, in the course of time, changed its character into one of a nobler kind. The philosopher of Geneva says, with regard to its music •. Sarabande " Air d'une danse grave, portant le meme nom, laquelle parait nous §tre venue d'Espagne, et se dansait autrefois avec des castagnettes. Cette danse n'est plus en usage, si ce n'est dans quelques vieux operas Fran-cais. L'air de la sarabande est a trois terns lents." 26. The Chaccone, also degenerated in the days of our forefathers. The above quoted author speaks of its music in the following terms :-" Chaccone, sorte de piece de musique faite pour la danse, dont la mesure est bien marquee et le mouvement modere. La chaccone est nee en Italie, et elle y etait au­trefois fort en usage, de meme qu'en Espagne. On ne la connalt plus en France, que dans les vieilles partitions*." W e thus see that the Italians and Spanish now and then made a mutual exchange of their national dances. The Minuet is, of all ancient dances, that which has continued longest in vogue. But it has undergone various modifications and changes. It origi­nated in Poitou, and after having acquired a little dignity, became a par­ticular favourite at all French and Italian balls. 27- The Sarao is a proof of that abundance of national dances which the Spaniard possesses. The Sarao is an assembly held at private houses * Jean Jacques wrote this about sixty years ago. Since that time fresh Chacconcs have been composed, and are still danced in Paris.