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THE COUKJER
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The following as to favors and new
figures for tho cotillon mav bo of in-
I Lj7fl"'l tcrcst to devotees of the dance. The
K. BW favors mav bo mere trifles, a vinaieretto
for instance, or costly gifts boquet
holding a jewel in its heart. The
.- figures for tho german, however, aro
more difficult to arraugo than are the gifts. Tho one who invents a
new figure is usually regarded as a benefactor to the world the
world of dancers.
Tho bell figure is an amusing one, which can be gotten up
without any previous arrangement beyond providing a small hand
bell.
A chair is placed in the middle -of the room, on which some cava
lier take? his seat, bell in hand. This he rings at intervals, till some
lady comes up to invite him to dance. One youth whose patience
was tried by being left to toll the bell too long a time, finally settled
the matter by seizing the bell with both hands and clanging away
with such force that in self defense half a dozen young women rush
ed up to urge their hands upon him. Another man, whose years
permitted this pleasantry, had hardly sounded the call before a bevy
of girls, at a sign from the leader, crowded around, presenting an
embarrassing wealth of choice A flute or a whistle may be sub
stituted for tho bell.
Tho fencing figure is quite novel; it was introduced at a ball given
by tho Marchioness of Dufferin, but has nevr been attempted at
any cotillon given in this country. It, however, can only be suc
cessfully carried out by those who understand fencing, an accom
plishment not so rare in these athletic days.
A little powder puff, liberally sprinkled, is fixed to the end of the
foil. This leaves its snowy mark on the opponent's coat each time
the successful man pricks him. and when a vital part is touched the
weapons are dropped and tho victor waltzes away with his prize.
Half a dozen couples may try this at a time, if the foils are plenti
ful. In the pyramid figure ten ladies stand in the center of the room;
four in the first line, three in the next, then two, then one. There
should be a space of two feet between them. In and out of this
twines a line of a dozen men, hand in hand. When tho leader claps
his hands each seizes the lady of his choice and dances with her.
The door figure is one which requires some previous arrangement,
although not an elaborate amount. Light doorways made of laths
of wood nailed together, covered by tissue paper, each door having
a different color; the frame work of tho door is covered with color
in order to make the scene as gay as possible. These are placed at
intervals down the middle of th room a'nd held in position by two
of the company. The dancers then waltz down the room, rushing
through each of the delicate obstacles in turn.
The most effective or striking figure should always be reserved
for the concluding one. The snow fall figure is very suitable for
this purpose; indeed, for obvioiiB reasons, it must come at the end of
the evening.
A number of balls filled with tiny fragments of white paper and
covered with tissue paper aro thrown at a given signal into tho air
and Tall in a shower of snow, through which, at the magic word
"cotillon," all dance.
For tho auction figure six rosettes with numbers are given to the
ladies. The auctioneer requires six bonbonnieres, numbered and
filled with sweets, and a gavel. Six ladies choose twelve gentlemen
and the auctioneer begins. Tho bonbonnieres are sold one after
another to the highest bidder, no gentleman being allowed to buy
more than one. After tho sale the bonbonnieres are presented to
the ladies whose numbers correspond. The men who bave been un
able to secure boxes of sweets have to withdraw while tho rest con
clude tho figure with a dance.
The rhyming figure is extremely unpopular with tho man who
has no poetry in his soul. A lady invites a gentleman to dance. If
he cannot respond in ryhrae on the instant she passes to another,
and soon until some embryo poet is discovered. The figure is the
opportunity or otherwise for tho "mute, inglorious Miltons," with
which the world is gonerally supposed to be well supplied.
Tho mariner's compass is a charming figure, somewhat similar to
the ever popular May pole. To a high pole is attached the dial of a
largo compass mado of painted cardboard, to which are jtied
thirty-two long variegated ribbons, on each of which is inscribed
one of the thirty-two points of the compass. This card is soon sur
rounued by cavaliers wearing as a badge a miniature compass held
with a colored rosette; behind this ring a second is formed by tho
young women, who each catch hold of a ribbon, at the end of which
is attached some pretty tritlo as a gift. They then turn around,
but in an opposite direction from tho men, until suddenly, at a word
from the leader, the double circle is broken, when the players divide
in couples everyone showing a different shade; then follows tho
waltz
A word about favors. Sachet bags, bonbonnieres, powder puffs,
fans, whips, tobacco pouches in fancy shades, ribbons strung with
silver bells, these are dainty trifles procured without too great ex
pense. Long shepherd's crooks of pure silver, band screens of lace
and ivory, beautiful fans of long ostrich plumes with handles of
carved mother of pearl, cut glass vases are also very charming as
gifts, but as Mrs. Carlyle's maid would say, "very expensive.''
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wheeler, Jr., of Omaha, spent Sunday in the
city.
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Branch have returned from St. Louis, where
thoy attended the marriage of Mr. Henry Branch.
Charles C. Frease, of Napoleon. Ohio, who was in the city tho
guest of Lt. L. H. Austin, left for his home last Saturday.
.
1. "Instead of saying 'go in that di
rection,' I will say to the rear march,'
and you will immediately turn and walk
rapidly from me.' Now! To the r--a-r!
XL vT ' A 53i ?
A STRONG ATTACHMENT FOR
HIM.
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ODlxe Glotoe Olotlxinfi: House, IOth dte O Streets.
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