Question about dancing and balls

Posted by Tess on December 07, 1997 at 21:22:37:

I have been wondering how couples, when they stood up to dance, knew which dance to perform. Were the names of the dances announced before each one? Was there a "program" of sorts at balls? What if, heaven forfend, one stood up with a handsome young gentleman with 10,000 a year, only to find that when the music began, one knew neither the figures nor the steps to the dance? (Although I am sure this would not happen to any of Jane Austen's heroines!)

REPLIES:

• Also... Ann 22:12:54 12/07/97 (3)
  • Oops - clarification JennieC 13:50:18 12/08/97 (0)
  • They wrote reminders on their forearms . JennieC 10:40:23 12/08/97 (1)
    • Thanks for the info and link! (nfm) Tess 22:31:23 12/08/97 (0)

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