Page The FIRST BOOK treats of the beautiful Attitudes or Postures of STANDING, the different Positions from whence the STEPS of DANCING are to be taken and performed; and likewise of the Manner of WALKING gracefully. The several Sorts of BOWS and COURTESIES are also fully described, and all or most of the STEPS used in Genteel DANCING, as well as many of those properly belonging to the STAGE: Illustrated with sixteen Copper Plates containing twenty nine11. в варианте 1744 года это слово написано через дефис: twenty-nine Figures.
The SECOND BOOK contains fourteen Plates, consisting of twenty eight22. 1744: слово написано через дефис: twenty-eight Figures of GENTLEMEN and LADIES, one of each in a Plate, as dancing a MINUET; beginning from the REVERENCE or BOW, and proceeding regularly on 'till33. 1744: без апострофа: till the whole is finish’d44. 1744: finished; shewing the beautiful Attitudes and55. “beautiful Attitudes and” есть только в издании 1735, в 1744 - отсутствует graceful Deportments of the Performers, in the different Figures and Circles of that celebrated DANCE; together with the Instructions for understanding and keeping Time, and Directions for the Elevation, Movement, and graceful Fall of the Arms in DANCING. To which are added at the Request of some particular66. слово есть только в издании 1735, в 1744 - отсутствует Persons of Quality, some Instructions concerning COUNTRY DANCES.
The whole WORK is adorned with thirty77. в издании 1744: thirty-seven Copper Plates, consisting of fifty seven88. 1744: через дефис fifty-seven Figures; with five other additional Plates99. вместо “with five other additional Plates” в варианте 1744: , &c Those Plates, marked A. E. I. O. U. containing1010. 1744: contain all the STEPS described in this Treatise, written in CHARACTERS; for the Amusement of the Curious, the farther Illustration of this Work, and the Instruction of such as are desirous to understand the CHARACTERS of DANCING.
Page THESE1111. эта запись (вся страница) присутствует только в 1735 are to certify, That the following Work, entitled, THE ART OF DANCING EXPLAIN'D, was design'd and composed by Mr. Kellom Tomlinson in the Year 1726 in the same Manner in which it now appears, we having seen the said Work in the Year above mentioned, which he told us be intended for the Press as soon as his Subscription was full; in Witness whereof and in Justice to the Author we have hereunto set our Hands this twelfth Day of February 1728.
JOSEPH SANDYS, Gent. >> HENRY CAREY, Master of Music.
Page To the RIGHT HONOURABLE CATHERINE Viscountess FAUCONBERG.
MADAM,
THE Work I here presume to offer your Ladyship, treating of a Subject in which you are not only well versed, but even excel; it was natural and obvious Page for me to dedicate it to you, confiding that, under so honourable a Protection, it may at least be skreen'd from such unjust Censures as Malice or Envy ordinarily produce.
IT may perhaps be expected that I should say something of the Nobility and great Endowments of your Ancestors, as is usually done in Dedicatory Epistles; but the World is so well acquainted with your LADYSHIP'S illustrious Families, both that from which you came as well as that to which you are happily ally'd, that to mention any thing of them would rather be derogating from their Praise, seeing all I could relate would be inferior, both to their Merit and to the Opinion of all those who know them. All that I will venture to say is, that your Candour, Affability, Sweetness and Charity, join'd to all your other great Qualities, give as great a Lustre to your Family, as what you receive from it.
Page BUT of all your Perfections what touches me the most, is your great Talent in the ART of DANCING, which I can speak the more freely of, as I was not only a Spectator, but had the Honour to contribute to, for some Time: Not that I pretend to arrogate to myself the Glory of the great Proficiency you made (for that was wholly due to your natural Genius for that Science) but only think myself happy in having had the good Fortune to give Lessons to a LADY that perform'd in a Manner no less elegant than uncommon.
NOR do I so much wonder at the Progress your LADYSHIP made in this Science, when I consider your wonderful Genius and exquisite Taste for Music, which is one of the greatest Helps to a perfect Performance in DANCING. All these rare Talents give me a Page greater Title to your LADYSHIP'S gracious Acceptance of this Work; at least it gives me an Occasion of assuring you how much I am, with all Respect and Esteem,
MADAM,
Your LADYSHIP'S
most obliged,
most obedient, and
most humble Servant,
KELLOM TOMLINSON.
N. B. This ✝ Mark shews that the Subscriber, before whose Name it is placed, died while this Work has been carrying on.
T_HE Right Honourable the Lord_ Aston
The Hon. Edward Aston, Esq;
The Hon. Mrs. Catherine Aston.
Sir Francis Andrews, Bart.
Sir John Astley of Patshull in Staffordshire Bart.
William Andrews Esq;
✝ Mrs. Eleanor Andrews.
Mr. A. Labbé, Dancing-Master to their Royal Highnesses the young Princesses.
Mr. Jonath. Ayleworth Dancing-Master.
Sir Edward Blount, of Soddington in the County of Worcester, Bart.
The Lady Blount.
✝ Sir William Blacket, of NewCastle, Bart.
John Basket, Esq; three Setts.
B. Bagshaw of Wigwell in Derby Shire Esq;
Edward Brett: Bainbrigg of Derby Esq;
Page Ed. Bigland of Long W--n near Loughborough Esq;
✝ William Bourke, Gent.
Miss Bullar.
Mrs. Grace Brown, of Bentley in Darbyshire.
Mrs. Deborah Bowdler of Queen's-square.
Mrs. Catharine Bird.
Richard Bostock, M. D.
Capt. William Brooks, of Derby Esq;
Mrs. Margaret Butler, of Maryland.
Mrs. Booth the celebrated Dancer.
Mrs. M. Bostock, Paintress.
Mr. John Brograve, of Rudgley, Dancing-Master.
Mrs. Bullock, Dancer, at the Theatre in Goodman's-Fields.
Samuel Buck, Engraver, for two Setts.
Mr. Geo. Bickham junior, Engraver.
The Right Honourable James, Earl of Castlehaven.
The right Honourable Elizabeth, Countess of Castlehaven.
✝ The Right Honourable Ann, Countess Dowager of Clanrickard.
✝ The right Honourable the Lady Frances Clifton.
Sir Richard Corbet, Bart.
The Lady Curzon of Kedleston in Derbyshire.
Mrs. Anna-Maria Calmady, of Devon.
✝ Francis Cottington, of Founthill-Giffard, Esq;
W— C—, Esq;
Mrs. Elizabeth Cannon Daughter to the late Dean of Lincoln.
Richard Cresswell, of Bridgnorth in Shropshire Esq;
Rowland Cotton of Etwall in the County of Derby Esq;
Mr. Thomas Caverley, of Queen-Square Dancing-Master.
John Clark Engraver.
Mr. Henry Carey Master of Music.
Mr. Ben. Cole, Engraver.
Mr. Thomas Cobb.
Her Excellency the Marquess D'aix, Lady of Honour to the late Queen of Sardinia.
F. D—ll Esq;
Kenelm Digby, of North-Luffingham in the County of Rutland, Esq;
Mrs. Ann Darnall, of Maryland.
John Dalton, Gent.
Mr. J. Dupree, Dancing-Master at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden.
Mr. Lewis Duplessy Dancing-Master.
The Right Hon. Hannah-Sophia, Countess of Exeter.
The Right Hon. the Lady Mary E—.
Henry Every of Egginton in the County of Derby Esq;
Charles Edmonds Esq;
Mr. John Essex Dancing-Master.
Miss Everet.
The Right Hon. Thomas, Viscount Fauconberg.
The Right Hon. Catherine, Viscountess Fauconberg.
✝ The Lady Fust of Hill near Gloucester.
C. Fleetwood, of Gerards-Bromley in Staffordshire, Esq;
Mrs. Mary Fairbrother.
Mrs. Giffard, of Chillington.
H. Gaylor, M. D.
Mr. Leech Glover, Dancing-Master.
✝ The Right Honourable the Lady Mary Howard, of Worksop.
The Hon. Mrs. Winifrede Howard, of Norfolk.
The Lady Elizabeth Heathcote, Daughter to the late Earl of Macclesfield.
The Lady Hanmer.
Sir Arthur Haselrigge, of Nosely in Leicestershire, Bart.
Thomas Heneage, of Cadeby in the County of Lincoln, Esq;
George Heneage, of Hainton, in the same County, Esq;
M. Hare Esq;
✝ Richard Holland, Esq;
William Herbert, Gent.
George Hills, Gent.
Mr. Henry Hargrave, of Newark, Dancing-Master.
The Right Hon. Sir P. J—k, B.
The Lady Isham.
Mrs. Dorothy Jackson.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jennens of Gopshall in Leicestershire.
Mr. Joseph Jackson, Dancing-Master.
The Right Hon. the Lord Kingsale.
✝ The Right Hon. the Lady Frances Keightley.
Mr. Ascough Kirk, of Stamford, Dancing-Master.
Messieurs Knapton Booksellers.
Sir William Lemon, of North-hall, Hertfordshire, Bart.
Richard Langley, of Grimston in the County of York, Esq;
George Legh, of the Temple Esq;
The Lady Lambard of Sevenoak in Kent.
Coke Littleton, Esq;
Miss Mary Lewis of Tarracoed in Carmarthenshire South Wales.
Mr. Tim. La Busiere Dancing-Master.
Mr. Daniel Lewis of Bristoll Dancing-Master.
Mr. Henry Lintot Bookseller, three Sets.
Mr. Edward Langton Dancing Master1212. пропущен дефис of Leicester.
Sir Richard Moor Bart.
L. Masters, of Red-Lion-Square, Efq;
William Moore, of Fetcham in Surrey, Esq;
Mr. James Mechel Printer.
Mr. A. Moreau Dancing-Master at the Theatre in Dublin.
✝ His Grace Thomas late Duke of Norfolk.
His Grace Edward Duke of Norfolk.
The Right Hon. Francis Lord North and Guilford.
Mrs. Jane Needler, of Hollyland in Surrey.
John Newton of Gray's-Inn, Gent.
Mr. William Newton of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.
Joseph Offley, of Norton-hall, Derby, Esq;
✝ Thomas O'Brien, Esq;
His Grace William Duke of Powis.
Her Grace Margaret Duchess of Portland.
✝ J. Pearson, M. D.
Mr. P. P. of Litchfield.
Mrs. Parkhurst.
Mrs. Mary Peacock.
Mrs. Charlott Pigott.
✝ Mr. Edmond Pemberton Dancing-Master.
Aymor Rich, of Bullhouse, Yorkshire Esq;
Mrs. Catherine Rolf, of Lynn.
John Rich, Esq; Master of the Theatres Royal in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and Covent-Garden.
Mrs. Mary Ricardy.
Richard Russel Gent.
✝ The right Hon. William Earl of Stafford.
✝ The right Hon. Ann Countess of Stafford.
The Right Hon. Mary, Countess of Shrewsbury.
The Right Hon. the Lady Frances Shirley.
The Right Hon. the Lady Ann Shirley.
The Hon. John Stafford, Esq;
Sir Thomas Samwell, of Upton in Northamptonshire, Bart.
Robert Sutton, Esq;
Samuel Sanders of Caldwell in the County of Derby Esq;
Miss Elizabeth Stanley Daughter to Sir Edward Stanley, Bart.
✝ Mrs. Elizabeth Smith of Great James Street.
Thomas Southcote, Esq;
John Southcote, of Blyborough in Lincolnshire, Esq;
J. Strickland, Gent.
✝ William Somerset, Gent.
Richard Stanley, Gent.
William Stukeley, M. D.
Mr. P. Siris, Dancing-Master.
Mr. William Sawyer, of Rudgley in Staffordshire, Dancing-Master.
Mr. Robert Smith, Dancing-Master.
The Hon. Mrs. Talbot, of Longford.
The Hon. Mrs Ann Thompson.
Wilbraham Tufton, Esq;
✝ John Tufton, Esq;
Mr. James Tully, Dancing-Master.
Mr. John Topham, Dancing-Master.
John Tayleur of Roddington in the County of Salop Esq;
Mr. W. H. Toms Engraver.
The Hon. Lady Webb, of Canford.
Mrs. Webb, of Hadthorp.
Mrs. Mary Wingfield
William Woolfe, of Queen's-square, Esq;
Edward Walpole, of Dunston in the County of Lincoln, Esq;
Mrs. Alethea Walpole.
✝ Mrs. Mary Walpole.
Ernle Washbourne, of Washbourne, in Worcestershire, Esq;
Thomas Wollescote, of Gray's-Inn, Gent.
John Walkinshaw, Gent.
Ayliffe White, Gent.
Edward Wright, Gent.
Mrs. Jane Williams.
John Woolley of Darley in the County of Derby Esq;
Mr. John Weaver Dancing-Master.
Charles Young of the Friers in Shrewsbury Gent.
I Now at last have the Pleasure of presenting to the World a Work, which has been long promised; but which, through the Difficulty of the Undertaking itself, and the many Obstacles to the Execution of it, I was not able to finish before.
This Undertaking must needs have been attended with great Difficulty, because it was really the first of the Kind. For tho' Monsieur Beauchamp lay'd the first Foundation, upon which Monsieur Feuillet built, (as some more ingenious Person may perhaps improve upon mine); yet the Works of both relate only to the Characters of Dancing; which, like the Notes of Music, can be only useful to Masters, and cannot be understood by any other without their particular Instructions. But the Piece which I here offer to the World will be of general Use to all, who either have learned, or are learning to dance: the Words describing the Manner in which the Steps are to be taken; and the Figures representing Persons as actually taking them; both which together will make the Learning more pleasant to the one, and serve as a continual Remembrancer to the other.
As most other Arts and Sciences, reduced to certain Rules, have been now long since taught in Books, I have often wondered no one should have hitherto paid the same Regard to the Art of Dancing. This is what I have endeavoured to do in the following Work: wherein I have not pretended to advance any new Laws for Dancing unknown before; but only to collect and submit to view those Principles and Rules, which I had seen taught with the greatest Success Page by the most eminent Masters in the genteel Way. As the Notes of the Music are placed on the Top of every Plate, the Characters of the Steps marked below, and the Figures represent two Persons in the very Action of Dancing; whoever has made any Progress in the Knowledge of musical Notes and of the Characters of Dancing, will be able by intently viewing one of these Plates, at one and at the same Time, to call to Mind the Tune, to know the Order of the Steps, and to put the Body into the proper Attitude to take them. And tho' this Book, like all others which treat of any Art or Science, cannot be perfectly understood without some Study and Application; yet by a little Assistance from the Author, or others of the Profession properly qualified, all the Difficulties will be soon surmounted. The Figures in each Plate are designed only to shew the Postures proper in Dancing, but not to bear the least Resemblance to any Person to whom the Plate is inscribed; which it had been ridiculous to have attempted: The sole Intent of the Inscription being to do Honour to my self, by this small Testimony of my Gratitude to some honourable Persons. The continual Change of the Fashion will afford, I presume, a sufficient Excuse for the Drapery of the Figures: and Gloves were designedly omitted, on Purpose to shew the beautiful Shape of the Hands. The Faults, which may have happened in the Execution, either of the Printing, or Ingraving, will, I hope, be the more easily excused, if the Nicety of the Subject be considered, together with the Difficulty of the Performance, and the many Hands through which it has passed: especially if it be remembered, that this is not only my first Attempt, but likewise the first that has been made of the Kind.
It may seem a little strange, that I should claim the Honour of having first treated of the Art of Dancing; when a Book upon the same Subject was published in France as long ago as in 1725. But the following Account will, I hope, clear up all Doubt in Relation to the Justice of my Pretensions.
In Mist's Journal Sat. Jan. 13 1728, appeared this Advertisement, "Next Week will be published The Dancing-Master or The Art of "Dancing explain'd by Monsieur Rameau". This gave me no small Surprize, having never before heard of either any such Book, or Author. Page Had it been my Fortune to have known, either before, or after I undertook to write on this Art, that such a Book was extant, my Curiosity would certainly have led me to have consulted it; and had I approved it, 'tis highly probable I should have given the World a Translation of it, with some additional Observations of my own. This had been a much easier Task, than to compose a Work entirely new upon the same Subject: which I had actually finished in 1724 ready for the Press, as it is now published, without any material Alteration, a full Year before the Publication of Monsieur Rameau's Book, and near four Years before this Advertisement appeared; the Truth whereof several credible Witnesses have testified under their own Hands.
I advertised this Work of mine the first Time, as ready for the Press, and that it only waited for a sufficient Number of Subscribers to defray the Expence, in Berington's Evening Post, Oct. 15, 1726, and again in the same Paper Oct. 22. This Advertisement was repeated in The White-Hall Evening Post, Nov. 12. and in The London Journal, Dec. 3. In Mist's Journal of March 4. 1727, I gave Notice of the Publication of my Proposals, together with some Plates done by Way of Specimen; and renewed that Notice on 18th, in Berington's Evening Post, and again on Oct. 28. in the same Paper. From this particular Account it appears, that I had published seven Advertisements concerning my Work; the first of which was two Years and three Months, before ever the Translation of Monsieur Rameau's Book was advertised in Mist's Journal Jan. 13. 1728.
To secure my self in some Measure from the Damage I might receive by this Advertisement; I thought it necessary to publish one my self a few Days after, in Mist's Journal Jan. 27. To which I prefixed this Motto from VIRGIL, —Tulit alter Honores; intimating, that another Person had attempted to bear away the Honour of my Invention; and I may justly add, the Profit of it too. That this was his Intention is very plain from two Circumstances: the Addition to the Title; and the Alteration of the Form of Monsieur Rameau's Book. The Title of his in the original is onely The Dancing Master; to which the ingenious Translator, or perhaps Bookseller, thought Page proper to add that of mine, The Art of Dancing explain'd: The French Original was published in Octavo; but the Translation was magnified to a Quarto, almost the Size of mine, and yet proposed to be sold at half the Price. The assuming thus the very Title and Form of the Book proposed to the Publick by me, seems to have been done with no better View, than to raise an Advantage by anticipating my Design; and to obstruct the Success of it, by making it seem to be only a servile Imitation of the original Invention of Monsieur Rameau. This Contrivance was the more likely to have the Desired Effect, from the unfavourable Situation in which the Proposals for the Subscription to my Book might at that Time appear. It was above two Years since it had been advertised as ready for the Press: and this delay in the Publication, the not fixing any certain Time for it, and the Difficulty in procuring Subscriptions, upon the Number of which the Publication must in depend, might probably induce many Persons to suspect that it would never be published at all. And this Difficulty would be much increased, by offering to the Public a Book on the same Subject, with the same Title, and of almost the same Size, which yet should cost no more than half the Price of mine. To make which Book appear still more perfect and complete, and mine less necessary, or useful, the Gentleman who published it was not satisfied to present it to the World merely as a Translation of Monsieur Rameau's Work, approved by Monsieur Pecour, the greatest Master in France; _but was prompted by his Ingenuity and Generosity to make such surprizing Improvements in the Figures, as will be a lasting Monument of his great Abilities in the Art of Dancing.
Before I conclude this Preface, it seems necessary to say something more particularly of my self, for the Satisfaction of those to whom I may not have the Honour to be known; who will naturally expect, before they encourage a Piece of such an extraordinary Nature, to receive some Evidence, that the Person who undertakes it is in some measure qualified for the Performance.
In April 1707. I was placed as an Apprentice with Mr. Thomas Caverley, now living in Queen's-Square, St. George the Martyr, with whom I continued till the Year 1714. During which Time, I Page had likewise the good Fortune to be further instructed in the Theatrical Way, by that great Performer Mr. Cherreir, _once contemporary with the inimitable Mr. L'Abbe, with whom also I have had the Happiness of a Personal Acquaintance. Mr. Cherreir's great Merit, after he quitted the Stage, was supported a long Time by the late Mr. John Shaw, who was justly esteemed not only one of the finest Theatrical Dancers, but one of the most beautiful Performers in the Gentleman-like Way: the Acquisition of both which Excellencies in Practice, must be chiefly owing to those admirable Instructions in the Theory, which he received from Mr. Caverley, when He and I were fellow Apprentices to that great Master.
I beg Leave to mention in the next Place two of my Scholars, who have appeared upon the Stage with no small Applause. The one was Mr. John Topham, who danced upon both Theatres under the Name of Mr. Kellom's Scholar, when he had been with me no longer than betwixt two and three Years. The other was Miss Frances, who, on the Theatre Royal in Little Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, performed the Passacaille de Scilla, consisting of above a thousand Measures or Steps, without making the least Mistake; but the left me in the midst of her Improvement.
To this I hope it will not be thought improper to subjoin a short Account of some of my Compositions, which have been well received by the World. The Passepied Round O in 1715 dedicated to Mr. Caverley; the Shepherdess in 1716; the Submission in 1717, which, by the Name of Mr. Kellom's New Dance, was performed by Monsieur and Mademoiselle Salle, the two French Children, on the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, to very considerable Audiences, every Night, for a whole Week together. To which I beg Leave to add the Prince Eugene in 17281313. опечатка? может всё же 18 год?но в двух изданиях написано 28 год…; the Address the next Year; the Gavot in 1720; and the Passacaille Diana the Year following, dedicated to Mr. L' Abbe. All which I composed, wrote in Characters, and published, for the Improvement of the Art of Dancing.
I might here add a long Account of the Honour done me by many of the Nobility and Gentry in employing me to teach their Children; and in permitting me to publish it to the World by the Dedication of Page my Plates. But I have perhaps dwelt too long upon this Subject already, which I hope the candid Reader will excuse; and not impute this Account of my self to Vanity or Conceit, but to an earnest Desire in me to give the utmost Satisfaction to my Subscribers, and to remove all Suspicion of my Want of Talents proper for the Execution of this new Undertaking. And this was the more necessary to be done, because of the Disadvantage to which I have been exposed by going accidentally under two different Names, Kellom and Tomlinson; being known formerly by the first, but of late only by the last; the Occasion of which it may not be thought improper to relate.
During the Time of my Apprenticeship I went generally by the Name of Kellom, a Corruption of Kenelm my true Christian Name; as it is very common for young Persons to be called Mr. John, Mr. William, and the like, without the Addition of their Sur-name. At the Expiration of my Apprenticeship, several of my Friends out of Respect called me by my Sur-name of Tomlinson; but, being unwilling to decline the Advantage I might probably receive from the Reputation of having learned the Art of Dancing under so great a Master as Mr. Caverley, I chose rather to retain the Name of Kellom, by which I had been so universally known to have been under his Instruction. This Duplicity of Appellation turned afterwards to my great Disadvantage: many of the Nobility and Gentry, who would have had their Children taught by Mr. Kellom, refusing to employ Mr. Tomlinson tho' recommended to them; and many, who would have employed Mr. Tomlinson, rejecting Mr. Kellom. To prevent which Confusion for the future, I shall acknowledge my self obliged to those, who, instead of either singly, shall be pleased to call me by both conjunctly, Kellom Tomlinson.
Page 1414. Table of contents omitted in this transcription An Explanation of the Characters or Steps contained in the Tables of Plate E, in the exact Order they are treated of in this Work, shewing the different Ways in which the said Steps are performed whether forwards, backwards, sideways, or round, &c. in which you will see the Steps treated of in Words written down in Characters and Figures, which will not only convey a stronger Idea of the Steps, but also be very entertaining to the curious Reader.
TABLE I. The HALF COUPEE.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways to the right, and sideways to the left.
TABLE II. The COUPEE.
FIG. 1. The Coupee forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. The same backwards with either Foot in two Movements, or plain, as Fig. 1.
FIG. 3. Sideways before in two Movements with either Foot, or plain, as Fig. 4.
FIG. 4. Sideways behind with either Foot.
TABLE III. The BOUREE.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways before with either Foot.
FIG. 4. Sideways behind with either Foot.
FIG. 5. Sideways before and behind with either Foot.
FIG. 6. Sideways behind and before with either Foot.
FIG. 7. Twice behind and the third Step forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 8. Bouree and Bound with either Foot forwards.
TABLE IV. The MARCH and POINT and MARCH.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Point sideways with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Forwards with either Foot.
TABLE V. The BOUND.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways before with either Foot.
FIG. 4. Sideways behind with either Foot.
FIG. 5. Twice to a Measure.
FIG. 6. Thrice to a Measure.
TABLE VI. The CLOSE.
FIG. 1. With either Foot into the first Position forwards.
FIG. 2. With either Foot backwards into the first Position.
FIG. 3. Forwards with either Foot into the third Position inclos'd before.
FIG. 4. The same backwards with either Foot inclosed behind, and a Walk forwards to a Measure.
TABLE VII. The LEAP or JUMP.
FIG. 1. Forwards.
FIG. 2. Backwards.
FIG. 3. Sideways to the right Hand.
FIG. 4. Sideways to the left Hand.
FIG. 5. The upright Spring.
FIG. 6. Round in an upright Spring.
FIG. 7. Two Springs and a plain straight Step forwards to a Measure.
FIG. 8. Three Springs to a Measure forwards.
Page FIG. 9. The upright Spring and plain Step forwards to a Measure.
FIG. 10. Two Springs to a Measure forwards.
TABLE VIII. The RIGADOON STEP of one Spring open in the same Place.
FIG. 1. Upon the same Place with either Foot in the first Position.
FIG. 2. Upon the same Place with either Foot inclosing into the third Position forwards.
FIG. 3. The same inclosing into the third Position backwards.
FIG. 4. Upon the same Place inclosing into the third Position, first before and then behind, upright Spring, and Change of the hind Feet first with either Foot.
FIG. 5. The same with either Foot, first behind and then before, upright Spring into the first Position, and plain Step forwards to a Measure.
FIG. 6. The same in the first Position.
TABLE IX. The RIGADOON STEP of two Springs.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways crossing before with either Foot.
FIG. 4. Sideways crossing behind with either Foot.
TABLE X. The GALLIARD and FALLING STEP.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways to the Presence with either Foot.
FIG. 4. Sideways with either Foot in a quarter Turn facing the Sides of the Room.
FIG. 5. Sideways with either Foot in a half Turn to the Bottom of the Room.
An Explanation of the Characters or Steps contain'd in the Tables of the Plate marked I. as first Slipping before, and then slipping behind, &c.
TABLE XI. The SLIP BEFORE, SLIP BEHIND, and HALF COUPEE.
FIG. 1. Sideways with either Foot before and behind to the Presence.
FIG. 2. The same with a Bound behind and before with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Sideways with either Foot before and behind in a quarter Turn to each other.
FIG. 4. The same behind and before in a half Turn to the Bottom.
FIG. 5. Sideways with either Foot twice slipping behind.
FIG. 6. The same slipping twice before.
TABLE XII. The HOP or CONTRETEMP.
FIG. 1. Forwards with either Foot from the third Position.
FIG. 2. The same backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. With either Foot advancing to the Sides of the Room in a quarter Turn.
FIG. 4. The same with either Foot to the Bottom in a half Turn.
FIG. 5. Sideways crossing before with either Foot to the Presence.
FIG. 6. The same with either Foot in a quarter Turn facing the Sides.
FIG. 7. The same in a half Turn with either Foot to the Bottom.
FIG. 8. With either Foot stepping sideways and a Draw behind.
FIG. 9. The same in a quarter Turn to the Sides.
Page FIG. 10. Sideways crossing before with either Foot from the fourth Position.
FIG. 11. The same with a Bound.
FIG. 12. From the fourth Position advancing up the Room with either Foot.
FIG. 13. The same with a Bound.
FIG. 14. Backwards from the fourth Position with either Foot.
FIG. 15. The same with a Bound.
TABLE XIII. The CHASSEE or DRIVING STEP.
FIG. 1. Of three with either Foot from the fourth Position to the Presence.
FIG. 2. The same sideways.
FIG. 3. Of four to the Presence with either Foot from the fourth Position.
FIG. 4. The same sideways crossing the third of the four Steps before.
FIG. 5. The same in a quarter Turn to the Sides with either Foot.
FIG. 6. The same in a quarter Turn more to the Bottom.
FIG. 7. The same advancing, turning to each other upon the Half Coupee, or last Step of the four.
TABLE XIV. The BEATEN COUPEE, or HOP and DRIVING STEP of two Movements.
FIG. 1. The Beaten Coupee forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 2. Driving Step of two Springs backwards with either Foot.
FIG. 3. Beaten Hop forwards with either Foot.
FIG. 4. Driving Step of two Springs with either Foot sideways.
FIG. 5. The same of three Springs.
FIG. 6. The same of two Springs and a Close or Join.
FIG. 7. The same of one Spring and a Close.
TABLE XV. The CHASSEE or DRIVING STEP of three Springs upon the same Place.
FIG. 1. Of three Springs to the Presence with either Foot.
FIG. 2. The same to the Sides of the Room.
FIG. 3. The same of two Springs to the Presence.
TABLE XVI. FIG. 1. The FLYING CHASSEE or DRIVING STEP retiring backwards, CLOSE and COUPEE to a Measure with either Foot, and HALF COUPEE.
TABLE XVII. FIG. 1. The HOP of two Movements with either Foot from the fifth Position upon the same Place.
TABLE XVIII. FIG. 1. The PASSACAILLE STEP with either Foot to the Presence.
TABLE XIX. FIG. 1. The HOP and two CHASSEES or DRIVES round upon the same Place with either Foot.
TABLE XX. FIG. 1. The FALL and SPRING with both Feet at the same Time, &c. with either Foot.
TABLE XXI. FIG. 1. The CLOSE beating before and falling behind, upright SPRING, and COUPEE &c. with either Foot.
TABLE XXII. FIG. 1. The same beating before and falling behind in a whole Turn, &c. with either Foot.
TABLE XXIII. FIG. 1. The BALONNE with either Foot.
TABLE XXIV. The TURN upon a whole Position, a quarter, half, three quarter, &c.
FIG. 1. A quarter Turn with either Foot to the Sides of the Room.
FIG. 2. A half Turn to the Bottom with either Foot.
FIG. 3. A three quarter Turn to the Sides with either Foot.
FIG. 4. The same with either Foot and a whole Turn.
Page TABLE XXV. The PIROUETTE crossing behind.
FIG. 1. A quarter Turn with either Foot to the Sides.
FIG. 2. A half Turn to the lower End with either Foot.
FIG. 3. A three quarter Turn with either Foot to the Sides.
FIG. 4. The same with either Foot quite round.
The PIROUETTE crossing before.
FIG. 1. A quarter Turn with either Foot to the Sides.
FIG. 2. A half Turn with either Foot to the Bottom.
FIG. 3. A Three quarter Turn with either Foot to the Sides.
FIG. 4. The same with either Foot quite round.
TABLE XXVI. The PIROUETTE introduced by a COUPEE.
FIG. 1. The Coupee with either Foot
FIG. 2. The Pirouette with either Foot.
TABLE XXVII. The BOUREE before and behind, and behind and before, advancing in a whole Turn.
FIG. 1. Before and behind with either Foot in a half Turn.
FIG. 2. Behind and before with either Foot in a half Turn more to the Presence.
TABLE XXVIII. The same before and behind, and the COUPEE introducing a HOP or CHASSEE.
FIG. 1. Before and behind in a half Turn with either Foot.
FIG. 2. The Coupee in a quarter Turn to the Sides with either Foot.
FIG. 3. The same before and behind in a half Turn with either Foot.
FIG. 4. The Half Coupee opening the disengaged Foot in the Air setting down inclos'd behind the Foot on which the Weight is, with either Foot.
TABLE II.
FIG. 1. The MINUET STEP of two Movements or ONE and a FLEURET.
FIG. 2. The same open off sideways to the right Hand.
FIG. 3. The same crossing behind to the left sideways.
FIG. 4. The same of three Movements crossing behind to the left.
FIG. 5. The same of three Movements before and behind to the left.
TABLE III. Steps by Way of GRACE.
FIG. 1. The Hop or Contretemp in the Minuet forwards.
FIG. 2. The same backwards.
FIG. 3. The Double Bouree upon the same Place, the first, Fig. 1. the second, Fig. 2. forwards.
FIG. 4. The Double Bouree forwards the first Fig. 1. and the second Fig. 2.
FIG. 5. The Balance, the first Fig. 1. and the second Fig. 2.
FIG. 6. The two Marches, the first Fig. 1. and the second Fig. 2.
FIG. 7. The Slip behind and Step forwards to either Hand. The Slip behind to the right, Fig. 1. The Step forwards, Fig. 2. Slip behind to the left, Fig. 3. The Step forwards, Fig. 4.
FIG. 8. The same in two Measures.
Plate U. contains the whole Form of the Minuet in the exact Order treated on in BOOK II.
BEfore I proceed to treat on Motion, I apprehend it to be necessary to consider that Grace and Air so highly requisite in our Position, when we stand in Company; for, having formed a true Notion of this, there remains nothing farther to be observed, when we enter upon the Stage of Life, either in Walking or Dancing, than to preserve the same.
And, for the better understanding of this important Point, let us imagine ourselves, as so many living Pictures drawn by the most excellent Masters, exquisitely designed to afford the utmost Pleasure to the Beholders: And, indeed, we ought to set our 4 Bodies in such a Disposition, when we stand in Conversation, that, were our Action or Postures delineated, they might bear the strictest Examination of the most critical Judges.
Let us, therefore, to draw nearer to the Subject in hand, inquire into the Nature of those Position that must be observed, in order to attain this fine and becoming Presence: And that our Readers may be furnished with proper Direction to arrive at the same, tho’ perhaps, our Rules may not be perfect as could have been wished, we flatter ourselves they will be of no small Use and Advantage; wherefore, without farther Apology, I shall enter upon the Description of Position in general.
Position, then, is the different Placing or Setting our Feet on the Floor, whether in Conversation or Dancing; and those for Conversation, or when we stand in Company, are when the Weight rests as much on one Foot as the other, the Feet being considerably separated or open, the Knees streight, the Hands placed by the Side in genteel Fall or natural Bend of the Wrists, and being in an agreeable Fashion or Shape about the Joint or Bend of the Hip, with the Head gracefully turning to the Right or Left, which compleats a most Heroic Posture; and, tho’ it may be improper, in the Presence of Superiors, among Familiars, it is a bold and graceful Attitude, called the Second Position 1515. see Plate III: Or, when the Heel of the right or left Foot is inclosed or placed, without Weight, before the Ancle of that Foot by which the Poise is supported, the Hands being put between the Folds or Flaps of the Coat, or Waiste-coat, if the Coat is unbuttoned, with a natural and easy Fall of the Arms from the Shoulders, this produced a very modest and agreeable Posture, named the Third Position inclosed 1616. see the Feet in Plate IV: Or, if the inclosed Foot be moved open from the other, sideways, to the Right or Left, about the Distance of half a Foot, or as far as, in setting it down to the Floor, the Weight of the Body resting on the contrary Foot is not disordered by it, with the Toes handsomely turning out, the Hat under one Arm, and the 5 other in some agreeable Action, the Head also turning a little from the Foot on which the Poise rests, this we stile the Fourth Position open, and it may be very justly esteemed a most genteel and becoming Posture 1717. see Plate VIII .
The Positions, from which Dancing dates its Original, consist of five Principles: As, first, when the Toes turning outwards, the two heel are equally placed together 1818. see Plate II. Secondly, when both Heels are considerably separated or open 1919. see Plate III. Thirdly, when the Poise rest upon one Foot, the other being inclosed or placed before the Ancle of that Foot by which the Weight is supported 2020. see Plate IV. Fourthly, when the inclosed Foot is advanced upon a right Line, about the Length of a Step in Walking 2121. see Plate IX. And, Fifthly, when the Heel of the advanced Foot is so crossed and placed before the Toe of that Foot on which the Body rests, as that the Turning may be made, and yet one Foot not, in the least, interrupt the other 2222. see Plate XI. Having briefly described the most agreeable Postures of Standing in Conversation, and laid down the Rudiments of the whole Art of Dancing, I shall now proceed to treat on Motion, the Result of Position, and first begin with Walking.
