The calls for the Sociable are:
The first two movements in the sociable are the same as before described.
All Ladies to the Right.—Four ladies balance to the right, turn and change partners, each lady taking the place of the next lady on the right.
This movement keeps all the couples in constant motion and calls for a continual change of partners. This is why, in a private dance, the sociable is always popular.
All Promenade.—Give both hands to partners and glide in a circle to the right, all around the set, till original position is reached.
The calls for the Lancers are:
Danced twice by head couples, except in “cross over,” when the second couple first pass between. The same for side couples.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—First and second couples simultaneously move forward four steps, and retire four steps.
Forward and Turn.—Repeat first movement, but instead of retiring, each gentleman first turns the opposite lady once with both hands, then all retire to places.
Cross Over.—First couple join hands and cross set. Second couple advances and separates to allow first coupleto pass between. On returning, the second couple join hands and the first couple separate, to allow second couple to pass between.
Balance to Corners.—All the ladies turn to the right and balance to gentlemen; all the gentlemen turn to the left and balance to ladies. Thus the lady of the head couple will balance with the gentleman of the third couple; the lady of the third couple will balance with the gentleman of the second couple, and so on. The “balance” is performed by taking four steps forward and retiring four steps, then again advancing and turning corner partner once with both hands and retiring to place.
Repeated by head couples and danced twice by side couples.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—First and second couples advance four steps and retire four steps.
Forward and Leave Ladies in Center.—Advance again, leaving ladies in center. Ladies turn and address partners, remaining back to back. Gentlemen retire to places.
Chassez.—Glide four steps to the right and return.
Turn Partners.—Gentlemen advance and turn partners to place with both hands.
Side Couples Divide.—The side couples separate, the gentleman of the third couple and the lady of the fourth joining the first couple, and the lady of the third couple and the gentleman of the fourth joining the second couple, thus forming two lines of four dancers each, facing each other.
Forward Again and Turn Partners to Places.—The two lines advance and each gentleman turns own partner to place.
The third and fourth times the figure is danced the head couples separate and join the side couples.
Repeated by head couples; danced twice by side couples.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—Advance four steps, retire four steps.
Forward and Address.—Advance four steps, address opposite partners and retire.
Ladies’ Chain.—As described in first figure of plain quadrille.
Danced twice by head couples and twice by side couples.
Head Couples to the Right.—First and second couples lead to the right and address third and fourth couples respectively. Then lead to the side couple on their left and address. Return to places and address partners.
Right and Left Across.—Same as in the first figure of the plain quadrille. The second time the head couples execute the figure, they lead to the couples on their left, instead of on their right, address and visit the couple on the right. When the side couples dance the figure they lead first to the right, then to the left.
Danced four times, each couple leading in rotation, the figure ending with right and left all around.
All Right and Left All Around.—All face partners, address, and join right hands. Pass partner, and give left hand to next person, right hand to next, left hand to next, and meet partner in opposite couple’s place and address. Pass partner again, and continue in the same manner, going around the entire circle, until original places are reached.
First Couple Face Out.—The first couple join hands and promenade or two-step in the center of the set, and return to their place, facing outward. Then the third couple take position behind the first, next follow the fourth couple, and the second couple remain in their place.
All Chassez Across.—The four gentlemen and ladies take four steps across—the gentlemen passing to the right behind their partners, then return with four steps to theleft. The four gentlemen retire, and step back to the left, and the four ladies repeat the movement to the right, forming in two single files, and facing partners.
First Couple Down the Center and Back.—The first couple join hands and promenade or glide down between the lines, and return to head of line and separate.
Forward and Back.—All move forward in two lines, advancing four steps and retiring four steps.
Forward and Turn Partners.—Advance again and turn partners to places. Give right hand to partner and stand in readiness for the right and left all around, with which the figure concludes.
This figure is repeated.
Head Couples to the Right.—The head couples lead to the right, the side couples advancing to meet them. Thus, first couple and third couple move toward each other, and simultaneously second and fourth couples execute same movement.
All Forward and Turn.—First couple and third couple again advance and turn opposite partners. Second couple and fourth couple the same.
Cross Over.—Forward again, the head couples passing through the side couples. On returning, the side couples pass through the head couples.
Places.—Return to places.
Balance to Corners.—Ladies balance to right, gentlemen to the left.
The head couples then lead to the left, the fourth couple advancing to meet them, and the second and third couples execute same movement. First and fourth couples and second and third couples continue to dance the remainder of the figure.
