Part 2
In order to insure success in a Grand March, no gentleman can be allowed to act as cavalier to two ladies, as the movements require all to march in couples. The leader should regulate his pace to suit circumstances, endeavoring always to keep the line of march unbroken, and the couples at uniform distances from each other. The couples, also, must follow exactly in the track of those before them and of the leader, keeping correct time with the music.
SQUARE DANCES.
Very little knowledge of dancing is needed in order to take part in square dances. The various figures, however, must be learned thoroughly, or the attempt to go through a quadrille will end in disaster.
The dancers arrange themselves in “sets,” four couples forming a “set,” all facing the center. The positions are taken as in the diagram, gentlemen to the left of the ladies, and forming a square. The couple facing the stage is called the first couple, and the couple opposite, the second couple. These are also called the “head couples.” The other couples, the third and fourth, are called the “side couples.”
THE PLAIN QUADRILLE.
The Plain Quadrille is usually danced with four couples, that is, eight dancers; but sometimes a double formation is used, and four dancers face each other at each side of the square.
In the Plain Quadrille there are five figures, and eight bars of music are given to each.
FIRST FIGURE.
Measures. Address partners and corners 8 Head couples right and left 8 Head couples balance 8 Ladies’ chain, head couples 8 Head couples balance 8
Repeat with sides.
The dance is begun by the couples first addressing each other, and then addressing the lady or gentleman in the nearest couple. Thus the gentleman will first bow to his partner, then to the lady on his left, and the lady will courtesy first to her partner, then to the gentleman on her right. During this, eight measures of introductory music are played. Every square dance is begun with these salutations.
HEAD COUPLES RIGHT AND LEFT.--The first and second couples join nearest hand and cross over, between opposite couples. Each gentleman and opposite lady touch right hands in passing. The gentleman and his partner join left hands, and the lady moves halfway round. At the end of this movement each couple will stand in the opposite ends of the set, occupying the opposite couple’s place.
The same movement is repeated in returning to places.
HEAD COUPLES BALANCE.--Each gentleman crosses hands with his partner; that is, he extends his left hand and takes his partner’s left, and takes his partner’s right hand in his right. In taking this position the right hands should be above the left. With hands crossed thus, the couple promenade across the set, passing the opposite couple to the right. Return to places in same manner.
HEAD COUPLES LADIES’ CHAIN.--The ladies of first and second couples cross to opposite gentlemen, touching right hands as they pass. They offer left hand to opposite gentlemen, who turn them half round. Ladies return, again touching right hands in passing, and turning partner with left hand to places.
HEAD COUPLES BALANCE.--Repeat movement as before.
The entire figure as described above is repeated by the side couples.
SECOND FIGURE.
Head couples, forward two:-- Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Cross over 4 Chassez to partners 4 Cross to places 4 Balance 8
This figure is then repeated by head couples, and is danced twice by the side couples.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD TWO.--This includes the four movements following.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD AND BACK.--Each gentleman extends right hand to partner and takes lady’s left hand. Starting with right foot, he takes four steps forward and four steps backward.
CROSS OVER.--The couples drop hands, and walk straight across set, ladies passing between gentlemen, but without touching hands.
CHASSEZ TO PARTNERS.--The partners face each other and take four steps forward to the right, and four steps backward to the left, passing partners on the right.
CROSS TO PLACES.--Walk to places as before, ladies passing inside.
THIRD FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples right hands across 4 Left hands back 4 Balance in center 4 Half promenade to opposite places 4 Two ladies forward and back 4 Two gentlemen forward and back 4 Forward four and back 4 Half right and left 4
This figure is then repeated by head couples, and danced twice by side couples.
HEAD COUPLES RIGHT HANDS ACROSS.--The head couples cross over and give right hands to opposite dancers in passing. Ladies pass _between_ opposite couple, and, when doing so, touch the opposite gentleman’s hand.
LEFT HANDS BACK.--On the return, each gentleman takes the left hand of the opposite lady in his left. The hands are retained while passing, then all face the center and the ladies cross right hands to partners.
BALANCE IN CENTER.--The four dancers perform this movement, stepping forward and back, thus: Slide the right foot to the right, and bring the left foot in front of the right in third position; count two; slide the left foot to the left, and bring the right foot in front of the left in the third position; count two; repeat the above; count four.
HALF PROMENADE.--All drop left hands, each gentleman retaining his partner’s right, and promenade to position originally occupied by opposite couple.
TWO LADIES FORWARD AND BACK.--Two ladies move forward four steps, and retire four steps.
TWO GENTLEMEN FORWARD AND BACK.--Gentlemen repeat movement.