WALKING consists of Motion and a Change of Place, by transferring the Weight or Poise of the Body from one Foot to the other, by stepping or advancing the disengaged Foot (whichsoever it be) from the first Position 2323. See Plate I. to the fourth advanced2424. See Plate IX., and so alternately, concluding as at first2525. See Plate I., but always on the contrary Foot. In order to walk gracefully, it is to be observed, that, during the Step or Motion made by the disengaged Foot, as above2626. See Plate IX , the 6 whole Weight of the Body must rest on the same Foot as at commencing it2727. See Plate I., until the stepping Foot is advanced its due Length of Step2828. See Plate IX.; and, on its receiving the Poise or Weight on the Ball or full Part of the Heel, upon setting it to the Ground or Floor, the now disengaged Foot, which at first supported the Weight, becoming by this means released, attends the Poise in a gentle and easy Motion, until it arrive in its former Position2929. See Plate I.; but on the contrary Foot for the Step next ensuing, which is made in like Manner, and so on; for if, instead of the Body's waiting or attending the Motion of the stepping Foot, as above described3030. See Plate IX., it should either go before or along with it, the Grace that ought to accompany our Steps, in Walking, is lost, because the Foot must constantly go before the Body3131. See Plate IX., to receive it, otherwise it will always represent the Body in a falling Posture.
And it is farther to be noted, that, in Walking with a good Grace, Time and Harmony must be observed, as well as in Dancing: For Example, the setting down or receiving the Poise, at the End of the Step, is upon One; the taking up the disengaged Foot, by a gentle and easy raising the Heel and pointing the Toe, in one intire Motion, which is the Manner of taking up the Foot to step, is upon Three3232. See Plate I.; and Two is in the coming up of the disengaged Foot, after the Step has been made3333. See Plate I., which may be continued faster or slower, but must always be in one certain Time, counting One, Two, and Three, as in Music. And, by this Method, the Body with a good Grace resting or standing, 'till two Thirds of the Three we count, must necessarily add great Beauty to our Walking, which is the Case under Consideration; for the Step is made upon One3434. See Plate IX., the Preparation or Taking up the Foot, to make the Step, Three3535. See Plate I., and Two is in the coming up of the released Foot, to continue our Walking.
And, as to the Motion of the Arms in Walking, they will naturally have their due Course or Swing, in a continual Contrast or Opposition to the Feet; for, when the right Foot steps forwards3636. See the second Figure or Woman's Side in Plate IX., 7 the left Arm advances, in Contradiction, as the right Arm does, when the left Foot steps forwards3737. See the first Figure in Plate IX., and so alternately; and the like in Walking backwards, in Relation to the Contrast, but not with Respect to the Arms, because, in Walking backwards, the Contradiction is between the same Arm and Foot; for, when the right Foot steps back3838. See the first Figure in Plate IX., the right Arm advances in Opposition, as, when the left Foot steps backwards3939. See also the second Figure in Plate IX., the left Arm advances, as aforesaid, and so on, if continued. Having, I hope, offered what will prove satisfactory, on this Head, I shall next inquire into the different Sorts of Bows and Courtesies in Conversation.
BOWS or Courtesies are the outward Marks of Respect we pay to others, which, in one Sex, are shewed by bowing the Body, but, in the other, by bending the Knees; and, if made in a regular Manner, they are, indeed, very grand, noble, and highly ornamental. They accompany our Conversation, as well in Standing as Walking; in the former, on breaking off a Conversation, as in taking Leave, or by way of Acknowledgment for some Favour or obliging thing spoken in our Praise; and in the latter, when we enter a Room, or meet a Person passing either on the Right or Left. These are the two different Classes or Sorts of Bows and Courtesies, which are, as it were, founded on the two preceding Chapters of Standing and Walking; and, to begin with leaving a Room, which relates to the first of the said Orders, I shall observe, 8 that Taking Leave in Conversation consists in stepping aside, bowing, and leaving the disengaged Foot pointed, sideways, in one intire Motion to the first Division of the Bow or counting of One4040. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book, during which it remains the Respect or counting of Two4141. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book; and, in the graceful Raising of the Body upon Three, it is drawn pointed, with the Knees streight 'till it crosses behind the Foot on which the Poise rests, and stands erect on the Foot that it crosses behind4242. See the 3d Plate in Book the 2d., to be repeated as often as Occasion requires; and it is to be noted, that the Respect, if repeated, is always made to the same Hand; if the Leave be taken to the Right, the Stepping aside is always with the right Foot4343. See the 2d Plate in Book the 2d, as it is always to the Left, if taken the contrary Way4444. See Plate 4 in Book the 2d.
In Conversation with a Gentleman or Lady standing, the very same Bow is made, as in leaving a Room, the receiving the Poise on the Foot drawn behind excepted4545. See the 3d Plate in Book the 2d.; but, instead thereof, it remains, on Conclusion of the Bow, in the Third Position, upon the Point, without Weight, behind the foremost Foot which here supports the Poise, in readiness to repeat the Respect, if necessary4646. See the Feet in Plate 5., because, in this Bow of Repetition, it always steps first to one Hand4747. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book, and then to the other4848. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book, in order to preserve the same Ground; otherwise, if made as leaving a Room4949. See Plate 3, Book the 2d, it would have the contrary Effect and cause the Persons to retire, instead of resting in the same Place; and it is a very genteel and becoming Bow, if the Stepping aside, Bow, and Point of the disengaged Foot, be made, at once5050. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book, and a Pause or Counting of Two is observed between the Stepping aside and Bowing5151. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book, and the graceful Rising up again from thence, in drawing of the pointed Foot up, at the same Time, into the abovementioned Position5252. See the Feet in Plate 5, be also in one intire Motion. As to the Reverence or Courtesy of a Lady, on the present Occasion, with Regard to the Feet, it is much the same, but not so, in Relation to the Body; because, as I have already said, the Respect the former 9 shews to any is by bending the Body, but the Courtesy or Respect, which a Lady pays to those of either Sex, is by a graceful Bending of the Knees5353. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, accompanied with a becoming and suitable Disposition of the different Parts of the Body: As, having the Hands before them, in some agreeable Posture supporting, as it were, the slanting or falling Shoulders, which, at the same Time, lengthen and more gracefully expose a fine Neck, as well as a beautiful Face composed of so many delicate and charming Features, with which they are usually adorned by the Bounty of Nature; and, tho' it may be, in some Measure, presumptuous to attempt any Addition to the natural Charms of the Fair Sex, I flatter myself they will forgive me, if I acquaint them, that a modest Look or Direction of the Eye, an agreeable Smile or a lively and pleasant Aspect, with a Chin neither poked out nor curbed in, but the whole Countenance erect and graceful, will add a Lustre to the whole, where any of these are wanting, whether in one Sex or the other; and, together with the easy Situation or Posture of the whole Head, Neck, and Arms, with the handsome Turn of the Feet, they compleat the intire Fashion or agreeable Disposition of a fine accomplished Lady, as well in Conversation in general, as the Courtesy5454. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, or Walking, from its being thus disposed, from Top to Toe, is only to preserve the graceful Position of the Body, as above described.
It only now remains to inquire, whether a Lady steps aside and makes her Honour, in the Manner we have shewn a Gentleman leaves a Room, after stepping aside5555. See Plate the 2d in Book the 2d, by drawing the disengaged or pointed Foot5656. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d into the first Position, equal to the Foot, which stepped aside5757. See Plate the 2d, instead of drawing it crossing behind, as aforesaid5858. See the 4th and 11th Plates; or that Courtesying, without stepping aside at all5959. See Plate the 2d, as some do, is only to let the Weight or graceful Fashion of the Body, as just described, fall, or rather feat itself, as on a 10 Chair or Stool, without Disorder, upon that Foot which is drawn or crossed behind6060. See the 4th and 11th Plates, as in leaving Company, or on both Legs equally alike6161. See Plate the 2d, if the pointed Foot be drawn into the first Position6262. See Plate the 2d; and the like, if made on both Legs, without moving from the same Place6363. See Plate the 2d, only with this Difference, in Relation to the Weight's coming upon the pointed Foot6464. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d or that which is crossed behind6565. See the 4th and 11th Plates, after touching the Heel of the Foot on which the Poise rests6666. See the Feet in Plate 5, in like Manner as when the Gentleman takes Leave6767. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, and retires back, as it were a Seat for the Weight to rest upon6868. See the 4th and 11th Plates, whilst the Courtesy or Lady's Respect is paid, upon the Beginning or first Division; whereas, in a Bow for the Man, it does not receive the Weight, 'till the third Division6969. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, resting the Counting of Two for the Respect, as we have observed, in the contrary Sex; and, upon counting of Three or compleating the Courtesy, it rises in the same slow, graceful, and deliberate Manner, 'till it stands upright on the crossing behind Foot7070. See Plate the 3d in Book the 2d, as at first it seated itself thereon, in the Courtesy or Bending of the Knees7171. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, compleating the Respect or Courtesy, on a Lady's leaving a Room, in the disengaged or foremost Foot's being at Liberty to renew the Respect, as Occasion requires7272. See Plate the 3d in Book the 2d.
As to which Foot the Stepping aside begins with, in Relation to taking of Leave, it is altogether the same, as was described for the other Sex; but, as this Courtesy or Respect has the like Effect, as I observed, in treating of the Bow in Conversation with another; viz. Retiring from each other, it is to be evaded in rising, by transferring the Poise from the hindmost Foot to the foremost, which, being then at Liberty, is ready to repeat the Complaisance on the contrary Side, and so to preserve the same Ground. And the like may be said, in Relation to concluding the Courtesy on the stepping aside Foot, 11 when the pointed Foot is drawn into the first Position7373. See Plate the 2d; or the like, without stepping at all, by swaying or waving the principal Part of the Body, as Occasion offers, either upon the right7474. See the 2d Figure or Woman's Side in Plate 1 or left Foot7575. See the 1st Figure in Plate 1, as will be most to Advantage, in the graceful bending or sinking down upon the Knees7676. See the 2d and 4th Plates in the 2d Book; which Wave or Sway of the Body not a little contributes to the Beauty of the Courtesy, as does also the handsome Position of the Waiste, neither too much forwards nor backwards, the whole Poise of the Body being beautiful and upright, as before described, directly perpendicular or right down over the Heel or Heels, on which the Poise rests7777. See Plate 2d in the 2d Book; and this, I think, concludes all that is necessary to be said, concerning the Reverence or Courtesy made by Persons of either Sex, according to the first Class, relating to Position or Standing, at leaving a Room, or in Conversation with others.
I now proceed to the Second Sort of HONOURS, viz. those which are introduced by Motion, as in Walking, &c. and I shall, first, finish what concerns the Ladies, before I return to the Gentlemen, who are to observe, that, at the End of the last Step, after their Entrance into a Room, before they pay their Respect or Honour, they are to make a graceful Pause or Stand upon the Foot that made the last Step, which, as has been already said, in Walking, is compleated upon counting of One; so that the whole Person rests the counting of Two, in the coming up of the disengaged Foot into the first Position, equal to the Foot which made the last Step preparatory for the Courtesy7878. See the 1st and 2d Plates; and Three is the Rest it makes, when thus joined in the graceful Disposition of the whole Fashion, or upon taking it up, if afterwards stepping aside7979. See Plate 1, and thus erect from Head to Foot, it is duly prepared to make the Courtesy in that smooth Manner of bending the Knees we have described, directing the Eye, as Occasion 12 requires; or the like, if the Courtesy be made in stepping aside, as in taking Leave8080. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, for there is no other Difference between the Honour or Respect, on leaving Company and coming up to them, than that, as I have observed, the former proceeds from Position or Standing8181. See the 4th, 5th and 8th Plates, and the latter is introduced by Motion or Walking8282. See Plate 1; but, having shewn, what that Preparation is, there is no Occasion for any farther Enlargement.
If a Lady makes an Honour Passing, either on the Right or Left, or in meeting any One, in Conversation, Walking, or the like, at the End of the Step preceding the Complaisance or Respect, the turns about half way towards the Person, upon Conclusion of the said preparatory Step or Counting of One; and, upon Counting of Two, the lets the disengaged or coming up Foot touch the Heel of that Foot which stepped, crossways, before the said coming up Foot8383. See the Feet in Plate 5, which now attends the Poise, in order to make the Honour; and, upon Three, the sets it down, somewhat obliquely or slanting off from the Person to whom the Respect is paid, without Weight8484. See the Feet in Plate 10, and thus becomes duly prepared to make the Courtesy8585. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d; I mean, when the Head is beautifully turned to the Right or Left, according to the Side on which the Respect is made, in a graceful Contrast of the whole Fashion; and, being so disposed, the makes the Honour by a smooth and easy Bending of the Knees. The whole Poise of the Body, during the Counting of One or Bending, as aforesaid, rests the Counting of Two8686. See Plates 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, or, as we have already said, the Respect in a fine Contrast; and, upon the third Division or compleating the Courtesy, it rises gracefully from the Foot on which it rested, all the while, in this becoming Twist, Passing on, 'till it stands erect upon the Foot which was placed or advanced for that Purpose8787. See the Feet in Plate 10, by transferring the Poise from the Foot that made the preparatory Step for this Respect, which, being now at 13 Liberty, is ready to repeat the same, as often as Occasion requires8888. See Plate 1; and from hence it becomes a Kind of Walking Courtesy, changing the Poise from one Foot to the other. And it is to be noted, that it must always be the Foot next the Person, which makes the last Step in Walking, before the Respect: For Instance, if the Person be on the Right, the right Foot makes the Step; and the left, if the Honour be paid to the other Side, turning, as before described, towards the Person or Foot which made the Step in Preparation for the Courtesy, and directing the Eye, sideways, upon the Person to whom the Respect is paid, instead of right forwards, as when entering a Room, or meeting One, which is the only Difference. And it is to be farther observed, that, tho' this Complaisance may be repeated, once or more, after passing a Person, it must never be made, before we come parallel to the Person to whom we pay this Respect; and if Occasion requires its being transferred to the other Side, which often falls out, as when Company are seated or standing, on both Sides of a Room or Gallery, &c. we continue walking on, till we arrive at the next Occasion of paying this Respect, as when Company are scattered, at some Distance, and then make the Pause or Stand, at the End of the Step next the Person or Persons, by turning, &c. as before; or if the Change or Transferring may be soonest performed, as when Company are thick on both Sides, it must be divided by two Steps made between the preceding Courtesies, the second Step preparing to pay the Respect, as I have already shewn, which will be the left Foot, the foregoing Honour being supposed to the Right; and the right Foot, if the Complaisance be first paid to the Left. And, in these Passing Honours, it must be noted, that no Regard is to be observed, with Respect to the Quality of the Person, but only Conveniency, in Relation to the Right or Left, as the Company first present themselves, as we pass along; nor, indeed, can it well be otherwise, 14 because they are all to receive it, in their Turns. As what has been said is all that I apprehend to be material, relating to the Ladies, I flatter myself, that they will not be wanting in putting these Rules into Practice, since I have been at so great Pains in composing them for their Service.
I shall now proceed to the Conclusion of what I have to offer to the Gentlemen, on this Head, which is much to the like Effect with what was observed to the Ladies; for, when a Gentlemen enters a Room, the graceful Stand or Rest he makes, as already described, in the Courtesy for a Lady on this Occasion, must be always made on the last Step before Bowing, which may be on the left Foot; whilst the right, in coming up, as aforesaid, in its Attendance on the Poise, instead of ending in the first Position8989. See Plate 1, as in Walking, is placed considerably more open, sideways, without Weight, the Heel being somewhat raised, the Ball or Instep pointed or pressing lightly on the Floor, the Knee streight, and the whole Weight of the Body, in a Gentleman-like Manner, resting on the left Foot9090. See the Feet in the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate 6, bows, as Occasion requires, by bending the Body and scraping the open Foot, at the same Time, in one intire Motion forwards; upon the Counting of One9191. See the Feet of the 2d Figure in Plate 9, remains the Respect or Counting of Two, in this respectful Posture, with the Knee on which the Body rests bended, to prevent its being awry, which otherwise would be the Consequence, and the Arms naturally hanging under the Shoulders; and, upon Three, it rises from this humble Posture in one intire slow Motion, 'till it stands erect on the right or scraping Foot; and the left, at the same Time, being released from the Weight of the Body, falls into the first Position, as in Walking9292. See the 2d Figure in Plate 1, to repeat it, if it be necessary.
The Bow Passing differs, in no Respect, from that advancing or coming into a Room, except in the Situation of the Person: For Instance, in entering a Room, the Person is before us, but only 15 upon one Side, on the present Occasion. From hence it appears, that, after the Step preceding the Bow and Pause, placing the contrary Foot or Preparative, is made9393. See the Feet of the 2d Figure in Plate 6, the Respect is paid in the very same Method, as forwards, only that the Body is turned in a beautiful and agreeable Twist or Contrast, sideways, looking upon the Person to whom we pay the Respect; if the Bow be made upon the Right, the antecedent Step is made with the left Foot, and the right, during the Pause, is placed for the Scrape in Bowing9494. See the Feet of the 2d Figure in Plate 6; as, if it be made on the contrary Side, the right Foot makes the preparatory Step, and the left will be placed, as aforesaid, to pay the Respect9595. See the Feet of the 1st Figure in Plate 6; and, if repeated, it will always begin and end with the same Foot, 'till changed by adding a second Step, which transfers the Bow to the other Side, as Occasion offers. This Bow is also made, in walking with a Gentleman or Lady, upon some obliging Expression in Conversation, once or oftener, as Necessity requires, with the right Foot scraping, if the Person be on the Right, but the contrary Foot, if the Person be on the Left. It must also be noted, that the Step made, before placing the Foot for the Bow, is to be made with the contrary Foot to the Side the Person is on, to whom the Respect is paid, and the placed Foot is that next the Person; tho' it is the Reverse in the Ladies, because the Step preparatory for this Respect is made with the Foot next the Person, and the contrary is the placed Foot.
It will not be improper, before I conclude with the Gentlemen, to take some farther Notice of a Difficulty that may arise, in the Application of the Bow Passing; I mean, the Changing or Transferring it from one Side to the other, because, in Passing through a Lane or Room full of Company, we cannot, as I have already observed to the Ladies, bow on both Sides, at once; and therefore the Rule is, to pay this Respect to those that first fall in our Way, 16 and, if possible, conclude on that Side, and then, by walking two Steps or more, to make the like Compliments on the other; which will be, by bowing and scraping the left Foot9696. See the Feet of the 1st Figure in Plate 6, if the first Respect be paid to the Right, and the contrary Foot, if it be first paid to the Left9797. See the Feet of the 2d Figure in Plate 6. And if it should fall out, as in St. James's Park, or other publick Places, where you may walk, perhaps, a considerable Way, before you find an Occasion for paying this Respect, you are to note, that these Bows, as we said, in Relation to the Ladies Courtesies, are never made, before you come equal to those you salute; and, if it be a Person of Nobility or extraordinary Fashion, an additional Bow, sideways, as when leaving a Room, may be added, with the contrary Foot to that which made the Scrape, turning full to the Person to whom you pay this uncommon Respect, in passing; nor must you forget, that, in entering a Room, or meeting any one, it is always to be added to the Bow Forwards, as being of singular Use, in paying Respect to the Company in general, as the former is to the Person we salute in particular, by a Cast of our Eye round the Company, omitting none, for an Omission may, many Times, be esteemed an Affront and ill Manners. It will be likewise expedient to observe, that some Ladies make the Passing Honour the very same, as that I have described for the Gentlemen; the only Difference is, that, after placing the Foot9898. See Plate 6, instead of bowing, in the Scrape of the Foot9999. See the Feet in Plate 9, they courtesy to the Right100100. See the Feet of the 2d Figure in Plate 6 or Left101101. See the Feet of the 1st Figure in the same Plate, as Occasion requires, in the graceful Contrast described for the other Sex's Bowing, concluding on the scraping Foot102102. See the Feet in Plate 9; which, if on the Right, will be the right Foot103103. See the 2d Figure in Plate 9, and 2d of Plate 1, and left at Liberty to step and place the preparatory Foot; as, on the contrary Side, it will conclude on the left Foot104104. See the 1st Figure in Plate 9, and 1st of Plate 1, and the right will 17 then be in Readiness to make the Step, and place the Foot, in order to its being repeated, according to the various Occasions before mentioned. Some also use this Method of Courtesying, when they enter a Room, or meet, a Person, which is, in all Respects, agreeable to the Gentleman's Bow, as above described, except in the Scrape or Sliding of the prepared Foot forwards105105. See the Feet in Plate 9, viz. to bend both Knees, at the same Time, and to let the Poise fall gracefully upon the hind Foot, during the first and second Divisions; and afterwards the Body rises beautifully, as aforesaid, 'till it stands on the advanced Foot106106. See the Feet in Plate 9, by transferring the Weight from the hind Foot, which, being released, is ready to walk107107. See Plate 1, and place the contrary Foot, in order to repeat it, in like Manner, if necessary: Or, if the Courtesy used, at leaving a Room, be added108108. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, it will then, in all Respects, be answerable to the Gentleman's Bow, at coming into a Room. But in Fine, let the Bow or Courtesy, notwithstanding all the various Methods, and the several Occasions, here described, be made in which of those Forms we please, they cannot fail of being performed to Advantage, but must necessarily produce a good Effect, provided they be made in the Manner already shewn, upon Counting of One109109. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, the Pause or Rest Two110110. See Plates the 2d and 4th in Book the 2d, and the Rising upon Three111111. See Plate 3d in Book the 2d. Having, therefore, in this Discourse upon Honours in general, endeavoured to take Notice of every Particular, that might prove useful or instructive, so as to omit nothing material, I flatter myself, that, if it be not, in all Respects, accomplished, according to my Intentions, the Difficulty of the Subject will plead my Excuse; and, as I have, in the preceding Chapters, regularly gone through what I apprehended necessary, upon Standing, Walking, and Honours in general, under the last of which Heads, as the Reader will easily perceive, it was scarce possible to avoid some Repetitions, in my treating distinctly on Bows and Courtesies, I shall now proceed to the various Steps of Dancing.
BEFORE I enter upon the various Steps of Dancing, it will be necessary to describe the Room in which the Dancing or Steps are to be performed; which indeed seems to claim our more immediate Notice, since it will greatly assist us, in forming clear and distinct Notions of the ensuing Work.
First then, you are to observe, that the Shape and Figure of Rooms differ exceedingly; for some are of a direct Square, others not square but oblong or longish, namely, when the two Sides are somewhat longer than the Top or Bottom, and various others that, in Reality, are of no Form at all; which renders Dancing extremely difficult and confused to those, who have not a just and true Idea of the Room, in its different Situations; because, if this be wanting, altho' they may perform very handsomely, at their own Houses, or in School with a Master, yet, in Assemblies or Rooms Abroad, they are as much disordered and at a Stand, as if in an Uninhabited Island. I therefore conclude, that the Crime, if it should by any be esteemed such, of dwelling somewhat longer than I intended on this Subject, will the more easily be pardoned by the Ladies and Gentlemen, when I acquaint them, that it intirely proceeded from the earnest Desire I have of rendering them Service, by endeavouring to remove the above mentioned Causes of Disorder and Confusion; which I cannot but persuade myself will meet with a favourable Reception, especially from the Hands of those who, by this Means, shall receive Improvement.
19 Encouraged by such a pleasing Prospect, I proceed to inform the Gentlemen and Ladies, that, when they are about to dance in a Room of the first Sort, viz. a direct Square112112. See the Square or Room, marked 1, in the 1st Plate distinguish'd by the Letter A, the dance may be begun, at any of the four Sides or Parts of the Square or Room; but then they are to note, that the Side or Part, on which the Dance begins, is always called the Bottom or Lower End113113. See the Letters A B in the said Square; the Side or Part which they face, the Presence or Upper End114114. See the Letters C D; and the two remaining Parts or Sides of the Room receive their Names, according to the Hand they are on: For Instance, the Side, to which the right Shoulder points, is call'd the right Side115115. See the Letters E F, and the other the left116116. See the Letters G H; from whence it is to be understood, that the Back is to the Lower End of the Room, and the Face to the Upper, so that, if, instead of Beginning, as aforesaid, you was to commence, either upon the right or left Sides, they would not be then Sides, as before, but the Upper and Lower Ends of the Room; that is to say, if upon the right Side117117. See the Letters A B in the Square mark'd 2 the left would be the Presence or Upper End118118. See the Letters C D in the said Square, and if upon the left119119. See the Letters A B in the Room or Square marked 3 the right120120. See the Letters C D in the said Square, and consequently the Parts or Sides, which at first were the Lower121121. See the Letters A B in the Square marked 1 and Upper Ends122122. See the Letters C D in the same Square, now are the Sides; but all this is subservient to, and depends upon the Company, who must always be seated at the Presence or Upper End.
As to the longish or second Sort of Rooms, they differ from the Square, in the Sides being longer than the Ends123123. See the Letters E F G H in the Rooms marked 4, 5, 6; and it of Course follows, that the Dance must begin, at one of the said Ends124124. See the Letters A B in the Rooms marked 4, 5, 6, which is likewise decided by the Company; or, if the Door be hung near the End of one of the Sides, as usually it is, 20 the Dance commonly begins, at the End next the Door125125. See the following Mark + in the Rooms aforesaid. However that be, the Dancers must have a particular Regard to the Presence and Bottom of the Room, where they begun, otherwise it is no Wonder that those, who are of a timorous and bashful Nature, with the Fears of being out together with the various Turnings and Windings of some Dances, should be perplex'd and nonpluss'd; and this I have perceived to be the Case, when I have seen a Minuet begun at the Bottom of the Room, and ended at the Upper End; which could not possibly have happened, had they observed the preceding Rules.
I shall, for the more fully Clearing of this Point, add an Observation or two more that may be of Service: Supposing one Page or Leaf of the Book you now read, or any other, to be the Room or Floor in which the Dances or Practise of the Steps contain'd in the following Work are to be perform'd, lay it flat and open upon a Window or Table, at the Upper End of the Room; and if, when the Book is open, the two Pages make a Square, it will be agreeable to the first Room, and the one half or single Page to the longish or second; but you are to take special Notice, as to the Part or End of the Room intended for the Presence, that the Title or Page of the Book be so placed or laid upon the Table or Ground, as that, when you stand at the Bottom facing the Upper Part of the Room, to perform the foresaid Steps or Dances, you can read the said Book: Or, supposing the whole Floor to be the same Book, and to contain the Matter written in the Page or half Page, the Book lying fix'd and immoveable upon the Table or Ground, let the Turn be made to the Right or Left, in a Quarter, Half, or Three-quarter Turn, and you cannot possibly make the least Mistake; for tho' the Book, by which you are directed in Compliance therewith, turns along with you, yet any other you shall lay upon the Ground will remain fix'd; so that from what has been said upon 21 this Head, I think it plainly appears, that the Lower End of the Page or Leaf is the Bottom of the Room, and the Title above the Presence or Upper End; the Beginning of the Lines, as you read these in Dancing, is the left Side, and the Breaking off of the Lines the right126126. See the 7th Example of the Book in the Plate of the Room, tho' the Sides of the Book are not so term'd. The Reason of this may be understood, by placing a Person at the Upper End of the Room facing the Bottom, holding a printed Book or written Paper perpendicular in his Hands, so as that you can read it; for you will find it the Reverse to Dancing, in that the right Hand will hold the Part of the Paper from whence the Lines begin, and the left that where they break off. It is farther to be noted, that, supposing the Dance for one Person alone in the square Room or two Pages of the Book, as just mentioned, the Dancer places him or herself in the Center, or upon the Joining of the two Pages, which, when open, is directly in the Middle127127. See the Letter S in the said 7th Example; or, to Practise any Step of this Book, the Case is the same; but, if the Dance be of two, the Lady takes the right Side of the said Center or Line128128. See the Letter W in the Example aforesaid, and the Gentleman the left129129. See the Letter M in the before mentioned Example, so that the joining or presenting of Hands, if necessary, would fall upon the Line or Center upon which the single Dancer begun130130. See the Letter S in the said 7th Example; in which it is to be noted, as on other Occasions, that the Lady takes the Right of the Gentleman.
And as I have now said what, I hope, will prove sufficient to remove all the Difficulties that may arise, in Dancing, on Account of the Room, or in Relation to the Steps I am about to explain, I shall no longer detain those who are ambitious of attaining to Perfection in a Science, of which I have the Honour of being a Professor; but, having prepared and made them thoroughly acquainted with the Room, in which the Steps of Dancing 22 are to be perform'd, I shall invite them into the same; but, before I describe the various Steps of Dancing, I shall, in a few Words, endeavour to prepare their Minds to form a clearer and more distinct Idea of the following Descriptions.
As the Human Structure is composed of different Parts, viz. Head, Neck, Body, Arms, Legs, Feet, &c. so likewise is Dancing of Positions, Steps, Sinking, Rising, Springing, Capering, Falling, Sliding, Turning, Figures, Cadence or Time, &c. And as the Head consists of Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, &c. the Arms, of the Shoulders, Elbows, Wrists, Hands, Fingers, and Joints of the Fingers, the Body, as it were, remaining in the Center or Middle of the Human Frame, supporting the said Arms, as the Legs, which support them both, are composed of the Hips, Knees, Ancles, Feet, Toes, and Joints131131. See the Figure in Plate III of the said Toes, on the first of which the Rising upon the Instep is always made; and as all these different Parts have their peculiar Excellencies, to adorn the Whole, so the Eyes give Life to the Face, as well as direct the Steps; the Ears mark Time to the Tune; the Nose, as it were, points out the graceful Twists or Turns the Head makes, in Opposition to the other Parts of the Body, whilst the Mouth, at the same Time, adds those becoming Smiles, which, together with the Brightness and Lustre of the Eyes, compleat a most agreeable and pleasing Countenance. The Neck too, in its graceful Compliance with the Turn of the Head; the Shoulders, in their natural Rising, Falling, or Hanging down132132. See the different Parts, as above described, in the Ladies Figures contained in the 2d Book; the Elbows, in their easy Bendings, according to the Occasion133133. See the Figures in Plate 10; the Wrists, in their pliable Correspondence with the Elbows and Shoulders, as the handsome Shaping or Bending of the Thumbs and Fingers produces beautiful Hands compleating the Arms134134. See the Parts above mentioned in the Arms and Fingers contained in Plate 13; which, in their respective Opposing the Head, in Conjunction 23 with the Body, is a farther and large Addition to the Whole135135. See the Turn of the Head, Body, and Arms, of the Figures in Plate 6, or in the 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, and 14th Plates.; the Legs, in the gracefully supporting the Frame of the Body, Head, Neck, and Arms136136. See the Figures contained in the 3d, 6th, and 8th Plates; and the Hips or Joints, which unite the Legs and Body, agree with the various Movements or Bendings and Risings of the Knees or Insteps137137. See the Figures in the 3d and 10th Plates, the Positions or handsome Turn of the Feet compleating the Beauty of the Legs, on the neat Management of which the Perfection of Dancing so much depends138138. See the Feet of the Figures in general; and these together, in Confederacy with the Head, oppose the Body and Arms, rendering the whole Body compleat and capable of Dancing, in all its various Attitudes or Postures139139. See the Figures in the 4th, 6th, 9th, 11th, 12th, and 14th Plates.
Having, by the foregoing Simile or Comparison, given an Account of the outward Form of the Human Structure, so far as it relates to, or corresponds with Dancing, or may, in any Respect, conduce to the better Understanding of the ensuing Subject, by running over the different Parts of the Body, from the Head to the Feet, which compose the Positions, with a short Explanation of the said Parts, shewing how they agree in forming the most pleasing Object, to grace the ART of DANCING140140. See the Figures in Plate 13, &c, before I proceed to treat on its various Steps, I shall, by the way, observe, that the foresaid Particulars, from whence the whole BODY or ART of DANCING is produced, namely, Position, Sinking, Stepping, Rising, Springing, &c. are of the very same Use, in Dancing, as the Alphabet, in the Composition of Words; for as Words vary and are produced, according to the different placing of the Letters; and different Subjects, Languages, &c. according to the different Composition of Words; or, as in Music, by the different placing of the Notes, that compose the Gamut upon the Scale or Spaces between the Lines, are produced different 24 Sounds, which, as they ascend or descend, compose various Bars or Measures, that may be compared to Words, and the various Bars and Measures compose the various Pieces of Music, in different Keys and Movements; so the different Steps of Dancing are produced, according to the various Placings of the Sinks, Risings, Bounds, &c_. upon the _Step, whether consisting of one, two, three or more Steps to the Measure, and the different Steps produce Variety of Dances, according to the Composer's Fancy, upon all Sorts of Movements in Music, whether grave or brisk.
We are, next, to shew, how these Actions or Motions of the Body, which, as we said above, compose the whole ART of DANCING, correspond with the Positions and various Motions and Steppings of the Feet, in composing the following Steps and Movements; and the Manner, in which they are made, will fully appear from the Description I am about to give of the said Steps, beginning with the HALF COUPEE, the Movement that first occurs in Dancing.
IT is, first of all, to be observed, that the Half Coupee, tho' a very agreeable Step in Dancing, as well as one of the most difficult to be performed well, by Reason of its Plainness, is originally nothing more than a single Step, made with either Foot, from one Place to another with the additional Ornament of a Movement or Bending or Rising of the Knees in Time to Music; and it is most amiable, when executed in that gentle and graceful Manner it ought to be, whether upon the Toe or Heel.
The Half Coupee may be perform'd various Ways, as by Sinking, Rising, and Stepping forwards; and the like backwards, sideways, to either Hand, or in turning a quarter or half Turn141141. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate mark'd E, &c. It usually takes up a Time or Measure of the Tune, and, being continued, transfers the Weight, as in Walking, from one Foot to the other; and, in Distinction from the rest, the Dancing-Masters have named it a Half Coupee, tho' I think it may rather be called a Coupee of one Step, as the Title above specifies: But, as I shall have Occasion to give a farther Account of this Step, when, in treating of the Bouree or Fleuret, I carry on a Comparison between the Step and the Half Coupee, I shall, in the mean Time, proceed to the Coupee, the Movement that next occurs in Dancing.
THE COUPEE, on the other Hand, is a compound Step; that is to say, it is formed of two Steps joined together, which, however, are to be accounted but as a single Step: The first Movement of which begins in a Sink and Rise. If the Tune, to which it is perform'd, be of triple Time (as a Saraband, for Instance, which admits only of three Notes in a Bar) then the first Step takes up one of the three Notes, and the other two Notes are counted in the remaining Step. The Weight of the Body must always rest on the contrary Foot to that, on which you begin; so that, if you begin your Coupee with the right Foot, the Poise must be on the left142142. See the 1st Figure or Man's Side of Plate I, and continue so to be, 'till you have compleated the first Step of the two, which, as I said, compose the Coupee. The first Part being finished, the right Foot immediately receives the Weight,143143. See the second Figure or Woman's Side in Plate 9 in the rising from the Sink which is made, at commencing the Step, and in the same Instant beats Time, as we call it, to the first of the three Notes contained in the Bar; supporting the Body144144. See the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate I, whilst the left Foot, to compleat this compound Step, slides with a slow and gentle Motion, filling up the remaining two Notes of the Bar or Measure145145. See the 1st Figure or Man's Side in Plate 9, and the whole Step is compleated, at the Instant when the left Foot a second time receives the Weight146146. See the 1st Figure of Plate 1. This Step, like the Half Coupee, admits of being variously performed, 27 as forwards, backwards, sideways, and circularly147147. See the Explanation and Table of the Coupee in the Plate mark'd with the Letter E. It differs, indeed, from the Half Coupee, in the Continuance of performing it; for whereas the Half Coupee, as in Walking, transfers the Weight, every Time, from one Foot to the other, the Coupee does the very Reverse, in that it always begins with the same Foot: For, if you begin it with the left Foot, it will end with the right; and, if with the right, it concludes on the left148148. See the Table and Explanation, as aforesaid, of the Plate of Tables mark'd E; and so mutually, as often as ever it is repeated, and until it is changed by some other Step. It is called a Coupee, from its containing two Steps instead of one, which is all that the Half Coupee employs.
