Posted by The Mysterious H.C. on July 07, 1997 at 23:09:11:
In reply to Regency Dancing... posted by La Dem on July 07, 1997 at 15:48:57
] I am curious as to when the Waltz actually became popular. I've read/seen the Waltz being danced in some of these Regency period movies/books. I always thought that the Waltz was from the Victorian Era (or at least after 1820), and that Regency dancing took the form of Quadrilles, etc. in which there isn't as much physical contact as in the Waltz.
I read somewhere that the Waltz came in at the beginning of the 1810's in London; I would guess it wasn't a steady ballroom staple among the country gentry until a little later -- though Jane Austen does mention the walz in Emma, published 1816:
VOLUME IICHAPTER VIII
Mr Knightley grew angry.
"That fellow," said he, indignantly, "thinks of nothing but shewing off his own voice. This must not be." And touching Miss Bates, who at that moment passed near -- "Miss Bates, are you mad, to let your niece sing herself hoarse in this manner? Go, and interfere. They have no mercy on her."
Miss Bates, in her real anxiety for Jane, could hardly stay even to be grateful, before she stept forward and put an end to all farther singing. Here ceased the concert part of the evening, for Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were the only young lady performers; but soon (within five minutes) the proposal of dancing -- originating nobody exactly knew where -- was so effectually promoted by Mr. and Mrs. Cole, that every thing was rapidly clearing away, to give proper space. Mrs. Weston, capital in her country-dances, was seated, and beginning an irresistible waltz; and Frank Churchill, coming up with most becoming gallantry to Emma, had secured her hand, and led her up to the top.
[...]
CHAPTER XThe appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
[...]
He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter; to escape a little from the latter, he went to the pianoforte, and begged Miss Fairfax, who was still sitting at it, to play something more.
"If you are very kind," said he, "it will be one of the waltzes we danced last night; -- let me live them over again. You did not enjoy them as I did; you appeared tired the whole time. I believe you were glad we danced no longer; but I would have given worlds -- all the worlds one ever has to give -- for another half-hour."
She played.
"What felicity it is to hear a tune again which has made one happy! -- If I mistake not that was danced at Weymouth."
She looked up at him for a moment, coloured deeply, and played something else.
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