FORWARD FOUR AND BACK.--Gentlemen join hands with partners and move forward four steps, and retire four steps.
HALF RIGHT AND LEFT.--Both couples cross over; each person gives right hand in passing to the opposite person, and left hand to partner, and turn to places.
FOURTH FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Forward four, first lady cross over 4 Forward three and back 4 Forward, ladies cross over 4 Forward three 4 Forward again 4 Four hands half around 4 Half right and left 4
The head couples repeat the figure, and it is then danced twice by the side couples, the first, second, third and fourth gentleman taking the lead alternately.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD AND BACK.--The gentlemen of the head couples extend right hand to partners, taking four steps forward, and retiring four steps.
FORWARD FOUR, FIRST LADY CROSS OVER.--The two gentlemen advance four steps; first gentleman leaves his partner, who joins left hand with opposite gentleman. Latter retires with both ladies, the first gentleman retiring to his place alone.
FORWARD THREE AND BACK.--The second gentleman and two ladies advance four steps, and retire four steps.
FORWARD AGAIN AND LADIES CROSS OVER.--The second gentleman advances with ladies. Ladies cross over to first gentleman, who advances to meet them. Second gentleman retires, the other three dancers retiring at the same time.
FORWARD THREE.--The first gentleman and two ladies advance four steps, and retire four steps, second gentleman remaining in place.
FORWARD AGAIN.--The first gentleman and two ladies advance again and meet second gentleman, all joining hands in a circle.
FOUR HANDS HALF AROUND.--The four dancers turn half around to the left, and each couple retires to the place occupied by opposite couple.
HALF RIGHT AND LEFT.--Head couples cross over, each lady passing between opposite couple and touching opposite gentleman’s right hand in passing. Ladies then give left hands to partners and turn to places.
FIFTH FIGURE.
Measures. Hands all around 8 Head couples forward two 16 Balance 8 Repeat 32 Hands all around 8 Side couples forward two 16 Balance 8 Repeat 32
All chassez.
HANDS ALL AROUND.--All join hands in a circle and slide to the left, taking eight steps. Then slide back again to the right. This is sometimes varied by sliding around the complete circle, instead of halfway.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD TWO.--Same as in the second figure.
ALL CHASSEZ.--Partners face each other, chassez four steps to the right and return. Address and retire.
The fifth figure is sometimes danced by substituting the ladies’ chain for hands all around. For description of ladies’ chain see first figure.
ADDITIONAL QUADRILLE FIGURES.
Instead of the second or fifth figures in the plain quadrille, the following figures may be introduced:
The basket figure. The nine-pin figure. The minuet figure. The star figure. The cheat figure. The jig figure. The sociable.
THE BASKET FIGURE.
The calls for the Basket Figure are as follows:
Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Cross over 4 Chassez to partners 4 Cross to places 4 Balance 8 Ladies forward and back 4 Forward and join hands 4 Gentlemen, hands around 8 Form basket Pause All balance 4 Turn partners to places 4
Repeat. Danced twice by side couples, with gentlemen in the center.
The first five movements of the basket figure are the same as those described for the second figure of the plain quadrille.
LADIES FORWARD AND BACK.--Here all the ladies take four steps forward and retire four steps, then advance again four steps and join hands in the center, standing close together.
GENTLEMEN FORWARD.--All the gentlemen advance and form a circle around the ladies by joining hands.
GENTLEMEN HANDS AROUND.--All the gentlemen slide around the circle to the left (sixteen steps), and stop when they arrive at the left side of their partners. Instead of completing the circle, this movement is sometimes varied by the gentlemen sliding around to the left only halfway (eight steps), and then sliding back to original positions (eight steps).
FORM BASKET.--All the gentlemen raise their arms over the ladies’ heads, with hands still joined, and bring them down in front of the ladies. All retain hands, and the ladies step back a little, so that one complete circle is formed, with arms intertwined.
BALANCE.--All balance in place, with hands still joined.
TURN PARTNERS TO PLACES.--All turn partners and resume original positions in quadrille.
THE NINE-PIN.
This figure is not generally introduced into a regular quadrille, but is danced separately. It requires an extra gentleman, who takes his place in the center. The movements are performed at the will of the leader; forward four, ladies’ chain, ladies to the center, right and left all around, or any other movements being called in succession. It is preferable to introduce those movements which require all the dancers, or at least one partner out of each couple. At an unexpected moment, generally in the middle of a movement where the gentlemen are separated from their partners, a signal is given, when each gentleman secures the nearest lady for a partner, the music stops, and each lady resumes her place with her new partner; the gentleman who fails to secure a partner becomes the nine-pin, and takes his place in the center; the music recommences and dancing proceeds as before, until another signal is given. This is repeated at will, generally ending with all chassez.