THE Coupee with two Movements is composed, as the Coupee I have already explain'd, of two Steps; but it differs in this, that whereas the Coupee treated of before consists only of one Movement, that is to say, of one Sink and Rise, which is what we call Movement, and made to the first Step; so it consequently follows, that there must be another Movement added to the second, tho' different from the first; for in that the Sink is made, before the Foot moves; and the Rise, after the Foot has moved, that is to say, when you have made a Step, as I have already observed, as in walking either forwards, backwards, or sideways, &c. but, in this additional Movement, the Sink and Rise are together in the Midst of the Motion the 28 Leg makes, in stepping, as in the preceding; and supposing the Step is to a Louvre, or such like slow Air, it is performed in the Manner following, viz. to make the first Step which is to sink, before the Foot moves149149. See Plate 1, and rise in moving, or immediately after it has moved150150. See Plate 9; which said Rising and Receiving of the Weight upon the Foot, that made the first Step151151. See Plate 1, marks Time to the first Note of the three, which each Bar or Measure contains. The second Note is taken up with the Sink of the second Movement; and the Rise from it takes up the third Note of the same Measure, and compleats the Step; so that the first Movement and Step are made to the first Note of the three, and the second to the remaining two, and may be performed the different Ways aforesaid, as forwards, backwards, sideways before, or sideways behind, &c.152152. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in be Plate mark'd E and, as to its Continuance in Dancing, it is the same as the Coupee of one Movement, that is, always beginning with the same Foot, whether right or left: It is named a Coupee of two Movements, from its having the Addition of a second added to the former; which second Movement is made sometimes smooth upon the Floor, and sometimes by bounding off.
THE Bouree is composed of three plain streight Steps or Walks, except the first, which begins in a Movement, and is to be performed in the same Method, as the Half Coupee, or Coupee with two Movements, that is to say, must always sink, at the Beginning of the Step or Walk, and rise at, or gradually before the End of it; which is the Manner in which the first Step is usually taken, in the Performance of all Steps, except Springs, Bounds, Hops, or Chassees, &c. wherefore, for the Future, I need not say any more of the Method of beginning these Sorts of Steps, in Dancing, otherwise than to make a Movement, without mentioning how the Sink and Rise are to be made, since they have been already explained.
A Bouree or Fleuret, as I have observed, consists only of three plain streight Steps; but a Movement is added to the first of them, the Rise of which Movement, as has been said, always strikes the Cadence or Time; and, if this Step is done to a Tune of three Notes in a Measure, the first Step answers to the first Note, the second Step to the same Note, and the third Step to the last Note of the Measure, concluding together.
You are also to note, that tho' in the Bouree there are three distinct Walks or Steps, yet nevertheless, these three Steps are to be esteem'd but as one Step, in Regard of its being a composed Step; as will appear by the Half Coupee, which, tho' no more than a single Step, is, however, a Step, because it generally takes up a Measure, but more especially in Tunes of triple Time; and it is made by a smooth and easy Bending of the Knees, Rising in a slow and gentle Motion from thence; which Rising, as I have said, is upon the first Note of the Measure, the Weight 30 of the Body being supported by the Foot that made the Step, during the Counting of the second and third Notes of the Bar.
The graceful Posture of the Dancer's Standing adds not a little to the Beauty of this Step, who, 'till the Time be expired, is to wait or rest; by which it is evident, that the Half Coupee, tho' a single Step, is equal, in Value, to any compound Step whatsoever, whether of two, three, four, or more Steps in a Measure.
But to return, the Bouree-Step may be perform'd various Ways, as forwards, backwards, sideways, crossing before, the same behind, before and behind, behind and before, &c153153. See the Explanation and Table of the Bouree in the Plate mark'd E, the Explanation of which, I think, may not be improper, in this Place; and therefore I shall proceed to shew the Method of their Performance, one after the other, in the Order above set down, except the Fleurets forwards and backwards; which being so intelligible of themselves, and having Occasion hereafter to speak of this Step, by way of Grace to the Minuet, instead of saying any thing farther of them here, I shall begin with the Bouree-Step crossing before, sideways; which is to be perform'd, as follows, either with the right or left Foot: For Instance, provided you begin with the Latter, the Weight must be on the right154154. See the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate I; and the left Foot, which is at Liberty, commences by making a Movement and Step, to the right Side of the Room, crossing before the Foot on which the Body rests155155. See the first Figure in Plate 4, and the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate XI, the Face being to the Upper Part of the Room, and it receives the Weight156156. See the first Figure or Man's Side of Plate 5. The second is the right Foot, which steps the same Way157157. See the 2d Figure in Plate 6; and the third and last, which is with the left, crosses before, as at first158158. See the first Figure in Plate 4, and the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate XI, only without a Movement159159. See the first Figure or Man's Side of Plate 5. The Bouree crossing behind, sideways, differs from the Former in this, that whereas that was before, this is behind; that is to say, the Weight being, as aforesaid160160. See the 2d Figure or Woman's Side of Plate I, 31 the left Foot, instead of making the Movement and first Step crossing before the right, it now is made crossing behind it; and the next Step, which is with the right Foot, moves the same Way, after which the third and last Step with the left Foot is drawn behind the right, and concludes. The Bouree before and behind is, when the first Movement and Step are made crossing before the Foot on which the Weight is, whether right or left, the second Step moving sideways, the same Way, and the third drawn behind it, facing upwards, as before. The Bouree behind and before is done in the like Manner, only the first Step is not cross'd before but behind, the second stepping sideways, and the third drawn crossing before. The Bouree, which I call twice behind, is made as follows: Suppose, for Example, you make a Movement, stepping backwards with the right Foot161161. See the 1st Figure of the 1st Plate, into the third Position inclos'd behind the left on which the Weight is, and releasing it162162. See the 1st Figure of the 4th Plate; upon which it makes the second Step of the Bouree, in a plain Step backwards, receiving the Weight inclos'd in the third Position behind the right163163. See the 2d Figure of the 4th Plate, which then performs the third Step of the Bouree, in a plain Step forwards164164. See the 2d Figure in Plate 9.
There are many other Ways of performing this Step, which would be too tedious to be mention'd here; and, as they are not to my present Purpose, omitting them, I shall only observe, that this Step, continued several Measures, changes the Foot, every Step, as has been taken Notice of in the Half Coupee; but with this Difference, that whereas the Half Coupee changes the Weight, every single Step, as in Walking, the Bouree or Fleuret only changes it, at the End of every third Step.
THE Bouree with two Movements consists of the same Number of Steps, as the former; but as that was of one Movement, this is of two; which second Movement is added to the last of the three Steps of which the Bouree is compos'd. This Step, in Effect, contains in itself two distinct Steps, namely, the Whole and Half Coupee; only it is not the same, in the Manner of its Performance; for they, as was already observed, in treating of them, are both equal to a Measure of themselves, but, in this Step, they are both to be performed to a Time or Measure, and must be accounted only as one Step: For Example, to a Tune of three Notes in a Bar, admiting it begins with the right Foot165165. See the 1st Figure of Plate the first, it is to be likewise granted, that the Weight must be on the left166166. See the 1st Figure of Plate the first, which supports the Body, 'till the first Step and Movement are made167167. See the 2d Figure in Plate 9; the Rise of which Step is to the first of the three Notes belonging to the Measure, on which the Weight rests, until the second Step is performed, that answers the same Note168168. See the 1st Figure in Plate 9 and ends the Coupee; whereas the second Step of the Coupee to a Measure takes up the second and third Notes, and consequently is as slow again, in its Performance, as this; which third Note of the Coupee to a Measure is taken up in this Step with the Rise from the Half Coupee, and is the third and last Step on which the second Movement falls169169. See the 2d Figure in Plate 9, from whence this Step derives its Name.
33 From what has been observed we may see, in what this Step differs from the two said Steps before described. In the Continuance of this Step the Weight changes170170. See the 2d. Figure in Plate I, as in the Bouree with one Movement, and may be perform'd forwards, backwards, sideways, circularly, &c. Note, this Step may be done with a Bound, that is to say, on the last Step upon which the second Movement is made, with a Spring from the Ground, which is what we call a Bound; and of this I shall take Occasion to say something in its proper Place, and give it the Name of Bouree with a Bound, as not being made on the Floor, as the Bouree with two Movements.
THE March is originally a single or plain Step, as the Half Coupee, but different in the Manner of its Performance, in that the Half Coupee bends or sinks, before the Step is performed, and rises, after it has been made; whereas, on the contrary, in this Step, the Movement or bending and Rising are made together, as in the second Movement of the Coupee with two Movements, after which commences a Slide; and the Sink, Rise, and Slide compose this Step, which, in its Performance, is as follows: For Example, if forwards, the Foot, you design to begin with, is to be intirely disengaged from the Weight behind the Foot on which the Body rests in the third Position, that is to say, the Ancle of the beginning Foot must touch the Heel of the Foot that supports the Weight171171. See the 1st and 2d Figures in Plate V; from which Position this Step always begins and is performed by making a Sink and Rise; but instead of stepping forwards, as in the Half Coupee, you rise and point the right or left Toe, sideways, according to the Foot you commence with, about 34 the Distance from the Foot the Body is upon, as half the Step you take in Walking172172. See the first and second Figures in Plate VI.
After this the Foot moves slowly forwards173173. See Plate IX, pressing the Floor, as it passes along, about the Length of a Step in Walking174174. See Plate IX which Pressing of the Toe or Instep to the Ground, as it moves175175. See Plate IX, is what we call a Slide in Dancing. And as to its Agreement with the Notes of triple Time, as mentioned before, you are to observe, that the Rise or Point176176. See Plate VI marks Time to the first Note; the March or sliding forwards of the Foot177177. See Plate IX takes up the second and third Notes, on the Expiration of which it receives the Weight, concluding in the third Position, as at first, but on the contrary Foot178178. See Plate V. This is one of the most agreeable Steps in Dancing; and it may be performed either forwards, backwards, or sideways, &c. and in Performance, when continued, it transfers the Weight from one Foot to another, as in the Half Coupee.
THE Point and March is so call'd from having a Point more added to the March, which Point is equal, as to its Time, with a March, and in its Performance the same, except that, instead of the second and third Notes being taken up in the marching or sliding of the Foot forwards or backwards179179. See Plate IX &c. they are counted, during the Time you stand or rest, in the graceful Manner before observed in the Half Coupee; only with this Difference, that the disengaged Foot, instead of being in the first Position, as in that, is upon the Point here, as may be seen by the Beginning or first Movement of the foresaid March180180. See Plate VI. The Point is made with either 35 Foot, as has been observed in the March181181. See the Figures in Plate VI, which Point is performed with a soft easy rising from the foregoing Sink182182. See Plate V, made to the first Note183183. See the Figures in Plate VI; in which Posture it remains the counting of the second and third Notes of the Measure, concluding what we call the Point184184. See the Figures in Plate VI, the Body all the while resting upon the same Foot as at commencing; after which follows the March185185. See Plate IX; as it has been before described, and the Point186186. See the Figures in Plate VI and March187187. See Plate IX, generally fill up two Measures of the Tune, tho' sometimes they are both performed to a Measure.
It will not, I think, be here improper to take some Notice, how the Point188188. See the Figures in Plate VI and March189189. See Plate IX agree with the Notes of the Measure: For Instance, if you make a Movement and Point, sideways, the Rise of the Point answers to the first Note190190. See the Figures in Plate VI; the Rise of the second Point or Movement, which immediately ensues upon the same Place, on which the first Point was made, marks the second Note191191. See the Figures in Plate VI, and the third is counted in the March or Progress of the Foot, either forwards or backwards from thence192192. See Plate IX; which are two Methods, in which this Step is usually perform'd. But when this Step is perform'd to two Measures of the Tune, the Point193193. See the Figures in Plate VI and Time you rest upon it, that is to say, the counting of the second and third Notes, whilst you are beautifully standing194194. See the Figures in Plate VI, takes up the first Measure. The second is in the March or Slide195195. See Plate IX, and, if continued, transfers the Weight every other Step, as in the Half Coupee; and in fine, as to the Manner of performing this Step, it is fully shewn in the March, since it is no more than the first Movement, or Sink and Rise thereof, on which Rising and Pointing of the Toe or Instep196196. See the Figures in Plate VI, you pause or rest, until the Measure is expired197197. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate marked E.
THE Spring or Bound is produced from a plain and single Step, as the Half Coupee, or March, but it very much differs from them in Performance; for, as they are both made on the Ground, the Bound springs off from thence. For Example, suppose you was about to perform a March, then, instead of sinking and rising on the Floor, you are to sink, and, in the Spring or Rise from the said Sink, throw the Body into the Air, off from the Foot on which the Weight was, when you begun, and light upon the contrary Foot; that is to say, if the Bound is on the right, the Weight is to come from the left198198. See the first and second Figures in Plate V, where it was upon commencing this Step. And in like Manner, if performed with the left Foot199199. See the second and first Figures of the foresaid Plate. One Bound alone rarely, if ever, answers to a Measure; but, in Tunes of common Time, or of four in a Measure, as in Rigadoons, Marches, &c. two Bounds answer a Time; and, in Sarabands or slow Tunes of triple Time, three of them may be done in one Bar.
This Step may be performed various Ways, as forwards, backwards, sideways before, or sideways behind, as also in turning either to the right or left, &c.200200. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate marked E. And it is farther to be noted, that the Foot, on which the Bound is to be made, commences from the third Position behind the Foot upon which the Weight rests, as in the March, and advances, much in the same Manner, from the third to the third Position; only that it bounds off from the Ground, and if continued to a Tune of common Time, as above, changes the Weight twice, in every Measure, and in triple thrice.
WHAT we call a Close in Dancing is, when, the Weight being upon one Foot, we sink, and in the Rise jump or close both Feet equal one to the other, in the first Position201201. See the Figures in the first and second Plates, or the Feet are inclosed either before or behind, in the third Position202202. See the Figures of Plate IV; and this Step generally concludes in the said Positions or Postures. It may be performed two different Ways, viz. on the Ground, and off from the Ground, as in the Bound; but it differs in its Method of Performance, for as that advances forwards or backwards, about the Length of the Half Coupee, or March, this never proceeds farther than from behind the Foot which supports the Body, either to the first Position even, or to the third inclosed before or behind, as aforesaid.
I shall, in the first Place, begin with the Description of the Close in the first Position, which is as follows: For Instance, the Foot that is free from Weight begins whether it be the right or left, in making a Movement, or Sink and Rise from the third Position behind203203. See the Figures of Plate V - комментарий расположен на другой строке, as when you begin the March; that is to say, so far as the Point204204. See Plate VI; but, instead of pointing the Toe to the Ground as in that here, in rising from the Sink aforesaid, preparing for the Close ensuing, you give a Kind of a Spring upon the Toe or Instep of the Foot the Weight is on, and the same Time or Instant both Heels come to the Floor together, and receive the Weight equal alike205205. See Plate the second; but you are to observe, that the Body is thus thrown into the Air by the Spring of the Instep, I mean no higher than you can rise 38 without quitting the Ground with your Instep or Toe, and from hence it is call'd a Close on the Ground.
To close in the third Position is perform'd intirely in the same Manner, except that, in lighting on both Feet in the first Position as before206206. See Plate the second. - Данный комментарий отмечен знаком t, которого нет на данной странице, она есть на предыдущей, the Fall or coming down is in the third; that is to say, the Feet are inclosed one before the other, the Heel of the foremost Foot touching the Ancle of the hind Foot207207. See the Figures in Plate IV. In the Performance of this Step backwards it is the very same, only, instead of beginning from behind the Foot on which the Weight is, it commences from before the same, or fourth Position open in the Air208208. See the Figures of Plates the IVth, IXth, XIth, XIVth, or XVth; so that what we have describ'd forwards is to be accomplished backwards in the same Method: For Example to close backwards in the first Position209209. See the Figures in the first and second Plates, or inclose backwards into the third210210. See the Figures in Plate IV, when this Step is performed off from the Ground, the Difference is only in this, that you sink, in order to spring, as before; but, instead of rising to the Extremity or Point of the Toe you only spring quite off from the Floor, lighting on both Feet in any of the before mentioned Positions, whether forwards or backwards, and it is called a Close or Jump.
You are also to observe, that this Step never advances either forwards, backwards, or sideways, as is usual in others, but is always perform'd upon the same Place; for, altho' the disengaged Foot moves from behind or before that on which you stand, the Weight always comes down in the same Place: For Instance, suppose you was to be in the third Position on the left Foot211211. See the first Figure or Man's Side of Plate V and to perform this Step to the first Position even from behind, the right Foot is brought equal to that on which the Weight is, the very Instant the Close or Jump is made212212. See the first Figure or left Side of Plate I; and, if the Fall or coming down be inclosed in the third Position before the Foot213213. See the second Figure or Woman's Side of Plate IV, instead of joining even to the Foot on which the Weight is214214. See the first Figure or left Side of Plate I, the Heel of the right 39 Foot is inclosed or joined before the Ancle of the left215215. See the first Figure or left Side of Plate I, and the same backwards from before.
This Step in Dancing much resembles a Period or full Stop in Letters; for, as that closes or shuts up a Sentence, the Close in Dancing does the very same in Music, since nothing is more frequent than, at the End of a Strain in the Tune, to find the Strain or Couplet of the Dance to conclude in this Step, as also at other remarkable Places of the Music. Besides, this Close gives great Life and Variety in the Composition of Dances; for whereas most other Steps lead the Dancers a regular Figure, and consequently render a Change thereof more difficult, in this Step, the Body being as much upon one Foot as the other, the Change is more familiar, since it is as easy to take up one Foot as the other. This Step generally takes up a Measure, that is to say, with the Time you rest or stand still: For Instance, to a Tune of triple Time the Close is performed to the first of the three Notes, and the second and third are counted, during the Time you rest; but to Tunes of common Time, as Marches, Gavots, Rigadoons, &c. this Step and Time it is to rest sometimes are a Measure, and at others not, as having a plain Step or Walk added thereto, which said Close and Step together fill up the Time.
THE Spring or Leap is the same as the latter End of the foregoing Close or Spring from one Foot upon both, except that the Close or Jump always begins from one Foot216216. See the Figures of Plate V, the Weight constantly coming down in the same Place217217. See the Figures in Plate I, whereas this Step begins 40 and ends upon both Feet218218. See the Figure in Plate II, whether in the first or third Position219219. See the Figure of Plate IV and may be performed several Ways, viz. forwards, backwards, sideways, to the right or left, upright and circularly220220. See the Steps in the second Plate and the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked E; but, when it is performed either of the two latter Ways, the Weight comes down in the Place from whence the Spring was made, as in the Close aforesaid, tho' in any of the former, as forwards, backwards, &c. they spring or leap, about the Length of the Half Coupee or March, and light on both Feet, as in Leaping.
As to the Agreement of this Step with the Notes of the Tune, it is uncertain; for to a Tune of three it sometimes takes up a Measure, and at others not: For Example, if you spring upright in this Step, the Fall marks what we call the Time or Cadence upon the first Note, whilst the other two are counted during the Time you rest; and in the like Manner, when it is performed circularly upon the same Place. Upright and circularly are the two Ways in which this Step is performed, when it singly answers to a Bar, as it frequently happens on the ending of a Strain or other remarkable Part of the Tune; and when it does not, as it rarely, if ever, does in the other Ways of performing it, we often meet, instead there of, two Leaps and a plain straight Step in a Measure, which together with the two Springs agree with the Notes of the Music; and many Times we find a third Spring added, instead of the plain straight Step; which three Springs agree with the Notes, as before, tho' they are seldom used except in Comic Dancing and Tunes of common Time, that is to say, of four in the Bar, as in Gavots, Marches, Rigadoons, &c. in which this Spring or Leap on both Feet is the same, in its answering with the Notes of the Tune, except that, instead of two Springs and the plain straight Step to a Measure, or the three Springs, as in triple Time, in these of common there is but one Close and the straight Step; and also, instead of three Springs or Leaps, here are but two, which Steps agree with the Notes, as follows: The Fall or 41 Coming down of the Weight from the first Spring beats Time to the first Note of the Bar; and the second and third Notes are counted, during the Performing of the plain Step. The fourth Note is always taken up with the Sink which prepares for the succeeding Step; and consequently it is very necessary to take Notice, that the two Leaps are performed in the same Method. The Coming down of the first Spring, as I said before, marks the Time or first Note; the Sinking or Bending of the Knees, in order for the second Rise or Spring, answers the same Note; and the third is in the Coming down of the Weight in the Sink, &c. as was just observed, which Step, if continued, is a sort of an harmonious Leaping to Music either forwards or backwards, &c.221221. See the Table of the Leap or Jump, in the Plate marked E or second Plate. It is to be likewise noted, that the upright Spring or Close affords the Dancer the like Opportunity of changing the Foot, during the Time of resting as in the foregoing Close, the Difference being only in its beginning and ending on both Feet; and, if performed on the Ground, it is intirely in the same Manner, as we have already described it in the Jump or Close from one Foot.
THE Rigadoon Step of one Spring open upon the same Place is composed of two plain Steps or Motions of the Feet, except that the first commences with a Spring or Hop; which said Spring and plain Step is to a Measure, and introduces the upright Spring or Close on both Feet, before treated of, to another Measure in its Attendance on the former, from which it is almost inseparable; insomuch 42 that the said Rigadoon Step is seldom, if ever, without this Close following it, as adding the greatest Grace and Beauty thereto, and being from thence so strictly united that, altho' in themselves they are two distinct Steps, the first never appears but concludes in the latter which in its Performance is as follows, viz. commencing from the first Position, or the Feet join'd even one with the other, from whence the Sink or Preparative for the Hop is taken, and may be done with either Foot. However, for the better Understanding thereof I shall describe it, with the right Foot: Therefore, as has been already observed, the Weight being on both Feet in the first Position222222. See the Figure in Plate II, only instead of facing down the Room you may suppose it looking to the Presence, you sink and give a Rise or Spring, either off from the Ground, or upon it, as you shall think most agreeable, since it may be perform'd both Ways; which said Spring is made upon the left Foot, in rising from the aforesaid Sink, by taking the right Foot up from the Floor, the very same Instant the Spring or Hop is made, and moves open off to the right Side of the Room, if to the upper End, or otherwise according to what Part of the Room the Body is directed in the Air, about the Length of a Step in Dancing223223. See in some Measure the Feet in the second Figure of Plate XV; and then it returns to the first Position from whence it came receiving the Weight; upon which the left Foot, being now disengaged, moves open sideways in the like Manner224224. See the Feet in the first Figure of Plate XV, and, in returning, receives one half of the Weight in the same Position as at first225225. See the Figure in Plate II, only instead of facing down the Room you may suppose it looking to the Presence; after which comes the Close on both Feet226226. See Plate II which sometimes is to a Measure, and at others not, in that there often follows in Rigadoon Movements, a plain Step or Walk in the Time or Measure, as for Example, you'll find in this Movement of the Bretagne; that is to say, the Beginning of the second Part is the very same Step I have here described.
As to the Agreement of this Step with the Notes of the Tune, which is of four in the Measure, the Spring, or Hop, that is made 43 upon the left Foot, on the taking up of the right, marks the Time or first Note; the setting of it down the second; the third is in the setting down of the left Foot; and the fourth and last Note, in the Sink for the ensuing Close that attends this Step, which together compose one of the most agreeable Steps in Dancing.
There are, besides these already described, many other Ways of performing this Step, as in the third Position forwards, and the same backwards; but, for the better Understanding of this, suppose you are standing in the first Position, or the Feet are joined even to each other227227. See the Figure in Plate II, supposed to be looking up the Room, you perform this Step into the third Position, that is, you make the first Step which is with a Spring, and inclose it before the Foot on which the Weight rests228228. See the second Figure of Plate IV, and the second before that229229. See the first Figure of Plate IV in the like Manner.
To perform this Step backwards differs in this, that as the foregoing was inclosed before, after the Spring, this is inclosed behind the Foot that supports the Weight230230. See the first Figure of the said Plate IV, and the second Step behind that231231. See the second Figure of Plate IV; or elfe the first of the said two Steps, namely, the Spring, may be done in the third Position before232232. See the two first or inclosed Feet of Plate IV, and the second behind233233. See the two first or inclosed Feet of Plate IV; or the first with a Spring behind234234. See the hindmost Feet in Plate IV, and the second Step before235235. See the inclosed Feet in Plate IV, and are to be performed from either of the said Positions, whether the first or third, as is also the Spring or Close that follows them, whether upright or changing of the Position; that is, instead of coming down in the first, or in the third, as at Beginning, the Feet are changed, for Instance, the first last, and the last first236236. See the Table and Explanation of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked E.
THE Rigadoon Step with two Springs differs from the former of one in this, that whereas the aforesaid is performed in the same Place, and only with one Spring, this is of two; the first of which advances or retires, about the Length of a March, whilst the second Spring is in the same Place upon one Foot.
This Step may also be perform'd sideways crossing before, or sideways crossing behind, either to the right or left, or turning237237. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked E, &c. the Difference of which, in the Manner of Performance, I shall describe in their Order. For Example, first forwards, which may be done with one Foot as well as the other; yet, for the more easy comprehending thereof, I intend to explain it, beginning with the right Foot, which is as follows, viz. the Weight is on the left in the third Position, and the right behind; that is to say, the Ancle of the right Foot rests against the Heel of the left, but is intirely free from any Weight of the Body238238. See the first Figure of Plate V; from whence you make the first Spring which is upon the left Foot, whilst the right, at the same Instant, moves directly the same Way, as in the March, except that the March is performed on the Ground from a Bend and Rise only, but this off from thence, by an upright Spring into the Air from the Sink you make upon your left Foot, on which the Weight falls in the same Place, the right advancing, as has been already observed, about the Length of a March; but it does not receive the whole Weight of the Body, as in that, by Reason of its continuing principally on the same Foot on which it was, at commencing; 45 so that, altho' the right Foot is advanced before the other, it receives no more than its own Weight, the whole being to follow on making the second Spring239239. See the second Figure in Plate IX. Having thus far only concluded the first Spring or Movement, the second is made from the aforesaid Position divided; that is to say, the right Foot is, near the Length of a Step in Dancing, before the left; in which Position or Posture both Knees bend, the right to receive the Body, and the left to be disengaged from it, as it intirely is on giving the Hop or Spring; for, at the Instant the Foot on which the Weight was, is taken from the Floor, the other receives it, ending the Step in the third Position upon the right Foot, the left being behind but free from any Weight; the Ancle of which rests against the Heel of the Foot that supports the Body, in the same Position in which it begun, only with the contrary Foot240240. See the second Figure of Plate V, and may be continued from one Foot to the other, as in the March, &c.
This Step backwards is performed in the like Manner as forwards except that forwards it is taken from the third Position behind, but in this begins from the same Position before; that is, the Heel of the right Foot touches the Ancle of the left on which the Body rests241241. See the second Figure of Plate IV, from whence you make the Spring in the same Method already described in this Step forwards, viz. the right and foremost Foot, at the same Moment the Spring is given upon the left, moves backwards, as in the March, much about the like Distance, and receives half the Weight, at the same Time the other half comes down upon the left, leaving the Weight divided to the first Spring or Hop242242. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate IX, or second Figure in Plate XI; and the second is made on the right Foot, in the taking up of the left, which falls inclosed in the third Position as at beginning except that the contrary Foot is foremost243243. See the first Figure in Plate IV, and the left is ready to commence, as before. This Step Sideways crossing before is so called, from its being crossed before the Foot on which the Weight of the Body rests, and it chiefly differs from the two Ways already described namely, forwards and backwards, 46 in that it begins from the third Position behind, as aforesaid244244. See the first Figure of Plate V, but instead of the right Foot's moving, as in them, you in this give the Spring and Fall in the fifth Position, the right or beginning Foot crossing before the left, the Weight being divided, as before; that is, the Heel of the right Foot is equal to the Toe of the left245245. See the Feet of the first Figure in Plate XI, which Manner of placing the Feet we call the fifth Position. The second Spring or Hop is made upon the right Foot on the taking up the left, which is then brought into the third Position behind, and the right Foot into the same Position as the beginning but contrary Foot246246. See the second Figure of Plate V; which said Foot is ready to perform the same Thing either sideways crossing before the right on which the Body is, or sideways crossing behind, the latter of which I shall explain, in the next Place, and it is as follows.
Sideways crossing behind varies from the former only in this, that, instead of commencing from the third Position behind, it begins from before: For Example, the Weight being upon the left Foot247247. See the second Figure in Plate IV you sink and make the first Spring with the right, falling in the fifth Position crossing behind; that is, the Toe of the right Foot is equal to the Heel of the left, the Weight being divided, as has been already explained248248. See the Feet in the second Figure of Plate XI. The second Spring is performed upon the right, on the left's being taken up from the Ground, as aforesaid, which falls inclosed in the third Position before; that is, the Heel of the left Foot is joined to the Ancle of the right, and, being disengaged from Weight, is at Liberty to perform the same with the left Foot, as we have described with the right249249. See first Figure of Plate IV.
Having now shewn, how this Step is performed sideways crossing before, as also the same behind, it is unnecessary here to take any farther Notice of this Step sideways to the right, than that it differs in Nothing from what we have described to the left but in the contrary Foot; nor likewise of the Manner of its Performance in turning, 47 otherwise than that it may be performed several Ways, as to the right or left, in a quarter Turn, half Turn, or three quarter Turn, &c. since I shall take Occasion hereafter, in the ensuing Steps, to treat more particularly on that Head. I shall only observe at present, that those who learn to dance, and are acquainted with the Rigadoon of the late Mr. Isaac, will meet with this Step, turning in all or most of the Ways above mentioned, in the different Parts thereof; and it is here, for Distinction sake, named of two Springs.
There is still another Way in which this Step is often made, and not as yet observed, which is the Reverse in the second Spring to the foregoing; for, instead of taking up, in the second Spring, the Foot on which the Body was, when you begun, the contrary Foot or that Foot which advances or retires is taken up: For Instance, admitting this Step to begin with the right Foot, of Consequence the Weight must then be upon the left, from whence you make the first Spring, as is usual, upon both Feet; but, instead of the left Foot's being taken from the Floor, as in the aforesaid, the right or beginning Foot is taken up on making the second Spring; which Choice of Feet in this Step renders it of equal Use, in the Composition of Dances, as the Close, in that the Change of Figure is to be effected in this, as well as in the aforesaid.
Having described most of the different Manners of performing this Step in Dancing, I shall proceed to shew its Agreement with the Notes of this Movement, which, as we have already said, is of four in the Bar, and it agrees as follows: The first Spring is made upon the Time or first Note; the Sink for the second is in the second Note, which second Spring is performed to the third Note; and the fourth is in the Sink preparing for the succeeding Step. And, when it is done to a Saraband or Tune of triple Time, it is in all Respects the same, except that, instead of four Notes in a Bar, in this you have only three, which are, in their Performance, much slower than the before mentioned of four to the Measure; and it is farther to be observed, that one half of the third Note is borrowed for the Sink that prepares for the ensuing 48 Step, in which it chiefly differs from the foregoing of common Time, but that it is not so brisk.
THE Galliard Step is in a Manner the same, as the befor250250. видимо, опечатка described Close from one Foot to both, except that in this the Weight of the Body, after making the Spring or Movement for the Close, remains on the same Foot upon which it was at the Beginning; from whence it follows, that the Foot which, in the foregoing Close, received one half of the Weight, is here to be disengaged, and at Liberty to perform the succeeding one which is a plain straight Step or Walk; which Step could not have been performed with the commencing Foot, had it received one half of the Weight, as in the Close from one Foot. And you are to note, that this Step always ends with the same Foot it begins, whether it be the right or left, and is various, as to its Performance in Dancing. I shall describe the most usual of these Ways, which are as follow viz. forwards, backwards, sideways to the right or left, and also in turning a quarter Turn, half Turn, &c.251251. See the Explanation and Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked E. and Plate VII and, in all the aforesaid Methods of performing the Galliard Step, the Falling Step rarely, if ever, fails to accompany it, in that they are inseparable, in their Performance, as the RIGADOON Step open in the same Place of one Spring and upright Close upon both Feet we have before described, tho' they are two distinct Steps in themselves. However, sometimes, instead of the Galliard Step, we find the Coupee crossing before sideways introducing the Falling Step; which it does very naturally, their Endings being directly alike.
49 Now, as to the Method of performing the Galliard Step which, as I have said in the Description thereof, is compounded of a Close and plain straight Step or Walk, I shall begin with the right Foot advancing forwards, in the following Manner, viz. the Weight of the Body is upon the left Foot in the third Position, and the right disengaged behind252252. See the first Figure of Plate V; from whence you sink and give an upright Spring upon the left Foot, closing the right or hindmost Foot equal to it directly the same Way as has been described in the Close from one Foot to both, except with this Difference that, as I have said, the before mentioned lights on both Feet, but this comes down only upon one, namely the left; and it varies from the aforesaid, the right Foot being in the first Position, joined even with the left, and at Liberty to perform the following plain straight Step253253. See the first Figure of Plate I, which together with the foregoing Close compleats the Galliard Step; that is to say, after the plain straight Step has been made forwards with the right Foot, about the Length of a Step in Walking, it does not bring up the left equal to it, as in that, but leaves it in the same Place, whilst the Weight of the Body advances forwards with the stepping of the right Foot, the End or setting to the Floor of which receives the Weight; so that, as I have just observed, the left Foot is upon the Point behind, the like Distance, and the right advanced from it, in which Posture the Galliard Step concludes254254. See the second Figure in Plate VII. Upon this commences the Falling Step, which is performed in the following Manner, viz. the Weight of the Body ending in the Galliard Step upon the right, the left Foot is pointed behind; at the same Time the Body bends or bows forwards, in order to the ensuing Fall which is backwards, but is prevented in it by the left Foot, which was planted for that Purpose upon the Point behind; and, at the very Instant the Weight of the Body inclines forwards preparing for the Fall, the left is advancing up to prevent it; which it does by receiving the falling Weight in a Sink or Bend of the Knee, in the third Position inclosed behind, releasing the 50 right Foot255255. See the second Figure in Plates IV and XIV, which is then ready to receive the Weight, on the Spring that is given from the left, immediately after its receiving the aforesaid falling Weight, and comes down upon the right Foot again, in the Nature of a latter Part of the Balonne, of which more hereafter; concluding in the same Position from whence the foregoing Galliard Step was taken, with the contrary Foot256256. See the second Figure in Plate V and, in continuance together with the Galliard Step, it changes the Foot, as in the Half Coupee, or March, &c.
In performing this Step sideways, either to the right or left, it only differs from the former in the plain Step, which, instead of being made, as in the aforesaid forwards, is here performed sideways; and it may easily be understood by comparing it with the foregoing described, advancing to the upper Part of the Room: for Instance, supposing the Close to be made in the first Position, as before, the right Foot, instead of making the plain straight Step as in that, here makes it sideways to the right Hand, in like Manner as forwards. That is, the End or Setting down of the plain straight Step receives the Body; leaving the left Toe upon the Point sideways the like Distance from the right on which the Weight is, as has been shewn in this Step forwards, when the said Toe was left pointed behind, as it now is sideways; from whence commences the Falling Step, which, instead of forwards, as before, is made as follows, viz. the Weight being on the right Foot, and the left Toe upon the Point257257. See the first Figure in Plate VI. or Plate XV, as was already observed, the Weight of the Body falls to the right Hand, but, as I have said, is prevented; for, at the same Time the Weight falls, the left Foot which was upon the Point is brought with a swift Motion to its Relief, crossing behind the right on which the falling Weight is in the fifth Position, receiving the Body258258. See the first Figure in Plate XI which must otherwise have fallen, and releases the right Foot259259. See the second Figure in Plate XIV which immediately receives the Weight again, in a Bound or Balonne sideways to the Hand the 51 Fall was on, in that the left no sooner receives the falling Weight in a Sink or bended Knee, than it gives a Spring, in rising, and throws the Body, as in bounding back, upon the right Foot, concluding the Falling Step in the third Position, with the left upon the Point behind, instead of the right, as at first260260. See the second Figure in Plate V; from whence the said Galliard and Falling Step may be performed to the left Hand, in like Manner as the foregoing to the right, the Difference being only in the contrary Foot, Examples of which with both Feet begin the second Strain of the Rigadoon Part of a Dance, named the Bretagne, the first Time of its playing over, for they are the very same Steps here treated of.
These Steps may also be made with a quarter Turn, or a half Turn, &c. which, to give a more perfect Idea thereof, I shall explain with the left Foot, as follows, viz. the Weight being upon the right in the third Position, the left upon the Point behind261261. See the second Figure in Plate V begins, in making the Spring or Close in the first Position as aforesaid only, instead of the Presence looking up the Room after the Close, it now faces to the right Side, which is a quarter of a Turn, and in this it differs from the two Ways last described; but the remaining Part of the Step is intirely the same, stepping the beginning Foot sideways to the left Hand, and facing to the right Side of the Room, as before to the upper. The Falling Step is also the same as before except, as I have said, in not facing to the same Part of the Room; and turning a half Turn only differs in this, that the first Spring or Close, instead of ending in a quarter of a Turn to the right, as before, continues a quarter Turn more, facing to the Bottom of the Room, the left Foot stepping sideways to the same Hand, as aforesaid, &c.
