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Show 96 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. New Method of Instruction. In order to deserve success in the art of forming a good dancer, I have added to the rules contained in this part, figures, which I have had drawn from nature; these represent the positions of the body, the arms, and the legs; the different postures, the attitudes, and arabesques. T he learners having these examples before their eyes, will easily understand the theoretical principles which I make known to them. The poet of Tibur judiciously observes, " Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem. Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus . . .'' And, in order that their execution may be correct, I have drawn lines for them over the principal positions of these figures, which will give them an idea of the exact form they are to place themselves in, and to figure in the different attitudes of dancing. It will remain for the learners to study well these geometrical lines, paying strict attention to their diversity. As soon as they have rendered this labour, (which I may venture to term mathematical by reason of its precision,) familiar to them, they will be sure to place themselves properly, giving proofs that they have been well taught, and have acquired a correct taste. I have preferred this novel method, which is undoubtedly a more sure and efficacious one, to that of a long and wearying description of the movements in dancing, which oftentimes do but perplex and confound the learner. Were I to form a dancing school, I should immediately put into practice amongst m y pupils the following method, which I believe would prove very useful, and which all masters might adopt without having any knowledge of drawing. I should compose a sort of alphabet of straight lines, comprising all the positions of the limbs in dancing, giving these lines and their respective combinations, their proper geometrical appellations, viz : perpendiculars, hori- |
