OR,

The ART of DANCING

BY

Characters and Demonstrative Figures.

By which any Person, who understands Dancing, may of himself easily learn all manner of Dances.

The Explanation of the Terms belonging to DANCING, seem to be altogether needless, since they are so plain and intelligible of themselves: But lest the Reader should put wrong Constructions on those Terms of Art which the Dancing-Masters make use of, I shall give the following Explanation of them.

Dancing is composed of Positions, Steps, Sinkings, Risings, Springings, Capers, Fallings, Slidings, Turnings of the Body, Cadence or Time, Figures, &c.

Positions, are the different Placings of the Feet in Dancing.

Steps, are the Motions of the Feet from one place to another.

Sinkings, are the Bendings of the Knees.

Risings, are when we rise from a Sink, or erect our selves.

Springing, is a rising or leaping from the Ground.

Capers, are when in rising or leaping from the Ground, one Leg beats against the other, which we call Cutting.

Fallings, are when the Body, being out of its proper Poise, falls by its own Weight.

Slidings, are when, in moving, the Foot slides on the Ground.

Turnings, are when the Body turns either one way or the other.

Cadence or Time, is a right understanding of the different Measures, and Observation of the most remarkable places in the Tune.

Figures, are Tracts made by Art, on which the Dancer is to move.

Before I proceed to demonstrate what I have already explain’d, I shall describe the Room or Stage, where Dancing is perform’d; as also the different Tracts or Figures to be made thereon, and the Posture and Presence of the Body, in which the Performer ought to stand.