TJNCHASTITY 231 



amount of immorality among what are known as the 

 higher classes, is every year increasing. Every now 

 and then a scandal in high life comes to the surface; 

 but the great mass of corruption is effectually hidden 

 from the general public. Open profligacy is of course 

 frowned upon in all respectable circles ; and yet wealth 

 and accomplishments will cover a multitude of sins. 



This freedom allowed to the vile and vicious is one 

 of the worst features of fashionable society. Such per- 

 sons carry about them a moral atmosphere more deadly 

 than the dreaded upas-tree. 



Round Dances.— Wliatever apologies may be of- 

 fered for other forms of the dance as a means of exer- 

 cise under certain restrictions, employed as a form of 

 calisthenics, no such excuse can be framed in defense 

 of ''round dances," especially of the waltz. In addi- 

 tion to the associated dissipation, late hours, fashion- 

 able dressing, midnight feasting, exposures through 

 excessive exertions, improper dress, etc., it can be 

 shown most clearly that dancing has a direct influence 

 in stimulating the passions, and provoking unchaste 

 desires, which too often lead to unchaste acts, and are 

 in themselves violations of the requirements of strict 

 morality, and productive of injury to both mind and 

 body. 



Said the renowned Petrarch, "The dance is the 

 spur of lust,— a circle of which the devil himself is 

 the center. Many women that use it have come dis- 

 honest home, most indifferent, none better." 



A Woman's View of Dancing.— We quote the 

 following from a letter written to a friend by a woman 

 of great ability and strength of mind, of unblemished 

 character and national reputation, and in response to 

 his request for her opinion of the dance. The state- 



