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Show PRIVATE DANCING. 493 those practised by stage dancers, with this difference only, that they should not be carried to that grandeur and elevation, should have less impulse, and be modified, and adapted to the circles of Private Dancing. The legs ought to be raised from the ground but very little above the method of the second position ; however, gentlemen may raise them something higher: the peculiar style of their dancing being more powerful and unrestrained, will admit of more elevated steps. It is not necessary that the arms and bust should be kept in violent motion, they m ay rather remain in a graceful repose. Let the head be held erect, and the chin in a very slight degree elevated; gracefully incline the head to the motion of the body and arms. Let your countenance be expressive of cheerfulness and gaiety, and let an agreeable smile ever play about your mouth. Keep your shoulders down, bring your chest forward, let your waist be compressed, and sustain yourself firmly upon your loins. Let your bosom project a little, for this confers gracefulness on the dancer's attitude. Let the shoulders move with elegance and naturally. Let your elbows be curved, never squared, your fingers so grouped together as to correspond with the contour of the arms. (See plate I, fig. 2.) Ladies must hold their dresses with the tips of their fingers; their arms must be placed similar to the gentlemen's. The arms serve for an ornament to the body, and they ought to follow its movements with easy elegance. Let your body recline, as it were, upon the hips, and let the latter expand themselves, in order to facilitate the motions of the legs. Turn out your knees, and strive to give them pliancy, and to curve them well. By this means they will aid all the movements of the time and the steps. Let your feet be always turned out, and let your insteps acquire a degree of suppleness, and at the same time of strength, a circum- |
