THE Ball-Room Manual OF CONTRA DANCES AND SOCIAL COTILLONS, WITH REMARKS ON Quadrilles and
Spanish Dance 

VEST POCKET EDITION. 

BELFAST, ME.: H. G. O. WASHBURN. 

BOSTON: G. W. COTTRELL. 

1863. 

Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1862, By H. G. O. WASHBURN, In the Clerk's Office
of the District Court of Maine. 

R. WHEELER, STEREOTYPER, 17, Washington Street, Boston. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The dancing public have been supplied with "Ball-Room Instructors," and "Guides," embracing
the figures of "Quadrilles," "Polkas," "Cotillons," &c., &c., with "hints" on "dress" and
"address," but containing very few, if any, of the good old Contra Dances of our ancestors,
as enjoyed by them in their hours of relaxation and amusement. 

We have therefore been induced to offer our little Manual, believing that it will be acceptable
to the Young, as well as the "Old folks at home." W. H. Q. Introduction to Vest Pocket Edition.

The great favor with which the former editions of the Ball-Room Manual have been received by
the dancing public, has induced us to present the "Vest Pocket Edition," containing many new
figures of Contra Dances, together with the Belfast Young Ladies' set of Social Cotillons,
as danced by them at their evening parties and "Sociables," to whom this edition is respectfully
dedicated. Remarks on 

PAGE. 

Contra Dances, 5 

Cotillons, 23 

Quadrilles, 28 

Spanish Dance, 28 

Hints for the Ball-Room, 29 CONTRA DANCES. 

We have endeavored to make the following figures so clear, that any person who has the least
knowledge of dancing, can execute them without difficulty. Most of the tunes played for these
dances are composed with two changes, each change being played twice. Thus: in Durand's Hornpipe,
the first change is played while the first couple balance and go down outside below two: it is
then repeated, the couple balancing again, crossing the set, and resuming their places. Thus
the repetition of the music occupies a certain time or forty steps, each change, or twenty steps,
being marked in the figure by the dash (-). The second change is played for the couple to go down
the centre, and back; and is repeated for the right and left. By giving attention to the playing
of the changes, the dancer is enabled to keep strict time, and greatly facilitate his dancing.

Note :-In the following dances to page 16, the sets are formed with from six to twelve couples
in a set, the ladies in one line, and the gentlemen in another parallel line, facing the ladies.
DOWNFALL OF PARIS. 120 Steps. 

First couple down the outside, back-down the centre, back, cast off-forward and back six,
swing six halfround-forward and back again, and swing to place- moulinet * with the third couple-right
and left with the second. ISLE OF SKYE. 120 Steps. 

First six balance, swing half round-balance again, and swing to places-first four moulinet
-first couple balance, swing quite round-down the centre, back, cast off-right and left.
GIRLS OF BELFAST. 120 Steps. "Otis's Quickstep." 

First couple join right hands, swing half round, give left hand to the second couple, balance
four in a line, swing the left hand-down the centre, back, cast off-ladies chain-down the outside,
back to place below one-forward and back six, first couple swing half round-right and left.
CHORUS JIG. 80 Steps. 

First couple down the outside, up-down the centre, up, cast off-turn contra corners-balance
and turn partner to place. MONEY MUSK. 80 Steps. 

First couple join hands and swing once and a half round, down outside below one-forward and
back six, first couple swing three-fourths round-forward and back six, first couple swing
three-quarters round to place, below one couple-right and left. FISHER'S HORNPIPE. 80 Steps.

First couple down the outside, up-down the centre, up, cast off-swing six hands quite round-right
and left. DRUNKEN SAILOR. 80 Steps. 

First and third couple balance, and swing six hands half round-balance again, swing six round
to place-first couple down the centre, up, cast off-right and left. CINCINNATI HORNPIPE.
80 Steps. 