Danced twice.
The couples join hands, advance four steps and retire. Advance again, and leave ladies in center. Gentlemen join hands and chassez around ladies. Form basket, asbefore described, and all chassez in circle. Retire to places. All advance four steps and retire. Advance again, and leave gentlemen in center. Ladies join hands and chassez around gentlemen. Form basket. All chassez and retire to places.
Danced twice.
The four couples advance four steps and retire. Advance again and address. Four ladies cross right hands, walk halfway round set, turn opposite gentlemen with left hands, cross right hands again and walk halfway round to place. Repeat movement, with gentlemen crossing left hands in center.
Sometimes, when the gentlemen join left hands in center, they give disengaged arm to ladies, and either promenade around the circle, or promenade halfway, drop hands, ladies turn in, join right hands in center, and return thus to places.
Repeated by side couples, beginning by leading to the left, then to the right.
The first and second couples lead to and address couple on the right; then lead to the left, address, and ladies change partners, the lady on the right becoming the partner of the gentleman on the left, andvice versa. Turn partners to place. Then give right hand to partner and execute right and left movement as before described. Head couples then lead to the left.
Note.—In changing partners, gentlemen extend right hand, ladies left.
Danced four times, alternately by first four and sides.
After giving right hand to partner and passing halfway round set, stop at opposite partner, walk halfway round that partner and return, giving right and left hands in passing.
First Couple Face Out and Promenade.—The first couple promenade around inside of set, facing outward. Third and fourth couple fall in line, second couple bringing up the rear. All chassez across and return. All march, ladies moving to the right, gentlemen to the left, describing a semicircle, and halt in two lines facing each other. Both lines move forward and back. Forward again and turn partners to places.
The Glide, or Waltz, Lancers consist of figures similar to those of the plain lancers, but they are somewhat curtailed to allow the waltz movement to be introduced at intervals.
Repeat movement.
Danced twice by side couples.
Repeat movement.
Danced twice by side couples.
When all the ladies balance to the right they turn and remain with new partners, then waltz.
Repeat.
Danced twice by side couples.
Repeat.
Danced twice by side couples.
Third, second and fourth couples waltz inside set in rotation. The figure ends with right and left all around.
Danced four times.
All waltz around the room; or each set right and left all around.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same.
Head Couples Cross Right Hands.—Advance and cross right hands, the two gentlemen joining right hands above the ladies’ hands. All take eight steps to the left, half around, thus arriving at opposite sides of the set. Drop right hands, turn, cross left hands and take eight steps back to place.
Balance to Partners.—Partners face each other, advance four steps and retire four steps; turn partners with both hands.
Ladies’ Chain.—Opposite ladies advance, take righthands in passing, then join hands with opposite gentleman and turn half around, returning to places.
Half Promenade.—Partners join hands and cross to opposite side of set, turning to right in passing the opposite couple.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Head Couples Forward.—Advance four steps and retire; forward again and address, and retire.
Ladies Balance to the Right.—Each lady moves forward four steps to the gentleman on her right, and turns him with both hands, and remains at his side. In this manner each gentleman gets an exchange of partners.
All Promenade.—The four couples then promenade with their new partners.
This movement is repeated by the head gentlemen with their new partners; then the sides execute the same twice, which brings each lady to her own partner.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—Advance four steps and retire.
Forward and Dos a Dos.—Forward again, each gentleman going to the left of opposite lady, passing around behind her, back to back, from left to right, and retire to place.
Cross Over, First Couple Inside.—First couple join hands and cross over, passing between opposite couple.
Back Again, Second Couple Inside.—Second couple join hands and cross over inside opposite couple to place.
Balance to Corners.—Ladies advance four steps to the right; retire four steps. Advance again and turn gentlemen on their right and return to places.
All Join Hands, Forward to Center.—All joinhands, thus forming a circle, and take four steps toward center, and four steps back to place.
Forward and Turn Partners.—All, still with hands joined, advance four steps again and turn partners to places.
When the figure is repeated the second couple, in crossing over, pass inside first, and outside on returning.
Danced twice by head couples and twice by sides.
Four Ladies to the Right, Etc.—Each lady advances four steps to the gentleman at her right, turns with him, and takes his former partner’s place. Each gentleman then advances to the lady at his left, turns her and assumes her former partner’s side. This movement, repeated by both ladies and gentlemen, brings original partners together, but at the side of the set opposite to their original position. All then promenade entirelyaround the set. The second and fourth times the figure is danced the couples will be restored to their original positions.
