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The mirror of the graces; or, the English lady's costume: combining and harmonizing taste and judgment, elegance and grace, modesty, simplicity and economy, with fashion in dress; and adapting the various articles of female embellishments to different ages, forms, and complexions; to the seasons of the year, rank, and situation in life: with useful advice on female accomplishments, politeness, and manners; the cultivation of the mind and the disposition and carriage of the body: offering also the most efficacious means of preserving beauty, health, and loveliness. The whole according with the general principles of nature and rules of propriety
(1811)
On the management of the person in dancing, and in the exercise of other female accomplishments, pp. 174-202
Page 186
8 MIRROR OF THE GRACES. The young Arch-Duke C-, of A- ) was then a youth, and an incognito visitant with the Prince de V- F- , and he was so charmed with the dancing of her Highness (whose partner was the renowned General Marchese di M-- ;) that, in his own heroic manner, he exclaimed to me, who then sat by his side,-" Ah! Madame, that is more interesting than even the Pyrrhic dance! it reminds me of the beautiful movement of the sun and moon in the heavens !" The minuet is now almost out of fashion; but we yet have its serious movements in many of the dances adopted from the French ballet; and in these every gradation of grace, and, if I may say it, sentiment in action, may be discovered. The rapid changes of the co- tillion are admirably calculated for the dis- play of elegant gaiety; and I hope, that their animated evolvements will long continue af vourite accomplishment and amusement with our youthful fair. Though much of graceful display is made in these dances, yet there are many rivals in the cotillion contending for the palm of Su- 186
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