Part 4

TWO FORWARD AND BACK.--The first gentleman and second lady (at top and bottom) forward and retire.

TWO FORWARD, ADDRESS AND FACE PARTNERS.--The same two forward and address, and each turns to the right, facing original partner.

FOUR HANDS HALF AROUND.--The four on each side join hands and swing half around in circle. Gentlemen release the hands of ladies on their left, and head couples retire to opposite places; the side couples remaining in original position.

HALF RIGHT AND LEFT TO PLACES.--Head couples cross over to their original places, joining right hands with opposite partners in passing, and each couple turns with left hands to places. Head couples repeat the figure, the first gentleman and the second lady joining the side couples at their left. The third time the figure is danced, the third lady and fourth gentleman join the head couples at their right. The fourth time, the third gentleman and fourth lady join the head couples at their left.

FIFTH FIGURE.

Measures. Four ladies to the right, four times 16 First gentleman and opposite lady forward and back 4 Forward, and swing to face partners 4 Head couples chassez to right and left 4 Turn partners to places 4

Head couples repeat the whole figure, with second gentleman and opposite lady.

Side couples: the same, twice.

FOUR LADIES TO THE RIGHT.--Each lady takes four steps to the right, and turns the gentleman at her right with the right hand. Continuing all around the set in the same direction, she turns the next gentleman with the left hand, the next with the right hand, and, finally, her partner with the left hand.

FIRST GENTLEMAN AND OPPOSITE LADY FORWARD AND BACK; FORWARD AND SWING TO FACE PARTNERS.--The same two walk forward four steps, then backward four steps, forward again, join right hands and swing half round, so that each faces original partner.

HEAD COUPLES CHASSEZ.--Four steps to the right; four to the left. Ending with turning partners to places.

THE PARISIAN VARIETIES.

FIRST FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples advance and address right side couples 2 Back to places 2 Head couples advance and address left side couples 2 Back to places 2 Head couples right and left across and back 8 All waltz 16

Danced four times, head couples and side couples alternating in lead.

HEAD COUPLES ADVANCE.--The head couples advance towards the side couples on the right, address, and step backward to places. Advance toward the left, address, and retire to places.

HEAD COUPLES RIGHT AND LEFT ACROSS.--The first and second couples cross over; each gentleman and opposite lady touch right hands in passing, the gentleman then extends his left hand to his partner, turning her half round, occupying opposite couple’s place. This same movement is repeated in returning, which brings the couples to their original positions.

ALL WALTZ.--All four couples waltz around the set once.

SECOND FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 All ladies to the right 4 Polka 8

Danced four times, the head couples and side couples alternating in lead.

The head couples walk forward four steps and backward four steps. The ladies then all pass to the gentlemen at their right, and all polka round the set with their new partners. The side couples, still with changed partners, then advance four steps and retire four steps, and the ladies each pass on to the next gentleman at the right. Each lady now occupies a position opposite to her original place in the set. All polka round the set again. Head couples forward and back, and the ladies pass again to the right. All polka round the set. Side couples again forward and back, and the ladies pass on to the right, and are thus restored to their original partners.

THIRD FIGURE.

Measures. First gentleman to center 2 Ladies form circle 2 Hands around 4 All waltz 16

The first gentleman advances to the center of the set. The four ladies step forward and join hands, forming a circle around him. They then circle around to the left until opposite their own partners, when they turn partners to places. Finish by all waltzing around the set.

FOURTH FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples to the right and address 4 Hands around 4 All mazourka 16

Danced four times, the head couples and side couples alternating in lead.

The head couples lead to the side couples at their right, address, and join hands with the side couples. The two circles of four each now slide around to the left twice (or once to left and once to right) and stop in original places. All then dance the mazourka once around the set.

FIFTH FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Separate to sides 4 Six forward and salute 4 Ladies cross right hands in center 8 All waltz 16

Danced four times, heads and sides leading alternately.

The head couples forward four steps and back again to place. The first and second gentlemen then lead their partners to the side couples at their right, and, leaving them there, return to place. The three at each side then advance four steps, salute, and return to place. The four ladies cross right hands in the center of the set, and walk around in a circle until they reach their original places in the set. At the same time their partners dance around the set in the opposite direction, meeting their partners in original positions, and turning them to places.

NATIONAL GUARD QUADRILLE.

This quadrille is dedicated to the National Guard and the United States Army. The first figure is dedicated to the National Guard, north; the second to the National Guard, south; the third to the National Guard, east; the fourth to the National Guard, west, and the fifth and last figure to the United States Army.

