We should
find disappointment and discontent often throwing irritable matter upon
the mind. Men, fond of dancing, frequently find an over proportion of
men, and but few females in the room, and women, wishing to dance,
sometimes find an over proportion of women, and but few men; so that
partners are not to be had for all, and a number of each class must make
up their minds to sit quietly, and to loose their diversion for the
night. Partners too are frequently dissatisfied with each other. One
thinks his partner too old, another too ugly, another below him. Matched
often in this unequal manner, they go down the dance in a sort of
dudgeon, having no cordial disposition towards each other, and having
persons before their eyes in the same room with whom they could have
cordially danced. Nor are instances wanting where the pride of some has
fixed upon the mediocrity of others, as a reason, why they should
reluctantly lend them their hands, when falling in with them in the
dance. The slight is soon perceived, and disgust arises in both parties.
Various other instances might be mentioned, where very improper passions
are excited. I shall only observe, however, that these passions are
generally stronger and give more uneasiness, and are called up to a
greater height, than might generally be imagined from such apparently
slight causes.
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