Danced four times, each couple in turn leading with the promenade.
First Couple Promenade.—The first couple join hands, crossed, and promenade entirely around the inside of the set, returning to places.
Four Ladies Forward and Back.—The four ladies advance to center four steps and retire.
Four Gentlemen Forward and Back.—The four gentlemen advance to center four steps and retire.
All Balance to Partners.—Partners, facing each other, make four steps to the right and four to the left, and swing around with both hands.
Right and Left Half Around.—Each gentlemanholds his partner’s right hand, passing to the right; the lady passes outside to the left; the gentlemen give alternately left and right hands to the ladies in passing, until they meet their original partners halfway around. Then stop, take partners by the right hand, and swing once around.
All Half Promenade to Places and Turn Partners.—Partners join hands and promenade to places; then turn partners in places.
Chassez Across and Turn at Corners.—The gentlemen make four steps to the right, the ladies four to the left, and turn corners with right hands once around; all make four steps back to partners and turn them with left hands to places.
The figure is repeated, each couple leading off in the promenade in turn. Finish with all chassez and address.
The Glide Caledonians is similar to the Plain Caledonians, except that waltzing is introduced. All the movements have been described before. The calls are as follows:
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
The two Waltz Quadrilles are founded upon the Plain Quadrilles already described.
Side couples: the same.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Danced four times.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Repeat.
Side couples: the same twice.
Head couples repeat (bringing original partners together again).
Side couples: the same twice.
Ladies’ Grand Chain.—This is executed by the four ladies simultaneously. They cross right arms, each lady taking the hand of the opposite lady. With hands joined, ladies walk round, halting with opposite partners. Turn opposite gentleman with left hand, and return to place, crossing right arms in center as before and turning partner with left hand.
A variation of this figure is sometimes introduced as follows: When the exchange of partners has been effected, instead of resuming positions in quadrille, the head couples remain facing their respective side couples, and a “ladies’ chain” is made on each side of the quadrille by each two facing couples. There is no objection to this ifthere be plenty of room, but where limited, it is better to execute a “ladies’ grand chain” with the couples at their places.
As usual in all quadrilles, during the first eight bars of music, each gentleman addresses first his own partner, then the lady on his left.
Head couples repeat as they stand.
Side couples: the entire figure, twice.
Head Couples to the Right and Address.—The first couple moves to the right and stops, facing the third couple, and the second couple stops facing the fourth couple. All address.
Take Side Ladies and Go Opposite.—Retaining his partner’s right hand in his right hand, the first gentleman takes the third lady’s right hand in his left and conductsthe two ladies to the second couple’s place. In the same way the second gentleman leads his partner and the fourth lady to the first couple’s place.
Ladies’ Grand Chain (Without Gentlemen).—The four ladies cross over, touching right hands in passing. They then cross from side to side of the set, touching left hands. These two movements are repeated, ending with each lady standing in front of and facing her own partner.
All Chassez.—All take four steps to the right and four to the left, and then turn partners. This leaves the first couple in the second couple’s place, and the second couple in the first couple’s place; the side couples remaining in their proper places. The repetition of the figure restores the head couples to original positions. The figure is then danced twice with side couples leading.
This figure is danced four times, each gentleman and opposite lady commencing in turn.
First Gentleman and Second Lady Forward.—Turn with both hands, the gentleman half around, and the lady entirely around, and stop in center, both facing the first lady.
Cross Over and Turn With Left Hands.—The first lady passes between the couple in front of her, crosses over and turns second gentleman with left hand in second couple’s place; at the same time the first gentleman and second lady turn one another in first couple’s place.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—Head couples advance four steps and retire four steps to places.
Half Ladies’ Chain.—The first and second ladies cross over, touching right hands in passing, and turn partners to place with left hands.
All Chassez and Turn Corners.—All take four steps to right and turn corner partners with right hand.
Turn Partners to Places.—All take four steps back to place and turn partners with left hand.
The entire figure is performed four times, the first, second, third and fourth couples leading in rotation.
First Couple Forward.—The first couple walk four steps forward. The lady then turns facing her partner, who retires, with a bow, to place. The same movement is performed by each of the other couples in succession. This leaves the four ladies standing in the center, back to back.
Ladies Join Hands, Circle.—The ladies join hands and swing around in a circle to the left, ending face to face with partners, as before. Ladies then release hands.
Gentlemen Forward and All Address.—The four gentlemen step forward, each giving his right hand to his partner and his left to the lady at the left and address.