FIRST FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Lead to the right and address 4 Cross right hands and turn 4 Cross left hands and return 4 Form in two lines, facing partners -- All balance to partners 4 Turn partners to places 4

CROSS RIGHT HANDS.--When side couples have led to the right and addressed couples there, the two ladies in each group join right hands and the two gentlemen do the same. With hands joined, they walk halfway around; then release right hands, turn, join left hands, and return to position. All turn and form two lines. Balance and turn partners to places.

SECOND FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Turn partners 4 Side couples forward and back 4 Turn partners 4 Ladies to the center, back to back 4 Ladies hands round, to the right 4 All balance to partners, and turn 8

Danced four times, twice by head couples and twice by sides.

First and second times, head couples forward, back and turn; then side couples the same. Third and fourth times, side couples forward, back and turn; then head couples the same. First and third time, ladies to the center; second and fourth times, gentlemen to the center.

LADIES TO THE CENTER.--The ladies advance four steps and turn back to back.

HANDS AROUND.--The ladies join hands and slide around to the right until they reach again the place from which they started, facing their partners.

THIRD FIGURE.

Measures. First and second ladies forward and back 4 First and second ladies cross over 4 Side ladies forward and back 4 Side ladies cross over 4 All address corners 2 Address new partners 2 Turn new partners with right hand 4 Promenade 8

Danced four times. First time, the first and second ladies forward and back and cross over; then side ladies the same. Second time, the first and second gentlemen forward and back and cross over; then side gentlemen the same. Third time, the third and fourth ladies forward and back and cross over; then head ladies the same. Fourth time, the third and fourth gentlemen forward and cross over; then side gentlemen the same.

The first and second ladies advance four steps and retire four steps, and then cross over, thus exchanging partners. The third and fourth ladies do the same. All address corners, then address new partners and turn new partners once with right hand.

FOURTH FIGURE.

Measures. Head couples forward and back 4 Lead to the right and address 2 Form two lines 2 All forward and back 4 All forward again 4 Head couples forward and back 4 Turn partners to place 4

Danced four times.

FORM TWO LINES.--Head couples separate from partners and join the sides; the first lady now goes to the left of third gentleman, and the first gentleman goes to the right of third lady; the second lady goes to the left of fourth gentleman, and the second gentleman goes to the right of fourth lady.

ALL FORWARD AND BACK.--The two lines advance and retire four steps, advance again and side couples retire to places. Head couples give hands to partners, advance two steps and retire two steps, then turn to places.

FIFTH FIGURE.

Measures Salute to the United States Army 4 Ladies to the right, four times 32 Tirior; head couples cross over and back 8 Tirior on the sides: side couples cross over and back 8 All turn corners with right hands 4 Turn partners 4

After the entire figure has been performed four times, address opposite.

CODA.

All forward and address opposite 4 Address partners 4

The four ladies leave their partners, advance four steps to gentlemen at their right, address, and turn with right hand. They then pass on to the next gentleman, and so on around the set, turning original partners last. The first couple then join hands, their arms crossed. The first and second couples then cross over, the second couple separating to let the first couple pass between them. They then return to place, the second couple joining hands and the first couple separating. This is repeated by the third and fourth couples. All advance four steps to corner partners and turn with right hands; then take four steps back to original places and turn partners with left hands.

CONTRA DANCES.

The Contra Dances take their names from the positions of the dancers, the word _contra_ meaning “against” or “opposite to.” Instead of the partners standing side by side, they face each other, being arranged in two parallel lines, ladies on one side and gentlemen on the other.

THE VIRGINIA REEL.

This is one of the most lively of all the Contra Dances, and is a universal favorite. Form in sets of six couples, the six ladies ranging in line, and their partners ranging in another line, facing each other; the gentleman and lady of the head couple standing at the end of their respective lines at the top of the room. The space between the lines should be about four feet. The couples, for the sake of description, may be numerically designated first, second, third, and so on (in their order as they stand) to the last couple; the top and bottom couple being that couple which happens during the dance to occupy the position at top or bottom of the lines. Each couple in turn becomes top couple and bottom couple at least once during the progress of the dance.

FIRST GENTLEMAN AND LAST LADY FORWARD AND BACK.--The two take four steps directly towards each other and four steps backward to place, without turning.

FIRST GENTLEMAN AND LAST LADY FORWARD AND SWING RIGHT HANDS.--The two dance forward to the center, join right hands, swing once around, and step backward to place.

