The Perfection, which Dancing is now come to in England, seems to point this Time out at the fittest Juncture, for the Publication of a Book of this Nature; since we now enjoy in this Nation, Performers and Masters of greater Excellence than any other part of Europe; who shew every Beauty of the Art in its full Glory and Perfection. For whoever shall consider the Masterly Compositions of Ball-Dances by Mr. Isaac, which are so well adapted to the manner of our School-teaching, (peculiar to England, no other Nation having any such thing as publick Dancing-Schools) whoever shall see the admirable Compositions of Mons. L’Abbé in Ballet, and his Performance, with that of M. Desbargues, M. Du Ruel, and M. Cherrier, can hope to see nothing in this Art of greater Excellence, unless any wonderful Genius should arise, and advance this once celebrated Art to that Perfection, which drew the Eyes, and employ’d the Pens of the old Greeks and Romans; a lively Description of which, the Reader may see in this Epigram, by an unknown Hand
Mascula foemineo derivans Pectora Sexu,
Atq; aptans lentum Sexum at utrumq; latus,
Egressus Scenam Populum faltator adorat
Solerti pendet predere verba Manu.
Nam cum grata Chorus diffundit cantica dulcis
Quæ resonat Cantor, motibus ipse probat.
Pugnat, ludit, amat, Bacchatur, Vertitur, adstat,
Illustrat verum, cuncta decore replet.
Tot Linguæ, quot Membra viro, Mirabilis est Ars,
Quæ facit Articulos voce silente loqui.
From this Epigram, it is plain, that the ancient Dancing had something more than Motion, Measure, and Figure, and express’d the Passions and Actions of Mankind, was a sort os silent Poetry, and the Painting, tho’ without Colours, so expressive, as to touch and charm every Beholder.
There will be no need to enforce the Use of this Art, and by Consequence recommend the Book that teaches it, to all Lovers of Dancing, since it carries its own Evidence with it self, and has already convinc’d them of its Benefit and Advantage; and I question not but others will find the same Satisfaction from their Study, which I have done, since by a close Application to this Character, I have made such a Progress in it, as to be able to communicate all Dances to the rest of the Profession at any Distance. I have a great deal of Reason to believe, that had not I first undertaken to make Mons.Feuillet speak English, this Character had yet a longer while remain’d a Secret to this Nation; those who had made their private Market of it, not being willing to admit any Rivals in an Art, which chiefly distinguish’d them from others of their Profession.
I must undeceive some, who may perhaps mistake the Design of the following Treatise, and take it for an Instruction, or some Improvement in the Art of Dancing, or Method of Teaching. But I must assure them, that I am not yet Master of Vanity enough to venture upon a Task so difficult, and so invidious, since I am of Opinion, that there are not better Masters for instructing Scholars in a genteel Movement and Address, than the English.
I shall not therefore detain the Reader any longer in the Porch, but leave him now to enter, and improve.
Ingredere ut proficias.
A List of the Dancing-Masters,
Subscribers to this Undertaking.
| A Monsieur L’Abbé. B Mr. Bosely of Norwich. C Mr. Tho. Caverly. Mr. Ant. Caverly. Monsieur Camille. Monsieur Cherrier. Mr. Claxton. Mr. Coucb. Monsieur Cottin. Mr. Counley of Barbadoes. Mr. Cragg. Mr. Christian. D Monsieur Debargues. Mr. Delamain of Dublin. Monsieur Le Duc. Mr. Douson. E Monsieur D’Elisle. Mr. Essex. G Mr. Groscourt. Mr. Gery. | H Mr. Walter Holt, Sen. Mr. Walter Holt, Jun. Mr. Rich. Holt. Mr. Heale of Salisbury. I Mr. Isaac. L Mr. Lally. Mr. Char. Lewis. N Mr. Nicholson. O Mr. Orlabeer. P Mr. Pawlet. Mr. Pemberton. Mr. Porter of Darby. Mr. Pritton. R Monsieur Du Ruell. Mr. Rogers. S Monsieur Serancour. Monsieur L’Sac. Mr. Sexton of York. Mr. Shirley. |