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Show 50 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. schools, and few have distinguished themselves in the art which they pretend to teach. Many there are of ordinary abilities, who, far from increasing the number of good dancers, are daily diminishing it, and whose defective mode of instruction imparts a variety of vicious habits, which the pupil afterwards finds extremely difficult, nay sometimes, impossible to eradicate. Neither follow the precepts of simple unpractised theorists, utterly incapable of demonstrating clearly the true principles of the art: nor be guided by the imaginary schemes of innovating speculators, who, whilst they think themselves contributing to ameliorate the elementary rules of dancing, are gradually working its destruction. Carefully shun the baneful lessons of such preceptors ; and seek to place yourself under the direction of an experienced master, whose knowledge and talent will serve as true guides to perfection, and point out the path that leads to pre-eminence. I shall in the next place recommend you seriously to consider your personal qualifications and mental dispositions, for the art you attempt to learn. Can you be passionately fond of it ? Can your chief delight be concentrated in its study and practice ? Are you in most respects adapted to it ? If in yourself you meet with a negative to these questions never expect to excel, nor even to attain the order of tolerables and passables. B e not discouraged at difficulties. Every obstacle is surmounted by perseverance and reiterated exercise. Remember the painter's advice to his pupils: Nulla dies sine linea. Nothing is of greater importance in dancing than frequent practice ; to masters even it is necessary, to students indispensible. No other art demands a stricter attention in this particular; without it, he that has made himself perfect cannot long remain so ; he soon loses part |