FIRST GENTLEMAN AND LAST LADY FORWARD AND SWING WITH LEFT HANDS.--Exactly like preceding movement, only joining left hands instead of right.

FIRST GENTLEMEN AND LAST LADY DOS A DOS.--They advance to middle, pass each other on right hands, move around each other to the right, back to back, without turning, and back, passing to left of each other, to places.

FIRST COUPLE TURN WITH RIGHT HANDS.--The first gentleman and his partner join hands across the head of lines, turn fully once around, and drop right hands.

SEPARATE AND TURN SECOND COUPLE.--The gentleman joins left hands with second lady, and swings her half around; at the same time the first lady joins left hands with second gentleman and swings half around; the first gentleman and his partner meet, facing each other. The first couple repeat these movements with each other, and each succeeding couple until they reach the bottom. Then the first couple join hands and dance up the middle to their former places at the top. The gentlemen march to the left and the ladies to the right in line, and come up the middle to places. The top couple dance down the middle to the bottom and become bottom couple. Top and bottom couples begin the figure over again, and continue until the first couple have reached their places again at the top. Sometimes, in the march, when the first couple, having marched down the outside, meet at the bottom of the set, they stop, join hands and raise their arms, allowing all the other couples to pass under. This leaves them at the bottom of the lines.

The calls for the Virginia Reel are as follows:

First gentleman and last lady forward and back.

First lady and last gentleman the same.

First gentleman and last lady swing right hands.

First lady and last gentleman the same.

First gentleman and last lady swing left hands.

First lady and last gentleman the same.

First gentleman and last lady swing both hands.

First lady and last gentleman the same.

First gentleman and last lady dos a dos.

First lady and last gentleman the same.

First couple turn right hands.

Separate and turn second couple, left hands.

Turn right hands.

Separate and turn third couple, left hands.

And so on to the bottom.

Join hands and back to places at top.

All gentlemen to left, ladies to right, march down outside and up the middle.

Head couple down the middle to bottom.

POP GOES THE WEASEL.

The dancers take their positions as in the Virginia Reel, face to face. Commence with the music, and end each movement in exact time with it. The calls for Pop Goes the Weasel are:

Measures. Head couple down the middle and back 8 Down outside and back 8 Right hands across with second lady 8 Three left hands across, second lady under 8 Head couples right hands across with second gentleman 8 Three left hands across, second gentleman under 8

The head couple repeat the figure, with each side couple in succession.

The head couple begin by taking exactly eight steps down and eight steps back.

DOWN THE OUTSIDE.--The gentleman turns to the left, and the lady to the right, outside their respective lines back again to places.

RIGHT HANDS ACROSS WITH SECOND LADY.--Head couple and second lady cross right hands, and swing to the left.

THREE LEFT HANDS ACROSS.--The three drop right hands, turn, cross left hands and swing to the right. The second lady passes quickly under the raised hands of the first couple, all singing, “Pop Goes the Weasel,” to her place. The head couple repeat the same movement with the second gentleman, and so on down the set.

As soon as a couple have been “popped” they move up a step on their respective lines, so as to leave a little space between themselves and the next couple. The first couple then repeat the whole figure, turning and “popping” the next couple, and so continue throughout the set. In passing outside they do not go to the ends of the lines, but pass between the couples whom they have “popped” and the rest of the line. As soon as the first couple have turned and “popped” two or three couples, the second couple also starts, and as many couples are kept in lively motion as can dance without confusion.

SPANISH DANCE.

The dance can be performed by any number of couples arranged in a complete circle, each alternate couple facing the opposite way to the rest. This produces a series of squares or sets, each consisting of two couples facing one another.

The same movements are executed in all the sets at once. The couples in each set have their backs towards the couples in the adjoining sets. Each set may be regarded as a little square, the ends of which are occupied by the two couples, while the sides are vacant.

One set consists of two couples, standing facing one another, the first gentleman and first lady constituting the first couple; the second gentleman and second lady the second couple. The square has four sides--two opposite two--the two opposite sides now occupied by the couples will be designated the ends; the two other opposite sides will be called the sides.

The music is in waltz time, with three beats in a measure. The calls for the Spanish dance are:

Measures. Two couples forward four 2 Change partners 2 Forward four 2 Change partners 2 Repeat 8 Cross right hands 4 Cross left hands to places 4 All waltz 8

The movements have all been described before. After all have returned to places, each couple waltz around in their own square once, and then take another half turn into he adjoining set, where they stop. Thus the couples have new _vis-a-vis_ each time the dance is performed.

THE SICILIAN CIRCLE.