First two couple balance, half right and left-balance again, half right and left to place-first
couple down the centre, up, cast off-right and left. DURAND'S HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

First couple balance at the head, cross over and go down outside below two-balance again, cross
over and up outside to place-down the centre, up, cast off-right and left. MISS BROWN'S REEL.
80 Steps. 

First lady turn with second gent., then first gent., turn with second lady-first couple down
the centre, up, cast off-balance four and swing partners-right and left. THE GOOD GIRL. 80
Steps. 

First lady swing the second gent., first gent., swing the second lady-four hands half round,
and back-two couples down the centre, up, cast off-right and left. RICKETT'S HORNPIPE 80 Steps.

Six join hands, balance, and swing half round to the right-first couple up the centre, back,
cast off-balance six, swing round to left to place-right and left. COLLEGE HORNPIPE. 80 Steps.

First lady balance to the third gent., turn the second-first gent. balance to the third lady,
turn the second-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-right and left. HULL'S VICTORY.
80 Steps. 

First couple join right hands and swing half round, giving left hand to the second couple, balance
four in a line, swing the sides, and give right hand to partner again balance four in a line again,
swing the sides, then swing partners with right hand, half round-down the centre, up, cast
off-right and left. CHASSARD HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

First couple cross the set, and go between the second and third couples, facing out from the
set, join hands and balance three on each side of set, and swing the right-hand persons-balance
again, swing the left-hand persons, and swing partner half round with right hand-down the
centre, up, cast off-right and left. LADY'S TRIUMPH. 80 Steps. 

First lady join right hands with second gent., down the centre, first gent. down after them,
take his partner by left hand joining his right with second gent.'s left, behind the lady , up
to place-first gent. and second lady down the centre, first lady after them, and up as before,
to place-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-right and left. SPEED THE PLOUGH. 80
Steps. 

First lady balance with the first and second gents., swing three-first gent. balance with
the first and second ladies, swing three-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-right
and left. BEAUX OF OAK HILL. 80 Steps. 

First lady down the centre with the second gent., back, lady cast off-first gent. down the centre
with the second lady, back, gent. cast off-first four balance, half right and left-balance
again, half right and left to places. NEW CENTURY HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

First couple balance, swing once and a half round-ladies chain-first couple balance again,
swing once and a half round to place-right and left. HUMORS OF THE PRIESTHOUSE. 80 Steps. 

First couple cross over, go down outside below two, up the centre, cross to place, and cast off-join
right hands, balance and step two steps to the right by each other, join left hands and balance
again-turn contra corners-balance to partners and turn to place. BEAUX OF ALBANY. 80 Steps.

First and second couples balance, swing partners-both couples down the centre, back, first
couple cast off-and moulinet with the second couple-right and left with the third. TWIN SISTERS.
80 Steps. 

The first two ladies join hands and chasse across the set, the gents. chasse across outside
of them, back to places-two gents. join hands, chasse across, the ladies outside of them, back
to places-first couple down the centre, back, east off-right and left. HOB OR KNOB. 80 Steps.
"The Campbells are coming." 

First and third couples balance to partners, swing partners half round-balance again, swing
to place-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-right and left. CHEAT THE LADY. 80 Steps.

First lady balance to the second gent., turn whom she pleases-first gent. balance to the second
lady, turn whom he pleases-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-right and left. IRISH
WASHWOMAN. 80 Steps. 

First lady down the centre below two couples, face partner and balance-change places and balance-down
the centre, up, cast off-right and left. JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY. 80 Steps. 

Swing four hands half round and back- moulinet -first couple down the centre, up, cast off-right
and left. THURSDAY NIGHT. 80 Steps. 

Swing six half round and back-first couple down the centre, back, cast off- moulinet with second
couple-right and left with the same. SACKETT'S HARBOR. 80 Steps. 

Forward and back six, swing six three -quarters round to the left -first couple chasse across
the set, back, cast off-turn contra corners-forward and back six, and swing round to right
to places. ROY'S WIFE. 80 Steps. 

First couple balance, down the centre-balance at foot of set, up the centre, and cast off-right
and left. MEGUNTICOOK REEL. 80 Steps. 