Balance and Turn Partners to Places.—Balance in position and turn partners to places.
Danced twice by head couples and twice by sides.
Head Couples Forward and Back.—The head couples walk four steps forward and retire four steps.
First Lady and Second Gentleman to Sides.—The head couples forward again; the first lady places herself on the left of the third gentleman; the second gentleman takes his position on the right of the fourth lady; the first gentleman and second lady return to their respective places.
Six Forward and Back, Twice.—The three on each side forward and back; repeat this movement.
Two Forward and Back.—The first gentleman and second lady (at top and bottom) forward and retire.
Two Forward, Address and Face Partners.—Thesame two forward and address, and each turns to the right, facing original partner.
Four Hands Half Around.—The four on each side join hands and swing half around in circle. Gentlemen release the hands of ladies on their left, and head couples retire to opposite places; the side couples remaining in original position.
Half Right and Left to Places.—Head couples cross over to their original places, joining right hands with opposite partners in passing, and each couple turns with left hands to places. Head couples repeat the figure, the first gentleman and the second lady joining the side couples at their left. The third time the figure is danced, the third lady and fourth gentleman join the head couples at their right. The fourth time, the third gentleman and fourth lady join the head couples at their left.
Head couples repeat the whole figure, with second gentleman and opposite lady.
Side couples: the same, twice.
Four Ladies to the Right.—Each lady takes four steps to the right, and turns the gentleman at her right with the right hand. Continuing all around the set in the same direction, she turns the next gentleman with the left hand, the next with the right hand, and, finally, her partner with the left hand.
First Gentleman and Opposite Lady Forward and Back; Forward and Swing to Face Partners.—The same two walk forward four steps, then backward four steps, forward again, join right hands and swing half round, so that each faces original partner.
Head Couples Chassez.—Four steps to the right; four to the left. Ending with turning partners to places.
Danced four times, head couples and side couples alternating in lead.
Head Couples Advance.—The head couples advance towards the side couples on the right, address, and step backward to places. Advance toward the left, address, and retire to places.
Head Couples Right and Left Across.—The first and second couples cross over; each gentleman and opposite lady touch right hands in passing, the gentleman then extends his left hand to his partner, turning her half round, occupying opposite couple’s place. This samemovement is repeated in returning, which brings the couples to their original positions.
All Waltz.—All four couples waltz around the set once.
Danced four times, the head couples and side couples alternating in lead.
The head couples walk forward four steps and backward four steps. The ladies then all pass to the gentlemen at their right, and all polka round the set with their new partners. The side couples, still with changed partners, then advance four steps and retire four steps, and the ladies each pass on to the next gentleman at the right. Each lady now occupies a position opposite to her original place in the set. All polka round the set again. Head couples forward and back, and the ladies pass again to the right. All polka round the set. Side couples again forward and back, and the ladies pass on to the right, and are thus restored to their original partners.
The first gentleman advances to the center of the set. The four ladies step forward and join hands, forming a circle around him. They then circle around to the left until opposite their own partners, when they turn partners to places. Finish by all waltzing around the set.
Danced four times, the head couples and side couples alternating in lead.
The head couples lead to the side couples at their right, address, and join hands with the side couples. The two circles of four each now slide around to the left twice (or once to left and once to right) and stop in original places. All then dance the mazourka once around the set.
Danced four times, heads and sides leading alternately.
The head couples forward four steps and back again to place. The first and second gentlemen then lead their partners to the side couples at their right, and, leaving them there, return to place. The three at each side then advance four steps, salute, and return to place. The four ladies cross right hands in the center of the set, and walk around in a circle until they reach their original places in the set. At the same time their partners dance around the set in the opposite direction, meeting their partners in original positions, and turning them to places.
This quadrille is dedicated to the National Guard and the United States Army. The first figure is dedicated to the National Guard, north; the second to the National Guard, south; the third to the National Guard, east; the fourth to the National Guard, west, and the fifth and last figure to the United States Army.
Cross Right Hands.—When side couples have led to the right and addressed couples there, the two ladies in each group join right hands and the two gentlemen do the same. With hands joined, they walk halfway around; then release right hands, turn, join left hands, and returnto position. All turn and form two lines. Balance and turn partners to places.
Danced four times, twice by head couples and twice by sides.
First and second times, head couples forward, back and turn; then side couples the same. Third and fourth times, side couples forward, back and turn; then head couples the same. First and third time, ladies to the center; second and fourth times, gentlemen to the center.