As to the Agreement of these Steps with the Notes of the Music, it is much the same as in the others: For Example, in the following Tunes, as Forlanes, Jigs, &c. the Close is made to the first Note; the second and third are counted in the straight Step of the Galliard, that is to say, the second Note, at the Beginning of 52 the262262. слово повисло между страниц said Step, and the third, at its ending or receiving the Weight of the Body. And, suppose instead of performing this Step with a plain straight Step, as in Walking, you add thereto a Sink and a Rise, the Sink then answers the second Note, and the Rise the third; and in the succeeding Step the Fall of the Body marks the first Note, the Pause or Rest the Weight makes upon the Knees bent the second, and the third is in the contrary Foot's receiving the Body upon the Spring or Bound given from the Foot which preserved the Weight from falling, where ends the second Measure or Time. When these Steps are performed to Tunes of common Time, as they for the most Part are in Galliards, Bourees, Rigadoons, &c. they are intirely the same as in triple, only, instead of borrowing half the third Note for the Sink in common Time, the Sink or Preparative for beating the Time is upon the fourth Note, as has been shewn in the Rigadoon Step of two Springs; and the most usual Manner of performing this Step is in a soft and gentle Movement upon the Floor, tho' it may be done to Advantage either Way, viz. off from the Ground, or upon it.
THE Bouree with a Bound, so called from its having a Bound added to the Bouree, is a compound Step consisting of four plain Steps and two Movements, the first whereof is made upon the Ground, but the other not: For Instance, you make a Movement or Sink and Rise to the first of the four Steps, the second and third compleating the Bouree or Fleuret; and the fourth and last is a Bound which is always performed off from the Floor, as we have already shewn, in treating of that Step.
I shall now proceed to shew, how these four Steps are to be reduced to agree with the Notes of triple Time or of three in the 53 Measure, which may be accomplished, as follows, viz. the left Foot, with which we shall for Example begin, and the right are to be performed in a Motion as swift again, as the remaining two Steps, by reason they are both to be accounted but as one Note, and are made to the first of the Measure. The third Step, which is with the left Foot, is to the second Note, upon which the Bouree concludes; and the fourth Step is a Bound with the right Foot to the third Note, and compleats the Bouree with a Bound. This Step continued in Dancing, whether it be the right or the left, always begins with the same Foot, as has been already observed in the Coupee, and may be performed forwards, backwards, sideways to either Hand, crossing before, crossing behind, or crossing before and behind in the same Measure, or twice behind; and they are all of them directly the same, in their Manner of Performance, as was shewn in the Bouree of one Movement, only, as that was but of three Steps and one Movement to a Bar, this is of four and two Movements; and consequently, instead of performing the first two Steps equally slow, as in them, they must be quick here, in that they are both to be accounted as no more than one Step, as I have said; and as the Bouree or Fleuret breaks off, at the End of the third Step which is upon the left Foot, the Bound must be added thereto with the right, which is the only Difference from the Bouree aforesaid. It is unnecessary to say any thing farther of these Steps, in this Place, since they will be understood by what has been said in the Bouree or Fleuret of one Movement, having in that described all the different Ways mentioned here; but only to observe, that the first two Steps, as above, and the Bounds must be added.
THE Slip before and then behind is a Step composed of four plain Steps, in a Measure, and two Movements; which said Movements may be done upon the Ground, or off from thence; but it differs from the Bouree with a Bound in this, that, whereas, in the Bouree aforesaid, the first Movementis always to be made on the Floor, and the second off, in this Step both are performed alike, either springing from the Ground, or upon it; and it is also to be noted, that these Steps seldom, if ever, are performed any otherwise than sideways to the right or left Hand, or with a quarter Turn, half Turn, &c.
These are the Ways this Step is usually made, as either slipping before and afterwards behind, or slipping behind and then before; the first of which I shall describe, beginning with the right Foot. For Example, the Weight of the Body is upon the left Foot in the third Position, the right being intirely disengaged from the Weight, so that it may be at Liberty to begin263263. See the first Figure in Plate V; which it does by making the first Movement or Bend and Rise from behind the left Foot to the first of the four Steps, stepping open off sideways to the right Hand264264. See the Point or second Figure of Plate VI, and the second Step, which is with the left Foot, is drawn crossing before it,265265. See the Point or first Figure in Plate VI. and second Figure of Plate XI after which the right Foot makes 55 the second Movement the same Way, which is the third Step; but, instead of the left and last Foot's being drawn before, as in the first Slip266266. See the second Figure in Plate XI, it must now be drawn behind where it concludes receiving the Weight in the fifth Position267267. See the first Figure in Plate XI.
To Slip behind and then before is, when the right Foot has made the first Movement and Step sideways in the Manner just described; and the second Step, which is with the left Foot,268268. See the first Figure in Plate VI instead of being drawn crossing before, as in the former, is drawn behind269269. See the first Figure of Plate XI. The second Movement is also with the right Foot, stepping to the same Side270270. See the second Figure in Plate VI, which is the third Step; and the fourth and last, which is with the left Foot271271. See the first Figure in Plate VI, is drawn crossing before the right into the Position aforesaid272272. See the second Figure in Plate XI.
To perform this Step with a quarter of a Turn, either to the right or left Hand, is only turning a quarter Turn to one of the said Hands, as it shall fall out; in Dancing however, as an Example, I shall explain it sideways to the right Hand, facing to the left Side of the Room, viz. before and behind, and behind and before, which are both to be performed, as follows: For Instance, these Slips, as before described, were sideways, facing the upper End of the Room to the right Hand; whereas, in a quarter Turn to the left Side of the Room, in the Sink of the first Movement, you prepare for the Rise or Beating Time; but instead performing it, facing to the upper End of the Room, as in the foregoing, in the rising, it makes a quarter of a Turn to the left Hand, which then will face to the left Side of the Room; yet in the Performance of the rest of the Step to the right, it is intirely in the same Manner as I have explained it, to the upper Part of the Room, there being no Difference except in the Turn.
A half Turn is the same as the quarter; only that, in the Rise of the first Movement, which is made with the right Foot, instead of 56 turning a quarter Turn as before, that is, facing the left Side of the Room, in this you make a half Turn, which then faces the Bottom of the Room, performing the rest of the Step to the right Hand, in the same Manner we have described it to the upper End.
These Steps may likewise be done, both slipping behind, or both slipping before; the former is, when, in making the Movement to the right or left Side, the second Step, which is the Slip, is drawn crossing behind the first or beginning Foot; and the second Movement and Slip are performed in the like Manner.
Both slipping before is, when, in performing the said Movements, the Foot, which makes the Slips, is both Times drawn crossing before the Foot which begun, that is, the second and fourth Steps; and the first of these Steps, namely, twice slipping behind, is in the Rigadoon of the late Mr Isaac, where, in the Beginning of the Tune, the second Time of playing over, it forms a perfect Square, which is no small Addition to the Beauty of the said Dance; and this Step slipping before is no less remarkable, in that it is frequently met with in Dancing.
This Step, in all the different Ways of performing it, as above described, is seldom, if ever, without the Half Coupee sideways following it, on the same Hand to which the Slips were made, which seem not to have received their utmost Perfection, without this Step attending them; and as the Slips, before explained, were to the right Hand, this must be so likewise, and consists of one plain Step, as has been observed, in treating of the Half Coupee; to which is added a Movement or Sink and Rise, made with the right Foot stepping open off, sideways, from the Position in which the foregoing Slips ended, receiving the Weight on the setting of the Toe or Heel to the Floor273273. See the second Figure in Plate VI; after which the left Foot makes a Motion in the Air, in the Form of a half Circle, before the Ancle 57 of the right Foot, opening to the left Hand, and accomplishes the Time or Measure274274. See the first Figure in Plates XIV. and XV.
It still remains to shew, how these Steps agree with the Notes of common or triple Time; for they are very different in their Manner of Performance, which we shall proceed to explain, and chiefly in this, that in Tunes of triple Time either the first or second Slip, instead of being made quick as in Tunes of common Time, are as slow again; yet, for the farther Illustration of this Point, I shall observe, how these Steps agree with the Notes both of common and triple Time; which is as follows: To common Time or of four in the Bar, as in Rigadoons, Bourees, &c. But having already described the Motion or Stepping of the Feet, I shall wave the saying any Thing farther of it here, and only shew, that the first Slip or first and second Steps are to be performed in the same swift Manner we have shewn, in the Beginning or two first Steps of the Bouree and a Bound, and are both to be made upon the first of the four Notes. The second Note is counted in the Sink which prepares for the second Slip, which is the third and fourth Steps; the Rise which is made on the setting down of the third Step, or Beginning of the last Slip, beats Time to the third Note, which said Slip is compleated in the Sound of the third Note, in the same Manner as the first Movement to the first Note; and the fourth and last Note is counted in the Sink which prepares for the ensuing Step.
When this Step is performed to a Tune of triple Time or of three Notes in the Measure, as in Sarabands, Louvres, Passacailles, &c. sometimes the first Slip is quick, as in the aforesaid, and the second not; and at other Times the first is slow, and the second swift. When the Movement is made quick, it is performed, as above, to the first of the three Notes; the second, which is slow, takes up the second and third Notes. For Instance, as was already said, the first Slip or Coupee being made with the first and second Steps to the first Note, the second Slip, which begins with the third Step, is to the second Note; and the third is taken up in the gentle sliding or drawing of the fourth and last Step, whether before or behind. 58Half the third Note is borrowed, tomark the Sink which is for the next Step, as has been observed before; and, if the first Slip is slow, the beginning Step is to the first Note, the Slip or easy drawing of the second Step behind or before to the second Note, and the remaining Slip is swift to the third Note.
As to the Half Coupee, the first Movement or stepping sideways marks Time to the first Note; the second and third are counted in the half Circle the Foot makes in the Air; and the fourth in the Sink, provided it be common Time; but, if triple, half the third Note is borrowed, as I have said.
THE Hop or Contretemp is a compound Step consisting of two Walks or Steppings of the Feet, as the Coupee; and it may be performed various Ways, as advancing, retiring, sideways to the right or left, turning, &c. There are also two different Positions from whence this Step is taken and performed, namely, the third and fourth; the first of which we shall explain forwards, beginning with the left Foot, which is behind the right in the third Position275275. See the second Figure in Plate V, but so disengaged from the Weight of the Body as to be ready to act; which it does in the Sink that prepares for the Spring or Hop which is made upon the right Foot, lighting in the same Place; and at the Instant the Hop or Rise from the Ground is given, it leaves the aforesaid Position where it rested, during the Sink, and straightens the Knee, pointing the Toe directly sideways, as in the March276276. See the first Figure in Plate VI, or first Figure of Plate XV; but it does not press upon the Floor, as in that, by Reason the March is performed upon the Ground, and this off from thence which is the principal Difference; for, instead of the Progress made by the disengaged Foot, as in the March, in this it 59 must be performed in like Manner off from thence in the Air, the Weight all the while continuing on the same Foot upon which it was at commencing, 'till the left has advanced the Length of a March or Step in Walking277277. See the first Figure in Plate IX; after which it receives the Body, and releases the right Foot that supported it, during its Procession, as aforesaid, which then makes a plain Step or Walk forwards278278. See the second Figure in Plate IX, which is the second Step of the Contretemp, and is compleated on the setting down or receiving of the Weight upon the said Foot in the Position as at first279279. See the second Figure in Plate V, as aforesaid, being a Sort of Hopping Coupee.
To perform this Step backwards is intirely the same as forwards, only, instead of the left Foot's being in the third Position behind, the right is now inclosed before in the same or fourth Position280280. See the first Figure in Plate IV, or first Figure in Plate IX, from whence it makes the Spring or Hop backwards, in the same Manner as was described forwards281281. See the first Figure in Plate VI, or first Figure of Plate XV aforesaid; after which the right Foot, instead of stepping forwards, as before, in this makes the second Step backwards282282. See the second Figure of Plate IX, and for the second Step of the Contretemp the first Figure in the same Plate concluding as at first. See the first Figure in Plate IV.
When this Step is done with a quarter or half Turn, &c. the Weight of the Body, as has been observed, being on the right Foot, the Hop or Contretemp is performed, as we have already explained, but not to the upper End of the Room, instead of which it turns a Quarter of a Turn to the right Hand; but the rest is the same, as in the foregoing, only you are to observe, that it is facing to the right Side of the Room to which it advances.
The half Turn in no Respect differs from the former, except in its not stopping at the right Side of the Room; but, instead of that, it adds a Quarter more facing to the lower End of the Room, to which it is performed in like Manner, as above, to the upper; and if, instead of the right Hand, it be performed to the left, as it equally is in turning, as aforesaid, it is much the same, except that the quarter or half Turn, instead of being made to the right 60 Hand, as in the foregoing, are now advancing to the left Side or Bottom of the Room; of which the Royal George affords us an Example, in that the said Dance begins with this Step, both to the right and left Hands, viz. the Gentleman performs it to the left Hand here spoken of, whilst the Lady does the same to the right.
There are, besides, other Ways of performing this Step from the said third Position, as sideways crossing to the right Hand, and in a Hop, Step, and Draw behind sideways to the left; which Steps differ from the foregoing in this, that whereas they were made either forwards or backwards, facing to the upper Part of the Room, or the same turning to the Sides or lower End of it, these, on the contrary, are always sideways, tho' they are performed turning all the Ways aforesaid: For Instance, to the right Hand sideways, the Face or Presence being to the upper End of the Room, and the Weight in the Position already explained283283. See the second Figure of Plate V, the Hop is performed in like Manner excepting that, instead of the left Foot's advancing as in that, or retiring from the Hop or Spring which is made on the right, it is here cast crossways before the right upon which the Body rests, about the Length of a March, and then receives the Weight284284. See the second Figure of Plate XI; after which the right Foot makes the second Step of the Contretemp open off sideways, in the Manner above described in forwards285285. See in some Degree the second Figure in Plate VI.
When it is performed turning with a quarter Turn, or a half Turn, &c. it only varies in its not advancing to the Sides or lower End of the Room, as in the other, but, instead of that, it is made sideways to the right Hand, facing to the right Side of the Room in a quarter Turn, in the same Manner as to the upper End; the half Turn the like, only not facing to the right Side of Room, but instead thereof to the lower Part of it, which is a quarter of a Turn more.
The second of the Ways aforesaid is the Hop, Step, and Draw behind sideways, which is as follows, viz. to the right or left Hand, 61 the last of which begins from the same Position treated of in this Step, namely, the third, the disengaged Foot being upon the Point behind the right286286. See the second Figure in Plate V, from whence this Step commences by making a Sink and upright Spring or Hop, falling in the same Place and Posture, as at first, only the Knees are bent; after which the left Foot upon the Point steps open off sideways to the same Hand, and receives the Weight of the Body from the right, either placing the Heel to the Ground or upon the Toe287287. See the first Figure in Plate VI; and the right Foot, being then released, after the Hop and Step are made, as aforesaid, is drawn behind the left, the Toe pressing the Floor288288. See the second Figure in Plate VI; as it is brought behind, and receives the Weight of the Body, as at commencing in the third Position, except that, instead of the left Foot's being pointed behind, it is now inclos'd before and concludes289289. See the first Figure in Plate IV, or second of Plate XI.
This Step with a quarter Turn differs from the Hop crossways to the right, only in the latter's not being made to the same Hand; for the quarter Turn, instead thereof, is performed, as above described, stepping to the left Hand, facing full to the right Side of Room, as in the other, and the half Turn, facing the lower Part of the Room, is, in its Performance to the left Hand, the same as the quarter to the right.
Having explained the foregoing Hop's Beginning with the left Foot from the third Position, I shall now describe it sideways with the same Foot, from what I call the fourth Position; that is to say, the Weight of the Body is upon the right, the left being directly the same sideways as the Beginning or first Movement in a March, only the Toe is not pointed to the Ground, as in that, but the Heel placed without any Weight290290. See the first Figure in Plate VI; from which Posture of Standing this Step is taken and performed: For Instance, the Weight being upon the right Foot, and the left Heel placed, as aforesaid, about the Length of a Step in Walking, you make the Sink or Preparation for the Spring or Hop291291. See the first Figure in Plate X by transferring the Weight from the 62 right to the left Foot, the very Moment before the Spring is made, in taking up the right Foot from the Ground, the left at the same Instant receiving the Body, upon which the Hop is begun and compleated, as follows: The right Foot, being then at Liberty292292. See the second Figure in Plates VI and XV, makes a plain Step or Walk sideways crossing before the left, that supports the Weight, to the same Hand293293. See the first Figure in Plate XI; after which the left Foot steps out the same Way and places the Heel, being ready to make the Spring, as before294294. See the first Figure in Plate X, by Reason you are now in the same Position, as at commencing, and concludes the Step.
This Hop, as just described, is to be found in the second Strain of the Rigadoon of the late Mr. Isaac, the first Time of playing over, at the End of the third Bouree of the Woman's Side; where the Lady stands upon the second Step of the said Bouree, viz. the right Foot, whilst the left, instead of receiving the Body as it would otherwise have done, only sets down the Heel to the Ground. From this Posture proceeds the Hop or Contretemp we are now treating of, which takes up the fourth Bar or Measure; and, as I have referred to this Place for an Example, I think it will not be improper to say something here of the Hop that follows the foregoing: Which differs in this, that whereas in the former the Heel is to be placed to the Ground upon the last Step, in this a Bound is made instead thereof, which is the only Difference, and the Reason of its being called a Hop, Step, and Bound; and it also remarkably varies from the aforesaid, in that it again conducts the Dancer into the Bourees, Coupees, and Half Coupees, &c. as the other leads him out of these Steps. To perform this Contretemp or Hop from the fourth Position forwards, the left or beginning Foot instead of being open sideways, as before, must be advanced, about the like Distance before the right, as the other was upon one Side of it; which Manner of Standing is what we call the fourth Position, from whence the Hop is to be made, being, in all Respects, the same as sideways 63 to the left Hand only, as I have said, the left Foot must be advanced up the Room, which is done as follows: The Weight of the Body being upon the right Foot, and the Heel of the left to the Ground, as aforesaid295295. See the first Figure in Plate IX, the Contretemp is made forwards upon the left Foot, the right being taken up from the Floor; which said right Foot then makes a plain Walk or Step forwards296296. See the second Figure in Plate IX, that in the foregoing was made sideways crossing before the left; after which the left Foot is advanced, the Length of a Step, and the Heel placed in the fourth Position, as at commencing this Step, in Readiness to repeat the same297297. See the first Figure in Plate IX. But, instead of that, I shall proceed to shew, how this Step is performed from the said Position backwards, viz. by the Weight's not advancing forwards to the left Foot, as before, but on the contrary the Hop is made on the right Foot backwards by taking up the left Foot, in like Manner as the other forwards in taking up of the right, except that the Weight is not transferred, as in the former, and then it makes the Step or or298298. опечатка: лишнее or Walk backwards the same as before forwards299299. See the second Figure in Plate IX; after which the right Foot makes the second and last Step backwards also and receives the Body, leaving the left Heel to the Floor, as at first, either to advance or retire300300. See the first Figure in Plate IX; and these are the most usual Ways of performing this Step from the fourth Position.
The Method of performing the Hop or Contretemp, both from the third and fourth Position, being now explained, I shall take some Notice, how they agree with the Notes of Music, either of common or triple Time, &c. as for Example, from the third Position forwards, beginning with the left or advancing Foot to a Tune of common Time; which being accomplished will shew the Manner of the rest, whether backwards, sideways, or round, in that the same Method of counting will bear in them all, since the Hop certainly marks the first Note or what we call Time, tho' it be upon the right Foot, as in the third Position, or on the left in the 64 fourth as follows, viz. the Spring or Hop, that is made upon the right Foot, beats Time to the first of the four Notes; the second Note is counted in the setting down or receiving the Weight of the Body upon the eft301301. пропущена буква, должно быть: left Foot, after its having advanced the Length of a Step forwards; and the third Note is counted, when the right Foot receives the Body, as before, and finishes. The remaining fourth Note, as has been said, is in the Sink which prepares for the succeeding Step; and, to triple Time or of the Notes in three Bar or Measure, it is the very same, except that, as there are only three Notes, half the third must be borrowed for the Sink that prepares to mark the Cadence of the succeeding Step.
THE Hop or Contretemp last explained having introduced us to the Position from whence the Chassee or Driving Step is performed, namely, the fourth, since in that we took no farther Notice than of its being sideways, or forwards, in the said Position, without explaining the particular Manner in which the last Step, whether of a Bouree, Coupee, Half Coupee, or March is to be performed, when introducing any of the aforesaid Hops or Driving Steps; and as this Step considerably varies, in its Method of Performance, from the Way in which it would otherwise have been done, had a Bouree, or Coupee, &c. followed, I shall observe, that it is much the same as when, in Fencing, we put ourselves in a Posture of Defence; but, this Posture being probably unknown to the Ladies, I shall endeavour to give an Explanation of it, which take as follows: The Posture of Defence most usually is to the right Hand, the whole Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot, and the right stepped out sideways to the same Side of the Room, about 65 the Length of a Step, as in Walking; the full Part of the Heel first comes to the Ground, but afterwards the Foot is flat, only free from Weight, both the Knees being bent302302. See the second Figure in Plate X; from which Position or Posture the Hop before treated of is taken, as well as the Chassee we are now about to describe, or from whence the Longe or Pass is made in Fencing.
However it still remains to shew the Method, how the abovementioned Step is to be performed, when we put ourselves in the said Position or Posture, in which consists the Perfection of it; and, for the greater Variety, in describing the same we shall begin to the right Hand, having already observed it to the left, in the Hop aforesaid. But, for the better understanding of this, we must take Notice, that in a Bouree we are to make a Stop or Rest upon the second Step, when any of this Sort of Steps follow; in the Coupee upon the first, and in a Half Coupee or March, &c. we stand in one of the Positions from whence it is to be taken, which differ according to the foregoing Step's being performed forwards, backwards, or sideways; but, in all of them, it is generally taken from the first or third Position either before or behind303303. See the first Figure in Plate I. second Figure in Plate IV. or first Figure in Plate V. We shall begin with the last: For Example, the Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot, the right at Liberty behind it prepares for the Kick or soft Stamp sideways, for so I must name it, as not knowing what more properly to call it, by raising the Heel of the hindmost Foot, whether right or left, with a gentle and easy Motion, the Toe or Ball of the Instep pointing down to the Ground, but not so as to bear upon it, by Reason it will not be ready to perform the Step aforesaid; which is exceeding swift, because, as I have said, the Dancer makes a Pause or Rest, until the fourth Note in common Time is almost spent, and in triple the third; but, before either of them expire, the easy Stamp or Kick is given, and instead of the Foot's being flat to the Ground, as in Fencing, in Dancing the Heel must first be placed thereto in order to receive the Chassee 66 or Hop that succeeds304304. See the second Figure in Plate X. How the latter of them is to be executed, we have shewn in the Hops; and, having just before observed the raising of the Heel and pointing of the Toe, I shall also take Notice, that, just as the Kick or Stamp is about to be made, the Toe, instead of pointing to the Floor, as at commencing, rises from thence; and the Heel comes down, but does not receive the Weight, 'till the Hop or Chassee is made, which, in Dancing, is always immediately after this Step, it being a Preparation to that Purpose; for, as I have said, the Knees being bent, at the Instant the right Heel is struck against the Floor, it only remains to perform the Steps treated on; and whether forwards, or backwards, the Method is the same, as sideways above explained to the right Hand.
Having now given some Hints, as to the Manner how the Step, that introduces a Hop or Chassee, is to be performed, I shall proceed to the Explanation of the latter, which is a Step composed sometimes of three, and at other Times of four Steps to the Measure or Bar; and the most usual Way of their Performance is forwards and sideways. I shall begin with the former of these, namely, the Chassee or Driving-Step of three Steps in a Measure, advancing to the upper Part of the Room, which is as follows, viz. the Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot, and the right stepped forwards, as just explained, into the fourth Position305305. See the second Figure in Plate IX with the Knees bent, in order to the Performance of the Chassee, it begins by transferring the Weight; that is to say, before the rising from the said Sink, the Body, that was on the left Foot, is conveyed upon the right and foremost Foot, which then supports it, whilst the left, disengaged from the Weight, advances the Length of a Step, in rising from the abovesaid Sink into the third Position inclosed behind the right, and again receives the Body. The said Rising beats Time to the first Note of the Measure306306. See the second Figure in Plate IV. or first of Plate XI, upon which the right, being at 67 Liberty, makes the second of the three Steps307307. See the second Figure in Plate IX. only the right or advanced Foot is more open; but it differs somewhat from that of the Bouree, in its being stepped more open off to the right Hand, whereas the Bouree is directly advancing forwards upon which is counted the second Note; and the last is reckoned in the Kick or light Stamp that prepares for the Chassee following, which is the last of the three Steps, and made with the left Foot; for, as I have said, the Body, being on the right, rests thereon, whilst the left moves slowly forwards, the Toe pressing to the Floor, as in the March; but not much above half its Length, in that the remaining Part is allowed to the light Stamp the left Foot gives forwards, on the Expiration of the last Note; upon which it is then in readiness to perform the same thing over again, as in the Bouree308308. See the first Figure in Plate IX; for this Step, in Continuance, changes the Foot, every three Steps, the same as a Bouree. This Step with the contrary Foot differs only in the Weight's being upon the right Foot, instead of the left, as in the former; and the left, at the End of the second Step of the foregoing Chassee, being advanced into the fourth Position, in the Manner we have just observed, begins by transferring the Weight, and taking up the right Foot, as the other did by the left309309. See the first Figure in Plate IV. or second of Plate XI. For the second Step only more open, as has been said, see the first the Figure in Place IX. and for the last Step, see the second Figure in the same Plate, and so on if continued.
This Step sideways is the same as above explain'd, except that, instead of forwards, it is made sideways, which is the principal Difference; however, for the more easy comprehending of the same, I shall observe, that it begins from the fourth Position sideways to the right Side of the Room, the Face or Presence of the Body being to the upper End of the Room, the Weight upon the left Foot as before, with the right placed, as described by the Posture of Defence, or Step which introduces this Sort of Steps310310. See the second Figure in Plate X. The Weight is transferred, as before; and, in rising, the left Foot is taken from the Ground, but, instead of advancing up the Room, is now brought 68 sideways into the third Position inclosed behind the right, and receives the Weight in Time to the Music311311. See the second Figure in Plate IV. or first Figure in Plate XI. The second Step, with the right Foot, is sideways, the same Way, and receives the Body312312. first upon the Toe and afterwards upon the Heel. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate VI. and second Figure in Plate X, which it supports, 'till the third or fourth Note is expired313313. See the Point or first Figure in Plate VI, according to the Time in which it is done, that is, whether it be of triple or common; upon which the last Step or light Stamp is made, the same Way crossing before the right314314. See the second Figure in Plate XI, with the Knees bent in readiness to proceed to the Chassee following, which is performed in like Manner, but on the contrary Foot.
As we are now come to the Chassee of four Steps in a Measure, the foregoing of three having been described commencing with the left Foot, both forwards sideways and to the right Hand, I shall, on the contrary, explain this beginning with the right Foot, to the left Hand; but, in the first Place, I shall describe it, advancing up the Room, which is as follows: The Weight being upon the right Foot, the left advanced into the fourth Position315315. See the first Figure in Plate IX, in the Method already explain'd, begins, as before, by transferring the Weight, but, as I have said, with the other Foot; for, as the Chassee of three in the Bar transferred the Weight from the left to the right, this does it from the right to the left, the right and hindmost Foot advancing into the third Position inclosed behind the left316316. See the first Figure in Plate IV. or second of Plate XI. and, for the second Step which is made quick at the same Time, see the first Figure in Plate IX, directly the same Way as in that of three, except with this Difference, that as the first Note in that was counted in the rising and bringing of the Foot into the third Position, in this the two first Steps of the four must be performed swift to the first Note, as has been noted in the Bouree and Bound; and the second Note is in the stepping forwards of the third Step317317. See the second Figure in Plate IX, only, as I have observed, a little open; upon which the Weight rests, 'till the third Note 69 in triple Time is spent, or in common the fourth, in like Manner as, in the Driving-Step of three, it rested on the second, waiting for the Expiration of the third or fourth last Notes, at which Instant the Step or Preparative for the next ensuing is made, and concludes318318. See the first Figure in Plate IX.
In performing the Chassee of four Steps in a Measure, above explained forwards, to the left Hand sideways, the left Foot, instead of being advanced, is open sideways in the fourth Position, the like Distance to the left Hand, as in the Point or Beginning of a March, only the Heel and Foot are flat, as has been shewn, in the Hop or Contretemp, to this Side of the Room319319. See the first Figure in Plate X and it commences by changing, as above, forwards, only the right Foot, instead of advancing as in that, moves sideways and is brought, in the rising behind the left, into the third Position320320. See the first Figure in Plate IV. or second Figure of Plate XI, at which Instant the left Foot, which is the second of the four Steps, is stepp'd with a swift Motion, the same Way, and marks Time to the first Note321321. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate VI. Note The second is in the stepping and crossing of the right Foot before the left322322. See the second Figure in the same Plate, and first Figure in Plate XI, which is the third Step; and the third is in the setting of the left Heel down, in order to perform it again, as was illustrated by the Posture in Fencing, or in common Time upon the fourth as has been said323323. See the first Figure in Plate X.
This Step may also be performed with a quarter Turn, which only differs in this, that, after the Rise or Movement is made to the first two Steps that mark Time to the first Note, the third Step, which is with the right Foot, instead of crossing before the left, as before, in the stepping of it, turns a quarter Turn, which then faces full to the left Side of the Room to the Music as above; the fourth and last Step, which is with the left Foot, steps sideways to the left Hand, the same Way as the foregoing to the Presence, and, if continued one Step farther, the first two Steps face to the left Side 70 of the Room, as the foregoing did to the upper Part; and the third Step, in which you turn the quarter, instead of stepping to the left Side of the Room, now faces to the lower End of it; the fourth Step, with the left Foot, steps sideways to the same Hand, and so on, if you please, 'till arrived to the Presence as at first. It is to be noted, that this Step does not, in Continuance, change the Foot, as the Chassee of three in the Measure, or Bouree, but always begins with the same Foot, as in the Bouree with a Bound.
There is another Way of performing this Step, of which I shall take some Notice, viz. two Movements and Steps to the Measure, that is to say, the Chassee of three Steps in a Bar already explain'd, to which is added a Sort of a Half Coupee, in the Nature of a Driving-Step; which said Step is the fourth of the last described Chassee, except that it is made plain here with a Movement or Rise from the fourth Position from whence it begun, and the released Foot opens in the Air, forming a quarter of a Circle, or a half Circle, &c.
As to the Performance of this Chassee or Driving Step of two Movements, the most usual Way is forwards, turning a quarter, half, three quarter, or a whole Turn, the first of which is as follows, viz. beginning, as we will suppose, with the right Foot, upon which the Weight stands in the fourth Position, and the left advanced, but without any Weight324324. See the first Figure in Plate IX, as has been said, except its own, commences by transferring the Weight in the same Manner as described in the Chassee of four Steps with one Movement forwards to the upper Part of the Room, that is, the first two Steps, namely, with the right Foot and the left325325. See the first Figure in Plate IV. For the second Step which is made quick at the same Time, see the first in Plate IX; but not the third Step with the right, for, altho' it steps a little open, as in the aforesaid, it does not receive any Weight, by reason it prepares for the Half Coupee, which is to be made in the Manner of the Chassee before mentioned. This Step is made upon the second Note of the three, as was explained by the Posture in Fencing, only instead of sideways 71 it is forwards326326. See the second Figure in Plate IX; and, as was already shewn, the Knees being bent and Weight upon the left Foot, the Half Coupee, the second Movement of the Chassee, begins by conveying or transferring the Body from the left to the right and foremost Foot, immediately before rising, on which the left or hindmost Foot advances, sliding the Ball or Instep flat to the Ground into the third Position behind the right327327. See the second Figure in Plate IV, which it releases; and, in its being taken up from the Floor, it makes a quarter of a Circle in the Air, opening to the right Side328328. See the second Figure in Plates XIV and XV, facing the upper Part of the Room, or a quarter Turn to the right Side; or a half Turn to the Bottom, a three quarter Turn to the left Side, or a whole Turn; which said Coupee is performed to the third Note, if to triple Time; and in common to the fourth.
THIS Step is performed two different Ways, viz. advancing and retiring; the former of which begins by transferring the Weight resting on the right or left Leg in the fourth Position, and the latter by a Sway or Wave of the Poise of the Body, either on the right or left Leg from the second Position, which is the most usual Method of performing this Step; for, being in the second Position, and the Weight as much on one Foot as the other, it is only waving or swaying the Body, whether upon the right or left Foot, during the Sink, preparing for the Chassee or Driving Step, that is made by the disengaged and pointed Foot, whichsoever it be, always 72 retiring to the right or left, or backwards. But, if it begin from the Weight resting on the right or left Foot, as advancing to make the Contretemp, Chassees, or the like, it begins by changing, otherwise directly, without changing, being duly prepared; tho' in its Performance advancing, it much resembles the Chassee to the left Hand, of one Movement to four Steps, except that, instead of one Movement made upon the Ground, here are two Movements or Coupees off from thence; and it is a Step frequently found in Tunes of common Time, not much unlike what we often see Boys perform in Play, when they run along, and, in rising from a Sink, knock or beat one Heel against the other, lighting in the fourth Position, with the Knees bent, continuing the same, perhaps, the Length of a Stret329329. опечатка or Field.
The Driving Step or Chassee of two Movements or Bounding Coupees is usually perform'd sideways, tho' sometimes to one Part of the Room, and sometimes to another, as it falls out, which is according as the foregoing Step ended to the right or left Sides, or upper or lower Ends of the Room; for the better understanding whereof I shall give an Example of it to the left Hand, facing up the Room as follows, viz. the Weight of the Body being upon the right Foot, the left in the fourth Position sideways, as in the foregoing Chassee or Driving Step of four Steps, to the same Side of the Room, the Knees bent330330. See the first Figure in Plate X, &c. it begins by transferring the Weight to the left Foot, as in that, only in the rising, instead of the right Foot's being brought behind the left in the third Position as in that upon the Ground, it is here made off from thence, in a sort of Springing or Bounding sideways, in which the right and commencing Foot, in a Manner, drives the left and second Step of the Coupee before it; for the Spring or Bound no sooner is given and the right Foot brought into the first Position even, or the third Position behind the left331331. See the second Figure in Plate I. or first Figure in Plate IV, than the left being at Liberty is driven the Length of a Step sideways332332. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate VI and then set down in the fourth 73 Position, the Knees being bent, as in the Posture of Defence. This second Step concludes the first of the two Movements or Coupees333333. See the first Figure in Plate X, the Bound or Beginning of which is made upon the first of the four Notes, in that they are both counted as no more than one Step, as has been already shewn, not only in the Bouree and Bound but also in the Chassee of four Steps; the second of the four Notes is reckoned in the Rest or Pause the Weight makes upon the Sink that prepares for the second Movement, viz. the third and fourth Steps, perform'd in the same Method as the first, by transferring the Weight, as aforesaid, and being made upon the third Note concludes the Step; and the fourth, as I have said, is in the Sink or Preparation for the succeeding Step, whether it be of the same, or any other Sort.
To perform this Step to the right Hand is only to transfer the Weight: For Example, instead of the Body's resting upon the right Foot, as before, it must be placed on the left, with the right disengaged from any Weight, except its own, as has been shewn by the foregoing334334. See the second Figure in Plate X; the rest intirely, in the like Manner, advancing sideways to the right Side of the Room, as the other to the left.
Having explained this Step advancing, I will proceed to its Method of retiring; and the Difference between this and the former principally consists in the Weight of the Body's not being changed on its beginning now, as in the foregoing; but instead thereof it directly commences from the fourth Position in which we stand: For Instance, suppose you would perform it retiring, the same Way we have described it advancing, viz. sideways to the left, then, instead of the Body's resting upon the right Foot, as in the aforesaid, it must now rest on the left, the right being in the fourth Position sideways flat to the Ground, without any other Weight than its own, except the Toe a little pointed or pressing to the Floor, from whence it begins.