In this dance the sets are arranged exactly as in the Spanish dance. The movements are adapted from the Plain Quadrille, and the music is in 2-4 time.

The dance calls are as follows:

Measures. Two couples right and left 8 Balance and turn partners 8 Forward and back 4 Forward and through to next set 4

ROUND DANCING.

THE WALTZ.

In the waltz the partners stand facing each other, the gentleman a little to the right, encircling the lady’s waist with his right arm, supporting her firmly, yet gently, and holding her right hand with his left, extending it nearly to the height of his waist, the left arm being only slightly bent at the elbow.

The lady’s left hand should rest lightly upon her partner’s right shoulder, while the right arm should be extended nearly straight, with the palm of her hand turned downward. The gentleman then places the inner side of the fingers of his left hand against the inner side of the fingers of the lady’s right hand. It is the duty of the gentleman to guide his partner in the dance, and he should hold her with sufficient firmness to make this guidance unmistakable, but by no means so closely as to interfere with absolute freedom of movement. The lady should yield entirely to her partner’s guidance. Unnecessarily close personal contact should be, strictly avoided, both because it is unrefined and because it leads, inevitably, to awkwardness in posture and movement. The lady should not lean upon her partner. He is not supposed to sustain any portion of her weight. The gentleman should adapt his step to that of the lady, and especially guard against taking too long steps.

In all the round dances, the lady commences with the right foot and the gentleman with the left. Both dancers should look to the front, over one another’s shoulders.

In the modern style of waltzing, four bars or twelve beats may be occupied in completing one entire turn. This renders it equally easy to turn forward or reverse, or, in fact, in any direction that the fancy may suggest or circumstances--a crowded room, for instance--may demand.

The main distinction between the old and new style may be concisely summed up as follows: In the old style, the slide of the left foot in beat one, and the right in beat four, is sideways and partially turning at the same time; in the new style, the glide of the left foot in beat one is exactly backward, and that of the right in beat four is exactly forward in a straight line, without a “shadow of turning,” the turn being confined solely to beats two, three, and five, six.

Waltz music contains three beats in a measure, the first of the three being accented. The waltz step consists of six movements, one to each beat of the music, thus occupying two measures. The rhythm of the step corresponds to the rhythm of the music. Thus the first and fourth movements are accented.

The following are the various steps for the gentlemen, but the ladies have the same steps, though they begin with the fourth step and right foot, and continue with the fifth and sixth, and go on to the first without changing; thus the gentleman is executing one, two, three, while the lady executes four, five, six; this continues without variation throughout the waltz.

FIRST STEP.

Take the third position, right foot in front. Glide the left foot directly backward about twelve inches (fourth position).

SECOND STEP.

Pass the right foot two or three inches behind the left heel, at the same time turning on the ball of each foot count two.

THIRD STEP.

Complete the turn by bringing the right foot front in the third position; count three.

FOURTH STEP.

Glide the right foot directly forward about twelve inches (fourth position); count four.

FIFTH STEP.

Advance the left foot about six inches in front of the right, at the same time turning on the ball of each foot; count five.

SIXTH STEP.

Complete the turn by bringing the right foot in front in the third position; count six.

THE REVERSE.

The movement in the reverse direction is effected by substituting the left foot for the right foot in the foregoing explanation. The left foot is glided directly forward at the fourth step, instead of the right; and the right foot glides directly backward at the first step, instead of the left.

THE GLIDE WALTZ.

The following are the six steps in the Glide Waltz:

FIRST STEP.

Step straight backward with the left foot to fourth position; count one.

SECOND STEP.

Draw right foot to the left, to first position; count two.

THIRD STEP.

Step slightly backward to nearly third position; count three, making quarter turn.

FOURTH STEP.

Step straight forward with the right foot to fourth position; count four.

FIFTH STEP.

Draw left foot to right in first position; count five.

SIXTH STEP.

Step slightly forward with right foot toward third position, making quarter turn; count six.

THE TWO-STEP.

Of recent years the Two-step has become very popular. It is similar to the Galop, its characteristic feature consisting in a difference of accentuation. The movements of the Two-step occur and are counted on the first and third beats of the bar, a pause being made on the second beat, thus--one and two.

The steps for the gentlemen are as follows:

FIRST STEP.

Slide the left foot sideways to the left, bringing the right foot behind, close up to the left, in the third position; count one.

SECOND STEP.

Slide the left foot diagonally forward, turning half round on the left foot, and bringing the right foot, toe pointing to the floor, behind and close up to the ankle of the left foot; count two.