Ladies to the Center.—The ladies advance four steps and turn back to back.
Hands Around.—The ladies join hands and slide around to the right until they reach again the place from which they started, facing their partners.
Danced four times. First time, the first and second ladies forward and back and cross over; then side ladies the same. Second time, the first and second gentlemen forward and back and cross over; then side gentlemen the same. Third time, the third and fourth ladies forward and back and cross over; then head ladies the same. Fourth time, the third and fourth gentlemen forward and cross over; then side gentlemen the same.
The first and second ladies advance four steps and retire four steps, and then cross over, thus exchanging partners. The third and fourth ladies do the same. All address corners, then address new partners and turn new partners once with right hand.
Danced four times.
Form Two Lines.—Head couples separate from partners and join the sides; the first lady now goes to the left of third gentleman, and the first gentleman goes to the right of third lady; the second lady goes to the left of fourth gentleman, and the second gentleman goes to the right of fourth lady.
All Forward and Back.—The two lines advance and retire four steps, advance again and side couples retire to places. Head couples give hands to partners, advance two steps and retire two steps, then turn to places.
After the entire figure has been performed four times, address opposite.
The four ladies leave their partners, advance four steps to gentlemen at their right, address, and turn with right hand. They then pass on to the next gentleman, and so on around the set, turning original partners last. The first couple then join hands, their arms crossed. The first and second couples then cross over, the second couple separating to let the first couple pass between them. They then return to place, the second couple joining hands and the first couple separating. This is repeated by the third and fourth couples. All advance four steps to corner partners and turn with right hands; then take four steps back to original places and turn partners with left hands.
The Contra Dances take their names from the positions of the dancers, the wordcontrameaning “against” or “opposite to.” Instead of the partners standing side by side, they face each other, being arranged in two parallel lines, ladies on one side and gentlemen on the other.
This is one of the most lively of all the Contra Dances, and is a universal favorite. Form in sets of six couples, the six ladies ranging in line, and their partners ranging in another line, facing each other; the gentleman and lady of the head couple standing at the end of their respective lines at the top of the room. The space between the lines should be about four feet. The couples, for the sake of description, may be numerically designated first, second, third, and so on (in their order as they stand) to the last couple; the top and bottom couple being that couple which happens during the dance to occupy the position at top or bottomof the lines. Each couple in turn becomes top couple and bottom couple at least once during the progress of the dance.
First Gentleman and Last Lady Forward and Back.—The two take four steps directly towards each other and four steps backward to place, without turning.
First Gentleman and Last Lady Forward and Swing Right Hands.—The two dance forward to the center, join right hands, swing once around, and step backward to place.
First Gentleman and Last Lady Forward and Swing With Left Hands.—Exactly like preceding movement, only joining left hands instead of right.
First Gentlemen and Last Lady Dos a Dos.—They advance to middle, pass each other on right hands, move around each other to the right, back to back, without turning, and back, passing to left of each other, to places.
First Couple Turn with Right Hands.—The first gentleman and his partner join hands across the head of lines, turn fully once around, and drop right hands.
Separate and Turn Second Couple.—The gentleman joins left hands with second lady, and swings her half around; at the same time the first lady joins left hands withsecond gentleman and swings half around; the first gentleman and his partner meet, facing each other. The first couple repeat these movements with each other, and each succeeding couple until they reach the bottom. Then the first couple join hands and dance up the middle to their former places at the top. The gentlemen march to the left and the ladies to the right in line, and come up the middle to places. The top couple dance down the middle to the bottom and become bottom couple. Top and bottom couples begin the figure over again, and continue until the first couple have reached their places again at the top. Sometimes, in the march, when the first couple, having marched down the outside, meet at the bottom of the set, they stop, join hands and raise their arms, allowing all the other couples to pass under. This leaves them at the bottom of the lines.
The calls for the Virginia Reel are as follows:
First gentleman and last lady forward and back.
First lady and last gentleman the same.
First gentleman and last lady swing right hands.
First lady and last gentleman the same.
First gentleman and last lady swing left hands.
First lady and last gentleman the same.
First gentleman and last lady swing both hands.
First lady and last gentleman the same.
First gentleman and last lady dos a dos.
First lady and last gentleman the same.
First couple turn right hands.
Separate and turn second couple, left hands.
Turn right hands.
Separate and turn third couple, left hands.
And so on to the bottom.
Join hands and back to places at top.
All gentlemen to left, ladies to right, march down outside and up the middle.
Head couple down the middle to bottom.