MINUET FIGURE.
The calls for Minuet Figure are as follows:
Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Dos a dos 4 Sides, four forward and back 4 Forward and exchange partners 4 All, ladies’ chain 8 Sides, four forward and back 4 Turn partners to places 4
Danced twice with head couples leading, and twice with sides leading.
DOS A DOS.--Head couples forward and pass each other; then each gentleman and opposite lady pass round each other back to back, without turning round, and go backward to places.
SIDES FOUR, FORWARD AND BACK.--The first couple joins the third and the second couple joins the fourth, thus forming two diagonal lines facing each other.
Both lines forward and back; forward and turn opposite partners, with gentlemen exchanging places with each other, the ladies remaining where they were. This brings each gentleman to the other line, facing his own partner.
THE STAR FIGURE.
The calls for the Star Figure are:
Measures. Four ladies forward and back 4 Gentlemen forward and back 4 Ladies cross right hands 4 Ladies cross left hands 4 Right hand to partners -- Balance 4 Turn partners to place 4
FOUR LADIES FORWARD AND BACK.--The four ladies advance four steps and return four steps.
FOUR GENTLEMEN FORWARD AND BACK.--Repeat; perform same movement.
LADIES CROSS RIGHT HANDS.--In this movement all the ladies step to the center, cross right hands and walk halfway round to the left in the form of a cross.
LADIES CROSS LEFT HANDS.--Ladies turn halfway round, drop right hand and join left hands in the center; then circle moves back again till each lady is opposite her own partner.
RIGHT HAND TO PARTNER.--Each lady gives disengaged hand (the right one) to her partner. They retain the opposite lady’s left at the same time, and thus a star is formed.
BALANCE.--All drop left hands, but still keeping in the form of a star, balance two steps to the right, then return to the left and repeat.
TURN PARTNERS TO PLACE.--Here the star is broken by the ladies relinquishing left hands. Gentlemen then turn partners to place with right hands.
Repeat three times. On the first repetition, the figure is danced the same as before; but on the subsequent repetitions the gentlemen go to the center and cross right hands, the ladies forming the outer points of the star.
THE CHEAT FIGURE.
The calls for the Cheat Figure are:
Measures. First couple balance to the right 8 Balance to second couple 8 Balance to fourth couple 8 Balance to partners 8
This is repeated in turn by the second, third and fourth couples in succession, each balancing to the couple on the right.
At the beginning of this figure the first couple turn toward the right and take four steps forward, balance to the third couple, and retiring four steps. Simultaneously the third couple moves forward to the first couple, and retires. Then the two couples advance again, and each dancer turns opposite partner with both hands.
At the moment when the dancers are about to turn the opposite lady or gentleman it is allowable for either to suddenly withdraw and either dance alone or turn any other dancer in the set. This is how the dance derives its name.
THE JIG FIGURE.
The calls for the Jig Figure are:
Measures. All hands around 8 Ladies to the right 32 All hands around 8 Gentlemen to the right 32 All hands around 8 All chassez 8
ALL HANDS AROUND.--The four couples join hands in a circle and swing once round to place.
LADIES TO THE RIGHT.--The gentlemen remain in place, and each lady balances to the gentleman on her right, and turns him with both hands. She repeats the same with the next gentleman, and so continues round the set, ending by balancing and turning with her own partner. Then she resumes her place.
GENTLEMEN TO THE RIGHT.--The ladies remain in place, and the gentlemen execute the figure in the same manner as the ladies, turning each of the ladies in succession.
ALL HANDS AROUND.--All join hands and swing around in a circle to places.
Each gentleman has a chance to introduce his jig-steps, for he balances with each lady in succession.
THE SOCIABLE.
The calls for the Sociable are:
Measures. Head couples, right and left 8 Side couples, right and left 8 All ladies to the right, turn and change partners 8 All promenade 8 Head couples, ladies’ chain 8 Side couples, ladies’ chain 8 All ladies to the right 8 All promenade 8 Head couples, four hands around to left and reverse 8 Side couples, the same 8 Ladies to the right 8 All promenade 8 Head couples, right hands across, half around and reverse 8 Side couples, the same 8 Ladies to the right 8 All promenade 8 Chassez to places --
Repeat.
The first two movements in the sociable are the same as before described.
ALL LADIES TO THE RIGHT.--Four ladies balance to the right, turn and change partners, each lady taking the place of the next lady on the right.
