How to Behave at a Ball

From The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan:

1)  Pin up your train - if your gown has a train, pin it up , or gentlemen will assume that you do not wish to dance.

2) Refuse strangers - at a public assembly, if a brash fellow with whom you are not acquainted asks you to dance, you must turn him down, however handsome he might be. Propriety demands that he seek an introduction from the master of ceremonies or a mutual acquaintance before he requests your company in a dance. However, at private balls, no introductions are required.

  The five postures of dancing.

3) Dance only with gentlemen - two ladies or two gentlemen should not stand up together unless one sex is greatly outnumbered, and even then permission should be procured from the master of ceremonies. (Chris' note: today it doesn't matter - everyone jumps in to make up the set.)

4) Take your place in the set- "set" refers to the group of dancers participating in a country dance, as well as the actual dance that they perform. Line up in two long lines facing one another, with ladies on one side and gentlemen on the other. (Chris' note: the top of the set is that nearest the musicians.)

5) Perform the dance that is called - the leader for a particular dance will decide the dance to be performed. Do not object to or attempt to change the dance. If you do not like the dance, you may sit down, but sitting down before the dan ce is completed is a breach of etiquette in itself. You will get a turn at leading the dance eventually, so be a good sport and go along with the crowd.

6) Maintain your complacence - serenity of countenance, elegant carriage, good posture, and grace movements show your respect for your company - both your fellow dancers and those watching the dance. Clapping, shouting, snapping your fingers, or other loud interruptions will mark you as vulgar and unaccustomed to good company (Chris' note: oops. Not so good at this one. Though no shouting or snapping was done, I assure you!)

7) Lead a dance if you are asked - new brides, a young lady just coming out, or a particularly honored guest might be asked to lead the first dance of a private ball (referred to as 'opening the ball'). At public assemblies, the master of ceremonies often will distribute numbered tickets to each lady. Before each dance, he will call out a number, and the lady with the matching ticket will lead the dance.

8) Remain with the same partner for two consecutive dances - if he asks you again, unless it is a very small ball, take that as a hint that he likes you.

9) Be polite to your supper partner - the gentleman with whom you are dancing just before supper, will sit with you while you are eating. At a public assembly, he will most likely fetch your tea things. Converse with him pleasantly. An especially clever young lady will contrive to have the most pleasant supper partner possible, though this is an advanced feat of timing. (Chris' note: this is a wonderful practice - why can't we resurrect it for school dances or at clubs. Can't you just see your dance partner at a punk rock club fetching the tea things?)

10) Thank your hostess - send her a note of thanks on the day after the ball to compliment her arrangements and thank her for her hospitality.

Another interesting bit about the 'democracy of the dance,' is that all classes danced, and as each couple worked their way up and down the set, they danced with every other couple, regardless of social standing (sometimes even servants, who were called in to make up a set if there weren't enough couples). In the dance you give each other your hands and everyone looks everyone else in the eye, putting everyone on equal footing.

This is such a marvelous book. I hope the author won't mind me sharing some of the info verbatim here.

Here's more info on history, etc.

English Country Dancing

Regency Dance  

Comments

[Gilberto]

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