The_Victorian_Ball

=__THE VICTORIAN BALL__= //"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love..." (Austen 11)//

The ball played an important role in __Pride and Prejudice__. A dance could start a relationship between a lady and a possible future husband. At the first ball, the Meryton assembly, Mr. Bingley first notices Jane and is introduced to her. They dance twice, which causes the Bennets much excitement; a second dance offer was considered a great compliment. After the ball, Mr. Bingley's affection for the oldest Bennet daughter only grows.

=Structure of the Ball=

Only those who could afford to give a proper ball were supposed to attempt to hold one. Balls were usually expensive, so members of high society tended to be hosts. The number of guests depended on the size of the venue. Taking into consideration the possibility of guests declining their invitations, the host invited enough people to comfortably fill the rooms. These guests had to enjoy dancing and be skilled dancers. If someone did not enjoy dancing, he/she would not be invited. If the event was to be a dance, with under fifty people attending, or a small party, written invitations were not necessary. Instead, guests were invited verbally. If the event was to be a ball, formal invitations were sent out at least a week before the event, asking for "the pleasure of your company" on a particular evening (Wells). The hosts had to make sure that the ballroom was in perfect condition. Weeks prior to the ball, they supervised the polishing of the floors, ventilation of the rooms, and arrangement of the furniture. For a private ball, the hosts employed only four musicians including a pianist and a violinist. But for a larger ball, they could have a larger band (Hamilton).

On the night of the ball, guests were usually "fashionably late." Women had to be accompanied to the ball: wives came with their husbands; unmarried women with their mothers or an escort. Coats, shawls, and any other outerwear were placed in a cloak room, with the help of servants provided by the host (Wells). Ladies would be presented with their cards after half of the guest are present and at least fifteen minutes before the dancing commenced. The first dance and the last dance before supper were usually with the escort. The rest of the dances could be with any gentleman who the lady has been properly introduced to. The woman did not fill up her program with only pre-acquainted friends; she politely left spaces open for previously unknown gentlemen (Stephens).

The first dance at the ball was always a quadrille. This dance was performed in a square made of four couples that danced opposite of each other. Following the quadrille was a waltz, a couple dance done in triple time. A total of twenty-four dances was performed at the ball. After the fourteenth dance, the guests stopped to eat supper. It was important that the supper room was near the ballroom so that the ladies, in their fancy gowns, could move about easily. Refreshments for the guests included tea, lemonade, iced sherbert, and cakes. There were no dinner tables to sit at and eat supper. Instead, the guests scattered throughout the room. Ladies sat in the chairs while gentelmen stood behind them. Shortly after midnight the dancing resumed (Hamilton).

When guest were ready to leave, they exited quietly. To show their appreciation, the guests often made a visit to the hosts during the following week (Wells).

=Ball Etiquette=

//At the Meryton assembly in the novel, Elizabeth must stop dancing for a short period of time, according to the Victorian rules of balls. These were based on Beau Nash's "Rules to be observed at Bath," which governed public gatherings. According to the rules, partners were supposed to be switched after every two dances. The partners had to be of different sexes, especially if there were an equal number of men and women present.
 * "Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances" (Austen 13).**

While Elizabeth is sitting, she overhears a conversation between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy insults her, stating, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men" (Austen 13). Mr. Darcy's refusal to dance is especially rude. According to tradition and the rules, he should have danced with more women based on the low number of men. Refusing to dance and insulting Elizabeth causes most of the attendees to view him as arrogant and overly proud. This begins the initially negative relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth and her wrongful judgments.//

"Rules to be observed at Bath" by Beau Nash
1. "That a visit of ceremony at first coming and another at going away are all that is expected of ladies of quality and fashion except impertinents." //Arriving and leaving a social event must follow social etiquette if one is of higher social standing// 2. "That ladies coming to the ball appoint a time for their footman coming to wait on them home to prevent disturbance and inconveniences to themselves and others." //Ladies should pre-appoint a time for their coaches to pick them up, inorder to minimize inconvenience to themselves and other guests during the event// 3. "That gentlemen of fashion, never appearing in gowns and caps, show breeding and respect." //Proper gentlemen of high class never appear before ladies in their pajamas// 4. "That no person take it ill that any one goes to another's play, or breakfast, and not theirs, except captious by nature." //One should not be upset if someone decides to attend another's event// 5. "That no gentleman gives his ticket for the balls to any but gentlewomen, unless he has none of his acquaintance." //A man should only invite women of high standards to a ball// 6. "That gentlemen crowding before the ladies at the ball, show ill manners, and that none do so for the future, except those who respect nobody but themselves." //Gentlemen should never crowd around the women present// 7. "That no gentleman or lady take it ill that another dances before them, except such an have no pretence to dance at all." //One should not be upset if someone refuses his/her offer, but dances with someone else (unless they do not give a proper excuse)// 8. "That the elder ladies and children be content with a second bench at the ball, as being past, or not соmе to perfection." //Older women and underage children should not be upset if they are ignored while eligable ladies receive attention// 9. "That the younger ladies take notice how many eyes observe them. This does not extend to the Have-at-alls!" //Ladies should notice how others admire them, unless they are of the highest social class// 10. "That all whisperers of lies and scandal be taken for their authors." //One should take responsibility for the rumours and lies that he/she spreads// 11. "That all repeaters of súchiles and scandal be shunned by all company, except such as have been guilty of the same crime. N.B.—Several men of no character, old women, and young ones of questioned reputation, are great authors of lies in these places, being of the sect of Levellers" (Cadwell and Davis 776-777). //If someone is caught spreading rumours, he/she is ignored by the community (with the exception of those who commit the same crime)//

