waltzing
Posted by Patricia Bingham on November 16, 1997 at 03:13:13:
In response to Waltzes revisited - Almacks/permission, written by Peggyn on October 23, 1997 at 15:55:55
Dear Peggy,
Regarding the Waltz, it was introduced in England as early as 1791, in an earlier form, a form of waltz that had no scandalous close hold, but gradually did become more intimate. Countess Lieven introduced the waltz only formally in 1813, that is to say, she introduced it to "fashionable society," her own peers at Almack's.
As far as waltzing in the country, Almack's rules would not have travelled that far. The waltz was still frowned upon, however. But a girl would not be ruined for it.
I'm not absolutely certain when a young lady no longer needed permission to perform the dance but I would assume it was after the Prince Regent gave it his formal blessing in 1816. It was still condemned by the Times, however, and parents were warned to protect theri daughters from it.
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