Five Requisites for Dancers - 1890

Every so often, I read a dance manual where the writer's personality shines through. Other times, a manual shows just a glimpse of frustration.

The following list is asking for a lot. It's not trivial to agree to be alert, prompt, silent, obedient  and willing to sacrifice. On the other hand, everyone in the room needs to contribute to make a dance go smoothly, and these five things are exactly the things that are needed.

They are also the things that a dance caller needs to ask for. Repeatedly.

Frustration? Maybe a little...

 

FIVE REQUISITES FOR DANCERS.

BY PROF. R. G. HUNTINGHOUSE.

1. Alertness —each dancer being at all times awake to the duties required of him or her.
2. Promptness in taking places for the execution of a figure.
3. Silence and attention during figures.
4. Obedience at all times to the conductor during the management of a dance.
5. Willingness to sacrifice momentary personal pleasure for the good of others.

(Kopp, E. H.,The American prompter and guide to etiquette. Cincinnati : The J. Church Co., 1896 p. 14.)