However, before I proceed in that, I shall explain it retiring down the Room; which is from the same Position, only the right 74 Foot is advanced, and not sideways, as here; and because a Beaten Coupee or Hop, either forwards or sideways, generally introduces this Step, it may likewise not be improper to take some Notice of it, which I shall do, in the Explanation of the said Step's advancing up the Room, since that will be sufficient for the comprehending of it both Ways, in that the same Manner of Performance is to be observed in the one as in the other, only in the former the Beat is made sideways, instead of backwards, as in the present.
THE Beaten Coupee or Hop forwards, beginning from the first Position, the Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot335335. See the first Figure in Plate I, makes a Movement or Sink and Rise, as was shewn in the Half Coupee up the Room336336. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate IX and receives the Weight, as in that, upon the first Note, supporting the Body, whilst the left Foot strikes or beats against the Heel of the right337337. See the second Figure in Plate V, which Beat is upon the second Note; and then it steps back to the Place from whence it came, in order to receive the Weight again, which after the Beat retires off from the Foot upon which it was, in a slow Motion, waiting for the Expiration of the third Note; upon which it comes down on the left Foot, in the fourth Position, much in the swift Manner described in the Preparation for a Hop or Chassee338338. See the second Figure in Plate IX.
If you would perform this Step with a Hop you only need, instead of the Movement as above, make a Spring or Hop upon the left Foot, whilst the right advances, as was explained in the first Spring of the Rigadoon Step of two; but tho' the Weight there does 75 not come upon the advancing Foot, by Reason a second Spring is to be given first, here it must, as in the ending of a March, after which receiving of the Body the Beat is given, as above.
Having explained the Beaten Coupee or Hop, which conducts us to the Step we are treating of, and being in the Position from whence it is taken, that is to say, in the fourth, with the Weight upon the left Foot, and the right advanced, or more properly speaking, where it was left, in finishing of the Beaten Hop or Coupee; being I say in the fourth Position, with the Knees bent, the Flying Chassee or Driving Step of two Movements commences backwards, by bringing the right and foremost pointed Foot, in the Nature of a Spring or low Bound in rising from the Sink or Bending aforesaid into the third Position inclos'd before the left339339. See the second Figure of Plate IV; which Bound or coming down of the right Foot marks Time to the first Note and relieves the left, which it drives backwards, the Length of a Step, receiving the Weight in the fourth Position340340. See the second Figure of Plate IX, with the Knees bent as at commencing, upon which the first Movement is ended. The Bound and Step are both reckoned, on account of their Swiftness, but as one; and the second Movement is made to the third and fourth Steps, which are, in their Performance, intirely the same as the first. The second Note is in the Bending of the Knees, after finishing of the first Spring or Coupee; the third in the Bound upon the right Foot, which begins the second Movement; and the fourth is in the Bending of the Knees, as aforesaid.
As the Method, in which this Step is perform'd retiring, is now shewn, I shall return to the Place where I left off, and proceed in explaining it, as retiring sideways to the left Side of the Room and conclude what I shall farther say, on that Head; and first of all it must be noted, that it is the Reverse to the foregoing advancing, for as in that the Foot, on which the Body rests at beginning, pursues or drives before it the Foot without Weight, in this the disengaged Foot drives or pursues the retiring Foot that supports the Body, much like retiring in Fencing, as the first explain'd is a Sort 76 of advancing, which I think plainly appears from what has been said inthe341341. пропущен пробел: in the Description of them.
The latter of the said Steps being now fully described, it only remains to add that, instead of backwards, it must be made retiring directly sideways, crossing the Room to the left Hand, in the same Manner as retiring down it, which is all the Difference; and consequently it is unnecessary to make a farther Repetition, except that, as where I left off342342. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate VI, it commences from the fourth Position; and if perform'd retiring cross the Room to the right Side, it is taken from the same Position as when advancing to the left, only as I have observed, it begins without transferring the Weight; but, when taken from the second Position, it is only swaying or waving the Body to the Side you would perform it, whether right or left.
It is to be noted, that the foregoing Chassee or Driving Step of two springing Movements, when perform'd in triple Time, must have a Springing Coupee more added, to fill up the Bar or Measure; or instead thereof a Close, which is nothing more than that instead of finishing the additional Coupee, or in the Bound's lighting upon one Foot, as in that I described, it comes down upon both Feet, at the same Time, to the third Note in triple Time, compleating the Measure, as if the Coupee had been finished. Examples of the latter are to be found in the Chaconne de Phaeton of Monsieur Pecour, twenty Bars before the End; and the foregoing of two Springs and a Close is to be met with in the Passacaille de Scilla by the same Master, twenty seven Measures before the End, and in Tunes of common Time, as Allemaignes, Rigadoons, Bourees, &c. but, instead of the Chassee or Driving Step of two Springs, we frequently meet with one of them put with the aforesaid Close to a Measure343343. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables mark'd I.
THIS Chassee or Driving Step differs from the aforesaid, in its not being taken from the fourth Position, but from the third, in which Position as an Example we shall describe it, beginning with the right Foot, as follows, viz. the Weight is upon the left Foot, and the right in the third Position behind, being at Liberty344344. See the first Figure in Plate V, commences by bending both Knees, and at the same Time preparing for the Close or Drive, which is accomplished in the Straightening of the right Knee directly sideways345345. See the second Figure in Plate XV, or second Figure in Plate VI, only the Toe does not touch the Floor, in the Rise or Spring from the Sinking aforesaid; in which it is brought into the third Position before the left on which the Body rests346346. See the second Figure in Plate IV, and drives the left off sideways, or rather obliquely, in the Air347347. See the first Figure in Plate VI, only the Foot is in the Air, the Length of a Step. The said Spring or Drive with the right Foot marks Time to the first Note of the three in a Measure or triple Time; and the second is in the Spring or Drive with the left Foot now in the Air, which together with the right Knee that supports the Body bends, in order for the second Spring, which is made in a Rise from the same by a Spring or Bound into the third Position behind; then it releases the right by receiving the Weight348348. See the second Figure in Plate IV and drives the right Foot sideways into the Air, the Length of a Step349349. See the second Figure in Plate XV, from whence the third Drive or Close is made to the same Note, 78 by bending both Knees, as before; and, in the Spring or Rising from thence, the right Foot in the Air bounds into the third Position before the left350350. See the second Figure in Plate IV which it releases, tho' it is not driven, as in the others, but instead thereof remains in the third Position behind the right on which the whole Weight rests, concluding the Step on the contrary Foot351351. See the second Figure in Plate V, in Readiness to perform the same Step over again, and commencing with the left Foot.
The second Strain of the Louvre begins with this Step, the last Time of its playing over, with the same Foot as here, that is to say, on the Man's Side, but with the contrary on the Woman's; and in the Dance it is performed facing to the right Side of the Room or Lady, and not to the upper End of it, as here described.
In triple Time this Step transfers the Weight and Foot, every Measure as in the Half Coupee, March, or Bouree; but, when done to Tunes of common Time, instead of three Drives or Springs in a Measure, as in triple aforesaid, there must be only two; and consequently, if continued, they will always commence with the same Foot as the Bouree and a Bound, or Coupee, &c. unless Steps of a contrary Nature, as the Bouree, Half Coupee, or March be made between them.
The Driving Step of two Springs agrees with the Notes of common Time, in the same Manner as was described in the Flying or Driving Step of two Movements; and it makes no small Figure, either in common or triple Time, since in the latter it is rare to meet with a Passacaille, or Chaconne, without it; but, on the contrary it is sometimes found in three or four Places of one Dance, which demonstrates, how greatly it is valued and esteemed by Masters352352. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables mark'd I.
THE Step, which I am now about to explain, begins from the fourth Position, as well as the Hop or Chassee; but, before I proceed, it must be observed, that it is composed of three different Steps, and commences with the first Movement of the Flying Chassee or Driving Step retiring down the Room exactly in the same Manner as was explained, in treating of that Step353353. See Page 75, ending in the fourth Position to the first Note, the Weight being upon the left Foot, and the right advanced, or rather, as I have said, left without Weight, in Readiness to begin the second Movement of the said Step354354. See the second Figure in Plate IX; which Movement is made upon the second Note of the Saraband or Passacaille, to which it is done by making a Close from the Position above mentioned, in rising from the Sink or Bending of the Knees in which the Chassee to the first Note ended; which Spring or Close is made, in turning a quarter Turn to the right Side of the Room, from the upper Part thereof, into the third Position, by taking up the right or advanced Foot, at the Instant the Close is made upon the left, before which the right is inclosed355355. See the second Figure in Plate IV, only it must be supposed facing to the right Side of the Room. The third Note is in the Coupee, which is the third Movement and concludes the Step; and the said Coupee, which must be performed swift to the last Note, commences, by the right 80 or inclosed Foot's making a Movement or Sink and Rise, stepping open off sideways to the right Hand356356. See in some Respects the second Figure in Plate VI, only it must be supposed to the right Side of the Room, facing, as aforesaid, to the right Side of the Room, rather inclining backwards than directly sideways, by Reason of its making Way for the left or hind Foot's more easy and natural crossing before the right sideways into the fifth Position, in the Method shewn in treating of the Slip before and then behind, ending, as I have said, upon the third Note, with the Knees bent preparing for the following Step, which most usually is a Half Coupee357357. See the second Figure in Plate XI. and it also must be facing as aforesaid; and it begins by taking of the right or hind Foot up, in rising from the aforesaid Bending of the Knees, which is brought behind the left into the third Position358358. See the first Figure in Plate IV, turning a quarter Turn back again, from the right Side of the Room to the upper End, upon the first Note of the Measure. The second and third Notes are in the half Circle or Motion the left Foot makes in the Air, in its being taken from the Floor,359359. See the first Figure in Plate XV which, as I have said, is upon the right Foot's receiving the Weight in the Rise from the first Step; and the left Foot, being in the Air, is ready to perform a Pirouette, or any such like Step.
If, instead of the right Side of the Room, you would perform it to the other Hand, the left Foot must be in the fourth Position advanced before the right on which the Body rests, in like Manner as the right was before, without any Weight except its own360360. See the first Figure in Plate IX, from whence it commences to the left Side of the Room, directly as the foregoing to the right; and the Step here treated on is to be found in the Passacaille Darmid for a Woman, composed by Monsieur L'Abbee, in the sixth Measure, beginning with the right Foot, as above explained361361. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked I.
THIS Step is much used in Stage Dancing, to which, indeed it properly belongs, as well as the foregoing; but as there are Ladies, who frequently arrive at such a Perfection as to be capable of performing this Sort of Steps, it may not be improper here to give an Explanation of some of the most remarkable of them, of which Number that under Consideration is one; which is often found in Tunes of triple Time, and sometimes in those of common, consisting of two Movements, viz. a Hop and a Bound both made in turning, the first commencing either from the fourth or fifth Position; from which last we shall explain it, beginning with the right Foot that supports the Body, as in the Chassee or Driving Step, only the left, instead of being either open sideways or advanced in the fourth Position, from whence the aforesaid Steps are taken, must be a little more crossed, that is to say, the left Heel towards the Toe of the right Foot, without the least Weight bearing upon it, by Reason the Step begins by transferring the Weight362362. See the second Figure in Plate XI, which is accomplished in this Manner: The Body, as has been observed, being on the right Foot, immediately before the Hop or first Movement is made, is conveyed upon the left and foremost Foot, by transferring the Weight, upon which the Hop is given on the left Foot, in the right's being taken up from the Ground turning a half Turn from the upper Part of the Room to the lower End thereof, to the right Hand, making a half Circle in the Air the same Way behind the left Foot where it arrives. At the same 82 Instant, the Hop is made upon the first Note of the Measure; the second is in setting down the said right Foot in the fourth Position advanced before the left, on which the Weight rests, in its being brought from behind the left Foot, where it mark'd the first Note363363. See the first Figure in Plate XII. The third Note is in the coming down of the Bound, which is made, as aforesaid, in transferring the Weight from the left to the right, the very Moment before the Spring or Bound is made, by rising from the Sink or Bending of the Knees, which was on the setting down of the right Foot to the second Note, and bringing the left Foot on which the Body rested in a low Bound or Spring into the third Position behind the right; which being then released makes the remaining half Circle in the Air, by turning a half Turn more to the same Hand, as in the Hop or first Movement from the lower End of the Room to the upper Part, and finishes the Step with the right Foot in the Air sideways364364. See the second Figure in Plate XV. To perform the same Step with the other Foot, we are only to set down the right Foot into the fifth Position before the left, on which the whole Weight rests, which begins, as aforesaid, by transferring the Weight365365. See the first Figure in Plate XI; and the Hop turns a half Turn to the left, exactly as the foregoing was described to the right366366. See the second Figure in Plate XII. concluding &c. as in the first Figure of Plate XV, &c. This Step is to the third Measure of the Passacaille Diana, beginning with the same Foot, as above described367367. See the Tables of this Step in the Plate of Tables mark'd I.
THE Chaconne or Passacaille Step is composed of three Movements, viz. first a Bound, secondly a Hop, and lastly a Bound, or Balone, and it is most usually taken from the third Position. I shall, as an Example, describe it commencing with the left Foot which in its Performance is as follows; that is to say, the left Foot disengaged and at Liberty behind the right, in the Position aforesaid368368. See the second Figure in Plate V, begins the first Movement by making a Bound, in the Manner already shewn in treating of that Step, which, as I have there said, is accomplished by a Sink or Bending of the Knees; from whence the Body is thrown into the Air, in the Spring from the Sink or Bending aforesaid, only turning a half Turn to the right Hand, and comes down upon the Toe of the left Foot to the first Note; at which Instant the right, on which the Weight rested before the Change was made, follows or rather attends the left Foot, in the same swift Manner as explained in the Bouree and a Bound, remaining behind the left up in the Air, in order to perform the Movement that next succeeds, facing to the lower End of the Room369369. See the second Figure in Plate XIII; from which Posture the Hop or second Movement is taken, and marks the second Note, by sinking and making a Spring or Hop upon the left Foot which supports the Body, turning half a Turn to the right Hand, from the Bottom to the upper Part of the Room. The right Foot, which at the End of the Bound was behind the left, about the Length of a Step in the Air, is now the like Distance before it370370. See the second Figure in Plate XIV, ready to make the Bound 84 or Balone, as the French call it, to the third Note of the Measure, which is in bending both Knees; and, in springing from thence, the Weight is transferred from the left Foot, and lights upon the Instep or Toe of the right which was in the Air, concluding in the third Position, as at commencing371371. See the second Figure in Plate V.
This Step, if continued, always begins with the same Foot, as the Coupee or Bouree with a Bound; and to perform it with the contrary Foot only differs in this, that, instead of being in the third Position just described, the Weight must be upon the left Foot, with the right at Liberty behind372372. See the first Figure in Plate V; and, instead of turning to the right Hand, it now turns to the left, beginning with the right Foot, &c.373373. See the first Figure in Plate XIII. the first in Plate XIV. and the first in Plate V as the foregoing with the left.
This Step, as above explained, is to the fifn374374. скорее всего опечатка и должно быть: fifth Measure of the Passacaille Diana aforesaid, and also in the same Measure of the Passacaille de Scilla mentioned before, commencing with the right Foot; and it is a most agreeable Step in Dancing, rarely missing to be found more than once in one of these Sorts of Dances375375. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables mark'd I, and also the List or Explanation.
THE Hop and two Drives or Chassees is likewise a Step composed of three Movements, as the Title above specifies, and is performed from the fourth Position, in the Manner described in the foregoing Hop of two Movements from the fifth Position; which 85 said Step begins by transferring the Weight in the like Method as the present. Having explained the former, beginning with the right Foot, I shall explain this with the contrary, and it is performed as follows, viz. the Weight being upon the left Foot, the right in the fourth Position advanced and at Liberty is prepared to receive the Body376376. See the second Figure in Plate IX; which it does, the every Instant before the Hop or first Movement is made to the first Note, and from thence, I say, begins by sinking or bending of the Knees, in order for the following Spring or Hop, which is made upon the right Foot, in the left's being taken up from the Floor, and marks Time to the first Note, as was before observed, turning a half Turn from the upper End of the Room to the left Hand and leaving the left Foot without Weight, in the third Position behind the right, facing the lower End377377. See the first Figure in Plate XIII, only the left Foot, instead of being in the Air, must be supposed to rest against the Heel of the right; from whence the first of the two Drives begins in bending of the Knees, as already shewn in the Chassee or Driving Step of three Movements, upon the same Place, in Preparation for the Spring or Bound made in straightening of the Knees, turning a quarter Turn farther to the left Hand, facing full to the right Side of the Room, and lighting upon the left Foot, on its being brought into the third Position before the right, which is drove by it backwards, the Length of a Step in the Air; which said coming down of the left Foot is to the second Note, and the third is in the Spring or Bound made upon the right; and, in the Rise or Spring from the sinking or bending of the Knees, as aforesaid, the right Foot advances into the third Position behind the left, which being then released is drove, the Length of a Step in the Air, turning a quarter Turn more, opening to the left from the right Side of the Room to the upper End, and concluding in the Air378378. See the first Figure in Plate XV.
To perform this Step with the other Foot only differs in this, that, instead of the right Foot, the left Foot must be advanced379379. See the first Figure in Plate IX 86 and, instead of turning the half Turn to the left Hand, as before described, it turns to the right, directly in the same Manner as the aforesaid380380. See the second Figure as aforesaid in Plate XIII, and the second Figure of Plate XV; Examples of both which are to be found in the Chaconne de Phaeton of Monsieur Pecours, in the eighty seventh Measure beginning with the right Foot, and in the ninety first of the same Dance with the left, as above described381381. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked I. and also the List or Explanation.
THE foregoing Step, ending in the Air with the left Foot, naturally introduces us to the present, which is of three Movements, and taken from thence in falling, springing with both Feet at the same Time, and a Coupee; all which Steps are to be performed to a Measure, and consequently accounted but as one Step, which, in its Performance, is as follows, viz. the Face or Presence of the Body being, as in the foregoing, supposed with the Weight upon the right Foot382382. See the first Figure in Plate XV, or first Figure of Plate XIV, the Step begins by falling much in the same Manner, as explained in treating of this Step, when introduced by the Galliard sideways to the right Hand, only this is backwards in a slow and easy Motion, the very same as if you intended to fall quite to the Floor; but, as I said before, it is prevented from that by the left Foot which is in the Air, with the Toe pointed towards the Ground, attending and watching the falling Body so narrowly that, the very Instant it is in a manner past Recovery, 87 it flies swift to its Relief, to save it from falling, by receiving half the Weight in the fourth Position behind the right Foot383383. See the second Figure in Plate IX, only the Weight must be equally upon one Foot as the other, with the Knees bent upon the first Note; from whence the Spring is immediately made with both Feet, acting at the same Juncture upon the second Note, that is, by changing the right Foot backwards and the left forwards384384. See the first Figure in Plate IX, the Knees being bent, as aforesaid, in Readiness to make the succeeding Coupee; which is done by taking up the left or foremost Foot from the Floor and from the Bending aforesaid rising upon the Toe or Instep, making an open Step to the left Side of the Room to the third Note, neither directly sideways nor forwards, but between both. The second Step of the Coupee, which is with the right Foot, follows it, stepping the same Way in the like swift Manner, as the Beginning of the Bouree with a Bound, into the fourth Position before the left385385. See the second Figure in Plate IX, with the Knees bent as above.
In order to make the Half Coupee, that usually follows this Step, which is very slow in that, of itself, it answers to a Bar, like the foregoing of three Movements, upon the Weight's being changed, the left Foot, which before supported the Body, being at Liberty, advances, in rising from the Sink or Bending aforesaid into the third Position behind the right386386. See the second Figure in Plate IV, which then is released, and makes a Circle in the Air to the second and third Notes, the first being upon the left's receiving of the Weight as aforesaid; and the Half Coupee, concluding thus with the right Foot in the Air, is ready to perform either a Pirouette, or the same Step over again with the contrary Foot387387. See the second Figure in Plate XV; which only differs from the foregoing, in its beginning with the right Foot, and is found in the Passacaille de Scilla, twelve Bars before the End, beginning with the last mentioned Foot, and in other Places of the same Dance388388. See the Table of this Step in the Plate of Tables marked I, and also the List or Explanation.
THE Close beating before &c. which we are now about to explain, differs from the before described Step of this Name, in its being done to the first Note of the Measure, and, instead of resting the remaining two Notes, as in the aforesaid to the second, there are the upright Spring and Coupee to the third; and, instead of the Close's ending either in the first or third Position with the Knees straight, as in the former, it here comes down behind with the Knees bent, after its beating before. This Step is to be performed as follows, viz. commencing either with the right or left Foot from the third Position389389. See the first and second Figures in Plate V, by sinking or bending not only the foremost Foot on which the Body rests, but likewise the hind Foot without Weight; or from thence it begins, by making the Close in the like Manner, as aforesaid, in treating of this Step in the Rise or Spring from the above named Sink; but, instead of the Close's lighting in the first or third Position, as in the foregoing, the beginning Leg beats before against that on which the Body rested at first390390. See the first or inclosed Feet of the first and second Figures in Plate IV, and comes down in the third Position, as at commencing, only the Weight is equally upon both Feet391391. See the hind Feet of the two said Figures in Plate IV, and the Knees are bent, marking the first Note. The second, as I have observed, 89 is in coming down after the Rise or upright Spring from thence into the Air, in which the Feet are changed, viz. the first last and the last first392392. See the Change in the first and second and second and first Figures in Plate IV, the Knees being bent, as aforesaid, upon the first Note in Preparation to make the following Coupee, which is swift upon the third and last Note of the Measure, whether of a Saraband or Passacaille, &c. by rising in the Step the first Foot makes forwards, opening either to the right or left Hand and receiving the Weight393393. See the two first or advanced Feet in the Figures of Plate IX; after which the hind Foot and second Step of the Coupee move swift, the same Way, into the fourth Position before394394. See the right or advanced Foot in the second Figure of Plate IX, and the left or advanced Foot of the first Figure in the same Plate it, with the Knees bent, concluding in Readiness for the Coupee that usually attends these Steps; which is, as I have said, in the last described Step, as exceeding slow as the foregoing or its Introducer was quick, and made in rising from the aforesaid after transferring the Weight, and bringing the hind Foot into the third Position behind the foremost395395. See the second and first Figures in Plate IV, which being released makes a Circle in the Air, as aforesaid, either to the right or left Hand, according to which Foot the Step begun with396396. See the Figures in Plate XV, and is ready to perform the Step over again with the contrary Foot to that with which you commence.
You are to take Notice, that these two Steps are in a Manner inseparable, as I have already observed of some others in the Beginning of this Discourse, and are to the last Measure excepting two and a half of the Spanish Entree for two Men, composed by Monsieur Pecour, belonging to the Opera de l' Europ Galante; and also in the Entree Espagnole for a Man and a Woman, in the aforesaid Opera, composed by the same Master397397. See the twenty first Table in the Plate of Tables marked I, and the List or Explanation of the said Table.
The above described Step is sometimes performed, turning a whole Turn round, that is to say, half a Turn upon the Close beating before and coming down behind in the third Position, the other 90 half being in the upright Spring; and instead of the Beat's being made against the Foot on which the Weight rested, when facing the upper End of the Room, it is here made to the lower Part in a half Turn, either to the right or left Hand, lighting in the third Position behind; from whence the upright Spring is taken, in rising or springing from the Floor, as aforesaid, only, instead of the Feet being changed facing the Bottom of the Room, the remaining half Turn is made to the same Hand up it: For Example, suppose it commences with the right Foot from behind398398. See the first Figure in Plate V, then the Turn must be to the left, the Close ending to the lower End in the third Position, with the right Foot behind399399. See the first Figure in Plate IV. and for the Beat before see the second Figure in the same Plate, only the Feet must be supposed in the third Position down the Room; but, in the half Turn belonging to the upright Spring, it is changed in the Air, and comes down in the third Position before the left, on which the Body rested at first400400. See the second Figure in Plate IV.
The Coupee is intirely the same, as described in the foregoing, beginning from the first or inclosed Foot; and, if with the left Foot, it begins in the same Manner, by making a Spring or Close, &c. turning to the right, as above401401. See the twenty second Table in the Plate of Tables mark'd E and the List or Explanation of the said Table.
THE Pirouette is a Step that altogether consists of Motion and Turning. There are two different Ways of performing it; either from a whole Position, the Weight resting on both Feet; or a half Position, when the Weight only rests upon one Foot, the other being in the Air, from whence it begins, as will appear: For 91 instead of performing it from the fifth Position, directly as we stand, as in the former, in the latter it is made by adding a Step with the Foot in the Air backwards into the abovementioned Position behind, from whence they turn equally alike to either Hand upon the same Place, the Weight of the Body resting mostly upon that Foot which at first supported the Weight, the Difference being only in the stepping of the Foot which may as well be made forwards as backwards.
I shall now proceed to explain the Method of performing this Step, both these Ways, beginning in the first Place with the whole Position, which is as follows, viz. being, as was already observed, in the fifth Position, that is to say, when the Heel of either the right or left Foot, instead of being advanced right forwards, as in the fourth Position, is, as I have before shewn in the Hop of two Movements, round in two half Turns from the Position now treated on, and about the Length of half a Foot more cross'd before the hindmost Foot; so as that the Heel of the first in a Manner touches the Toe of the hind Foot, the Weight of the Body bearing as much upon one Foot, as the other, instead of the whole Weight's being upon the Foot which is behind, as in the Hop of two Movements402402. See the first and second Figures of Plate XI.
Having shewn the Position or Posture of standing, from whence this Step is taken, I will continue its Explanation, turning to either Side of the Room; and it is no more than making a Sink or Bending of the Knees in the above explain'd Position, the Rise whereof is made upon both Insteps to the first Note, in binding or pressing them strong to the Floor and raising the Body into the Air, during the Turning or Measure to which it is made: For Instance, if to the right, the left Foot is foremost403403. See the second Figure in Plate XI, if to the left the right404404. See the first Figure in the same Plate From the last of these we shall describe it, as follows: The Sink and Rise being made, as aforesaid, to the first Note, the second and third, if to triple Time, are in the slow Turning of the quarter Turn, which is to the left Side of the Room, in which 92 the Feet are changed; namely, the right, which at commencing was first, is now last, and the left first, facing full the Side of the Room to which the Turn was made; and, if a half Turn, it is only adding a quarter Turn more, which then will be full to the Bottom of the Room; and, if a three quarter Turn, it continues on to the right Side of the Room a quarter Turn further.
It is also to be observed, that, if a quarter Turn be to a Measure, the second and third Notes are counted, during the Turning or Pirouette; the same, if a half or three quarter Turn; or, if to common Time, the same as already shewn in many Places of this Discourse. And, if it be a whole Turn, it is intirely the like in Relation to the Notes, but not in its Method of Performance; for, instead of the Body's bearing equally upon both Toes, as above, it now bears, in rising from the Sink or Preparative for the whole Turn, upon the Heel of one Foot and Toe of the other: For Instance, in the rising, as aforesaid, or marking the Time, the Weight bears half upon the Heel of the right or foremost Foot and the Toe of the Foot that is behind, in which Manner it turns to the left, as before, as far as the Bottom or lower End of the Room; at which Time the Toe of the fore Foot and Heel of the hind come to the Floor, continuing the Turn, 'till you arrive to the upper End of the Room or Place of setting out, and finish in a Readiness to perform the same to the other Hand if Occasion requires, by Reason of the Feet being changed, as I have said, in the middle of the Turn or setting down the Heel of the hind Foot and Toe of the foremost405405. See the contrary Figures in Plate XI. that is to say, for the first see the second, and for the second see the first Figure. Both the Ways of performing this Step, as above explained, turning a whole Round, are to be found in the fourth Bar of the Saraband belonging the Royal Galiard, composed by the late Mr. Isaac, and written by Mr. De la Gard, the second Time of its playing; the foregoing three quarter Turn, in the short Saraband for a Man, composed by Mr. Pecour, in his Collection of Dances published at Paris, in the Year 1704, by 93 Mr. Feuillet, the thirteenth and fifteenth Bars before the End of the said Dance; and the quarter and half Turns are to be met with in most Dances406406. See the twenty fourth Table in the Plate of Tables mark'd I. and also the List or Explanation of the said Table. I shall now proceed to describe the second Way in which this Pirouette is taken and performed, viz. from a half Position instead of a whole, as was, for Example, the foregoing; that is to say, when the Weight of the Body is either upon the right or left Foot, and the other open in the Air pointed sideways, as in the March, or about an Inch or two more forwards, only it does not touch the Floor, as in that, by Reason of its being the commencing Foot; from whence it begins, by making a Step backwards into the fourth Position, if it be a quarter or half Turn; but, if a three quarter or whole Turn, it must be made into the fifth, as aforesaid, all of which are performed directly in the same Manner, as the foregoing or whole Position, by dividing the Weight, at the End of the stepping backwards of the Foot that was in the Air, which, upon setting it to the Ground, receives so much of the Weight as only serves to direct and assist the Body in turning, as well as marking the Time, as aforesaid, in rising from the Sink made for that Purpose, on the stepping of the Foot backwards upon both Toes, and turning either to the right or left Hand, which is according to the Foot that is in the Air, for the Turn must be made to the same Side; for Example, if the right Foot be in the Air, the Turn is to that Side407407. See the second Figure in Plate XV; and if the left, it is to the left408408. See the first Figure in Plate XV.
Having explained the foregoing or whole Position, turning to the left Hand, the taking some Notice of it to the right may not be improper, in this Place, beginning with the quarter Turn: For Instance, the Weight being upon the half Position or left Foot, the right, extended as aforesaid409409. See the second Figure in the same Plate, begins in making a Sink or Bending of the Knee of the left Leg on which the Body rests; at which Instant the right is cast back, as was said above, into the 94 fourth Position behind the left410410. See the first Figure in Plate IX, and preparing for the Rise marks the first Note, which is made on setting down or receiving a Part of the Poise of the Body upon the Foot that was in the Air; from whence the Turn takes its Rise, turning in a slow and gentle Turn to the right Side of the Room, and bearing or pressing the Toes to the Floor, as we have already shewn in the foregoing, in which Turning the second and third Notes are spent; that is to say, the second Note is counted in changing of the Feet, which is in the Turning, as I have said, for the right Foot, which was in the fourth Position behind, is about the second Note in the same Position before the left, facing full the right Side of the Room; and the third Note is upon setting down the Heel of the left Foot, and taking up the right, which is extended open sideways, as at first, and concludes.
A Pirouette with a half or three quarter Turn only differs from the Pirouette just explained, in not ending to the right Side as in that; but, instead thereof, the half Turn finishes to the lower Part of the Room, half a Turn from the upper End411411. See the first Figure in Plate XII. And the three quarter Turn continues on, 'till it face full the left Side; but the whole Turn, as I have said in the Pirouette, beginning from a whole or half Position, on which the Weight is equally divided, instead of rising upon both Toes alike, at the End of the Step made with the right Foot, by sinking and stepping backwards, as before observed, into the fifth Position behind the left Foot412412. See the second Figure in Plate XI, in the Rise or Beginning of the Turn the right Toe or Instep, being set down to the Ground in the Position just mentioned, receives one half of the Weight, the other remaining upon the Heel of the left on which the Body rested at first. In the said Manner half the Turn is made to the Bottom of the Room, bearing equally upon the Heel and Toe; and, when it arrives there, the remaining half is continued, by putting down the right Heel and Toe of the left Foot, which at first begun upon the 95 Heel, as the right did upon the Toe, about which Time the Feet are changed, as we have observed; that is, the right, which was stepp'd or сast into the fifth Position behind, is now first, and the left last, concluding with both Feet flat on the Floor, the Presence of the Body being to the upper End of the Room, as at commencing413413. See the first Figure in Plate XI. And, if beginning with the left Foot, see the first Figure in Plate XV, and the first and second Figures in Plate XI.
As to the Agreement of this Step with the Notes of common or triple Time, it is the same as already explained in the Pirouette beginning from the whole Position; the only Difference is, that the Weight in that, being equally on both Feet, begins directly by making a Sink and Rise, the Rise of which beats Time to the first Note of the Tune, which is the same in this Step, except that the Body, being supported by a half Position, before it can begin as in the whole Position, the other Foot which is in the Air must be cast or set down in the fourth or fifth Position; from whence this Step is usually taken, in stepping either forwards or backwards, as the Step is to be made. The remaining second and third Notes of the Measure, if to triple Time, are counted, during the said Turning, a whole Round; or, if to common Time, the fourth is included, as has been observed.
This Step, in its Performance forwards, is in all Respects the same as the last described backwards, as to its Agreement with the Notes, or its Rising, Turning on the Toes, &c. only whereas, in the two foregoing Pirouettes, the Manner of performing the whole Turn is not the same as the quarter, half, or three quarter Turn, in this the whole Turn is done in the same Method as the rest, except that the Step is made forwards into the fourth or fifth Position, instead of backwards as in the last explained; and, as I have already observed in the foregoing Steps, if the Turn be only a quarter or half Turn, it commences from the fourth Position414414. See the second Figure in Plate IX, beginning from the second Figure in Plate XV. And, if with the contrary, see the first Figure in Plate XV, and the first Figure in Plate IX, but if a three 96 quarter or whole Turn the fifth415415. See the first Figure in Plate XI, commencing from the second Figure in Plate XV; and, if with the other Foot, see the first Figure in the aforesaid Plate XV, and it concludes in the second Figure of the aforesaid Plate XI. This Step forwards farther varies from the foregoing backwards, in that, altho' it commences with the same Foot, instead of turning to the right Hand, as in the former, in this it turns to the left, as in the whole Position; so that, comparing this with the Pirouette first described, it will be easily understood, in that it is the same, except in not beginning directly, as in that; but if you suppose the stepping of the Foot forwards to be made, and place your Feet in the fourth or fifth Position, as before observed from a whole Position, there is then no other Difference, except that the whole Turn is performed in the same Method as the other416416. See the twenty fifth Table in the Plate of Tables mark'd E, the List or Explanation of the said Table, and also the Steps contained in Plate XV.
THIS Step is taken from a half Position, as well as the two last described backwards and forwards; but, instead of the Foot's being extended sideways in the Air, as in them, the Toe must here be pointed to the Floor, as in the Point or Beginning of the March, from which Position it commences.
However, before I proceed to a farther Explanation of this Step, I shall take some Notice of the Coupee that introduces it, which is composed of a Half Coupee with one Foot and a circular Motion made in the Air with the other, before its making the Point; which Step may be performed as follows, beginning with either 97 Foot, by sinking and making a Half Coupee or Step forwards, marking Time to the first Note, in rising from thence.
If we suppose this Step to be made with the right Foot417417. See the first Figure in Plate I, the circular Step or Motion with the left must then be made inwards to the second and third Notes, or the fourth, if common Time; that is to say, the Half Coupee being made with the right Foot, as aforesaid, the whole quarter of the left Leg moving in the Air, with the Knee stiff and Toe pointed, makes a circular Motion, by moving directly off sideways, as in the Point for a March418418. See the first Figure in Plate XV, only more round continuing on forwards, about that Distance from the other, forming a Sort of a Circle in the Air before the right Foot on which the Body rests all this Time, in bringing the left Leg, as above directed, that is to say, the Toe pointed and Knee stiff into the third Position, so as to touch the Ancle of the right Foot419419. See the first Figure in Plate IV; and then it passes on directly sideways to the left Hand making a Point, about the like Distance from the Foot you stand upon as the March420420. See the first Figure in Plate VI; from whence proceeds the Pirouette we are about to treat of, which is performed by making an easy Sink or Bending of both Knees preparing for the Rise or Straightening of them, which resembles a Spring, only it is not from the Ground; for, in the Rise or Spring from the Sink aforesaid preparing for the whole Round, the left Foot which was upon the Point is taken up from the Ground, turning quite round to the left Hand in the Air, with the Leg or whole Quarter extended in the Air, the Toe pointed, and Knee stiff, as in the circular Motion, about half a Foot from the Floor421421. See the first Figure in Plate XV. If with the other Foot, see the second Figure in Plate I, the second Figure in Plate XV, the second Figure in Plates IV and VI, and lastly the second Figure in the aforesaid Plate XV. The Body, at the very Juncture the Rise or Spring is given, rises upon the Toe or Instep, as erect as a Pyramid, and turns round along with it, finishing to the upper Part of the Room as at first, only with the Toe in the Air; 98 from whence it may be continued as the Half Coupee, or Bouree, &c.