First couple cross over, down outside below third couple, swing partner quite round with right
hand-swing third couple with left hand ( viz.: The first lady swing the third gent., the first
gent. swing the third lady ), swing partner with the right hand, the second couple with the left
, and swing partner to place with right-down the centre, back, cast off-right and left FIGURE
EIGHT. 80 Steps. 

First couple cross over inside below second couple, up outside to the head-cross over inside
below second couple again, up outside to place-down the centre, up, cast off-right and left.
IVES' HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

First four half moulinet with the right hand, first couple down outside-up, half moulinet
with the left hand to place-down the centre, up, cast off-right and left. THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND
ME. 80 Steps. 

First couple down the centre with the second lady, up, leaving the lady at the foot-first couple
down the centre with the second gent., up, leaving gent. at foot-first couple down the centre,
both couples up the centre-right and left at head of set. MORNING FAIR HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

First couple down the outside, up-down the centre, at foot swing half round up the centre, lady
on gent.'s side, cast off-ladies chain-first couple balance, and swing to place. CHASE THE
LADY. 80 Steps. "Rustic Reel." 

Second gent. chase the first lady down the outside, back-the first gent. chase the second lady
down the outside, back-first four down the centre, back, first couple cast off-right and left.
FLY. 80 Steps. "Fisher's Hornpipe." 

First couple down the outside, and the third couple up the centre, back to places-first couple
down the centre, and third couple up the outside, back to places, first couple casting off-swing
six half round and back-right and left. MAID IN THE PUMP-ROOM. 80 Steps. 

First lady down the centre, and gent. down the outside, back to place-lady down the outside,
gent. down the centre, back to place-both down the centre, back, cast off-right and left. HARD
TIMES. 120 Steps. 

Forward and back six, swing six half round-forward and back again, and swing to place- moulinet
with the third couple-right and left with the second-down the outside, back-down the centre,
back, cast off. OPERA REEL. 80 Steps. 

Note .-Form sets of five or six couples only in each. 

First couple balance, down the centre to foot of set-second couple balance, down to foot of
set-four right and left at foot-both couples up the centre, first couple down outside and remain
at the foot. VIRGINIA REEL. " White Cockade ." (See note above.) 

First lady and foot gent. balance to each other, then first gent. and foot lady the same-first
lady swing foot gent. with left hand, then first gent. and foot lady the same-first lady swing
foot gent. with right hand, then first gent. and foot lady the same-first lady swing foot gent.
with both hands, then first gent. and foot lady the same-first couple then take left hands and
swing once and a half round-swing second with right hand, partner with left-third with right,
partner with left-fourth with right, partner with left-fifth with right, partner half round
with left-up the centre ( lady on the ladies' side of set ), ladies and gents all march to the head,
and down outside-join hands at foot and chasse up to place in set, then first down the centre
and remain at the foot. VILLAGE REEL. 120 Steps. "Downfall of Paris." 

Note .-The first couple change places: the remainder of the set are changed by the half promenade.

Head and foot couples balance to partners, head couple down the centre, and foot couple up the
outside-balance again, back to places, the head couple up outside, and the foot couple down
the centre-ladies chain at the head, and right and left at foot of set-swing four half round
and back at head and foot of set- moulinet at head and foot- first four half promenade, first
couple down the centre and remain at foot. LADY OF THE LAKE. 80 Steps. 

Note .-The head couple change places before they commence to dance. 

First couple balance to the second and turn-balance to partners and turn-down the centre,
back, cast off-ladies chain. BELLES OF DAMARISCOTTA. 80 Steps. 

(See note above.) 

First two couples chasse across the set, and back again, the first lady and second gent. in the
centre with joined hands -the same again, the second lady and first gent. in the centre with
joined hands -down the centre, back, cast off-ladies chain. FOREST DE BONDI. 80 Steps. 

(See note above.) 