This movement keeps all the couples in constant motion and calls for a continual change of partners. This is why, in a private dance, the sociable is always popular.
ALL PROMENADE.--Give both hands to partners and glide in a circle to the right, all around the set, till original position is reached.
LANCERS.
The calls for the Lancers are:
FIRST FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Head couples forward and turn opposite partners 4 Cross over 4 Return to places 4 Balance to corners 8
Danced twice by head couples, except in “cross over,” when the second couple first pass between. The same for side couples.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD AND BACK.--First and second couples simultaneously move forward four steps, and retire four steps.
FORWARD AND TURN.--Repeat first movement, but instead of retiring, each gentleman first turns the opposite lady once with both hands, then all retire to places.
CROSS OVER.--First couple join hands and cross set. Second couple advances and separates to allow first couple to pass between. On returning, the second couple join hands and the first couple separate, to allow second couple to pass between.
BALANCE TO CORNERS.--All the ladies turn to the right and balance to gentlemen; all the gentlemen turn to the left and balance to ladies. Thus the lady of the head couple will balance with the gentleman of the third couple; the lady of the third couple will balance with the gentleman of the second couple, and so on. The “balance” is performed by taking four steps forward and retiring four steps, then again advancing and turning corner partner once with both hands and retiring to place.
SECOND FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples, forward and back 4 Forward and leave ladies in center 4 Chassez to right and left 4 Turn partners to places 4 Side couples, divide, all forward in two lines 4 Forward again and turn partners to places 4
Repeated by head couples and danced twice by side couples.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD AND BACK.--First and second couples advance four steps and retire four steps.
FORWARD AND LEAVE LADIES IN CENTER.--Advance again, leaving ladies in center. Ladies turn and address partners, remaining back to back. Gentlemen retire to places.
CHASSEZ.--Glide four steps to the right and return.
TURN PARTNERS.--Gentlemen advance and turn partners to place with both hands.
SIDE COUPLES DIVIDE.--The side couples separate, the gentleman of the third couple and the lady of the fourth joining the first couple, and the lady of the third couple and the gentleman of the fourth joining the second couple, thus forming two lines of four dancers each, facing each other.
FORWARD AGAIN AND TURN PARTNERS TO PLACES.--The two lines advance and each gentleman turns own partner to place.
The third and fourth times the figure is danced the head couples separate and join the side couples.
THIRD FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Forward and address 4 Ladies’ chain 4
Repeated by head couples; danced twice by side couples.
HEAD COUPLES FORWARD AND BACK.--Advance four steps, retire four steps.
FORWARD AND ADDRESS.--Advance four steps, address opposite partners and retire.
LADIES’ CHAIN.--As described in first figure of plain quadrille.
FOURTH FIGURE.
Measures. Head couples to the right and address 4 To the left and address 4 To place and address partners 4 Right and left across 8
Danced twice by head couples and twice by side couples.
HEAD COUPLES TO THE RIGHT.--First and second couples lead to the right and address third and fourth couples respectively. Then lead to the side couple on their left and address. Return to places and address partners.
RIGHT AND LEFT ACROSS.--Same as in the first figure of the plain quadrille. The second time the head couples execute the figure, they lead to the couples on their left, instead of on their right, address and visit the couple on the right. When the side couples dance the figure they lead first to the right, then to the left.
FIFTH FIGURE.
Measures. All right and left all around 16 First couple face out 8 All chassez across 8 First couple down the center and back 8 All forward and back 4 Forward again. Turn partners to places 4
Danced four times, each couple leading in rotation, the figure ending with right and left all around.
ALL RIGHT AND LEFT ALL AROUND.--All face partners, address, and join right hands. Pass partner, and give left hand to next person, right hand to next, left hand to next, and meet partner in opposite couple’s place and address. Pass partner again, and continue in the same manner, going around the entire circle, until original places are reached.
FIRST COUPLE FACE OUT.--The first couple join hands and promenade or two-step in the center of the set, and return to their place, facing outward. Then the third couple take position behind the first, next follow the fourth couple, and the second couple remain in their place.
ALL CHASSEZ ACROSS.--The four gentlemen and ladies take four steps across--the gentlemen passing to the right behind their partners, then return with four steps to the left. The four gentlemen retire, and step back to the left, and the four ladies repeat the movement to the right, forming in two single files, and facing partners.
FIRST COUPLE DOWN THE CENTER AND BACK.--The first couple join hands and promenade or glide down between the lines, and return to head of line and separate.
FORWARD AND BACK.--All move forward in two lines, advancing four steps and retiring four steps.