| Citation |
NHG-P.774.048
26 Aug 1774:11 (931)
On Dancing. Dancing is the art of making regular steps,
and keeping the body in an agreeable position, according to
the sound of musick, &c.
Dancing has been used in all nations; among the first and
most civilized, on an occasion of a happy deliverance from
slaughter, & the more painful idea of servitude: the
Daughters of Liberty came forth out of the cities of Israel
singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with
joy and with instruments of musick: &c. vide 1st Samuel
XVIII Chap. 6 v. Judges XXI Chap. 21 verse.
And as it is an innocent mirth in itself, it was once
attempted by a favourite Prince of Israel, and is a lively
expression of innocence and joy; vide VI. Chap. 2. Samuel,
14 verse.
Country dances are very simple and agreeable, & possess
the mind of youth with pleasing & sprightly ideas. The
advantages of dancing add to every motion of the body a
certain attractive grace which never can be sufficiently
admir'd, gives a free and open air in the gait; a happy
address in company, and adds the finishing embellishments in
the sexes, to every species of polite education.
On Musick.
Musick is that science which tends to make some sounds
agreeable to the ear, and rules the harmony: it refreshes
agreeably the mind, and gives it a new strength, so that one
can apply with more satisfaction to his labours; It serves
also to soften the troubles of the human mind, particularly
those troubles that proceed from melancholy. See an example
of it in Saul, 1st Sam. XVI. Chap. 23 Ver. "And it came to
pass when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David
took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was
refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from
him."
The first invention of musick was attributed to Appollo;
some attribute it to Mercury; but this seems to be very
uncertain, what appears more probable is, that the holy
scripture learns us that Jubal; son of Lemech was inventor
of the violin and organ: vide Gen. IV. Chap. 21 verse.
Its etymology is derives from the muses, which the pagans
look'd upon as the Goddesses of sciences; they knew 9 of
them, it has receiv'd its perfection from the Hebrews, but
now it is practised with more eclat & invention; in fine,
musick has been universally esteem'd by all nations,
principally that, which is made use of in the divine
service, because it excites us to virtue, and animates our
zeal and devotion: tho' imperfect, yet it gives us a
delightful idea of those happy concerts that are form'd in
heaven.
. . . These sciences are taught by St. George de Viart,
Professor, In the town of Portsmouth.
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