First couple down the outside, back-down the centre, back, cast off- moulinet with the second
couple-ladies chain with same. JACKSON'S HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

(See note above.) 

First four balance, half promenade-balance again, half right and left to place-first couple
down the centre, back, cast off-ladies chain. BOSTON FANCY. 80 Steps. 

(See note page 18.) 

First couple balance to the second and turn-down the centre, back, cast off-ladies chain-four
half promenade, half right and left. REEFER'S HORNPIPE. 80 Steps. 

(See note page 18.) 

Forward and back six, swing six half round- first and second couple ladies chain-half promenade,
half right and left- six forward and back and swing to places, the second couple passing up the
outside to the head of the set . PARTNERS ALL. 80 Steps. 

(See note page 18.) 

All balance to partners and turn-first couple down the centre, back, cast off-all balance
to partners and turn- first and second couple ladies chain. CALIFORNIA REEL. 120 Steps. 

Note .-Form as for Spanish Dance. 

All chasse to the right, half balance, de chasse, and swing four half round-all chasse to the
right, half balance, de chasse, and swing four to places-ladies chain-balance, swing partners-swing
four half round and back-half promenade, half right and left-forward and back all, forward
and cross to face the next couple. SICILIAN CIRCLE. 100 Steps. " Tempest ." (See note above.)

All balance, swing four hands-ladies chain-balance to partners and turn-right and left-all
forward and back, forward and cross to face the next couple. SOLDIER'S JOY. 80 Steps. 

(See note above.) 

All forward and back, swing the opposite-all balance to partners and turn-ladies chain-forward
and back, forward and cross to face the next couple. MISCHIEF. 80 Steps. " Scotch Reel ." (See
note page 20.) 

Balance all, and swing four-repeat through the dance. TEMPEST. 80 Steps. 

Note .-Form sets of eight to twelve, EVEN couples, in lines facing each other; lady at the right
of partner. 

The first and second couple ( the couple directly opposite ) down the centre four abreast, at
the foot break to the right and left, up the centre four abreast, and break to the right and left-the
first couple right and left with the third , and second couple the same with the fourth -first
and third ladies chain, and second and fourth the same-then the first and second couple balance
to each other, swing four. The same four dance together down the whole set . PORTLAND FANCY.
120 Steps. "Steamboat Quickstep." 

Note .-Form the sets as in "Tempest," two couples only in each line. 

Join hands and swing eight-head couple ( gent. and opposite lady ) down the centre, and foot
couple up the outside, back to places-head couple down the outside, and the foot couple up the
centre, back to places-ladies chain at head, and right and left at foot-right and left at head,
and ladies chain at foot-all forward and back, forward and cross by the opposite couples and
face the next four. KENTUCKY REEL. 80 Steps. 

Note .-Form the sets, the first gent. on the right, his partner opposite; second gent. on the
left, his partner opposite. 

Ladies all forward and back, forward and join hands in the centre-gents, all forward and back,
forward and join hands in the centre, facing partners-all balance and turn partners-first
couple balance at the head, down the centre and remain at foot. FAVORITE RUSTIC REEL. 

Note .-Form as for Spanish Dance, each gent. with TWO partners. 

Each gent. chasse to right with the opposite right-hand lady, back-chasse to left with left-hand
lady, back-forward and back all, forward and cross to face the next three. COTILLONS. 

Note .-Sets are formed by four couples, all facing the centre of the set. The "changes" are called
by the conductor, as they occur to his fancy. The "FIRST TWO" signifies the first lady and opposite
gent.; the "NEXT TWO" the second lady and opposite gent., and so on. The double daggar [ ] indicates
the place where the "side couples" or "next two" commence the figure. 

The words in Italic are to be called the first time only . When repeating from the double dagger
[ ] call those in SMALL CAPITALS. SOCIABLE SET. 