This Step usually takes up a Measure, whether of three or four Notes to the Bar; the Rise or Spring to the Pirouette marks the first Note, and the rest are in the Turning; but the Coupee and Pirouette, tho' frequently found together, are in themselves distinct Steps422422. See the twenty seventh Table in the Plate of Tables marked I, and the List or Explanation of the said Table.
There are various other Ways of performing this Step, besides the described, as twice round, three Times round, round in an upright Spring beating before and behind during the Turning, and many more; which, as they are foreign to my present Purpose, I shall omit, and say something of the Bouree before and behind, turning, &c.
THIS Step is composed of two Bourees; but, tho' in Dancing it may be performed to all Parts of the Room, or upon a Circle, an Explanation of it, commencing with the right Foot advancing to the Presence or upper Part of the Room, shall suffice, in that the rest will be comprehended thereby, since the Difference is only instead of facing, as aforesaid. The Presence or Body, for Example, must be directed to the Part or Side of the Room, to which the Step is made; whether to the right or left Hand, lower End, or on a circular Figure, it will be the very same, except that, advancing to the said Parts, as before, upon a right or straight Line, you must perform the said Step circularly or round, 99 commencing either with the right or left Foot, as it shall fall out, from any of the aforesaid Parts of the Room. This will appear from the following, which, as I have above observed, is advancing to the upper End of the Room with the right Foot, in order to which the Weight must be upon the left, with the right disengaged and at Liberty in the first Position423423. See the first Figure in Plate I, which begins in making a Movement or Bending of the Knees; from whence the right makes the first Step of the three that compose the first of the two Bourees up the Room424424. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate IX, only it is to turn as directed, in stepping crossways before the left, on which the Body turns a quarter Turn to the right Side of the Room, the Rise of which, whether upon the Toe or Heel, marks the Time or first Note. The second Note is in the next Step with the left Foot, on its receiving the Weight, which it does, after making a Step circularly before the right, in a quarter Turn more, now facing full to the Bottom of the Room425425. See in some Respects the first Figure in Plate VIII, only the right Toe must be, as directed, upon the Point; and the third and last Step with the right, which is now upon the Point in the fourth Position before the left, concludes the first Bouree, in pressing or sliding the Toe against the Floor into the same Position behind the left, receiving the Weight upon the third Note of the Measure, and leaving the left Foot upon the Point in the like Manner426426. See the second Figure in Plate XII, except that the left Toe must be pointed as directed.
The first Bouree being thus ended, the second also begins with a Movement or Bending of the Knees, as aforesaid; from whence the left is stepped or cast behind the right, in turning a quarter Turn farther, which will then be to the left Side of the Room, the Rise of which is to the first Note or Time to a second Measure; and the second Step of this Bouree is with the right Foot, turning the fourth or last quarter Turn from the left Side of the Room to the upper Part or Presence thereof, the setting down or receiving of the Body upon which is to the second Note. The third Note is in the last Step of the Bouree made with the left, directly up the 100 Room; and upon its receiving the Weight the second Bouree is ended, concluding in the first Position, as at commencing.
The foregoing Step, as above described, consists of two plain Bourees or Fleurets of one Movement only, whereas it frequently is performed with two; and if so, the second must be made upon the third Step, whether on the Ground or off from thence as in a Bound, as has already been explained in treating of these Steps.
But sometimes in Dancing, instead of the second Bouree, a Coupee is found commencing with either Foot, as it shall happen; but here it is with the left crossing before the right Foot on which the Body rests427427. See the second Figure in Plate XII, in a quarter Turn from the lower End of the Room to the left Side, or in a half Turn to the Presence, the right Foot or second Step of which is set to the Ground, in the Method as when introducing a Hop428428. See the second Figure in Plate X, or, instead of the Coupee aforesaid, as in the seventh and eighth Measures of the first Couplet of a Dance of my own Composition, named the Submission, that is to say, on the Woman's Side. The left Foot not coupeeing before the right, as above, instead thereof, in turning a half Turn, receives the Weight, in rising from the Sink or Bending of the Knees in the third Position behind the right429429. See the second Figure in Plate IV, which then is taken from the Floor, making a circular Motion in the Air opening to the right430430. See the second Figure in Plate XV and inclosed in the third Position behind the left431431. See the first Figure in Plate IV, as in the two first Measures of the second Couplet of the aforesaid Dance on the Man's Side; and if the said Steps are with the other Foot, as on the Woman's, the same Method of Performance is to be observed to the left Side of the Room, as in the foregoing to the right432432. See the second Figure in Plate I. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate IX, only turning to the left. See in some Respects the second Figure in Plate VIII, only the left Toe is pointed. See the first Figure in Plate XII, the first Figure in Plate X, the first Figure in Plate IV, the first Figure in Plate XV, and the second Figure in Plate IV. See the twenty ninth Table in the Plate of Tables mark'd I, and also the List or Explanation of the Characters of this Step. I 101 have been the more particular in describing these Steps, because they are of more than ordinary Grace and Variety to Dancing; but I shall now proceed to the Minuet, the Subject of the second Book of this Work.
The End of the FIRST BOOK.
Page THESE are to certify, that the foregoing Book, intitled the ART OF DANCING EXPLAIN'D, was designed and composed long before the Book, intitled the DANCING MASTER, appeared, as we believe; and that we have carefully examined the said Book, and found it composed and written, in the same Manner it now is, on the twenty seventh Day of January, 1727-8.
Witness our Hands,
ALEX. JACKSON,
JOSEPH JACKSON, Dancing-Masters.
THE Minuet Step is composed of four plain straight Steps or Walks, and may be performed forwards, backward, sideways, &c. four different Ways, to which there are the like Number of Names annexed, to distinguish them from one another, arising, not improperly speaking, from the Placing of the Marks upon them: For Example, a Movement or Sink and Rise, being added to the first Step of the three belonging to the Minuet Step, produces a Bouree; and 104 the like to the fourth and last a Half Coupee, which together compose what is commonly called the English Minuet Step.
The second Method of its Performance is with a Bound; that is to say, instead of the Half Coupee or Movement to the last Step made upon the Floor, as in the aforesaid, you bound instead thereof, which is the only Variation from the foregoing.
The third Method is quite the Reverse, because, instead of the Bouree, the Half Coupee is made first and afterwards the Bouree, or as the French term it, One and a Fleuret, which is usually called the French Step.
The fourth Way of performing this Step is, by adding another Movement to the third Step of the aforesaid Fleuret, or the fourth of the Minuet Step; and it will then be notwithstanding the same Step, only of three Movements. As to the two first foregoing Steps, I shall say little concerning them, for the following Reasons: In the first Place, because they are now rarely, if ever, practised amongst Persons of the first Rank, and seem to be, for the present, intirely laid aside; not as being ungraceful, or that the Dancer could not give Pleasure to the Beholders, or raife to himself a Reputation, in their Performance, but merely through Alteration of Fashion, which varies in this Respect, as in Dressing, &c.
Secondly, because they have been, in some Measure, already explained in the Beginning of this Book by the Bouree and a Bound, which, from what I then observed, appears to be the same as the Minuet Step here treated on, except that it there answers to a Measure or Bar, but here to two, as the Time is much brisker than in the aforesaid slow Movements; and, as to their Agreement with the Notes, it is very different from what I have to say, upon that Head, to the two last Steps following; the first of which is the third of the aforesaid, namely One and a Fleuret, or a Half Coupee and Bouree, usually called the New Minuet Step, and the same that is now danced in all polite Assemblies433433. See the Characters of this Step in the Plate marked O, Number I. Table the second. As it is become the favourite Step, my being somewhat more particular in its Description, 105 than of the foregoing, may not be lost Time; for the Minuet is one of the most graceful as well as difficult Dances to arrive at a Mastery of, through the Plainness of the Step and the Air and Address of the Body that are requisite to its Embellishment, as will farther appear from the Sequel.
But to return to the Subject in Hand; having, I say, already observed, that the Minuet Step is composed of four plain Steps, without shewing the Method of their Performance, or their Agreement with the Notes of the Tune, I shall now proceed to describe both of these, which are to be accomplished in the following Manner: The Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot in the first Position the right, which is at Liberty434434. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, begins the Minuet Step, by making the Half Coupee or first of the four Steps belonging to the Minuet, in a Movement or Sink and Stepping of the right Foot forwards435435. See the second Figure in Plate IX, Book I, the gentle or easy Rising of which, either upon the Toe or Heel, marks what is called Time to the first Note of the three in the first of the two Measures, which is of triple Time or of three Notes to a Bar; the second Note is in the coming down of the Heel to the Floor436436. See the second Figure in Plate I, Book I, if the Rise was made upon the Toe, but if upon the Heel or flat Foot, in the tight Holding of the Knees before the Sink is made that prepares for the Fleuret or Bouree following, in which is counted the third and last Note of the Measure aforesaid; and the said Bouree or second Part of the Minuet Step, if I may so say, is made upon the second Measure of the Tune, as the Half Coupee was to the first, so that it is visible, from what has been said before, that one Minuet Step is of equal Value to two Measures or Bars of the Tune.
The Sink or Beginning of the Movement, that prepares for the Fleuret or second Part of the Minuet Step, for so I shall for the future call it, being made, there only remains to rise from the Sink aforesaid in the stepping forwards of the left Foot437437. See the first Figure in Plate IX, Book I to the 106 first Note of the second Measure, and first of the Fleuret or three last Steps of the four that compose the Minuet Step; the second Step of the said Bouree or Fleuret is made, swift forwards with the right Foot438438. See the second Figure in Plate IX, Book I, to the same Note; and the third and last Step of the Bouree, or second Part of the Minuet Step with the left Foot439439. See the first Figure in the same Plate, is to the third and last Note of the same Measure of the Tune, concluding the Minuet Step with the Weight upon the said Foot, as at first440440. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I. It is to be noted, that it always begins with the right and ends with the left Foot; and it is performed faster or slower, according to the Tune that is played, which the Dancer is obliged to follow.
Having described the foregoing Step forwards, I shall now proceed in it sideways to either Hand; and, in the first Place, to the right Side of the Room, or rather obliquely, that is to say, from the upper left Corner of the Room to the right lower facing to the upper right Corner of it, or rather in the Middle between directly sideways facing the upper End of the Room and, as said above, from Corner to Corner: For Example, instead of the left Side to the upper Corner and the right to the lower, the left Side or Shoulder points about the Middle of the upper left Corner and sideways directly cross the Room; which will be easily understood by a supposed Line across the Room, for the right Shoulder consequently pointing the same Way below the Line, instead of facing the right upper Corner, as before, is now to the Middle or Space between the said Corner and directly up the Room; which will likewise be comprehended, by supposing a right Line up the Floor, and the Face a little turn'd looking towards the left Shoulder, or, more properly speaking, upon the Gentleman or Lady with whom we dance; and the said Turn, or rather Complaisance gives a most agreeable Twist or Contrast to the Fashion of the Body in this Step, and not a little Beauty to that Part of the Minuet Dance upon which it falls441441. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VI; but of that more hereafter.
107 Having described the Action or Posture of the Body in which this Step must be performed, if to Advantage, I shall proceed in explaining the Motion or Stepping of the Feet upon the aforesaid Tract or Line; which is sideways to the right Hand, instead of forwards, as in the foregoing, which is the principal Difference442442. See the Characters of this Step in the second Table of the Plate marked O, Number II. However, as it may not in all Probability be so fully comprehended by what has been said in the foregoing Step, it may not be improper to take some farther Notice of it in this Place, viz. That it is to be taken from the first Position, that is to say, the Weight being upon the left Foot the right, which is at Liberty443443. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I. For the Action or Posture of the Body see the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VI, commences by making a Sink and Step, open off from the left Foot, on which the Body rests, sideways to the right444444. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate VI. Book I. The Rise of the Sink marks Time to the first of the three Notes; and the rest are the same, as when done forwards, the Half Coupee or first Part of the Minuet Step being made to the first Measure of the Tune, as aforesaid, ending in the same Position upon the right Foot, with the left disengaged445445. See the second Figure in Plate I, Book aforesaid. Action as at beginning to perform the Bouree or second Part of the said Step sideways, in like Manner as in the foregoing forwards; which it does in making a Sink and Step to the right Hand sideways crossing behind the right on which the Body rests446446. See the first Figure in Plate XI, Book I. Action the same, the Rise of which is to the first Note of the second Measure. The right Foot then makes a plain open Step, sideways to the same Hand447447. See the second Figure in Plate VI, upon the second Note, leaving the left upon the Point, in the very Place the Body rested before, in Readiness to make the second Step, and is about the Distance of a Point in the March448448. See the first Figure in the same Plate; upon which the third and last Step of the Bouree and Minuet Step is made to the third Note of the second Measure of the Tune, by drawing the left Foot, pointed as it is firm to the Floor into the fifth Position behind the right449449. See the first Figure in Plate XI, Book I, receiving 108 the Body, and concludes in the first Position, as at first450450. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I; and it may be continued, as long as the Dancer pleases.
The third and last Method of performing this Step is as follows: Instead of obliquely, as in the last explained to the right Hand, it is here diametrically or sideways crossing the Room directly to the left Hand, facing, not as in the aforesaid, but instead thereof full either up or down the Room, as it shall happen451451. See the Characters of this Step in the second Table of the Plate marked O, Number III.
This Step, in Performance, differs from the last described in this, that the right or beginning Foot, which before made the Half Coupee off to the right, now instead thereof makes a Sink and Step sideways to the left Hand, crossing behind the left Foot452452. See the second Figure in Plate XI. Book aforesaid, which supports the Body, marking Time to the first Note of the same Measure, and filling up the remaining second and third Notes, intirely the like as in the foregoing, except that, instead of the first Position as in them, it here ends in the third with the left Foot foremost or inclosed at Liberty to perform the Bouree, in the same Manner to the left Side of the Room, as before to the right453453. See the first Figure in Plate IV, Book I. The said Bouree or second Part of the Minuet Step begins, by making a Sink and open Step, off sideways from the right on which the Weight rests to the left Hand454454. See in some Degree the first Figure in Plate VI, Book I, the Rise or Receiving of the Body upon which marks Time to the first Note of the second Measure, and the right Foot makes the second Step of the Bouree to the second Note, in drawing it pointed455455. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book aforesaid crossing behind the left456456. See the second Figure in Plate XI, Book I, from the Place where it supported the Weight, before the first Step of the Fleuret was made; and the third and last Step of the Bouree and fourth of the Minuet Step is made, by stepping the left Foot open off from the right457457. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate VI, the same Book, in like Manner as the commencing of the Fleuret, only without a Sink, ending in the first Position, as at the Beginning of the Step, upon the left Foot458458. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, 109 which Step may be continued either diametrically or circularly, as Occasion offers.
We are now arrived at the fourth and last of the before mentioned Steps, namely, that of three Movements or Bendings and Risings; which is also commonly called the New Step, from its being used now as much, or very little less than the last explained of two Movements only, and more especially when performed to the left Hand sideways before and behind, in that it composes a Part of the Minuet Dance, as now practised, of which I shall have Occasion to speak more particularly hereafter.
In the Interim I shall proceed in describing the present Minuet Step of three Movements, which, as I have already said, is only the Addition of a Movement or a Sink and Rise more to the last Step of the Bouree or second Part of the Minuet Step; yet it will require a farther Explanation, by Reason that it differs very much from the last explained, in its Agreement with the Notes of the Tune; for, tho' that may properly be divided into two Parts or Divisions through the Half Coupee, in that it, together with the Sink which prepares for the succeeding Bouree, answers to the first Measure of the Tune, and the Fleuret or second Part of the Minuet Step to the second, and consequently is of equal Value, tho' no more than a single Step, with the other three remaining, it is not the like here, because the four Steps that compose the Minuet Step are partly of an equal Space or Distance one from the other, as in counting of one, two, three, four, and cannot so justly be divided into two Parts as the foregoing, which notwithstanding is but one Minuet Step, as I have said before, separated for the more familiar and easy comprehending thereof; which said Advantage we must lose in this Step, it being so intirely of a Piece that a Division here would be as unnatural, as the aforesaid is natural, as will appear by the Description I am about to give of it, which in the first Place shall be forwards459459. See the Characters of this Step in the second Table of the Plate marked O, Number I. A Sink and Rise must be supposed; and it is to be performed in this Manner. 110 For Example, the Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot in the first Position, the right disengaged and free460460. See the first Figure in Plate I begins, as aforesaid, in making a Sink and Step forwards directly up the Room461461. See the second Figure in Plate IX. in some Measure. The Rising or Receiving the Weight upon the Toe or Instep marks the Time to the first Note of the three belonging to the first Measure; the second is in the Fall of the Heel462462. See the second Figure in Plate I and Sink which prepares for the second Step of the four belonging to the Minuet Step, which is made by stepping of the left Foot forwards, in the same Manner as the first463463. See the first Figure in Plate IX; and the Rising or Receiving of the Body upon the Instep is to the third and last Note of the first Measure. The third Step of the said four is made with the right Foot stepping a plain straight Step forwards464464. See the second Figure in Plate IX upon the Toe to the first Note of the three in the second Measure; the second is in the coming down of the Heel of the said right Foot465465. See the second Figure in Plate I and Sink that prepares for the fourth and last Step which is with the left Foot, in stepping forwards from the Sink aforesaid466466. See the first Figure in Plate IX; and the Rising or Receiving of the Weight upon the Toe is to the third Note of the second Measure of the Tune, concluding in the same Position from whence it begun467467. See the first Figure in Plate I, in Order for a Continuance, which may be either more or less, according to the Largeness or Smallness of the Room in which the Dance is performed.
The two other Ways in which this Step is performed are diametrically or sideways; the first of which468468. See the Characters of this Step in the second Table of the Plate marked O, Number IV is in the like Manner as the Minuet Step of two Movements, or One and a Fleuret, to the left Side of the Room, that is to say, the right Foot always crossing behind the left; but as I have already in that Step described the Method in which the Feet are to be stepped, it will be needless at present to say any more than to shew its Difference in counting to the Notes, from the former, which from what I have said 111 above appears to be very different from the Step now treated on, as I shall endeavour to demonstrate by the following Particulars.
In the first Place, we are to suppose a Movement added to the last Step of the Bouree, or second Part of the Minuet Step, and the first Step with the right Foot469469. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate XI to be made upon the Toe to the first Note; the second is in the coming down of the Heel470470. See the first Figure in Plate VI and Sink upon the right Foot, which prepares for the second Step made with the left471471. See in some Measure the first Figure of Plate VI, as was explained in the aforesaid, the Rising or Receiving of the Weight upon which marks the third Note of the first Measure, leaving the right Foot, as in the aforesaid, upon the Point472472. See the second Figure in Plate IV. The Drawing or Bringing of the right Foot pointed, as it crosses behind the left473473. See the second Figure in Plate XI, is the third Step, and marks Time to the first Note of the second Measure; and the second Note is in the Sink upon the said right Foot, preparing for the fourth and last Step that is made, in rising and stepping sideways from the said Sink upon the left Foot474474. See in some Degree the first Figure in Plate VI, to the third Note, concluding in the first Position475475. See the first Figure in Plate I as at commencing.
The next Way of performing this Step only differs from the foregoing, in that, instead of the right or beginning Foot's making the first Step behind, as in the last, it is here made before See the Characters of this Step in the second Table of the Plate marked O, Number V]], from whence it is called before and behind; and this crossing or stepping of the Foot before renders the Step much more agreeable and fuller of Variety than the aforesaid, arising by Reason of the Twists and Turns the Body naturally gives and receives in the Performance thereof.
But since this Step is much more used, in the Dancing of a Minuet, than the aforesaid, I shall endeavour to give as plain a Description of it as possible; in order to which I shall not only repeat the Stepping or Motion of the Feet, but also suppose, instead of two Bars or Measures to a Step in the Minuet, as in the aforesaid, 112 only one Bar or Measure, which in Effect is the same Thing; for what matters it, whether we count three twice over, or six but once; or whether the half Time is beat to one, two, three, or to four, five, fix, which last Method, in my humble Opinion, I take to be much more familiar and easy to be comprehended than the other, in that there is not any Repetition of the first or second Measure; but, however that be, I am sure, it will afford a greater Variety, and possibly may inform some of what, perhaps, they were ignorant of before.
But to proceed in the Description of the Step now treated on: For Instance, the Weight and Position, as aforesaid476476. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, facing either to the upper or lower End of the Room, it begins in making a Sink and Step sideways, with the right Foot crossing directly before the left477477. See the first Figure in Plate XI, Book I to the same Side of the Room, and producing a Twist or Turn of the Body towards the said Step478478. See in some Measure the Twist or Turn of the Body in the said Figure which receives the Weight upon the Toe, marking Time to the first of the abovementioned Notes. The second is in the coming down of the right Heel, in the third Position before the left479479. See the second Figure in Plate V, Book I and Sink for the succeeding Step, which is made by stepping the left Foot, open off sideways from the right on which the Body is, to the left Side of the Room480480. See the first Figure in Plate VI, Book the same; the Rising or Receiving of the Body either upon the Toe or Heel marks the third Note, leaving the Toe of the right Foot upon the Point481481. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book I, in the same Place the Body was before the second Step was made. In the Stepping of the left Foot last mentioned it is to be observed, that the Body is convey'd or rather, more properly speaking, makes a becoming Feint in the Air not much unlike that made in the Minuet Step of One, and a Fleuret to the right, only there the Bend or Sway the Body makes in the Air was to the right482482. See in some Measure the Sway or Twist of the Body in the first Figure of Plate XI, Book I upon the Half Coupee, or first of the four Steps which compose the Minuet Step; but here it is upon the 113 second to the left, and the Look or Turn of the Head, which in the former was to the left, is in this to the right483483. See also in some Degree the Twist or Sway of the Body in the second Figure of Plate XI, Book I: The Toe, I say, being left pointed, as aforesaid, makes the third Step in the Minuet, by being drawn pointed crossing behind the left Foot, and receives the Body in a Twist upon the fourth Note or half Time, as above484484. See the second Figure in Plate XI, Book I. The fifth Note is in the Sink that prepares for the last Step of the four which compose the Step we now treat of, and is made in like Manner as the second Step with the left Foot to the third Note, in rising and stepping open off sideways485485. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate VI, Book aforesaid from the Sink aforesaid upon the left Toe to the sixth and last Note, except that the right Toe is not left pointed as in the former, but ends in the first Position as at Beginning486486. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I; and the last Method of counting the Notes or Time to the Step will bear, as well throughout all the Minuet Steps before described as the present.
Having explain'd the Minuet Steps which form the Circle of this Dance, I shall next take Notice of some of the most remarkable Steps used, by Way of Embroidery or farther Grace thereto, as the Hop, Double Bouree, or Fleuret advancing or in the same Place, Balance, &c.
THE Hop in the Minuet needs little farther Explanation, since it has been already described in the Rigadoon Hop of two Springs; I shall therefore refer to that, because it is the very same as the Hop under Consideration, only, when performed in 114 a Minuet, there must be a Bound added and a different Method in counting of the Notes; for, instead of performing the first and second Springs to one Bar or Measure, as in the aforesaid, they are divided, that is to say, the first Spring or Hop is to the first Bar of the Minuet Tune, and the next Spring and the Bound which is added are to the second. They are all here to be reckoned but as one Step487487. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number I, which is in its Performance thus: For Example, the Weight and Position being as aforesaid488488. See the first Figure in Plate V, Book I, the Spring is made in like Manner upon the first Note; but, instead of the right or advanced Foot's being set down upon the second Note, it is now put down to the third489489. See the second Figure in Plate IX, Book I, the second being counted in the Progress the right Foot made in the Air, concluding one half of the Hop in the Sink upon the aforesaid third Note, that prepares for the second Spring which is made, as in the aforesaid, to the fourth or beginning Note of the second Measure by taking of the left Foot up from the Floor into the third Position behind the right and advanced Foot upon which the Weight of the Body now is490490. See the second Figure in Plate V, Book aforesaid. The left being upon the Point and at Liberty makes the Bound, as was shewn in treating of that Step, the Sink or Preparative for which marks the fifth Note; and the sixth is in the Spring or Bound upon the left Foot, by rising or springing off from the right on which the Weight rested before the said Spring was made, concluding as at first491491. See the first Figure in Plate V. Book I.
This Hop in the Minuet may be performed backwards, in the same Manner as described forwards, except that, instead of commencing with the right Foot from the third Position behind, it must be from the same Position before492492. See the second Figure in Plate IV, Book I; but the rest being intirely the same there needs nothing more to be said of it here, since it has been fully explained in the Rigadoon Step of two Springs forwards, by which it may be easily understood how it is performed backwards493493. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number II.
THIS Step is taken from the third Position before and ends in the same behind, answering to two Measures of the Tune, the same as the Minuet Step, and is here esteemed but as one Step; tho' it is otherwise when it is performed in a Saraband, or such like slow Movement, for then one of them alone is to a Measure without any Dependence on the other, beginning with either the right or left Foot, as Occasion offers. But it is not so in the Minuet, for the first Bouree or Fleuret must commence with the right Foot, as an Equivalent to the Half Coupee; and the second Bouree to the remaining Fleuret or second Part of the Minuet Step, as usual, with the left Foot, compleating six Steps in the same Space of Time as the foregoing Minuet Step of four, and consequently much swifter in its Performance494494. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number III, which is thus: The Weight of the Body being upon the left Foot in the third Position, the right inclosed before it and disengaged495495. See the second Figure in Plate IV, Book I begins in making a Sink or Bend of both Knees, from whence the right in rising steps directly open off sideways, either more or less according to the Tune: For Example, if to the abovesaid slow Time, it may then be the Length of a Step in Walking, or of a Point in the March496496. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book aforesaid; but not so now, by Reason of the Quickness of the Tune. Therefore, about half the Length of the said Step, receiving the Weight of the Body upon the Instep or Toe of the right Foot to the first Note, the left on which the 116 Weight was remains in the same Place, only the Toe is pointed497497. See the first Figure in Plate VI, Book I; the second Note is in the Raising of the said left Toe and setting down or receiving of the Weight upon the left Heel, and also leaving the right Foot upon the Point where it marked the first Note498498. See the second Figure in Plate the aforesaid; from whence it is drawn swift into the third Position behind the left499499. See the first Figure in Plate IV, Book I., at the same Time pressing to the Toe strong to the Floor, the receiving of the Weight upon which is to the third Note, concluding the first Bouree and Measure in a smooth easy Sink upon the right Foot, and bending the left the same Instant the right receives the Body in order to begin the second Bouree.
The second Bouree is like the aforesaid, in rising from the Sink by stepping of the left Foot off sideways to the same Hand500500. See in some Respects the first Figure in Plate VI, Book I, receiving the Weight upon the Toe or Instep to the fourth Note and Beginning of the second Measure of the Tune, and leaving the right Toe upon the Point as aforesaid501501. See the second Figure in the same Plate; the fifth is in the Raising the said Toe and setting down or receiving the Weight upon the right Heel, leaving the left Toe pointed, as in the first Bouree, or where it marked the fourth Note502502. See the first Figure in the same Plate; from whence it is drawn swift into the third Position behind the right Foot503503. See the second Figure in Plate IV, Book I, pressing the Toe strong to the Floor at the same Instant; the receiving of the Weight upon which is to the sixth Note, and concludes the second Measure of the Tune in the same Step of the Dance, in the Position as at commencing.
It must be observed, that if this Step is performed twice over, as in that under Consideration, the Sink falls upon the sixth Note of the second Bouree, the same as upon the third in the first.
Having described the foregoing Step upon the same Place, it may perhaps be acceptable to the Reader, if I add thereto the said Bouree running or flying along the Room504504. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number IV, it being often used in 117 Dancing of a Minuet by those who have attained to such a Perfection in this Art, as to render them capable of judging the most proper Places of making use of it; and it only differs from the former by advancing, instead of being upon the same Spot of Ground.
The running Bouree may be performed either from the Position treated on in the foregoing Step, or from the first as Occasion offers; but I shall at present only explain it from the latter, that is to say, the first Position: The Weight being upon the left Foot, as in the aforesaid505505. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, it begins by making a Sink and Step with the right Foot forwards506506. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate IX, Book I. The Rise or Receiving of the Body upon the Toe marks the Time or first Note; the second Step, made with the left Foot507507. See the first Figure in the same Plate plain upon the Toe, marks the same Note; and the third Step, with the right Foot508508. See the second Figure in the same Plate plain in the like Manner upon the Toe, marks the third and last Note, concluding the first Bouree in the same Position upon the right Foot509509. See the second Figure in Plate I, Book I, in a Readiness to begin the second Bouree. The latter Bouree commences by sinking upon the third Note and Step of the former, from whence it steps forwards, as the aforesaid510510. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate IX, Book I, the Rise of which upon the left Toe is to the fourth Note; the second Step plain with the right Foot511511. See the second Figure in the same Plate marks the fifth in the like Manner, and the third Step plain with the left Foot512512. See the first Figure in Plate IX, as aforesaid the sixth; and it concludes in the first Position as at first513513. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, from whence it may be continued.
THE Balance is compos'd of two plain Steps, to which are added two Movements or Sinkings and Risings commencing from two different Positions, namely, the first and second Position or Point, as in the Beginning of a March; and the said Steps and Movements are equal in Value to one Minuet Step, and fill up two Measures of the Tune the same as in that514514. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number V.
The Balance is performed thus: For Instance, the Weight of the Body being in the first Position, as above, upon the left Foot515515. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, the right disengaged makes the first Movement and Step by sinking or Bending of the Knees, and stepping with the right Foot directly opening off sideways516516. See in some Degree the second Figure in Plate VI, Book I, facing either to the upper or lower Part of the Room, as it shall happen. The Rising or Receiving of the Weight upon the Toe or Heel marks Time to the first Note; and, if upon the Toe, the second is in the Coming down of the Heel517517. See the first Figure in the same Plate; or, if made upon the Heel, it is in the tight Holding of the Knee after the Rise to the first Note is made, leaving the left Toe upon the Point518518. See the same Figure in Plate VI, Book I, on the very same Place the Body was at the Beginning of the Step519519. See the second Figure in Plate VI. The third Note, which concludes the first Measure and Part of the Step, is in the Sink that prepares for the second Step of the Balance, namely, with the left Foot from the Point aforesaid, in which it touches the Heel of the right Foot520520. See the second Figure in Plate I, Book I and then steps open off sideways521521. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book I, receiving the Weight 119 of the Body, either upon the Toe or Heel to the fourth Note, in the same Place from whence it was brought from the Point. The Coming down or Fall of the left Heel is to the fifth Note, if the Rise be made upon the Toe; if not, in the tight Holding of the Knee, as aforesaid, ending in the first Position, as at Beginning522522. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I. The sixth Note is in the Sink or Preparation for the succeeding Step, whether it be the same or any other; and, when this Step is performed with a quarter or half Turn, as it frequently is, it must always be turning to the left Hand, if commencing with the right Foot, as it does in the present.
TO perform two Marches, instead of a Minuet Step, in a suitable and proper Place in Dancing of a Minuet, I take to be an agreeable Variation or Change; but, as the Manner of performing a March has been already shewn, I shall refer to what has been before observed upon that Step, and only take Notice, that it must begin with the right Foot to the first Measure, and with the left to the second. The first of these is to be made upon One, Two, and Three; and the second upon Four, Five, and six, in the like Method as already explained in the Step of this Name523523. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number VI.
THIS Step is composed of three plain Steps, as the Bouree, which are generally done to a Measure, as that, in other Dances; but otherwise here, in that it is equal in Value to a Step in the Minuet, and consequently, like that, takes up two Measures or Bars of the Tune524524. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number VII. It is performed facing either, up or down the Room, as in Dancing of the Minuet it shall fall out, but usually to our Partner, and may be taken from the third or first Position: For Instance, the Weight being upon the left Foot, with the right at Liberty resting upon the Heel of the said left Foot, as in the March525525. See the first Figure in Plate V, Book I; or, if from the first, instead of behind, as we have observed, it is equal to the Foot on which the Body is, facing to the upper End of the Room, which shall here suffice as an Example526526. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, and begins the Slip, or first and second Steps of the three that compose this Step, by making a Sink and Step sideways open off to the right Side of the Room527527. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book I, rising upon the Toe or Heel to the first Note, and leaving the left Foot on which the Weight was528528. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I upon the Point in the same Place529529. See the first Figure in Plate VI, Book I. It rests there, during the counting the second Note; and the third is in the swift Drawing of the said left Foot pointed cross behind the right530530. See the first Figure in Plate XI, Book I, concluding the second Step of the three to the first Measure, in receiving 121 the Body in an agreeable Twist or Turn531531. See the Contrast or Sway in the first Figure of Plate XI, Book I with both Knees bent; that is to say, in the crossing, as aforesaid, the left Shoulder, in bringing forward before the right, is more raised by the lowering or falling of the other.
The first Movement being thus ended, with the Knees bent upon the third Note, in Order to the Performance of the Coupee, or second Part of this Step, which is made to the second Measure by rising from the Sink aforesaid and stepping of the right Foot forwards532532. See in some Measure the second Figure in Plate IX, Book I, the Rising or Receiving of the Body on the Toe or Heel marks the fourth or beginning Note of the second Measure; and the fifth is in the Coming down of the said Heel to the Floor, if the Rise was upon the Instep in the first533533. See the second Figure in Plate I, Book aforesaid or third Position534534. See the second Figure in Plate V, Book I, with the left Foot at Liberty the same as the right at commencing. The sixth Note is in the Sink which prepares for the same Step with the other Foot; and you are likewise to observe that, in the Performance of the Half Coupee or second Part of the foregoing Step, the Body returns from the said Twist in bringing the right Shoulder, which was behind and somewhat inclined downwards, to be equally forwards to the left and the same in Height: For Example, when we stand in a natural and erect Posture.
But to return to the Slip to the left Hand, which is the very same as to the right already explained, it begins in rising from the Sink aforesaid, stepping open off sideways to the left Hand535535. See in some Measure the first Figure in Plate VI, Book I; and the rising upon the Toe or Heel of the left Foot marks the first Note, leaving the right Toe upon the Point536536. See the second Figure in the same Plate, as the foregoing did the left, making a Pause or Rest whilst the second Note is counted. The third Note is in the drawing or crossing of the right Foot behind the left537537. See the second Figure in Plate XI, Book I, receiving the Body in the aforesaid Twist538538. See the Sway or Twist in the second Figure of Plate XI, aforesaid and bending of both the Knees, in which the right Shoulder is 122 raised in advancing, as in the foregoing, to the right Hand the left Shoulder539539. See the first Figure in the Plate XI, Book I was on concluding one half of the Step to the first Measure of the two; and the second is in the Half Coupee that is made as in the aforesaid, by rising from the Sink which fell upon the third Note and stepping of the left Foot forwards540540. See the first Figure in Plate IX, Book I. The Rise Receiving of the Weight upon the Toe is to the fourth Note of the next Measure; the fifth is in the Falling of the Heel541541. See the first Figure in Plate I, Book I, and the sixth in the Sink for the succeeding Step, concluding upon the left Foot, as at beginning, in one of the said Positions542542. See the first Figure in Plate I, or first Figure of Plate V, Book I.
Having now shewn the Method of performing this Step in Dancing of a Minuet, both to the right and left Hands (as indeed it cannot be done to one without the other by Reason they both change the Feet but as one Minuet Step, two Bourees, or two Marches) since this Step is much used in Tunes of common and triple Time, as Rigadoons, Bourees, Sarabands, and Passacailles, &c. and also, instead of being performed to two Measures, as in this Dance, is often found to one Bar only543543. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number VIII and of Consequence varies in the Method of counting from the aforesaid, it will not be improper to say something of it here, especially as it has hitherto been omitted: For Example, in Bourees and Rigadoons the Rise of the first Movement marks Time to the first Note, as in the foregoing; but the second differs in this that, instead of the Toe's being pointed during the counting of the second Note, it is drawn swift behind the Foot on which the Weight is full upon the said Note, receiving the Body in the Twist544544. See the first and second Figures in Plate XI, Book I and Bending of the Knees, as aforesaid. The Rise of the Half Coupee, which in the foregoing was to the second Measure, is now to the third Note, and the fourth Note falls in the Sink for the succeeding Step; or if done to two Measures here, as in the Minuet, then, instead of counting only upon the Point, the second Note before its drawing behind the third must also be 123 reckoned, immediately upon which the Slip is made, as in the foregoing, to the fourth and last Note. The Rise to the Half Coupee marks Time to the first Note of the second Measure; the second is in the Fall of the Heel, the third in the Rest the Body makes upon it, and the fourth in the Sink for the succeeding Step.
