The Modern Dances/Chapter 1
Introduction
At the outset I wish to emphasize one point most emphatically. The new dances are not improper dances. On the contrary, they are just as proper and graceful as the time-honored waltz and two-step, and far more interesting, both to young and old, than their predecessors ever were.
To the fact of their almost instant popularity is probably due the storm of criticism which arose against them. Taken up at once by all sorts and conditions of people, they were danced in public by plenty of well-meaning persons with no thought?of impropriety, but without sufficient knowledge and experience to direct them into the proper positions or correct steps.
The greatest criticism has been caused, however, by the fact that the new dances were performed very generally by those whose performance of any dances would be improper and in many cases even suggestive.
That this, however, has not militated against the dances themselves, is proved by their increasing popularity among refined people of all ages.
Public sentiment is placing the stamp of approval more strongly every day on the new dances. Chiefly so because the best teachers in all parts of the country now know where they stand and are teaching the positions and steps as they should be done.
The popularity of these dances is due very largely to the fascination of the endless variety of pretty, graceful steps and figures which can be interpolated into them. Many of the figures are widely known and are designated by names such as the "Lame Duck," "The Twinkle," and so on, but in reality the number of figures which can be woven into practically all of these dances is only limited to the ingenuity of those performing them.
Their popularity, therefore, is well deserved, while the criticism which in some instances has been so severe, is certainly not warranted by the dances as dances.
If the poses shown in this book are carefully observed, and the instructions, both general and specific, are followed, these dances will be performed in a manner which cannot possibly provoke unfavorable criticism.
I have made no attempt in this book to teach stage dancing. On the contrary, all of these dances with their many figures can be performed at any dancing party and even on a crowded floor.