1. All address corners and partners-first four right and left-balance four and turn partners-ladies
chain-half promenade, half right and left. Sides 

2. First four lead to the right, change partners, and chasse out-half chain across, half chain
in line-half chain across, half chain in line-right and left-forward and back, and swing to
places-all promenade. Sides 

3. First two right hands across, left hands back, and swing between sides -forward first two
), change places, forward and back again, and swing to places-ladies grand chain-all chasse.
Next two . The same for 3d and 4th couples. 

4. First four forward and back, half right and left- sides (FIRST FOUR) forward and back, half
right and left-all chasse change partners taking corner lady -all promenade to ladies' place
in the set . Sides (repeat from the first)-ladies grand chain-grand right and left-all promenade.

5. First four ladies chain- side (FIRST FOUR) ladies chain-all chasse-salute partners, give
right hand, grand right and left half round -salute partners, and promenade to places- first
four (SIDES) right and left- sides (FIRST FOUR) right and left-balance to partners, give right
hand, grand right and left half round , salute partners and promenade to places. Sides VIOLET
SET. 

1. Address corners and partners -eight hands round-chain at corners-balance and turn partners-ladies
grand chain- first two (NEXT TWO) forward and back, forward and leave lady opposite-forward
three and back, forward and turn to places-all promenade. Repeat from three times. 

2. First couple lead to the right, balance and turn-ladies chain on the left-forward and back
with opposite couple, half right and left. Second All chasse-half promenade to places. Repeat
for 3d and 4th couples. 

3. First lady balance to the right, and swing three hands round-two ladies balance to right,
and swing four -three ladies balance to right and swing five, one lady in centre-all swing round
centre lady, and turn partners to places-all chasse-all promenade. Second The same for 3d
and 4th 

4. First four lead to the right and chasse out-right and left-ladies forward and back, gents.
forward and back-ladies forward and join hands in a line, gents. forward and join hands opposite
partners -balance and turn to places-all promenade-ladies moulinet -give right hands to
partners, form star , balance and turn partners-all promenade. Sides 

5. Eight hands round-ladies all balance to the right and turn-to next, and turn-to next-to
partners-first couple promenade round the set, and face up the hall-second same, stand behind
the first-third the same-fourth the same-face partners, first lady balance to partner and
turn whom she pleases -second lady the same-third the same-fourth the same-all forward and
turn to places-all promenade-eight hands round. Gents. NINEPIN SET. 

A VERY AMUSING DANCE FOR THE PARLOR. 

Music- a medley of contra dances, or reels . 

Note .-Form sets of FOUR or any even number of couples, with a gentleman or lady in the centre
designated the "Ninepin." The prompter calls the changes as in other Cotillons, only there
must be NO CROSSING the set. 

Address corners and partners-all join hands and swing quite round-ladies forward and stop,
gents. face out-Ninepin * -all promenade-all balance and swing-all chasse-balance to partners
and swing-all join right hands, grand right and left-Ninepin-all promenade-ladies chain
at corners-all chasse-all forward and back, gents. forward and stop, ladies balance outside-Ninepin-all
promenade, &c., until each gent or lady has been the "Ninepin," or the party weary of the dance.
A good figure to close with, is the "Ninepin Swing;" viz., the "Ninepin" swings some one with
the right hand, another with the left, and so on until they meet a favorite partner, when they
call "Ninepin," all promenade to seats. EIGHT HAND REEL. 

Note .-Form the same as for a Cotillon. 

First four half promenade, half right and left- Sides (FIRST FOUR) half promenade, half right
and left-four ladies moulinet -four gents. moulinet -ladies swing four hands half round,
gents. the same-grand right and left-lock right arms with partners, swing quite round-left
arms with next-right with next-left with partners. Sides QUADRILLE 

Sets are formed similar to cotillons, with eight couples instead of four,-two first, two second,
&c.,-and the changes are called the same, by the leader of the orchestra. SPANISH DANCE OR WALTZ.