But if to the above Tunes of triple Time it be performed to two Bars, it is much the same, as in the Minuet, only more solemn and grave, and the Foot that is upon the Point follows the Rise in a slow Progress, pressing the Floor upon the second Note and Beginning of the third; but before the Expiration thereof it is brought swift behind the Foot on which the Weight is, concluding the first Measure as in the Minuet; and the Half Coupee is to the second Measure the same only, as I have said, more grave and slow.
When this Step is performed to one Measure, as in the aforesaid Tunes of triple Time, the easy Rise from the first Step made open off sideways is upon the first Note; and the Point or second Step attends the said Rise in a slow Progress, during the counting of the second Note, and then is drawn swift behind, before the Expiring of the said Note in a full Sink or Bending of the Knees; and the third is in the Rise of the Half Coupee made from thence by stepping forwards, as aforesaid, half of which is borrowed in the Sink for the next Step in the Movements last mentioned. This Step is sometimes done to both Hands, as in the Minuet; but it is often found single.
HAving explained the different Ways in which the Steps of a Minuet are to be perform'd, I shall now say something of that Dance in general and proceed to shew, how the said Steps form the Circle or Figure thereof by linking them one to another in Order as they fall; and in the first Place observe, that the Minuet now in Use is compos'd of three different Steps that form the Figure of it, which is mostly circular or in the Shape of an S reversed or an Z546546. See the second and fifth Divisions of the Plate marked U, upon which said S or Z the abovenamed Steps present themselves, as follows: That is to say, after making our Honour or Courtesy to the Presence547547. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate II or upper Part of the Room in which we dance, and afterwards to our Partner548548. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate IV, the Dance begins directly. Instead of stepping back again into your Place, as the Custom was formerly, and also instead of standing to wait the Close or Ending of a Strain of the Tune, begin upon the first Time that offers, in that it is much more genteel and shews the Dancer's Capacity and Ear in distinguishing of the Time, and from thence begets himself a good Opinion from the Beholders, who are apt to judge favourably of the following Part of his Performance; whereas the attending the concluding or finishing of a Strain has the contrary Effect.
However the latter is by much the safer Way for those whose Ear is not very good, the concluding of a Strain of the Tune being much more remarkable than the middle Part; for, if they should happen to begin out of Time, it is a thousand to one if they 125 recover it throughout the Dance. But on the other Hand, had they waited a remarkable Place of the Tune, and taken the Time at Beginning, they might have come off with Reputation and Applause; for many dance the Minuet Step in true and regular Time, tho' out of Time to the Music, which is Occasioned by not hitting with it right at first; and not being able to recover it afterwards, they dance the whole Minuet out of Time. Their dancing on this Account loses its Effect upon the Beholders; for, if the Steps and the Notes do not perfectly agree, in their performing, one with another, they can produce no Harmony, and if no Harmony, no Pleasure to those they design to entertain.
But to the Step and Figure, as aforesaid, the Honour or Courtesy being made as above, the Lady faces the Gentleman, who, just before the Dance commences, presents his right Hand, or makes a Motion as tho' he would if he was not at too far a Distance, and begins the Dance in making the Half Coupee and Fleuret (and rest of the Steps leading to what I call the Introduction) open off sideways to the right Hand in the Manner already described, facing the Lady or right Side of the Room, who performs the same to the left549549. See the Characters or Steps marked I in Plate IV, or first Division of this Dance in the Plate distinguished by the Letter U, Book II; and in the following Step they return again in two Minuet Steps of three Movements to the left, all behind, the last of which ends to the upper Part of the Room550550. See in Plate IV, or first Division of the Plate distinguished by the Letter U, the Steps or Characters marked 2, and 3 to which both advance in One and a Fleuret551551. See the Characters or Steps marked 4 in Plate IV. or first Division of the Plate marked U. About this Time the Gentleman presents his right Hand to the Lady552552. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate V and performs four more of the said Steps553553. See the Characters or Steps marked with the Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, in Plate V, or in the first Division of the Plate marked U on the Man's Side; the first whereof is either advancing, as the foregoing, or sideways open off to the right Hand facing the Presence or upper End, as aforesaid, the rest turning gradually the same Way, 'till he arrives at the left upper Corner of the Room facing the Bottom thereof554554. See the Gentleman or first Figure in Plate VI. During this he hands or introduces the Lady into the Dance in the 126 most agreeable Manner he possibly can, by leading or conducting her in the Circle round him in her Performance of the like Number of Steps555555. See the Steps upon the Lady's Tract marked 5, 6, 7, 8, in Plate V, or in the first Division of the Characters or Steps contained in the Plate marked U, that is to say, of One and a Fleuret forwards; and, about the End of the second or third Step after giving Hands, he breaks off or lets go the556556. See the Characters or Steps marked 6 and 7 in Plate V, and first Division in Plate marked U Lady who continues on a Step more to the lower right Corner of the Room, and then makes a Half Coupee and Bouree to the same Hand sideways to the upper End of it557557. See the Character or Step marked 8 in Plate V, and Division aforesaid, provided the Break or Letting go of the Hands was upon the second Step558558. See the Character or Step marked 6 upon the Lady's Tract or Figure in Plate V, as I have observed; but, if on the third559559. See the Character or Step marked 7 in Plate V, the Half Coupee and Bouree or fourth of the Steps aforesaid is made directly facing the upper Part of the Room560560. See the Step marked 8, as I have said561561. See the Lady in Plate VI, concluding the first Division or Part of the Minuet Dance in the Hat's being put on in a graceful Manner.
There is no general Rule in the Performance of this Dance, as to its Length or Shortness; however I shall reduce and divide it into six Parts or Divisions562562. See the whole Dance included in the Plate marked U, by Way of Distinction one from another, each consisting of eight Minuet Steps, which to a Minuet Tune of the like Numbers of Bars will answer the first Strain played twice over563563. See the Music contain'd in the fourth and fifth Plates or first Division in the Plate marked U.
HAving explained the Introduction or first Part of this Dance, I shall now proceed to the second; which in Figure is circular 127 or, as I have said, in the Form of an S reversed, or Z, upon which fall the Steps that adorn this Part of the Dance, and are performed as follows: For Instance, the Gentleman at the upper left Corner of the Room faces the Lady who is at the lower right in the third Position, where the foregoing ended with the right Foot disengaged and inclosed before the left564564. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VI, and they commence in performing about four of the Minuet Steps of three Movements before and behind sideways crossing the Room to the left Hand; that is to say, the Gentleman performs to the right Side of the Room and the Lady to the left565565. See the Characters or Steps marked 1, 2, 3, 4, in Plate VI, who by turning a small Matter gradually upon the third and fourth of the said Steps meet in the Middle of the Room facing one another566566. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VII, and pass obliquely upon the right Hand of each other; that is, the Lady to the uppermost right Corner, and the Gentleman to the lower left567567. See the Tract or Figure in Plate VII, or second Division in Plate U, continuing on the remaining half Circle or Figure in four Minuet Steps of One and a Fleuret forwards568568. See the Characters or Steps marked 5, 6, 7, 8, in Plate VII, or second Division of the Plate marked U. The Lady, as I have said, passes on round by the right upper Corner 'till the arrives at the left, looking full to the Bottom of the Room569569. See the Lady in Plate VIII.
The last of the foresaid Steps570570. See the Character or Step in Plate XIII, marked 8 may also be made open off sideways to the right Hand, turning a quarter of a Turn the same Way; that is, the Lady from facing the left Side of the Room571571. See the Lady and Gentleman in Plate XIII turns down it, concluding in the third Position as above. The Gentleman does the same, passing by the lower left Side in his Way to the right, and concludes as aforesaid, only up the Room572572. See the Gentleman in Plates VII and XIII.
But, instead of either of the former Ways, this Part of the Dance is frequently performed in making the first of the four Steps forwards, after passing each other, and then not continuing the remaining Circle on forwards, or to the last One and a Fleuret open off to the right Hand sideways, as before; but instead thereof three 128 of the said Minuet Steps are made directly opening off sideways to the right Hand, by making half a Turn upon the Half Coupee, or Beginning of the first of them, from the upper End of the Room, the rest continuing on to the upper left Side facing the lower End. The Gentleman performs the same Way except that, after the half Turn from the Bottom, he makes the said three Steps to the lower right Side of the Room facing the Lady, or up it, answering the playing of the second Strain of the Tune twice over,573573. See the Music contained in Plates VI and VII, or second Division in the Plate marked U, which now has been played once through, and concludes the second Division of the Dance; and it is likewise to be observed that, in the Performance of these eight Minuet Steps, the Gentleman and Lady only alternately change Places574574. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VIII.
THE second foregoing Step being explained we enter upon the third, which consists in the Ceremony of presenting or giving the right Hand; and in it there is no small Beauty and Air, as to the graceful and easy raising of it, in Order to take Hands, and also the gentle and natural Fall on Letting them go. As for the Tract or Figure it varies from the former, in its being circular but particularly towards the latter End, upon which Tract the Steps we now treat of are to be performed, as follows: For Example, the Gentleman at the lower Part of the Room on the right Side, and the Lady at the upper left Side, facing each other575575. See the Plate aforesaid, begin the first 129 Step either obliquely open off sideways to the right Hand, or else instead thereof make four Minuet Steps of three Movements before and behind crossing the Room to the left Hand; that is to say, the Gentleman to the left Side of the Room and the Lady to the right576576. See the Characters or Steps marked 1, 2, 3, 4, in Plate VIII, or third Division of Plate U, turning a little upon the third and fourth Minuet Steps, so as to face each other near the Middle of the Room577577. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate XI. Instead of passing forwards to the cross Corners, as in the second Division, they turn a quarter off to the upper and lower Ends of the Room upon the last Movement of the fourth Minuet Step: For Instance, the Gentleman to the Presence or upper Part, and the Lady to the lower578578. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate IX, to which each advance pursuing their respective Tracts in taking as large a Circumference, as the joining of Hands will admit.
In performing the four remaining Minuet Steps forwards579579. See the Characters or Steps in the said Plate IX marked 5, 6, 7, 8, or third Division of Plate U, which are of One and a Fleuret, the right Arm is to be raised in the Manner before observed, about the turning off or ending of the fourth Minuet Step of three Movements580580. See the last Step in Plate VIII, marked 4, and first of Plate IX, as a Sign or Warning to the Lady of the Gentleman's presenting his Hand, which is given by an easy Bending of the Elbow before it is presented near the End of the fifth Minuet Step, continuing on round the sixth and seventh Minuet Steps until the Gentleman faces the upper right Corner of the Room and the Lady the lower left. About this Time the Hands are let go and the Arm falls gently to the Side, whilst the eighth Step is perform'd obliquely off sideways to the right Hand581581. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VIII and lower right Corner of the Room, the Gentleman's Head being a little turn'd looking upon the Lady who does the like to the upper left Corner, concluding in the third Position as at commencing this Division, only much nigher to each other, and the Shoulders pointing to the upper and lower right and left Corners of the Room, as was already shewn in the Explanation of this Step; 130 which Part or Division of the Dance, as here treated on, falls upon the first Strain of the Tune, the second Time of playing, and answers to the Strain twice over582582. See the Music to the Steps in Plates VIII and IX.
As for the Taking off or Keeping on the Hat I shall not take upon me to determine, leaving it to every one's Choice to act as they shall think most agreeable, since it intirely depends upon Fashion and Fancy; but, as I have a Right as well as others humbly to offer my Thoughts on this Point, I shall declare in Favour of the former, in that it has the Appearance of much more Complaisance and Air than Keeping the Hat upon the Head, which in my humble Opinion seems more flat and disrespectful; and the Taking off and Putting on of the Hat with a good Air likewise gives a singular Grace to the Dance, which is all lost by its remaining upon the Head.
But if it should be objected, that it is inconvenient and troublesome to take off the Hat with the right Hand, by Reason it must be changed to the left before the right can be at Liberty to present to the Lady: I answer, it is easy to be done; or it may be taken off with the left Hand as well as the right, and then once changing will serve, which may be upon the letting go or breaking off Hands, that is to say, in making One and a Fleuret open off to the right Hand. The said Step finishes the Part of the Dance now treated of; and the Hat is to be taken off with the left Hand on giving the right falling naturally and slow down to the Side, and holding the Hat at Arms Length during the Time of changing, as was above observed.
AS the last explained treated of the presenting or giving the right Hand, the present or fourth Division is upon presenting of the left, which in its Performance is thus: For Instance, being upon the left of each other, the Hat in the right Hand, the Position and Presence of the Body the same as at the Beginning of the third Part, only, as I have said on the Conclusion thereof, something nighr583583. опечатка together, and the Body a little more turned to the right, the Gentleman who faces the upper Part will be to the same Side of the Room, but the Lady, as the faces the lower Part, is to the left584584. See the Gentleman and Lady in the Plates VIII and X; to both of which each advance in eight Minuet Steps, returning upon the same Circle or Tract that conducted them hither, which is enlarged by the aforesaid turning585585. See the Steps in Plate X, marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or the fourth Division of Plate U and making the first Minuet Step which is of One and a Fleuret forwards; and on the commencing thereof the left Arm is raised586586. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate X in a slow and easy Motion, in Order to be presented or given, which is much upon the second Minuet Step by a gentle bending of the Elbow, as in the aforesaid.
But, instead of the second's being a Minuet Step of One and a Fleuret, you may make the Minuet Hop, which, if well executed, is an agreeable Variation proceeding round in the Continuation of three Minuet Steps more of One and a Fleuret, at the full Extent or Length of the Arms, 'till arrived very near the Place of setting out, 132 that is to say, whilst the Gentleman faces to the upper right Corner of the Room and the Lady the lower left587587. See the Steps marked 3, 4, 5, on the different Tracts in Plate X, or in the fourth Division of Plate U; upon which Hands are broke off or let go, and, extended as they are, gently fall to their proper Places. The Hat is put on again with the right Hand, upon the Ceremony of the Arms being ended; and the three remaining Minuet Steps are performed obliquely open off to the right Hand sideways588588. See the Characters or Steps marked 6, 7, 8, in Plate X, or fourth Division of Plate U, as upon the last Step of the preceding Division589589. See the Action of the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VIII, or directly across the Room to the right and left Sides, concluding in the Position and Place from whence the third Division of three Movements to the left begun; or, instead of the eighth and last's being made, as I just observed the Double Bouree was performed, it would fall very naturally here and be no small Embellishment to this Part of the Dance, or any other Steps to fill up the Time590590. See the Characters of this Step in the third Table of the Plate marked O, Number 3. I mean when performed by such as have arrived at a Capacity of doing it perfectly, otherwise it is better omitted; but nothing can be more graceful than the former, as appears from what has been said in the Explanation of that Step; and it affords a farther Variety, in that the Tune has now been twice played through on the Conclusion of the Division or Part now treated of591591. See the Music to the first, second, third, and fourth Divisions in Plate U, which was to the second Strain both Times over592592. See the Music to the Part of the Dance contained in Plate X.
AS this Part of the Dance has been already explained by the second Division, which in Figure and Step is altogether the same, except that, instead of the Gentleman's being at the upper End of the Room as in the foregoing Part, the Lady is now there and the Gentleman at the lower593593. See Plate VIII, from whence both commence as in the aforesaid, I might here refer to what I formerly said, in that a farther Explanation seems entirely594594. во всем тексте это слово Томлинсон пишет с ошибкой, но здесь - верно needless, since it will easily be comprehended from the former as some may imagine, it being no more than to perform the said Steps in the Method above described; yet, for the better understanding thereof, if I accompany the Dancer or Reader through this Part of the Dance a second Time, it will not I hope be thought a tedious or unnecessary Repetition. The Gentleman and Lady, situated as was already observed, both commence in performing the said four Minuet Steps of three Movements before and behind sideways crossing the Room to the left Hand; but the Gentleman now, instead of moving to the right Side of the Room, as in the second Division, moves to the left, the Lady doing the same to the right595595. See the Characters or Steps mark'd 1, 2, 3, 4, in the said Plate VIII, or fifth Division in Plate U; and as I have said, by turning a small Matter gradually upon the third and fourth of the said Minuet Steps, they meet in the Middle of the Room, as in the aforesaid, facing one another596596. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate XI and pass obliquely upon the right Hand of each other, viz. the Gentleman to the upper right Corner and the Lady to the lower left, continuing on the remaining half Circle or Figure in four Minuet Steps of One and a Fleuret as aforesaid 134 forwards597597. See the Characters or Steps mark'd 5, 6, 7, and 8, in Plate XI, or the fifth Division of Plate U, the Gentleman, as I have said, passing on round by the right upper Corner until arrived at the left facing down the Room598598. See Plate VI.
The last of the said four Steps may also be made open off sideways to the right Hand, turning a quarter of a Turn the same Way as the Gentleman from facing the left Side of the Room599599. See the Action in Plate XIV, and also the Character or Step marked 8 down it, and finishing in the third Position600600. See in some Measure Plate VI; and the Lady the like, passing by the lower left in her Way to the right Side and concluding, as aforesaid, only up the Room601601. See the aforesaid Plates IV, and XIV.
But, instead of either of the foregoing Ways, this Part of the Dance is usually perform'd in making the first of the four Steps forwards after Passing each other602602. See the Character or Step in Plate XIV, marked 5, and then not continuing the remaining on a Circle forwards, or to the last One and a Fleuret open off to the right Hand sideways, as before603603. See the Steps or Characters in Plates XIII or XIV, mark'd 6, 7, and 8, but instead thereof three of the said Minuet Steps are performed directly opening off sideways to the right Hand in making half a Turn upon the Half Coupee, or Beginning of the first of them, from the upper End of the Room, the remaining continuing on to the upper left Side facing the lower End. The Lady does the same, except that after the half Turn from the Bottom the performs the said three Steps to the lower right Side of the Room, looking up it or to the Gentleman; and, having again alternately changed Places as before, the Gentleman is left at the upper left Corner or Side of the Room and the Lady at the lower right604604. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VI, concluding to the first Strain of the Tune twice over which is now begun a third Time.605605. See the fifth Division of Plate U. or the under written Music to Plates VIII, and XI
THE sixth and concluding Part of the Minuet Dance principally consists in the Ceremony of presenting or giving both Hands, as the third and fourth Parts did in giving the single Arm, and they are much alike in Figure and Form: For Instance, the Gentleman and Lady facing each other in the third Position, where we left them in the three last explained606606. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VI pursuing their different Tracts or Figures to the Steps marked 1, 2, 3, and 4 Minuet Steps, begin in the Performance of the like Number of Movements sideways each to the left Hand, the Gentleman to the right Side of the Room and the Lady to the left,; and, near the End or Finishing of the said three Minuet Steps, both turn off to the same Hand to which they were performed607607. See the Character or Step in the sixth Division of Plate U marked 3, as in the fourth Minuet Step of three Movements belonging to the third Division, opening gracefully in Order to enlarge the Figure and present both Hands608608. See more particularly the Steps marked 1, 2, 3, and 4, in the sixth Division of Plate U as the other was for One, only making the fourth Minuet Step which is of One and a Fleuret forwards to that Part of the Room to which the Presence of the Body is directed; that is to say, the Gentleman to the lower and the Lady to the upper609609. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plate XII, upon the Beginning of which said Step both Arms are raised in the easy Gracefulness observed in the single Arm, as the Sign or Warning of giving both Hands,610610. See the Action in the Figures of Plate XII which is done upon the commencing of the fifth or succeeding Step.
136 In this Part of the Dance there may be a Minuet Hop, instead of One and a Fleuret, continuing on round upon the right Side of each other, until the Gentleman faces the upper Part of the Room and the Lady the lower611611. See in some Measure the Gentleman and Lady in Plate IX, which will be about the Conclusion of the sixth Minuet Step; during which the Arms are raised near the Height of the Shoulder, and the Elbows a little elevated or raised forming a Circle or whole Round.
In this Posture the seventh and eighth Minuet Steps are also performed, the Gentleman making One and a Fleuret backwards, or rather a small Matter to the right, whilst the Lady performs the same Steps forwards612612. See the Steps marked 5, 6, 7, and 8, in Plate XII, or Steps with the same Figures in the sixth Division of Plate U, upon which the Hands are let go; and the Gentleman, in making the Slip or Beginning of the eighth Minuet Step, takes off his Hat with the right Hand which falls gently down to the Side, as aforesaid, in Order to make the Reverence or Bow to the Presence or upper End of the Room, which is upon the third and fourth Minuet Step. At the same Instant the Lady coupees to the Gentleman in a half Turn to the right from the lower Part of the Room facing up it, and leaves the right Foot upon the Point613613. See the second Figure in Plate VI, Book I finishing the remaining half of the Step and Dance in the Reverence or Courtesy made in drawing the said right Foot behind the left, on which the Body rests, into the third or fifth Position614614. See the first Figure in Plate IV, or second of Plate XI, Book I; after which the Honour or Respect is made to each other and the Ceremony ended615615. See the second, third, and fourth Plates, as also the Tune which has now been played three Times over616616. See the Music to the Steps of Plates VI and XII, or last Division of Plate U.
As to the Hat I should rather approve of its not being taken off here 'till the breaking off or letting go of both Hands; however this is likewise submitted to the Dancer's Choice, as well as the Presenting of the single Arm, whether he takes it off, or keeps it on, throughout the whole Dance.
IN the foregoing Chapters I have shewn the Method or Manner in which the Minuet Dance is to be performed, when reduced to a just and regular Dance; yet in Effect it is no more than a voluntary or extemporary Piece of Performance, as has already been hinted, in Regard there is no limited Rule, as to its Length or Shortness, or in Relation to the Time of the Tune, since it may begin upon any that offers, as well within a Strain as upon the first Note or commencing thereof. It is the very same with Respect to its ending, for it matters not whether it breaks off upon the End of the first Strain of the Tune, the second, or in the Middle of either of them, provided it be in Time to the Music; but nevertheless there are frequently Mistakes, in the Performance of this Dance, arising from Want of a just Notion of the Figure and some certain Rule in performing the Steps upon the said Figure, and more particularly those Steps which are designed by Way of Ornament or farther Grace, which instead of that often prove its Disgrace. Nothing is more common than to see the Gentleman or Lady detained in the Performance of some Step, in Order to illustrate the Dance; and so consequently not reaching that Part of the Room, on which the crossing is made, Time enough617617. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plates VII, and XI, instead of performing One and a Fleuret open off sideways to the right Hand618618. See the Gentleman and Lady in Plates VI, and VIII, 138 or some such like Step, or making a Feint off to the right Hand in the same Minuet Step quite round forwards falling into the Minuet Step of three Movements all behind facing the right or left Side, as it shall fall out, by which Time the former will be arrived at the Place of crossing which will then be in its due Time; whereas the running in either before or behind our Partner, as before, would have caused a Confusion.
This Disorder also frequently happens in performing the common Minuet Step, as when one of the Dancers does not fill out the Room and Figure in the Performance of an equal Number of Steps to the other; for, if this be not observed, it will produce the like Effect as the former; or if, as I have observed,in presenting the right Hand or giving of both, a sufficient Warning is not had by raising of the Hand or Hands, as aforesaid, one Minuet Step before the Hands are given619619. See the Divisions or Chapters which treat of giving the Hands, the Dancers are often nonplus'd and put out of the Figure, while on the contrary a Presence of Mind with the Observation of these Rules will prevent all such Blunders and Confusions.
There is yet one Observation more, with which I shall conclude what I have to say upon this Head, which may be of some Service in preventing the said Accidents, viz. The marking whether the Minuet Step of three Movements before and behind sideways to the left Hand, which introduces or leads to the giving the right Hand, was facing up or down the Room, because in going the Circle or Figure round to the right you certainly come to the same Place620620. See For Example the Gentleman and Lady in Plate VIII, whether it be facing to the upper or lower Part of the Room, ending the Division in the Minuet Step of One and a Fleuret obliquely off sideways to the right Hand and looking the same Way as described in that Step; and also the like in the Performance of the Minuet Steps round to the left, in which the said Hand is given621621. See the Beginning in the Gentleman and Lady in Plate X, concluding in Plate VIII.
139 As the foregoing are the principal Places, in which young Dancers usually Mistake, I thought the making some Observations on the Occasion, and the Rules or Methods to be observed in preventing them, might not be unacceptable; for, admitting that Masters may have frequently taught their Scholars the same Lesson, yet according to the old Saying, Words soon pass into Oblivion, but what is put down in Print remains more strongly fix'd upon the Mind.
There is much more that might be said upon this Subject; but, as the aforesaid is sufficient, to avoid being tedious I shall only proceed to the making a few farther Observations, in Regard to the foregoing described Steps, which as yet have not been introduced into the Dance above explained nor any Place assigned them therein: For Instance, the March, Balance, Slip behind and Step forwards being to the right Hand, and the same to the left and a Double Bouree forwards, every one of which Steps, as was already observed, depend upon Fancy, as there are some Parts of the Dance much more proper than others, it may not be foreign to my present Purpose to take Notice of them; and in the first Place introduce the March, which seems to claim three Places in the said Dance, the Choice of which rests in the Performer, for it is to be observed that no Step of this Sort is ever performed more than once or twice in Dancing of a Minuet. For Example, should the said Dance be perform'd in one Assembly or Company twice or thrice over, its Steps ought to be varied as much as possible, that is, provided the Dancer is capable thereof; otherwise, as I have already observed, it is much better performed plain; but to what I was saying the two Marches will be agreeably made advancing upon the seventh Minuet Step of the second Division, the first of the three Ways there described, that is, of One and a Fleuret continuing all round forwards.
The eighth Minuet Step may be of One and a Fleuret open off sideways to the right Hand, as aforesaid, facing either to the upper or lower End of the Room, as it happens; the next Place it challenges is the second Measure of the fourth Division, instead of the Hop which is then left out; and the third is upon the last Step 140 but one of the fifth Division or second S, intirely in the same Method described in the second Division.
The Balance is also frequently made much about the same Place or eighth Minuet Step, either sideways facing each other, or advancing and retiring; and the next is the Slip behind and Step forwards to the right and left Hands, each to a Minuet Step and Fall in their Performance upon the aforesaid second and fifth Divisions, only in the second of the three Methods explained in the second Part of the Dance, by breaking off the Minuet Step of One and a Fleuret upon the Ending of the sixth Minuet Step, instead of a seventh it makes the said Slip to the right Hand turning to each other from the contrary Sides of the Room, and the Slip to the left Hand is instead of the eighth Minuet Step.
This Step may also be performed with no small Advantage to the Dance, instead of the seventh and eighth Minuet Steps of the fourth Division which are there obliquely; and the Double Bouree forwards may be made upon the seventh Minuet Step of the second or fifth Divsion622622. опечатка, concluding the eighth Minuet Step in One and a Fleuret to the right Hand, as aforesaid, or instead of the fifth Minuet Step, after which theremaining are as described in the second Division or S.
The third Way of this Step's Performance is by a half Turn upon the Half Coupee or Beginning of the sixth Minuet Step of One and a Fleuret, opening off sideways to the right, or in the sixth Division after the Hop instead of the Minuet Step.
The foregoing Graces or Steps being now united and brought into the aforesaid Dance, and having their proper Places assigned therein, I shall conclude with one Observation more, viz. that it is in its Performance longer or shorter, according to the Dancer's Pleasure. In Order to this instead of performing the second Division but once, as in the Dance before described presenting the right Hand, it may be performed twice or thrice, only it must be noted that the fifth Division upon breaking off the left Hand is performed the like Number of Times; that is to say if the second twice, the fifth the like, and if thrice the same after giving the single Hand; 141 but the shortest Way is once, as described in the foregoing Dance.
The said Dance and its Steps, as I have already observed, altogether depend on Fancy, and are in their Performance various and uncertain; for it is left to the Pleasure of every one to perform them in the Order here set down, in any better Method of their own, or without any Steps. Indeed, it must be confessed that the Steps well performed in a Minuet are great Ornaments to that Dance, in filling it with Variety; yet at the same Time it must be owned the performing the plain Minuet Steps alone is extremely graceful, if well accomplished, and in Effect the most Gentleman-like, or at least the faser623623. опечатка of the two.
TIME is a large Space or Distance without Variation or Change; and, as it has been from the Beginning of all things, it will remain 'till a Period be put thereto and it ceases to be. This mighty Space the great Author thereof, in his exceeding Wisdom, has divided or measured into equal Parts and Proportions, as Days into Hours, Months into Weeks, Quarters into Months, Years into Quarters, &c. which Divisions or Parts move or travel round in a continual but just and regular Motion or Pace, succeeding each other without ceasing until they arrive at the utmost Limits or Confines of Time, which will then be no more.
But leaving these sublime Thoughts to draw more closely to the Point or Subject in Hand, I shall endeavour to illustrate it by one Day or Measure of the foregoing Space or Time, in supposing every Hour therein to be Bars or Measures of a Dance or Tune; and that they are as short in Length or Time, as Measure in common or triple Time. I shall likewise shew, that by one Hour may be 142 comprehended the Scale both of common and triple Time: For Instance, the former thus.
COMMON TIME.
1 Semibreve. — 1 Hour.
2 Minims. — 2 Half Hours.
4 Crotchets — 4 Quarters of the Hour.
8 Quavers — 8 Half Quarters of the Hour.
16 Semi-quavers. — 16 Half half Quarters of the Hour.
The above is the whole Proportion of Common Time or of four to the Measure, as usually found in Books of Music; yet we often find in Pieces of Music the sixteen Semi-quavers doubled two and thirty Demi-semi-quavers, and then the Hour will be divided into the like Number of Parts.
In Triple Time the Hour must be suppos'd to be divided into three Thirds or Parts, by Reason it only consists of three in a Bar or Measure: The Example is as follows.
TRIPLE TIME.
1 Prick'd Minim. — 1 Hour in three Thirds.
3 Crotchets. — 3 Thirds or Parts of the Hour.
6 Quavers. — 6 Half Thirds or Parts of the Hour.
12 Semi-quavers. — 12 Half half Thirds or Parts of the Hour.
This is the Proportion of Triple Time or three in a Measure, as usually put down; yet sometimes it amounts to twenty four Demi-semi-quavers
Having now shewn that the Hours of the Day may be esteem'd as so many Measures of a Tune or Dance, it must consequently be understood that a Day of twelve Hours contains the like Number 143 of Measures; and, admitting that the Tune or Dance consisted of seventy two Bars, six Divisions or Days would compleat it. This Comparison may possibly be thought by some foreign to the Purpose, tho' it is indeed very just and suitable; and I question not but upon farther Consideration it will appear so to the judicious Reader, for since the Subject in Hand is Time and there is Nothing more certain than the Day and its Hours, the latter will of Course imprint in the Mind stronger and juster Ideas of the former.
However, it may perhaps be objected and at first View with great Show of Reason, that the Time in Dancing is various and liable to be changed to faster or slower, according to the Performer's Fancy; whereas the Day and Hours are immutable or without any Change. I answer, for this very Reason, as I have just observed it will give them a truer Notion of the Justness of Time, and be a Means to prevent their starting from or dragging behind it, which is often done by such whose Ears are pretty good, as well as by those who have very bad Ears, tho' it is the natural Fruit of the Want of an Ear which of all other Things is most difficult to cure, it being more a Gift of Nature than Art. This caused the Ancients to say, the Gods gave a Genius to Music and Dancing; and it is of that Importance in the latter as to render it impossible to please without Keeping Time, nor is it to be called Dancing without it.
From what has been said it appears, that to have a just and true Idea of Time is of no small Consequence in order to dance well, and that too much cannot be said upon this Head; which is, I think, a sufficient Motive for me to proceed in a few farther Observations upon it, which if duly consider'd, I am confident, will be found of remarkable Service.
In the first Place then, you are to take Notice, that of the foregoing Proportions of Time one is common and the other triple, from whence arise all the Times and Movements made use of in Dancing. From the former of these slow very slow Entrees containing two Steps in each Measure call'd, Quadruple or of two Times on Account of their Slowness or admitting of a suppos'd Bar in the Middle of the said Measure; but the rest as Allemaignes, Gavots, Galliards, 144 Bourees, Rigadoons, &c. are only of one Time, as not allowing of more than one Step to a Measure by Reason they are much lighter Movements than the aforesaid Quadruple, of which they are esteem'd but as half a Measure. The latter consists of Louvres, or slow Jigs, Courants, Sarabands, Passacailles, Chaconnes, Minuets, Passepieds, &c. the first of which namely Louvres or slow Jigs are of two Times or Steps to a Measure and agreeable with Quadruple, so that in Effect there are three Sorts of Times in Dancing, viz. common, triple, and quadruple proceeding from the two former; yet they are all reckon'd but as common and triple Time and only beat as such, except that some are slower and others quicker, which is the Subject I am now about to explain.
Common Time, for, Instance, is of four Notes to the Bar or Measure, as has already been observed in the Explanation of the Steps upon that Time; and the Rise or Beginning of the Step, in Dancing, from a Sink always marks Time to the Tune, as well as the fourth or last Note is in the Sink or Preparative for the Rise or beating Time to the succeeding Step, which no sooner is perform'd than the Dancer proceeds to the next, as in Walking; and so on 'till the Dance is compleated, keeping a just and equal Distance or Space between every Beginning and Ending of a Measure of the Dance, as has been observed by the Hours of a Day, which is call'd Time, the same Way, as not making the Rise or marking of the Time, from a Sink upon the first Note which in all Measures is out of Time, and also performing the Steps of a Dance sometimes faster or slower than at others; but this is as morally impossible for one of a good Ear, as it wou'd624624. опечатка be for a well timed Watch to go out of Time. Dancing may justly be consider'd as a Watch; for as, when the latter is set a going by the Springs, the Wheels move round measuring out the Hours or Divisions of a Day in certain and equal Spaces, during the Time it goes: So the Springs and Steps of a Dance ought to be continued after it is put in Motion by Music, 'till the Whole is ended, which may easily be accomplish'd. But the Difficulty arises here; for Example, supposing a Person, would set his Watch a going at Twelve at Noon, having no Rule nor any 145 Thing625625. слово потеряно между страницами to direct him in it but beholding of the Sun, is it not a Thousand to One but he wou'd be either before or after the Time? The Case is the very same in Dancing, as to those who have not a Genius or Ear to Music; and tho' I durst engage to make such a One acquire the former, namely to dance in just and regular Time, yet I wou'd not answer for his commencing upon the right Time by Reason, as I have observed in the Comparison of the Sun, it is a Point of a very nice Nature and in Reality not to be done with any Certainty, if the Ear is not first helped and improved by a Knowledge of that Science; no more than the former without a Skill in Dialling.
Having by the going of a Watch shewn the true and exact Time in which the Steps of a Dance ought to be perform'd, and the Difficulty of suiting the Movement of the Dance to that of the Tune, I shall proceed to give the Rules to be observed in beating or keeping Time to the foregoing Proportions of Time, which I take to be the first Step in the Affair under Consideration; and I shall begin with the Gavot, upon which Movement the Time is sometimes beat directly upon the first of the four Notes belonging to the Measure, but most usually after letting pass or slip half a Measure, that is to say, the third and fourth Notes. For the better Understanding of this I shall name two or three Dances of the latter Sort, viz. the Princess Royal compos'd by Mr. L'Abbee, the Princess Ann by Mr. Siris, and the Gavot to the Dance, named the Prince Eugene, of my own Composition, and they all begin with odd Notes to which in the Dance a plain Step or Walk is made, whilst the Person who beats Time raises the Heel or Toe on playing the odd Notes of the Tune, in Order to strike full upon the Time or first Note of the ensuing Measure; which is done in the Fall or Coming down of the Heel or Toe, either of which remains upon the Floor during the Counting of the first and second Notes or half Measure. While the third and fourth Notes, or concluding Half are counting the Heel or Toe is raised to mark Time to the succeeding Bar, as at first, and so on 'till the whole Tune or Dance is ended, keeping an exact and equal Motion up and down neither faster nor slower, and counting the said first, second, third, and fourth Notes successively over and 146 over during the same; so that the Heel or Toe rises upon the third Note, remains in the Air the fourth, comes down to the first, and rests the second, &c. as before.
