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Show 16 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. held in the 16th century, and of the manner in which it was executed. Connoisseurs will best appreciate its merit. Italian dancing was universally applauded, and excited the admiration and imitation of foreigners ; among whom the Spanish were the first to follow it. They at first partially succeeded ; the use of the castagnettes, which they added, produced a pleasing effect; but having in the sequel incorporated with it a multiplicity of leaps, capers, uncouth postures, and, in short, the most graceless and extravagant motions; the art of dancing in Spain became a degradation and a vice, whilst in Italy it preserved a certain dignity and decency. This corruption in style and taste among the Spaniards, must be chiefly attributed to the Chica, a dance of a very immoral nature, which the Moors had brought with them from Africa 24. The native of the Peninsula, under the influence of the climate where he is born, and with the natural heat and vivacity of his constitution, eagerly received the Chica, which soon became one of his chief delights. To this dance I therefore ascribe the indelicacy, and sometimes even the lasciviousness so common in Spanish dancing. The Chica afterwards changed its name to that of Fandango, of which Dr. Yriarte speaks in the following terms:- " T h e melodious Fandango that spreads a joy through the souls of natives and foreigners, of sages and old men."-(Abridgement of the History' of Spain.) I cannot here omit the charming description which Marino, in the above quoted poem, gives of this dance. The poet records the true manner in which it was performed in his time; and his time was nearly that of its orio-in. " Due castagnette di sonoro bosso, Tien nelle man la Giovinetta ardita. Che accompagnando il pie con grazia mosso Fan forte ad or ad or scroccar le dita. |