Couples form in a line, or in a circle around the hall, every two couples facing each other. In
waltzing the gentleman should hold the lady by the right hand with his left, his right hand placed
just above her waist, her left hand resting upon his arm just above the elbow. The arms should
be kept in a rounded position preserving them without motion, which is the most graceful. All
the beats should be clearly marked, being attentive to turn on the toes. Every turn in the waltz
should be fully performed, so that in finishing, the waltzers will be opposite the side they
were on when commencing, without which their course cannot be followed, causing confusion
in the set. HINTS FOR THE BALL-ROOM. 

Before introducing a gentleman to a lady, ascertain whether such introduction would be agreeable
to her. Never introduce a person for a waltz who is unacquainted with waltzing. 

When a lady declines to dance with you, bear the declination with becoming grace, and if you
afterwards see her dancing with another, seem not to notice it; otherwise, the lady is left
with no choice of partners. 

If a lady whose hand you solicit for a set be engaged, but promises afterwards to dance with you,
be very careful to observe the promised time. 

Never engage a lady to dance beyond the fourth set on her list, leaving it optional with her to
engage or not;-a rule which may be aptly illustrated by the satirical remark of a fashionable
debutante : "I can put you down, sir," she observed, with an ironical smile, "for the thirteenth,
but I shall only dance four more!" 

A very absurd contention arises frequently in our ball-rooms for the leading position in the
cotillon, quadrille, and contra dance sets. Those who do not readily understand the changes
of a dance should take a position in a set where they can see it danced through before attempting
it. 

Dancers should take their places on the floor at the sound of the trumpet in the orchestra, or
by the announcement of the master of ceremonies. Lead your partner gently through the dance-be
graceful in all your dancing movements-be not ambitious of displaying your "steps," lest
you be taken for a stage artiste. 

Ladies should avoid affectation, frowning, quizzing, or the slightest indication of ill-temper.
Command the unlimited attention of your partners, but impose the task upon them in such a manner
as to make it delightful rather than onerous. 

A gentleman should never allow himself to lose his temper in a ball-room, nor show that he has
taken offence at any supposed slight; it places him in a very disadvantageous position, betraying
an absence of self-respect-or, at least of self-possession INDEX. 

Beaux of Oak Hill, 10 

Beaux of Albany, 11 

Belles of Damariscotta, 18 

Boston Fancy, 19 

California Reel, 20 

Chase the Lady, 15 

Chassard Hornpipe, 9 

Cheat the Lady, 12 

Chorus Jig, 7 

Cincinnati Hornpipe, 8 

College Hornpipe, 9 

Cotillons, 23 

Downfall of Paris, 6 

Drunken Sailor, 7 

Durand's Hornpipe, 8 

Eight Hand Reel, 27 

Favorite Rustic Reel, 22 

Figure Eight, 14 

Fisher's Hornpipe, 7 

Fly, 15 

Forest de Bondi, 18 

Girls of Belfast, 6 

Hard Times, 16 

Hob or Knob, 12 

Hull's Victory, 9 

Humors of the Priesthouse, 11 

Irish Washwoman, 12 

Isle of Skye, 6 

Ives' Hornpipe, 14 

Jackson's Hornpipe, 18 

Jefferson and Liberty, 13 

Kentucky Reel, 22 

Lady of the Lake, 18 

Lady's Triumph, 10 

Maid in the Pumproom, 15 

Megunticook Reel, 13 

Miss Brown's Reel, 8 

Mischief, 21 

Money Musk, 7 

Morning Fair Hornpipe, 15 

New Century Hornpipe, 11 

Opera Reel, 16 

Portland Fancy, 21 

Partners All, 19 

Reefer's Hornpipe, 19 

Rickett's Hornpipe, 9 

Roy's Wife, 13 

Sackett's Harbor, 13 

Sicilian Circle, 20 

Soldier's Joy, 20 

Speed the Plough, 10 

Tempest, 21 

The Girl I left behind me, 14 

The Good Girl, 8 

Thursday Night, 13 

Twin Sisters, 12 

Village Reel, 17 

Virginia Reel, 16 

Belfast Bookstore, NOS. 27 & 29 MAIN ST. 

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