128 



voutly to be wished," that the rising generation on the Turf should 

 learn, from his good example, this valuable and becoming lesson, " win 

 or lose," always do so with equanimity. 



It is the opinion of many that the annual ball was fuliy equal, if it 

 did not exceed in attraction and brilliancy any that preceded it. The 

 rooms were well lighted, and the company was seen to the best advan- 

 age. Every shade and color of dress, blending harmoniously, height- 

 ened the tout ensemble, and produced an exhilarating effect. Youth and 

 maturer years were there, but although mothers and daughters were to 

 be seen, standing or sitting side by side, no age was visible, and the idle 

 gazer in such a company realized the idea of Burke, descriptive of the 

 court and one of the brilliant levees of Antoinette, where it is said, " the 

 daughter begins to bloom before the mother is content to fade," as if 

 there was hardly room in this wide world for two generations. 



The younger portion of the company entered into the pastime of 

 dancing con amore, particularly the modern Polka, which has now been 

 regularly established in our society as a very favorite dance, superseding 

 entirely the waltz of former years. 



The Polka, however, is not really a modern dance: — it seems to us 

 only a revival of, or return to 



" Lavoltas high, and swift Corantos" — 



a kind of turning French dance, in which, as Florio says, " the man 

 turns the woman round several times, and then assists her in making a 

 spring or Cabriole." 



I am not going to commit myself by expressing any opinion as to the 

 delicacy or beauty of these dances — the Redowa, the Polka, or Schot- 

 tische, or by whatever other name they are known in private society ; but 

 I cannot let the opportunity slip of hinting that " Professors of Danc- 

 ing" in New York are not going to stop at the Polka, but are about to 

 introduce a new style of Cotillion, called the Kiss Cotillions — the pecu- 

 liar feature of which is, that you kiss the lady as you swing corners. 

 The writer from whom I derive my information, announces that he is as 

 bachelor, and, like myself, a crusty sort of person, who never dances the 

 Polka, and does not approve of it, but yet would not mind waiving his 

 objections to the amusement, so far as to " swing corners" now and then 

 in a Cotillion ! 



There was, as usual at this entertainment, a splendid supper, which 

 included every delicacy, sumptuously provided in every respect — a 

 supper at which, although no Grace was said, the ladies sat down with 

 grace. Like Milton's angels, 



