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. 27 was to this practice that he mainly ascribed the sound health which his crew enjoyed during voyages of several years continuance 40. The dance they generally indulged in is called the Hornpipe; is of a most exhilarating character, perhaps more vivid than the Tarantella dance. Bodily exercise, says an English writer, is conducive to health, vigour, liveliness, a good appetite, and sound sleep; but a sedentary occupation occasions many de­rangements in the nervous system, which sadden, and often shorten existence, disturbs repose, produces a certain disrelish for every thing, and brings on a continual languor and listlessness, of which it is sometimes difficult to dicover the cause. The most celebrated disciples of Hippocrates concur m recommending dancing as an excellent remedy for a num­ber of diseases 41. Tissot absolutely orders it to be prac­tised in all schools, for the minds of young persons, burthened with continual study, require some amusement above the trivial kind, on which it may fix with pleasure. Phaedrus gives us a hint on this subject. " Cito rumpes arcum, semper tensum habueris At si laxaris, quum voles, erit utilis. Sic ludus animo debet aliquando dari, Ad cogitandum melior ut redeat tibi." Anaxarchus, the Scythian, used also to say that it was often necessary to amuse ourselves by games or other diversions, so that the mind, after tasting a little useful repose, might return with increased vigour to the exercise of its delicate functions. A laborious and painful life are a capital regimen for melancholy and sadness. Dancing ought to form a part of the physical educa­tion of children, not only for their better health, but also to counteract the many vicious attitudes and habits which they too often contract.