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Show PRIVATE DANCING. 503 THE WALTZ. T H I S dance, which, as w e have already said, came to us from Switzerland, has been modified and embellished by passes and groupings, in order to introduce variety to its monotony. The waltzes which w e term La Russe and La Sauteuse are derived from it. It is composed of two steps, each of three beats to a bar, which also contains three terns, according to musical principles. Each of these two steps performs the demi-tour, or half-turn of the waltz, which lasts during one bar; the two steps united form, therefore, the whole waltz, executed in two bars. These steps differ one from the other, yet so as to fit one into the other, if it may be so expressed, during their performance, and in such a manner as to prevent the feet of one from touching and endangering those of the other ; thus while the gentleman performs one step, the lady dances the other, so that both are executed with uninterrupted exactness, as will be clearly demonstrated. In order to perform one of these waltz steps, place your feet in the third position, the right foot forward, then advancing the right foot in the natural way, not turning it out, to place it in the fourth position (first time), then immediately bring forward the left foot, turning the toe inward, and placing it crossways before the other foot, to form the fourth position, that foot being raised immediately, and the body is, at the same time, turned half-round ; in placing the foot for the fourth position (second 32* |
