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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1895)
l!S-Si THE COURJER 9 THE NEW DANCES. The hiBtory of dancing is very interesting, showing as it does, that the ancients placed a high value upon it as a form of exercise, and there are no ceremonies or religious rites of any antiquity in which there was not dancing. Egypt ascribes to herself the origin of the art, as being invented by tho Egyptian Mercury, who observed that the music used in tho sacrifices gave to tho body many different motions. Ho took thence the art by directing the motion of the feet to the artificial dance. That it was ho who first invented it, is presumedfrom his beingalways depicted with wings on his shoulders and heels. Ho taught tho people to uso it in religion, and this is further illustrated from tho practice of the Israelites, in their danc ing before tho golden calf. The Bible, which contains numerous references to dancing, des cribes how Miriam placed herself at the head of the women of Israel and led tho maidens in their dance. Plato said: Other animals want tho sense of ordor and disorder, but for having the gods for our companions we are given to numer ous harmonious, sweet and delightful senses, and they have taught us musical measure" and the soveral kinds of dancing." Dancing was in favor among the gods, and Apollo bears the titlo of "tho dancer" in the poems of Pindar, while in one of tho works of Homer hois represented as playing upon the harp and dancing at the same time. When Handel was asked to point out the peculiar taste of tho different nations in Europe, he ascribed the minuet to tho French, the saraband to the Spanish, the arietta to the Italian and tho horn pipe to the English. The jig, the strathspey and the reel may all be said to be national dances. The Highland fling is Scottish as surely as the sailor's hornpipe is English. America wiBe in her generations adapts a little from every dance, but has none that may be called national. A representative called 'upon Mr. Frank Kibbo at his academy and found that gentleman giving a leeron to somo hulics. "I am instructing them in tho 'Amsterdam, a new dnnce by Dods worth, and if you will watch the movements you will got some idea of tho dance." Tho graceful danco which followed resembled tho "oxford" minuet, but was more spirited in its evolutions. "What are somo of tho new dances that will be most popular this season?" "That is hard to say," Mr. Kibbo answered. "I can give you tho names, but as to whether thoy will bo very popular rests with the people. Very often the dance, which to the master's eye, seems a certain success, creates no impression upon the public mind. Elere are somo new dances which ar being taught at my school : First is tho 'Amsterdam,' sanctioned by the prestigo of the 400 in its ori ginal city. Now . ork. Next, tho 'Vartrity, composed by Prof. Davis of Toronto, Canada; the 'Varsouvienna Waltz;' 'Gavotto dor Kaiser in; 'National Quadrille;' tho 'Mazreda and tho waltz 'Oxford,' by Ross Granger of Ann Arbor. The last named waltz has already captured the fancy of dancers and become a great success." "What of tho popular dances of a few years ago, such as tho 'Bon Ton,' 'Oxford Minuet' and the 'Military Schottische?' " "They are quite dead now, for that class of dances rise and full in popular favor like tho songs of a day." "How about the two step? Will it be danced this season?" "Yes, but it will only last a year or two, when it will be dropped again. The two-step is nothing more than the old-fashioned galop; there is only a slight change in the music. "Where do the new dances originate?" "They are usually studies of young dancing masters. The East is very conservative, and cares little for anything beyond the waltz and polka. These dances, which last a season or two, seldom pass far beyond the liait of the school, whero they serve their purpose as an excellent discipline." Kansas Ci(y Ball Room. virim jBL LHUM-iij SOME OF LABOUCHERB'S APHORISMS. 1 "Gee whiz ! but this valise is getting heavy." Animosity is the mother of invention. Anything for a quiet lie. AH men are liars especially women. Little lies have long lives. Lie and let live. First detest and then detract. Society is paved with bad reputations. Every man is best known to his neighbors especially to the one who knows him least. Look not a good lie in tho mouth. Thres women and a liar make a slander. No lies, no gossip. Since tho fall we all fall, but some fall on their feet. Slanderers are always abovo suspicion . Never listen to two sides of a story the second story spoils the first. "-JjL 4 itL 2-1 guess this little bracer will strenghten me up again. 3-Gracious ! I'm feeling bettea already 4-and the valise as light as a feather. Nothing like it. 'HilL;lTLa. ' l'JrlES