=Ballroom Dancing= //"Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?" (Austen 90).// Ladies and gentlemen were expected to dance with the partners whose names were written on their cards. "It was considered a bad form to promise a dance to a partner and then renege for any reason other than medical emergency" (Donaldson). It was also expected that everyone will participate in some dances with various partners. A failure to engage in a dance during the evening could result in public censure. //Mr. Darcy's character was determined by his antisocial behavior at the Meryton assembly. His refusal to dance with many ladies, especially with the few number of gentlemen, was considered very rude.//
 * "Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and Ms. Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreaable man in the world" (Austen 13).**

Gentlemen could only ask ladies to dance if they had been properly introduced. If a man desired to dance with someone who he was not acquainted with, he asked his friends to introduce him. If they refused or did not know the lady, he could ask a floor manager for an introduction. If the manger did not personally know the lady, he asked the lady for her permission to introduce the gentleman (Haug).

A gentleman would ask a woman to dance by asking "Shall I have the pleasure?" or "Will you give me the pleasure of dancing with you?" (Wells). While asking the question, he would bow and remain with his body bent until he recieved an answer (Haug).
 * “I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honored with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially” (Austen 86).**

The woman was not allowed to decline the offer, unless she had already accepted another's offer. Her refusal would show dislike, unless she gave a proper reason (Wells). //Mr. Collins' request for a dance takes Elizabeth by surprise. He is taking advantage of the ball to dance with the woman who he hopes to marry. Although Elizabeth planned to do the same, she is interested in Mr. Wickham, not Mr. Collins. She is not allowed to say, "no," despite her wishes.//
 * “Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being engaged by Wickham for those very dances; and to have Mr. Collins instead! - her liveliness had been never worse timed” (Austen 86).**[[image:dance2.jpg width="325" height="293" align="right"]]

Recieving a resonable excuse, the gentleman was not supposed to be offended, even if the woman immediately accepted the offer of another gentleman. If the request was accepted, however, the gentleman would lead the woman to the dance floor. Both partners had to smile, their heads slightly inclined to show courtesy. They were expected to dance gracefully, making sure they would not stand out from the crowd. If one did not know the steps well, he/she followed the others in their set. It was unacceptable, however, to dance without having practiced the steps. A bad dancer could cause chaos by causing others to make mistakes. When the dance was over, the gentleman would escort his partner back to where she was before and thanked her for the honor. The lady bowed in return.

All of the ladies present were expected to dance, and it was the duty of the host to be sure of this. If the head of the house noticed that a woman had not danced, he asked a gentleman present to dance with her. The gentleman had to follow the host's request and dance with the lady, pretending to take great pleasure in their dancing, so the woman would be unaware of the suggestion. Gentlewomen could not dance too much. They were expected to be humble and help those who were not as fortunate to receive so many offers (Wells).

The Proper Position Needed for Dancing
"The first point to remember in all round dances is that the man is the leader, and sets the movements, which his partner must follow; he must not try to adapt himself to her. The lady, on the other hand, must never lead in any way; she must give herself up, body and soul, to her partner and be able to adapt herself to whatever his movements are." (Cree)**

Five Points of Contact Between Partners**: 1. Man's left hand must hold lady's right hand 2. Lady's left hand rests on man's right upper arm 3. Man's right hand placed on lady's left shoulder blade (on her back) 4. Lady's left elbow rests on man's right elbow 5. Right area of chest of each partner touches that of the other

Types of Dances
A couples dance done in triple of 3/4 time. This is a lively round dance in 2/4 time, thought to have originated in eastern Europe. A vigorious round dance in 2/4 time. It can be danced as couples or pairs of couples. A vigorous and rousing dance of Scottish origin, in which couples face each other in a line with the ladies on one side and gentlemen on the other. This dance was performed in a square made of four couples that danced opposite each other. It has a lively tempo and the formation in which couples face each other in lines. In some cases the ladies would be all on one side, and in others the couples would be alternating. A simple dance, more or less double quick march with a skip in each step done as rapidly as a couple can go forward, backward and turning.
 * Waltz**
 * Polka**
 * Schottische**
 * Virginia Reel**
 * Quadrille**
 * Country Dances**
 * Two-Step**

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 * The Elana Waltz**

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 * The Cottilion Waltz**


 * Perception of Beauty in the Victorian Era

While they are at the ball, Bingley and Darcy have an interesting discussion about the beauty of the women of the town. Bingley says, "Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty." Darcy, on the other hand, sees Elizabeth and comments, 'She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt //me..."// (Austen 273).**

What exactly was considered beautiful by Victorian standards?

Victorian society was one in which appearance was of infinite importance. Thus, clothing was an immediate indication of a person's social status. For men of the Victorian era, all different types of facial hair, of different sizes and fashions, were socially acceptable, and their ties, known then as cravats, could be tied in various styles according to the man's fancy. Women of the time wore corsets, balloonish sleeves, and crinoline, a stiff fabric, until the mid-1800s (Miller). The Hearty Victorian Woman

The "weak, fainting beauty" of the Victorian Era

In addition to her style of dress, a woman's body was also scrutinized and criticized by men of the time. The Victorian era perception of a woman's beauty was a bit of a paradox, as both the "strong, hearty, statuesque lady (modeled on Queen Victoria herself) and the weak, fainting beauty" were idolized (Compton). Thus, both Jane, exemplified by the latter, and Elizabeth, possibly portrayed by the former, were considered beautiful.