with those of the Old Country. Dancing seems to be considered an edifying exercise. The Prophet dances, the Apostles dance, the Bishops dance. A professor of this branch of the fine arts would thrive in Zion, where the most learned of pedagogues would require to eke out a living after the fashion of one Aristocles, surnamed the "broad-shouldered." The saltation is not in the languid, done-up style that polite Europe affects; as in the days of our grandparents, "positions" are maintained, steps are elaborately executed, and a somewhat severe muscular exercise is the result. I confess to a prejudice against dancing after the certain, which we are told is the uncertain, epoch of life, and have often joined in the merriment excited among French folks by the aspect of some bald-headed and stiff-jointed "Anglais" mingling crabbed age with joyful youth in a public ball. Yet there is high authority for perseverance in the practice: David danced, we are told, with all his might, and Scipio, according to Seneca, was wont thus to exercise his heroic limbs.
Besides the grand fêtes at the Social Hall and other subscription establishments, there are "Ward Parties," and "Elders' Weekly Cotillon Parties," where possibly the seniors dance together, as the Oxford dons did drill—in private. Polkas, as at the court of St. James's, are disapproved of. It is generally asserted that to the New Faith Terpsichore owes a fresh form of worship, the Mormon cotillon—alias quadrille—in which the cavalier leads out, characteristically, two dames. May I not be allowed to recommend the importation of this decided improvement into Leamington and other watering-places, where the proportion of the sexes at "hops" rarely exceeds one to seven?
The balls at the Social Hall are highly select, and are conducted on an expensive scale; invitations are issued on embossed bordered and gilt-edged white paper, say to 75—80 of the élite, including a few of the chief Gentiles. The ticket is in this form and style:
PARTY AT SOCIAL HALL.
Mr. ................. and Ladies are respectfully invited to attend a
Party at the SOCIAL HALL,
ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1860.
Tickets, $10 (£2) per Couple.
| Mayor A. O. SMOOT, Marshal J. C. LITTLE, |
Managers. |
Committee of Arrangements.
| William C. Staines, H. B. Clawson, |
William Eddington, Robert T. Burton, |
John T. Caine, David Candland. |
Great Salt Lake City,
Feb. 1, 1860.
