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Show PRIVATE DANCING. 491 Ladies, when performing their courtesy, must proceed in the same manner as gentlemen, excepting that they should incline, after the foot has assumed the first position, in order to stop on the fourth position behind, when the knees must bend, and the head and body incline, to complete the courtesy. (See plate X V , fig. 2.) The method of presenting the hand while dancing is represented in plate X V I , figs. 1 and 2. The remaining positions and attitudes of ladies and gentlemen in Quadrilles will appear plainly from plate X V I , fig. 3, and plate X V , fig. 1 and 3. After these introductory studies and exercises, which constitute the ground-work of dancing, and which lead the way to the perfection of every thing that is connected with it, the master ought next to give his pupil an insight into the knowledge of steps, the observance of time, Quadrilles, or Country-dances, Waltzing, and every other description of dancing which is in request in good society. Let the master be very cautious how he suffers the pupil to proceed to the study of the above named dances, until after he has practised for some time upon the inceptive principles ; for his good or bad success entirely depends upon the first lessons, and upon his assiduity in the rudimental task. Care must be continually taken to draw a line of distinction between private dancing and theatrical dancing. It would be improper to introduce certain scientific steps and elevated capering into a ball-room, where every circumstance shows, that movements of this description would be out of their place, and, consequently, would produce an improper effect. Private dancing requires steps terre-a-terre, and the most simply natural postures possible. The ladies, in particular, ought to dance with a sort of amiable circumspection and a becoming grace, which, indeed, add to |
