| Citation |
PGCJ.763.008
29 Jan 1763:32,33 (15)
In consequence of an advertisement inserted in your paper,
for the encouragement of a person that understands dancing,
&c. to come and set up a school in this town, I was
surprised to see (in your last) some ludicrous thoughts and
observations, calculated to set that commendable diversion
in an unfavorable light, by endeavouring to shew the
destructive consequences of dancing-schools in every place
where they are encouraged. I could not imagine that any
person could cavil at an art that renders mankind so
agreeable, and is essentially innocent.
I shall not pretend to prove the necessity or propriety
of a dancing-school in this place, but as the author of
those observations, seems to fall so abruptly and indecently
upon the fair sex, defenceless they are from violence, I
think it but generous, to endeavour to relieve them, in some
measure, from the indignity thrown upon them: For, upon an
impartial examination, we shall find but little room for so
many ungenerous reflections, which the author of that piece
has took the liberty, by such base insinuations, to eclipse
their innate lustre: For to them we are indebted for the
politeness and engaging behavior, which constitute the
pleasures and felicities of a civil life.
In regard to dancing, it is an amusement neither faulty
in itself, nor unlawful; and I dare say, the gentleman that
speaks so bitterly against it, knows very little of the
matter but by hearsay, and is prepossessed against it by
mere prejudice; otherwise he could not look upon dancing as
inconsistent with modesty, or blame an art, that can change
a romp into a polite lady, that can give a genteel, free
air, to the most awkward creature imaginable; in short, an
art that is capable of working wonders: --And instead of
that ridiculous formality, for which some, of both sexes,
are so peculiarly remarkable, they will become masters and
mistresses of qualifications, that must render them easy to
themselves, and agreeable to all around them. --As a piece
of marble newly hewn out of the rock, rough and unpolished,
which had it continued in native form, would have been
wholly disregarded: but no sooner is it polished, than a
thousand latent beauties appear, and plainly shew, that
nature sometimes requires assistance. --That a dancing-
school or ball, should be a scene of lewdness, is to me the
greatest absurdity in nature! What effect dancing may have
on the vulgar, I can't say, but modesty and exactness are
the peculiar characteristics of a regular school or
assembly. --Is it possible for the most morose people to
cavil, at what renders their children social and agreeable?
Those that do, in my opinion, must either be misers, or
people of very loose morals. The first don't care to part
with his darling money, and thence proceeds his aversion.
The latter is a wretch, that looks upon every one as guilty
as himself, and conscious of his own weakness, thinks every
one as liable to catch fire as he is.---I have often taken
notice, that those mighty serious persons, who can't bear
the thoughts of a ball or dancing-school, find no remorse in
degrading themselves below the brute creation; will, with
impunity, attend the feasts of Bacchus, till they have lost
their reason, and under the screen of night, reel home; a
most shameful sight to every truly sober person!---I advise
those who have an aversion to dancing, to read the
Spectator's sentiments on that amusement, and I am
persuaded, they can't deny but that it is a noble art,
teaching mankind to move agreeable to the cadence of music,
and both laudable and beneficial.
As for the encouragement of industry and manufactory, the
proposition is very commendable, and I could wish to see
them propagated both in men and women: But I must observe,
in favor of the latter, that it is a remark frequently made
by foreigners, that the industry of the women in this
country, surpasses the oeconomy of the men; and in fact,
there are but few points in which the ladies seem to be
inferior. --But, to conclude, as excess in all things is
condemnable, so dancing or any other innocent recreation, or
even the most useful employments in life, ought not to be
without bounds, or engross too much of our attention from
more exalted pursuits, which, on all occasions, we ought to
guard against, till we cease to be.---
Your constant reader and humble servant, Providence,
Jan. 28, 1763. [signed] Philander.
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