The Galliard Movement is intirely the same, as to the beating Part, but not as to the odd Notes, for instead of two, as in the foregoing, there is only one here; an Instance whereof we have in Mr. Isaac's Galliard, upon which the Heel or Toe is raised to beat the Time upon the first Note, as aforesaid. These two Movements are rather more solemn and grave than the following, namely, Allemaignes, Bourees, Rigadoons, &c. but with Regard to the Method of beating Time the very same, for they usually begin with an odd Note; and if not, 'tis only borrowing the last Note of the foregoing Measure for raising the Heel or Toe, as aforesaid.
It is here to be noted, that it can never be reckoned out of Time, whether the said four Notes of the Measure be counted faster or slower, provided they are continued through the Dance, as begun at first; for tho' the Fancy of Masters often differs upon this Point, yet every Movement has its proper Time.
From what has been said it fully appears, that the first Note or Beginning of a Bar is the Time or Mark the Dancer must hit; and in Order thereto, as the Performer in Music, in playing of the Tune, prepares for beating Time by taking up of the Toe or Heel, so does the Dancer in making a Sink or Bending of the Knees to beat or mark Time to the Tune, as well as to perform the first or introducing Step of the Dance; but whether it be done by a Rise upon the Toe, a Hop, or any other Step, it matters not, in that it is to be observed, the Rise from a Sink beats Time in Dancing, as the Fall of the Heel does in Music.
Before I proceed to triple Time, it will be necessary to say something farther of quadruple, which from its Graveness is reckoned as two Times, as was already observed; and I know no more proper or suitable Method of explaining it, since in Time and Value it is equivalent to two Measures of common Time, than the Counting every Note double as One One, Two Two, Three Three, Four Four, and supposing them, what in Effect they really are, four Minims, for 147 in this Sort of Time the Crotchets are of equal Length to the Minims, and wou'd be as before observed, if the Time was beat in the Middle of the Measure. For Instance, on the commencing of the third Minim it is no longer quadruple but common Time; from whence it follows, that the Minims must be beat in their Timing, as one Measure, the same as the Crotchets, tho' in Length and Value double to them.
Tunes of quadruple Time rarely, if ever, begin with odd Notes, as the foregoing Tunes of common; and, for an Example, I shall name a Tune or two of this Kind, as the Entree d' Apolon. But as that Dance may not probably be known to such as this Book is principally design'd for, I shall name a second of the same Sort, namely the Godolphin, compos'd by the late Mr. Isaac, upon which may be practised the Time of this Movement; to which End the Heel is raised to mark the Time, as already explain'd, after which it remains on the Floor the playing of the first and second Minims or half Measure. The third and fourth Minims are in the two Motions the Heel or Toe makes in rising, in Order to mark the ensuing Measure: For Instance, the first Rise is made strong and brisk upon the Beginning of the latter half of the Measure or third Note; the second Rise is made farther up into the Air, in the same Manner as the first, to the fourth and last Note; upon the Expiration whereof the Toe or Heel comes down marking the Time to the next Bar, counting One One, Two Two, &c. as before, whilst the whole Tune is compleated.
Having shewn how the Dancer suits his Steps to the Notes of the Music, it will be of no Use to say any thing farther of that here; and therefore I shall only observe, that as there are in this Sort of Tunes two Steps to each Measure, the first is beat, as usual, down, but the second is marked up in the Air, on the Beginning of the third Minim, as above explained.
Being now arrived at triple Time or of three in a Measure, I have little to say, having already in the foregoing Proportions of Time described the Manner of beating or marking Time; for it is altogether superfluous and unnecessary to enlarge, since it is intirely in 148 the same Method, except to make a few Observations touching the most material Difference in the Movements thereof; and first observe, that the Courante is a Sort of quadruple Movement which consists of three Minims, instead of the like Number of Crotchets, as in the rest following; which Minims are usually divided into double the Quantity of prick'd Crotches and Quavers, mix'd or blended promiscuously together, according to the Composer's Fancy, producing this Movement and play'd as three Minims, which renders it very solemn and grave; and, in its counting or beating in Time it is the same as the foregoing quadruple, only it is a Minim less and generally begins with an odd Quaver or half Note. Upon this the Heel or Toe is raised, as aforesaid, to mark the Time of first Note in the Coming down of the Toe or Heel, counting One One, Two Two, during which, two Thirds of the Measure the Foot rests upon the Ground. In the third and remaining Minim or Part the Heel or Toe is raised in Readiness to mark the Measure following, which is perform'd successively on, in like Manner, keeping just and regular Time, &c. as was shewn before; but, for an Example, I shall name the La Burgogne by Mr. Pecour and Brawl of Audenarde by Mr. Siris.
The next grave Movements are Sarabands, Passacailles, and Chaconnes, each of three Crotchets to a Measure, and every one a Degree lighter than the other: Nevertheless the Method of beating Time is the same as described above in the Courante Movement, only instead of Minims to Crotchets and of the Time's commencing after an odd Note, it is mark'd directly as in quadruple; that is to say, excepting Chaconnes, which always begin with odd Notes. Examples of the two former Sorts are the Princess Ann, the Follie D'Espaigne, and Passacaille D'armid, all which Dances were compos'd by Mr. L'Abbee; and also of the latter the Princess Ann's Chaconne by the same Author is an Instance, where a whole Measure is let slip before the Time commences.
The next Minuets and Passepieds are still brisker, the first being of three Crotchets to a Bar or Measure, and the second of three Quavers; and the first usually begins without odd Notes, but the second 149 never. The Time of these Movements, in Dancing, ought never to be beat after every Bar but every other Measure, by Reason, as has been said, one Minuet Step takes two Measures of these Movements; and it is to be noted that, as in quadruple, the Time is to be mark'd the first Measure down, and second up, instead of twice down. It must be farther observed that if the Strains of the Minuet or Passepied consist of eight, as they most frequently do, four Minuet Steps are equivalent to a Strain once over; from whence it follows, that the Beginning of a Strain, whether the first or second it matters not, is always the Time the Dancer is to mark or hit, and from thence to proceed on from one second Bar to another upon the Time, neither varying to faster nor slower, than at first setting out, during the Performance of the whole Dance; and if the Minuet or Passepied is of more Measures, it is nevertheless performed in the same Manner. There is Plenty of Examples of the former Kind, as is of the latter the Royal George, that is, the Conclusion and Beginning of the Bretagne; the first by Mr. L'Abbee, the second by Mr. Pecour, to which I shall add one more of my own Composition, namely, the Passepied Round.
As to Tunes of triple Time agreeing with quadruple, viz. Louvres or slow Jigs, they are of two Measures, or of six Crotchets in the Bar, the first three whereof are beat down and the remaining up, each answering to a Measure of a Saraband, and a Movement usually beginning in odd Notes. For Instance, the Entree Espagnol and Pastoral Dance, the latter by the late Mr. Isaac; and the Union by the same Author is of this Nature, tho' it does not begin with odd Notes as the Dances aforesaid. As the foregoing Discourse shews that Louvres or slow Jigs are agreeable to quadruple Time, I shall next proceed to observe, that Jigs and airy light Tunes of the like Number of Notes to the Measures, as the aforesaid, agree with Rigadoons in common Time, and beat as such in marking the first three down, and the remaining up; as for Example, in Jigs or Forlanes, the Princess Amelia compos'd by Mr. L'Abbee, and the Dance of that Movement by Mr. Pecour; and the Shepherdess compos'd by my self is likewise an Example of this Sort.
150 There is yet another Movement that occurs to my Memory, namely, the Canary, which is of a very brisk Nature, consisting only of three or six Quavers in a Measure, but usually the latter, slipping before the Time is beat three Quavers or half a Measure, and marking the three first down and the rest up; and the last Movement of the Royal Galliard by the late Mr. Isaac is an Example of this Kind.
There is still a Movement unobserved, of the like Quantity of Notes to a Measure, viz. the Hornpipe, which is of three Minims or six Crotchets in the Bar, and, in marking or beating Time, agrees with a Tune of triple Time or of three, as for Instance a Saraband, in which the Foot remains down, during the counting of One, Two, and upon the third rises to mark the ensuing Measure &c. The second Parts of the Union and Richmon_d are both _Dances of a Hornpipe Movement, and of the late Mr Isaac's Composition.
Besides the foregoing Rules of beating Time it may be of Service to such as have but indifferent Ears, when they are about to dance in any Assembly or private Room, or in their Dancing, to hearken to the Tune, that they may know the Time in which the Dance is to be perform'd; which they may more easily do by Reason the Music rarely fail of beating Time to the Tune they are playing, or at least ought not, because hearing the beating or striking of the Toe or Heel against the Floor are visible and certain Marks of the Dancers commencing.
Moreover in Dancing, if the Partner with whom we dance be a good Performer, we should take Care to keep our Steps and Figure agreeable with theirs; and I am of Opinion, if a Person has the least Notion of the Steps he is performing, it will be very easy for him to observe, whether they begin and end together, which I believe may be useful in Dancing.
However, as I have said before, the most sure Method I take to be, listening to the Music and Time beat thereto, tho 'that itself is uncertain, nothing being more common than the hearing of a Tune begun in one Time, and, before it is ended, to be near as fast again; which renders it impossible for the best Dancers whatsoever 151 to dance as they ought, for instead of their finding the Note upon which they should step, it is push'd or drove from under their Feet during every Step they take, and of Consequence causes them to lose that natural and careless Air so agreeable in Dancing, notwithstanding they keep up with the Tune, as being never certain of its Time. Indeed, it must be own'd to be the Dancer's Business to dance to the Tune; yet it is nevertheless the Music's Part to beat and keep constant and true Time, as well at the latter Part of a Tune as at first. By this Means the Dancers, sure of the Time they dance to, perform not only with Pleasure and Ease to themselves, but also give a double Satisfaction to the Spectators in beholding the Dancers; for altho' the latter are at a considerable Distance from each other, yet the former will observe, that every Movement or Sink and Rise the Dancers make is exactly the same in one as well as the other; the former in Order to mark Time, and the latter in marking of it. Moreover every Turn, Step, Spring or Bound seen in one will be at the same Instant observed in the other, in such an exact Symmetry and Harmony of the Parts agreeing with the Notes of the Music, as to cause the most agreeable Surprize in the Beholders of the two Dancers; or admitting a Dozen or more in Number, by observing them all to move as only one Person. This is the natural Effect of good Dancing adorn'd with all its Beauties, in that the Music seems to inspire the Dancing, and the latter the former; and the Concurrence of both is so requisite to charm those who behold them, that each of them in some Measure suffers by a Separation. For Example the Eye can receive no Pleasure in the Music any more than the Ear in Dancing; but in Conjunction there is at once an Attack upon both these Senses.
Tho' this is only an imperfect Draught of fine Dancing, yet it may serve to shew how frequently this Art suffers by the Unskilfulness of its Performers, whether it arise from the Want of a true Knowledge of the Steps, a bad Ear, or from any other Cause; and this it was that gave Birth to my Treatise on Dancing, in which the principal and most remarkable Steps in that Art are described and taken in Pieces. I have also shewn how the Step sof626626. опечатка Steps of each Measure 152 are made to common or triple Time; and in the Minuet I have given an Explanation of all the Steps of that Dance; and shewn, tho' in Effect it is not so, how it may be reduced into a regular Dance. In discoursing upon Time, I have given Examples in the most known Tunes of every Movement, upon which it may be practised or beaten; and in the Rules for the same I have fully made appear, how the Steps of the foregoing Discourse, altho' in Pieces, are there united and set together again, moving in just Time to the Sound of Music, as the Watch is put in Motion by its Springs. Upon taking some farther Notice of the Elevation, Movement, and graceful Fall of the Arms, together with some Observations concerning Country Dancing, I shall conclude this Work, in Hopes that, as the chief, nay only Motive of undertaking it was the Publick Good, it may answer the desired End; the accomplishing whereof will be a sufficient Recompence for the great Pains, Trouble, and Expence I have been at in compleating the same; and, as there never hitherto appeared in the World, at least in our Language, a Piece of this Nature, I flatter my self it will meet with the more Acceptance.
HAVING shewn the Method in which the different Steps are to be taken and perform'd, I shall now proceed to shew how the Movements of the Arms ought to accompany the said Steps in Dancing; left this Work should be compared to the Legs and Body of a Man without Arms.
However as on the one Hand, I shall make it my Study to omit Nothing that can contribute to compleat this Work, I shall at the same Time, on the other, only observe what I apprehend to be material, 153 without tiring the Reader's Patience on a Subject which cannot be compleated without the very best Masters. The Correspondence of the Legs and Arms in Dancing is a Point of so nice a Nature that any Awkwardness or improper Movements therein would destroy the Beauty of the whole, since that Dancing cannot be good which is decrepid or lame in any of its Parts, any more than a Gentleman or Lady can be justly esteem'd compleatly genteel who are naturally and easily disposed in some Parts and disagreeable in others; so that in fine it is the very Polish and finishing Stroke.
For the better comprehending of this we must first take Notice that, in whatsoever Position we stand before the Elevation or Raising of the Arms, the Palms or Insides of the Hands are to our Side in a genteel easy Shape or Fashion, the whole Arms hanging from under the Shoulders without Force downwards, or too much Relaxation upwards, but natural and easy in a Readiness for the Elevation627627. See the Figures in Plate I, B. I.
The next Observation relates to the Position of the Hands after their Elevation or being raised; and we should find them with the Palms of the Hands to the Presence or right forwards with the Arms both open or extended, in the like Manner we have described them by the Sides, neither too much raised nor too much sunk beneath the Shoulders, but graceful and easy, and being so disposed ready to perform the first Motion, which in the Movement of the Arms above corresponds with the Sink or Bending of the Knees below628628. See Plates II and XV in B. I. This is done by moving or raising the whole Arms; and, in the Fall of the said Arms to their first Situation after their Elevation, the Palms of the Hands, instead of right forwards as before, are now to the Floor; which is effected by a slow and easy Turning of the said Wrists during the Motion of the said Arms downwards compleating the Movement or Motion of the Arms, from whence all other Movements take their Rise or Beginning; so that, if the graceful Raising or Elevation of the Arms from the Sides to the Palms right forwards be by a slow and even Raising of the Wrists, turning outwards or backwards 'till they arrive at their proper Height as before described629629. See Plates II and XV in B. I, their becoming Fall must in like 154 Manner630630. See the Plates XV, and II, B. I be in the Turn of the Wrists and Palms of the Hands downwards in a slow and even Motion inwards, or forwards, whilst the Palms are to the Sides, as at first631631. See the Figures in Plate I, B. I, greatly resembling the Fall of a Feather or the Coming down of a Bird, their Fall is so smooth and easy; and it is a wonderful Grace to Dancing when well performed.
To avoid being tedious or overloading this Subject with too many Observations I shall reduce the various Movements of the Arms to three or four, viz. first, the Movement of the Wrists from the Elbows round upwards632632. See Plate XV, B. I. Secondly, the Movement of the Arms inwards in their Motion upwards633633. See Plate X, B. I. Thirdly, the compleating the said Movement of the Arms inwards by the Movement of the Wrists round upwards mentioned before634634. See Plate XV, B. I. And fourthly, the irregular or contrary Movement635635. See Plates IV, V, VI, IX, XII, XIII, XIV. B. I.
Now, as to the Method of Performance and Timing of the Movement of the Wrists round upwards, it is by a slow and even Motion or Movement of the Knuckles or Forefingers and Thumbs upwards round from a small Bend of the Wrists and Elbows corresponding therewith636636. See Plate X, B. I. The Commencing is upon one, the Movement round backwards637637. See Plate X, B. I finishing in a Flirt or careless Motion of the Wrists and Arms in their Return to their former Situation, as in the Position of the Arms after their Elevation; upon two638638. See Plate XV, B. I and three if to triple Time, in the Motion or Preparative for the Movement of the Arms next ensuing, as it will conclude in like Manner upon four, if to common Time.
The next Movement is made by the easy Fall of the Elbows at the same Time or Instant; and the Knuckles or Forefingers and Thumbs lead the Way in a smooth and easy Motion from below upwards forming a quarter or half Circle or Bow639639. See the Figures in Plates X, and XI, B. I. The Hands in a handsome Fashion may be supposed the Ends or Points of the said half Circle or Bow; and it is to be noted that this Movement is only 155 about the one Half of the aforesaid. But as that begun by forming the Circle round upwards above the Position of the Arms, the Elbows during the Movement of the Wrists remaining elevated until the Flirt or Finishing is made, on the other Hand in this Movement of the Arms the half Circle, or Motion the Wrists make, is below the Position of the Arms; and, instead of the Elbows remaining elevated, as before, together with the whole Arms, they fall or sink down in a slow, smooth, and easy Motion, whilst the Forefingers and Thumbs, as aforesaid, at the same Time move upwards in the like slow and deliberate Manner, finishing together with the Hands above and the Elbows below in Order to the throwing the Arms open off again, as in Hops, Chassees, and the like, for which these are the proper Arms. The bringing them in on the Conclusion of the foregoing Step, as just described 640640. See the Figures in Plates X and XI, B. I, is in Order to the said throwing them out on the Time or Beginning of the next Step641641. See Plate XV, B. I for which this is the Preparative, tho' the Movement of the Arms to the Palms of the Hands downwards must always be first made by Way of farther Preparation, concluding open and extended, 'till the Measure is expired; and from hence it appears, that these two Movements usually answer each separately to a Measure or Step, forming together much about a whole Circle. The former Half, as I have said, moves under the Position of the Arms, and the latter Half above in the Movement of the Arms round upwards in the Form and Manner above described; and these are the second and third Movements I proposed to explain.
The irregular or fourth and last Movement is produced from the two former, viz, by the Fall of the Elbow of one Hand as the Knuckle moves upwards, whilst the other at the same Time performs the Motion of the Arm round upwards; which compose a fine Contrast, concluding both at the same Time642642. See Plates IV, V, VI, IX, XII, XIII, XIV, B. I with one Hand bended and the other extended643643. See Plates IV, V, VI, IX, XII, XIII, XIV, B. I. This beautiful contrasted Movement changes, every Step alternately, first one Hand and then the other, and is the proper Movement of the Arms in Half 156 Coupees, Marches, Bourees, and the like; only it must be observed that the bended Arm is the contrary Arm to the beginning Foot in any of the Steps644644. See Plates IV, VI, IX, XII, XIV, B. I aforesaid, excepting backwards or sideways, because then the Opposition or Contrast is between the same Hand and Foot, as was already shewn in treating of Walking645645. See Plate XIII, B. I. The Movement of the Arms round upwards646646. See Plate XV, B. I is made use of in Pirouttes, Bourees with a Bound, and all such like Steps.
Altho' there are various other Methods or Manners of moving the Arms in Dancing, yet as these, like the five Positions with Regard to the Feet, are as it were the principal, it is needless (nor indeed is it agreeable to my present Design) to enlarge, especially on a Subject which, as I have already said, cannot be sufficiently described by Words but must be compleated by the very best Masters; and therefore to avoid Trifling, as I have described and given some Hints of the Method or Manner of moving the Arms which will agree with all the Steps made Use of in genteel Dancing, I shall refer the rest to the personal Instructions of a Master properly qualified, who must compleat what is here wanting, not only in Relation to the Movements of the Arms but also those of the Feet between which there is, as I have already observed, a perfect Connexion and Harmony. The Fingers and Toes, Wrists and Ancles, Elbows and Knees, Shoulders and Hips, in Dancing must move all of a Piece; and in fine the Compleating of this is the End I had chiefly in View in composing this Work.
THO' my original Design was only to have spoke of genteel Dancing, yet as Country Dances are at all Assemblies or Balls introduced as it were a Part of or belonging to the former, (and 157 indeed I think it may very properly be esteem'd as a luxuriant or careless Branch growing out from the other) and is become as it were the Darling or favourite Diversion of all Ranks of People from the Court to the Cottage in their different Manners of Dancing, and as the Beauty of this agreeable Exercise (I mean when perform'd in the genteel Character) is very much eclipsed and destroyed by certain Faults, or Omissions, in the Performers not hitherto, if I remember right, taken Notice of in any Books; I shall, at the Request of some Persons of Figure my Subscribers, endeavour to point out those Neglects which render this Diversion, to fine Dancers, either altogether disagreeable, or much less pleasant, because one or two Couples either through Carelesness, or Want of better Instructions, will put the whole Set in Disorder.
This will always be occasioned by the Couples below those who lead up the Dance, when they omit moving up into the first Couple's Places, on their casting off, and down again in their casting up to their Places as at first; or the like, if the first or leading Couples cross over and figure in. In a Word, whenever the leading Couple move downwards, the Couples coming up to lead the Dance should move upwards and, when they move up again, the Couples who do not lead the Dance ought to move down again, attending the Motion of the Dancers going down with the Dance, who in Return will attend them in like Manner, when they arrive at the upper End to dance in their Turns. The nice Observation of this presents to the Beholders an agreeable Prospect of the whole Company in Motion at once, instead of the Confusion that happens when this is neglected; as when in giving the right Hand and left in going round downwards from above, or upwards from below, instead of continuing on and giving first the right and then the left Hand to those you meet, you turn back, or if in Conversation with your Partner, or otherwise, you be not attentive and ready to begin at the Conclusion of any Part or Division of the Dance; which frequently falls out for, when the coming up Couples have concluded the Dance with those going down, they often forget that they are immediately to begin again with the next above 158 them, and so for Want of Attention breed Confusion and at the same Time expose themselves to the Spectators.
Indeed good Breeding, in Regard to those with whom we dance, requires our not being careless; and yet my fair Readers and others I hope will excuse me, if I tell them I fear this is too often the Case, since with due Circumspection and Care it is impossible not to follow almost any Country Dance, tho' I must own when I was a Youth I thought it Conjuration. If we place ourselves at the Bottom, and, instead of Talking, take a Survey of the Dance, whatever it is in its Performance, over and over again, first with one Couple and then with another, it is impossible, I say, but we must be able to go down with it, when it comes to our Turns, as well as avoid Disorders in our gradual Ascent to the upper End; it being only to observe and distinguish one from another the Things of of which the different Parts of all Dances whatsoever are composed whether Casting off or up, Figuring in, Hands across or round, Right Hand and Left, Flying, Pursuing, Clapping of Hands, Heys, Leading up or down, Back to Back, Changing of Places, Falling back, Meeting again, or whatever it be, by dividing one Part of the above Catalogue from the other. And with a little Practice you will soon be able not only to follow Country Dances but also lead them up, tho' you never danced them before: For Instance, if a Gentleman or Lady at the upper End propose a Dance to their Partner unknown to one of them, you need only ask how it begins, and they will acquaint you, and whether it be Falling Back, Meeting again, Crossing over, or whatsoever else, you will readily perform it. For this Reason I would advise all young People and others who are not perfect in Right Hand and left, Figuring in, Heys, and the like, before they attempt to dance in Public, to make themselves well acquainted with and able to perform all the different Parts or Divisions of Country Dancing; which they may privately learn amongst one another, if they don't care to practise in Public, and thereby not only render this Diversion more agreeable to themselves, but also more pleasing to those who accompany them in this Exercise.
159 Besides as I have before hinted, instead of giving a confused Idea to the Beholders it will afford an agreeable Landscape or Prospect of so many Pairs of fine Gentlemen and Ladies gracefully in Motion to the Sound of Music, and compleating each Part of the Dance in Time to the Measure, or Strains of the Tune, as it were of one Accord: As of even Rows longwise when falling back and meeting again; half Circles, when casting off or up again; Figures of Eight or Binding of a Hedge, as in Figuring in, or the Heys; irregular Figures, whenone flies and the other pursues; round Circles, when Hands are joined; cross Figures, when the right or left Hands are joined moving round; Beating Time in Contrast, as when Hands are clapped first in Time with their own, and next crosswise with their right Hand against their Partner's, or others again clap their own Hands, and afterwards strike the left in Contrast; Leading crosswise in Rows, in Order of marching up the Room and the like down, with various other beautiful Circles and Figures. If a fine Picture, beautiful Fields, crystal Streams, green Trees, and imbroider'd Meadows in Landscape or Nature itself will afford such delightful Prospects, how much more must so many well shap'd Gentlemen and Ladies, richly dress'd, in the exact Performance of this Exercise, please the _Beholders, who entertain them with such a Variety of living Prospects.
Having in the above Sketch or Draught attempted to raise some noble Ideas of Country Dancing, when performed in a proper Manner, and in the foregoing Instructions pointed out and removed all the most material Faults and Omissions in the Performance of this Branch of our Art, which either obstruct the Pleasure of the Dancers, or Beholders, I think I have finished what I designed, viz. the Improvement and Pleasure of others. I shall therefore conclude this Work, not in the least questioning but my good Intentions will meet with a favourable Reception from the Public, especially from those who receive Benefit or Profit thereby.
Page THESE are to certify, that the foregoing or Second Part of the Work entitled, the ART OF DANCING EXPLAIN'D, was designed and composed long before the Treatise entitled, the DANCING MASTER, appeared as we believe and that, having carefully perused and examined the same, we found that, on the twenty seventh Day of January, 1727-8, it was written in its present Form.
Witness our Hands,
ALEX. JACKSON,
JOSEPH JACKSON, Dancing-Masters.
The following CUTS represent the Figures of Gentlemen standing in the different Attitudes or Postures, from whence the Steps of Dancing are to be taken & performed; and the Steps are also described in Characters as going to be made by the said Figures, or as having been already performed by them.
The CUTS were originally designed not only for the better Explanation & Understanding of my Printed Book, intitled The ART of DANCING explained by READING and FIGURES, but likewise to be proper Furniture for a Room or Closet, being of themselves an intire and independant Work, for if put in Frames with Glasses, they will not only show the various Positions or Postures at one View, but be very agreeable & instructive Furniture.
The PLATE marked A. contains the Plan of Rooms in different Positions, shewing the upper & lower Ends, and the proper Place in which the Dancers ought to begin. The PLATES E.I. contain Tables of the Steps which the said Figures are supposed to perform in their regular Order, as treated in ye first Book which bears the Title aforesaid.
The Price of the CUTS belonging to the first and second Books without ye Printed Part is Two Guineas: and those who are willing also to purchase the latter, viz. the Printed Part, may have it of the AUTHOR at the Red and Gold Flower-Pot next Door to Widow EDWARDS's Coffee-House, over against the Bull and Gate in Holbourne, for Half a Guinea, pursuant to my Printed Proposals wherein I assured the Public, that the whole Work, except to Subscribers, should not be sold under Two Guineas and a Half.
June 26. 1735.
K.Tomlinson invt et delin.
R.W. Seale sculp.
The left Side.
The right Side.
The lower End.
The half Coupee tho’ avery agree able Step in Dancing as well as one of the &c.
The Coupee on the other hand is a Compound Step that is to say two Steps joined &c.
M. S. W.
Page B.I. P.I.
NB648648. Здесь и ниже: подписи под рисунком Each Plate represents three things, viz. The Music the Dance, and the Dancers. For the rest sec Plate V.&VII.
Page B.I. P.II.
To my Ever respected Scholar George Heneage of HAINTON in the County of LINCOLN Esq.r This PLATE is Gratefully inscribed by His very much obligedServ.t Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.III. To my much Honoured Scholar the R.t Hon.ble the Lord Howard, Son to the Earl of Staffod; This PLATE is humbly dedicated by his Lordships most obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.IV.
To my Honoured Scholars, the Hon.the THOMAS ASTON and the Hon.the JAMES ASTON, Sons to the LORD ASTON. This Plate _is with all gratitude inscrib’d By their most devoted Serv.t
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.V.
_Those who understand Music and ye Characters of Dancing will hear the former by the Sight of the Notes, & See ye various Turning and winding of ye latter in ye Characters belon, & in ye Figures ye graceful Attitudes of ye Dancers forming together not only a compleat entertainment of Music & Dansing
but also a fine picture.
Page B.I. P.VI. To my ever respected Scholars Nathaniel Curzon and Afsheton Curzon Esq.rs Sons to Sir Nathaniel Curzon of Kedleston in the County of DERBY, Bar.r This PLATE is most humbly
Kellom Tomlinson
Page B.I. P.VII. The figures to ye Music above & to ye Characters of Steps of Dancing belon shew, how they are connected or agree together$ & ye Figures to ye Characters, which are some of them upright & others ye wrong End upwards sideways? & c shews to which part of ye Room ye Beginning of ye Steps is performed, & ye Steps or Characters are placed upon ye Floor in perspective Manner entirely new.
Page B.I. P.VIII.
To the Honourable Charles Talbot and the Honourable John Talbot, Sons to the late Earl of Shrewsbury, this PLATE is humbly inscribed by their Honours most obliged Serv.t
K. Tomlinson
Page B.I. P.IX.
To my much respected Scholar Henry Hunloke Esq.r Son and Heir to Sir Windsor Hunloke of Wingerworth in the Country of Derby Bar.t and to Master Windsor his Brother this Plate is most gratefully inscribed by their ever obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson
Page B.I. P.X.
To my once Honoured Scholars the Marquiss de Seyssel, and the Count de Chattillion Sons of his Excellency the Marquiss d’_Aix _Envoy Extraordinary from ye KING of SARDINIA, to the Court of GREAT-BRITAIN in the years 1726, 1727, & 1728. This PLATE is most humbly Inscrib’d by, Their most obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.XI.
To Edward Blount of Soddington in the Country of Worcester Esq: Son & Heir to S.r Edward Blount Bar.t & to Master Walter his Brother. This PLATE is most humbly Inscribed by their most obliged Servant.
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.XII.
To Peter Giffard Esq:.r Son and Heir to Peter Giffand of Chillington in the County of STAFFORD Esq:r and to Master Thomas his Brother this PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their much obliged Servant.
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.XIII.
To my ever respected Scholar Thomas Greasley Esq: Son and Heir to Sir Thomas Greasley of Dracklow in the County of DERBY Bar.t and to his Brother, this PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their much obliged Servant.
Kellom Tomlinson
Page B.I. P.XIV. To my much respected Scholar James Mytton of Garth and Pontiscouerit in MONTGOMERYSHIRE Esq.r and Master Richard his Brother This PLATE is most humbly Inscribed by their ever obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.XV. To Corbet Owen of Yuysmaingynne MERIONETHSHIRE, and Riwsaison MONTGOMERYSHIRE, Esq.r & my much respected Scholar Master Richard his Brother This PLATE is most humbly Inscribed cheir most is Oblig’d Ser.t
Kellom Tomlinson
Page B.I. P.XVI. To my once Honoured Scholar Mademoiselle de Seyssel, Daughter to his Excellency the Marquiss D’Aix, Envoy extraordinary from the KING of SARDINIA to the Court of GREAT BRITAIN, in the years 1726, 1727 & 1728. This PLATE is humbly inscrib’d by Her most obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page B.I. P.XVII. The Explanation of the Letters in the above Tables F. Forwards. B. Backwards. S. Sideways. T.B. Twice Behind. M. March. P. Point. U. Upright. R. Round.
Page Whilst Tuneful Music gives the Ear Delight,
And Graceful Dancing charms ye ravish’d Sight,
They give a double Force to Cupid’s Dart;
Which through ye Eye, makes Passage to ye Heart.
The following CUTS represent the Figures of Gentlemen and Ladies, one of each in a Plate, as Dancing a Minuet, beginning from ye Reverence or Bow and proceeding regularly on ‘till the whole is finished; shewing the beautiful Attitudes and graceful Deportments of the Performers in the different Figures and Circles of that Celebrated Dance, they being of themselves an entire and independent Work.
These Print are also design’d as proper Furniture for a Room, as well as for the better Explanation of the second Book entitled, The ART of DANCING Explain’d by READING and FIGURES: and when hung up in their regular Order in Frames with Glasses, they will be a beautiful and instructive Represensation of the whole Dance at one View.
The PLATE marked O is a Specimen or Explanation of the Characters of Dancing; and that marked U contains the whole Form of the Minuet written in Characters in the Order described in the second Book under the Title aforesaid.
N.B. Both Sets of Cutts were invented and caused to be delineated from the Life by KELLOM TOMLINSON Dancing-Master.
Page To my once honoured Scholar the Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Heathcote, Daughter to the late Earl of Macclesfield, and Thomas Heathcote Esq.r her Ladyships Eldest Son, this Plate is most humbly inscribed by her Ladyship’s ever obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To my ever respected Scholars M.r Simon Every of Egington in the County of DERBY. Son to the Reverend Sir Simon Every Bar.t and Miss Ann Every his Sister. This PLATE is gratefully inscrib’d by their much oblig’d Servant.
Kellom Tomlinson
Page To my very much respected Scholar Legh Master Junior, of Newhall in Lancashire Esq.r and to Miss Elisabeth Master his Sister. This PLATE is most gratefully inscribed by their ever obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To my Ever Honoured Scholars the Honble Edward Aston Son and Heir to the Lord Aston, and the Honble Miss Aston his Sister, This PLATE is most gratefully Incribed by their Honour’s most Obliged Servant.
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To M.r Cotton, Son to Rowland Cotton of Etwall in the Country of DERBY Esq.r and to my much respected Scholar Miss Catherine Cotton, his Sister, this PLATE inscribed by their most obliged Serv.t
K. Tomlinson.
Page To the R:tHon:ble Brounlow Lord Burleigh Son to the Earl of Exter, and the Rt:Hon:ble the Lady Margaret Sophia Cecil his Sister; this Plate is most humbly Inscribed by their Honrst: most obligid Servant
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To the MostNobel & Puissant Lord George Tałbot, Earl of Shrewsbury & Baron Tałbot in ENGLAND, & Earl of Waterford & Wexford in IRELAND; & to my much Honoured Scholar ye Lady Mary Tałbot, his Lordships Sister, This PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their obliged Serv.t
Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To Gorbet Owen of Ynysmaingynne MERIONETHSHIRE and Riwsaison MONTGOMERYSHIRE Esq.r and my ever respected Scholar Miss Elizabeth Owen his Sister, this PLATE is gratefully inscribed by their most obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson
Page To my much honoured Scholar the most Nobel and Puissant Lord William Stafford Howard, Earl, Viscount and Baron of Stafford, and to the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Stafford, his Lordshi[f]is Sister, this PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their very much obliged Servt Kellom Tomlinson
Page To my once Honoured Scholars the Marquiss de Seyssell & Mademoiselle de Seyssel, Son & Daughter to his Excellency the Marquiss d’Aix late Envoy Extraordinary from ye KING of SARDINIA to ye Court of GREAT BRITAIN, & now Governour of MILAN: This PLATE is most humbly Inscrib’d by their most oblig’d Servt Kellom Tomlinson.
Page To the Honourable M.r Belasyse, and the Honourable Miss Belasyse, Daughter to Thomas Visscount Fauconberg, and my once honoured Scholar Catherine Viscountess Fauconberg, this PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their Honours very much obliged Servt.
Kellom Tomlinson
Page To the Hon.ble M.r de Courcy and the Hon.the Miss Mary Elizabeth de Courcy Daughter to the Lord Kingsale this Plate is, with great Respect, inscribed by their very much obliged Servant
Kellom Tomlinson
Page To my ever respected scholars, Henry Every of Edington in the County of Darby Esq.r Son and Heir to the Reverend S.r Simon EveryBar: and Miss Mary Every his Sister; this Plate is most humbly inscrib’d, by their very much Obliged Servant:
Kellom Tomlinson
Page To James Stanley Esq.r Son & Heir to S.r Edward Stanley Bar.t & to my much respected Scholar Miss Elizabeth Stanley his Sister.
This PLATE is humbly inscribed by Their most obliged Serv.t Kellom Tomlinson.
Page The NOBILITY and GENTRY, who are desirous their Children should the Characters of DANCING, of which the above is a Specimen, and willing to honour the Author in learning of him, shall pay no more than ye usual Prises for Dancing only, viz. at their own Houses one Guinea and an half 12 Lessons: and in Proportion, if they are pleased to come to him, for in his, for in his humble Opinion teaching to play by Ear and to Dance without Book are equally wrong & ought to be discontinued. Young Dancing Masters also may be instructed in the Art of Dancing & Writing by Characters.
Page The above is the whole Form and regular Order of the Minuet written in Characters & Figures, _as describ’d in Book II.
