_
As the Quakers have thought it right to prohibit music, and
stage-entertainments, to the society, so they have thought it proper to
prohibit dancing, none of their children being allowed any instruction
in the latter art.
It is remarkable that two of the most civilized nations, as well as two
of the wisest men of antiquity, should have differed in their opinions
with respect to dancing. The Greeks considered it as a wise and an
honourable employment; and most of the nations therefore under that
appellation inserted it into their system of education. The name of
dancer was so honourable, as to be given to some of their gods. Statues
are recorded to have been erected to good dancers. Socrates is said to
have admired dancing so much, as to have learnt it in his old age.
Dancing, on the other hand, was but little regarded at Rome. It was not
admitted even within the pale of accomplishments. It was considered at
best as a sorry and trivial employment. Cicero says,
"Nemo, fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit, neque in solitudine,
neque in convivio honesto." That is, "No man dances, in private, or at
any respectable entertainment, except he be drunk or mad."
We collect at least from the above statement, that people of old, who
were celebrated for their wisdom, came to very different conclusions
with respect to the propriety of the encouragement of this art.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116