A Memoir of Jane Austen

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Changes of Customs
expressive of grace and dignity, rather than of merriment. It
abounded in formal bows and courtesies, with measured paces,
forwards, backwards and sideways, and many complicated gyrations.
It was executed by one lady and gentleman, amidst the
admiration, or the criticism, of surrounding spectators. In its
earlier and most palmy days, as when Sir Charles and Lady
Grandison delighted the company by dancing it at their own
wedding,° the gentleman wore a dress sword, and the lady was
armed with a fan of nearly equal dimensions. Addison observes
that ‘women are armed with fans, as men with swords, and sometimes
do more execution with them.’ The graceful carriage of
each weapon was considered a test of high breeding. The clownish
man was in danger of being tripped up by his sword getting
between his legs: the fan held clumsily looked more of a burden
than an ornament; while in the hands of an adept it could be
made to speak a language of its own. 1 It was not everyone who felt
qualified to make this public exhibition, and I have been told that
those ladies who intended to dance minuets, used to distinguish
themselves from others by wearing a particular kind of lappet° on
their head-dress. I have heard also of another curious proof of the
respect in which this dance was held. Gloves immaculately clean
were considered requisite for its due performance,° while gloves a
little soiled were thought good enough for a country dance; and
accordingly some prudent ladies provided themselves with two
pairs for their several purposes. The minuet expired with the last
century: but long after it had ceased to be danced publicly it was
taught to boys and girls, in order to give them a graceful carriage.
Hornpipes, cotillons, and reels,° were occasionally danced; but
the chief occupation of the evening was the interminable country
dance, in which all could join. This dance presented a great
show of enjoyment, but it was not without its peculiar troubles.
The ladies and gentlemen were ranged apart from each other in
1
See ‘Spectator,’ No. 102, on the Fan Exercise. Old gentlemen who had survived the
fashion of wearing swords were known to regret the disuse of that custom, because it put
an end to one way of distinguishing those who had, from those who had not, been used
to good society. To wear the sword easily was an art which, like swimming and skating,
required to be learned in youth. Children could practise it early with their toy swords
adapted to their size.
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