University of Virginia Library

A WORD ABOUT THE POLKA AND POLKISTS.

Steele was the elegant apologist for dancing, in
his day; and a certain Mr. Jno. Weaver, who so
far worked himself into the good graces of the Spectator,
as to secure a puff for his book, was the historian
of the dance. But in that time, with all

their kissing cotillions, and Sir Roger de Coverleys,
they were not advanced enough for a
Polka.

This triumph of Terpsichorean art was reserved
for a more enlightened age, and has yet to secure
its classic historian, and its moral advocate. It is
surprising, indeed, that while we are in the possession
of such poets as the author of Liberty's
Triumph, its evolutions are not moulded into an
epic; and there are moral and classic essayists about
the town, who would add hugely to their fame, by
letting slip their didactic periods upon a topic so
level to their qualities. And a book, of whatever
character, would only need a bravura from every
polkist, to make a din that would deafen the whole
town into acquiescence.

The rage, indeed, for the whole family of polkas
is most infectious; and not only has it taken educational
possession of Misses who have not cast their
nursery strings, but it has smitten men grown
gouty; and ladies, who can scarce maintain their
hold upon the charitable side of forty, in the intoxicating
eccentricity of the polka, revive their youth,
and in its pleasant delirium, cheerfully forget their
years. It has even made its appearance in the
streets, and at the circus; and the polkas made up,
for a long time, the musical stock of the performers

at the Anatomical Museum. Traces of the polka
movement may be seen even on the public walk,
and in the periodic and luxurious oscillations of the
figures of our belles at the Opera, and Grace
Church; the springy, elastic, and long-continued
salute of a lady seems to have its accomplishment
under the influence of a certain volatile, polka
element, which pervades the system, and gives a
well-timed, though highly-eccentric vibratory action
to the nerves. I cannot well say, but think it
highly probable, that the movement may have
found its way into domestic arrangements, and the
baby be lulled, the dumb waiter rise and fall, and
the cook stove rotate—polka-wise.

One or two strolling Italians have taught the
polka action, with great effect, to tame monkeys;
the hint should not be lost upon such young gentlemen
as find, now that the ball season is over, their
occupation gone. And from not a little careful
observation, I am disposed to think that they would
meet with far greater success in the ring, than they
have ever found at the bar.

A new polka has latterly engrossed the attention
and study of our town ladies; and though some of
the old women, who are not apt to learn, are condemning
it as a little too free in its movement, it is
all the more admired by the established belles. It

must be confessed, however, that a little prudery
is just now spreading among the young ladies;
gentlemen are absolutely required to withdraw
their arms from the waists of their partners within
three minutes after the close of the music; and
this upon penalty—of having to dance the next
set. Several of my acquaintances, in an access of
virtuous resolve, have sworn off from polking with
gentlemen they do not know, for the rest of the
season: this is not understood, however, to embrace
the watering-place campaign.

What the old gentlemen will do in time, I can
hardly imagine. A jig, or a cotillion, was not so
difficult a matter for them as to forbid their wearing
a creditable air of agility. The polkas are too
eccentric; the whist-tables are scouted; and as for
standing about the walls, in imminent danger from
the dripping candles, and with corns cruelly jammed
by those fellows who give effect to the music,
by an occasional thump with their heels, it is not
to be thought of.

Unfortunately for them, too, the Polkas are
rapidly multiplying; as much in eccentricity, as
in number. And after the success of the `Tip-top'
Polka, we shall look with interest for the introduction
of a `How d'ye do' and a `Kiss me if you
can' Polka. There's nothing like novelty in an

accomplishment of this sort; and after dancing
one's breath out to an old tune, it is quite surprising
how some fresh air will set a body going.

A little modest dance has been thrown in on occasions,
for entracte at the new Opera; but it
quite shies the matter; the man is too coy, and the
woman wears too many flounces, to make the affair
taking.

Touching the matter of polking, I have received
this bijou of a letter:—

As I neither know the church, or the `set' of
my good-natured correspondent, I shall fling out a
few opinions of various complexion, by which her
mamma can help herself toward forming a healthful
judgment, and fixing the line of duty beyond
all possible cavil.

The Presbyterian Elder abhors the Polka from

his soul, and thinks it a device of Satan, to carry
off souls in a whirl-a-gig. He has almost as bad
an idea of polka dancers, as of the polka itself.
He thinks dancing-masters emissaries of Belial,
who are supported by stated contributions from
the world of darkness. In short, he thinks nothing
more demoralizing in its tendency, unless it be the
fancies of the Ecclesiologists, or a cross upon a
church gable.

A mother of six daughters, and of easy Religious
faith, encourages the polka, as she believes it
cultivates grace of limb, and brings young people
together into a proper degree of familiarity, which
may ripen into matrimony—which is the true and
natural state of the human family, as there is no
denying.

A young lady of retiring habits is opposed to
the polka from principle, though she does not object
to a stray turn with Cousin Harry. As she
doesn't take lessons, she is rather out of step,
which has a tendency to confirm her principle.

A stiff prigg, who smells of book-covers, sneers
at the polka as an absurdity, which no sensible
man would abandon himself to; and which puts a
person in a very ridiculous, not to say awkward
and embarrassing position.

The debutante is delighted with it, as one of the
most fascinating pursuits in life; and looks forward
to a brilliant stretch of years, made bright
with thousands of interesting polkas.

A high church Divine looks upon the dance, as
scripturally emblematic of joy, and by natural
reasoning, regards the polka as ecclesiologically emblematic
of ecstasy. He does not believe in reducing
proprieties to abstract forms, without any of
the pleasing graces of typical attachments, and
well-ordered ceremonial. The white robes of the
dancers are clearly emblematic of innocence; and
as such will have efficacy, by virtue of association,
in screening the polkists from any impure thoughts
or desires; at least they ought to have such efficacy,
and perhaps do. Let the form, and the coloring
be right, and the accessories will take care of
themselves. `Heaven has made us, and not we
ourselves.'

And now, Fritz, John Timon takes the liberty of
asking the pert and homely question—if the free
and careless handling of our town-ladies, by every
booby who can boast a boot, or a fringed cravat, is
not in the minds of many sensible ones, weakening
the delicacy and the beauty of that respect, which
every gentleman desires to feel for the other sex?

Is it not making common, what is most valued
when uncommon?

It is an undeniable fact that there is a freedom
in the approach to unmarried ladies at our balls,
which cannot be found elsewhere in the civilized
world, except indeed at the public gardens of Paris,
or the Assembly-rooms of the German Spa. The
world is on the gain I know; and we affect to lead;
the waltz was stoutly combated on its introduction
to the salons of Paris, by no less a person than
Madame de Genlis; and Byron even uses strong
language in disgust for,

But is it not worth inquiry, if we are not rounding
our habit into too much wantonness in this
thing? One would suppose indeed, that brothers,
if not fathers, would place some limit to this luxury
of indiscriminate intimacy.

Do not suppose, Fritz, that with the canker of
years upon me, I am enjoying a fling at an accomplishment
which can no longer be mine. It is not
the dance, nor even the polka that is condemned;
for both are accomplishments of grace; it is only
the license that is growing out of their abuse. I

would fain cherish, even in the decline of life, a
tender and delicate respect for that sex, whose
highest charm is modesty, and whose richest glory
is a spotless virtue.