Page:The Modern Dances (1914) Walker.djvu/11

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At the outset I wish to emphasize one point most emphatically. The new dances are not improper dances. On the contrary, they are just as proper and graceful as the time-honored waltz and two-step, and far more interesting, both to young and old, than their predecessors ever were.

To the fact of their almost instant popularity is probably due the storm of criticism which arose against them. Taken up at once by all sorts and conditions of people, they were danced in public by plenty of well-meaning persons with no thoughtof impropriety, but without sufficient knowledge and experience to direct them into the proper positions or correct steps.

The greatest criticism has been caused, however, by the fact that the new dances were performed very generally by those whose performance of any dances would be improper and in many cases even suggestive.

That this, however, has not militated against the dances themselves, is proved by their increasing popularity among refined people of all ages.

Public sentiment is placing the stamp of approval more strongly every day on the new dances. Chiefly so because the best teachers in all parts of the country now know where they