Page:Angelo's Pic Nic.djvu/86

 THE MINUET not only as a science, but personal improvement, promoting the expansion of the chest, the graceful attitudes of the form, whilst it gives motion and activity to every part of the body- speaking technically of the beneficial effects, not merely as an accomplishment; such an inducement was my sheet anchor, I experienced, during fifty years. Universally patronised by the nobility and gentry, and, if in quoting Lord Chesterfield, in his letters to his son, I may be acquitted of vanterie puffiny my late profession, though now long inde- pendent, having grounded my arms-"I am very glad you have taken a fencing master; that exercise will give you some manly, firm, and graceful attitudes, open your chest, place your head upright, and plant you well on your legs." However I may give offence to the Artistes of the " fantastic toe," a new term adopted by the French. Following their example here, a seller of oysters, in large letters, calls himself a paurveyor; so is a cook-shop, to any passer by. Having, as well as my father to his late Majesty, when Prince of Wales, shown some hundreds how to make their bow, little practised now, a sailor's shake by the hand being more preferable, particularly to the ladies, the squeeze, " How are you?" the general salutation. After what I have seen of the present system, though not an artiste (the toe no compliment to the brush), it appears to me the reverse to those advantages; dancing would give a finish, united with fencing-both accomplishments. As to the curtsey, I cannot but remark, instead of the body erect, the shoulders back, Madam, or Miss, stooping forward, with her arms extended, holding her gown, one leg at a distance behind the other, almost to the ground, makes her reverence. As to the minuets I have seen at the dancing masters' balls, 24