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Show RISE A N D PROGRESS OF DANCING. 45 and waltzes, the last of which took their rise in Switzerland, are the fashionable dauces of the day. The performance of these should be easy, and the steps executed elegantly; and brilliant gavottes are also now and then danced in genteel society, but they require much more study and practice than the other three. 30. This dance is graceful but affected. L'Ecossaise is all gaiety. L'Anglaise lively and whimsical. 81. The description of this dance was translated into Italian, and inserted in the Aurora, a literary periodical paper published in London, and edited by Mr. F. C. Albites, professor of Italian literature; but at present discontinued. 32. Claritio and Serrao, two Neapolitan physicians, have proved by various experiments, that all that has been said with regard to the bite of the Tarantella spider, is false. The terrible accounts given of it arise from ignorance and prejudice, and are propagated by quackery. 33. This artist had the honour of giving lessons to his sovereign. Lully associated himself with him, and their united efforts brought forth those works which have since served as models to the grand modern operas, whose greatest charms consist in music and dancing. Eveiy one knows how passionately fond Louis theXIVthwas of theatrical representations. He often performed in them himself. He danced with part of his court in the opera of the Temple de la Paix, which was represented at his palace in 1685. The Princess of Conti, the Duchess of Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Blois, Count Brionne, the Marquis of Mony, and other distinguished personages performed the principal parts in the ballet. 34. I shall Speak in another place {Composition of Ballets) of these dancers, and of the different sorts of ballets. 35. In music, similar advantages were perceived. Architas, Aristoxenes, Eupolis, Aristophanes, Cicero, G. Gracchus, Theophrastus, Micomachus Theodore, Pythagoras, and all his sect; Ptolomy, Plato, Lycurgus, Boetius, all men of never-fading celebrity, whose wisdom and knowledge do honour to philosophy and the sciences, eulogized the art of music, approved of its practice, and made it form a part of the education of youth. Cimon, Epaminondas, Appius Claudius, M. Cecilius, L. Crassus, D. Sylla, and Cato, thought it not beneath their rank and glory to sing or play on some musical |
