Rules for the Dance

Marie Disiewicz , my sometimes English Country Dance teacher (sometimes only because I keep injuring my foot...Marie keeps right on teaching) asked me, when I was heading off for England, to keep my eyes open for anything related to dance. Today I found 'the rules for the Assembly Rooms' in a 1789 tour guide to Bristol that I found most interesting. Those of us who are ECD types will know the terms such as 'sets' (the group of dancers arranged in two rows, one of men, one of women), and 'the bottom' (where you have arrived when you have danced 'down the set' and change to the series of steps that will have you dance 'up the set' to get to...you guessed right...to get to 'the top'). I shared these with Marie and thought others would likewise be interested.

At right, the panelling over the fireplace in the CHL office where we sign in and out as we enter/leave the building. A thing of beauty, like every other surface in the house!

Here they are the rules for Assemblies...note the title, this is reflective of the 18th century titling of books...cram in every word you think might help attract a reader. I must admit that the 'medicinal water' part is what flagged this title for me.

From: Shiercliff, E. et al. (1789). Shiercliff’s Bristol and Hotwell Guide; or, Useful Entertaining Pocket Companion for all persons residing at, or resorting to Bristol, the Hotwell, or their Vicinities: containing An Historical Account of the ancient and present State of that Opulent CITY: also, Of the Hotwell from its first Discovery; The Nature, Properties and Effects of its Medicinal Water. Bristol, England: E. Shiercliff, JB Becket, W Browne, J Norton, T Mills, W Bulgin, and J Llloyd.

Describing the assembly rooms in Bristol (1789)

You ascend to the Ballroom by a flight of steps. The windows are placed of such height as to prevent the company from being overlooked. Here is a very good orchestra, two fireplaces, which, together with the upper end of the room, are decorated with large looking-glasses, in elegant carved frames. From the ceiling, which is lofty, is pendant a large beautiful glass luster in the centre of the room; there are also two that are smaller, and one over the orchestra. Behind the Ball-room is the Drawing-room, which is of a proportionable size, and convenient: underneath is a Coffee-room. There are Assemblies here every Thursday fortnight, during the Winter, also on the King and Queen’s birth-days, &c. The Assemblies are conducted by a committee, which consists of gentlemen, principal inhabitants of the city, who have appointed James Russell, Esq. Master of the Ceremonies, and as a compensation for his troubles he has a ball annually.


The following are the established rules, viz.


That the assembly shall be supported by a subscription of two guineas from each subscriber, to be paid to the Treasurer at the first opening thereof.

That the admission of every new subscriber shall be by the consent of a majority of the committee.


That no gentleman inhabitant of the city or the environs shall be admitted to the Assembly without becoming a subscriber.


That non-residents shall pay five shillings for each night’s admission.


That all officers in his Majesty’s service, who are not subscribers, be admitted as non-residents, paying five shillings each night of admission.


That every subscriber be entitled to two ladies’ tickets.


That the minuets begin a half past six o’clock and end at eight, when country dances are to commence.


That no children in frocks be admitted to dance minuets.


That in country dances the ladies shall draw for their places, which shall be claimed, and taken in the first dance, or lose the benefit thereof.


That in country dances the Master of the Ceremonies shall have the privilege of complimenting three ladies, being strangers, with the three first places.


That ladies changing partners shall maintain their respective places, but not the gentlemen.


That any lady, who has not drawn for places coming into a set shall go to the bottom.


That the top couple, after calling one dance, shall retire to the bottom.


That every couple going down with a dance will be expected to go up the same.


If it is thought necessary by the Master of the Ceremonies to have two sets at country dances, every second cople to be drawn off into another set.


That ladies shall not be admitted in hats.


That the balls be once a fortnight, and continue till the subscription-money is expended.


That at eleven o’clock all dancing shall cease, and the musicians retired at the signal of the Master of the Ceremonies, excepting on his benefit, or any public night, when the time of breaking-up is left to his own discretion.


That all expenses be paid out of the subscription-money, as the number of Assemblies be determined according as there shall be a sufficiency in the hands of the Treasurer for their support.


That whatever money may be taken for the admission of non-subscriber, shall be laid out at the end of the season in a cotillion ball.


That in case of any breach of these regulations, complain shall be made to the Master of the Ceremonies, whose authority shall be supported by every member of the society.


That Mr. Russell be continued as Master of the Ceremonies on the usual plan; that he provide six good musicians to compose the band; and that he be attentive to these regulations, and such others as the Committee shall judge necessary to superadd.


That these rules be printed, and a copy of them sent to every subscriber.


Here are also public concerts during the winter season, under the conduct of a committee of gentlemen, who have engaged the best vocal and instrumental performers in this city, Bath, &c. The subscribers pay two guineas each; they have two tickets regularly sent them for the admission of two ladies. Gentlemen living in Bristol, or its vicinity, are not admitted, unless they subscribe. Those who are non-residents pay five shillings for their admission.

As Marie pointed out, these events were clearly popular with such an orderly set of rules set out and widely made known in a travel publication.
 
I walked about 'the wilderness' after the library closed at 5 pm, a most manicured bit of forest, before the Fellows went to the village Greyfriar's Pub (a grocery shop in JA's time) for dinner. I was shooting footage of lambs and their mamas, kestrels, bees in hives, sculptures, the veg/fruit gardens and didn't take still photos to post. I'll aim to do that tomorrow. The weather has turned wet and wooly again tonight (ha ha ha, so many sheep around here that it's wooly alright!) so will hope for clear skies again tomorrow.

 
I did take some photos of preparations for the Jane Austen Society AGM on Saturday and The Chawton Ball on Saturday. I chatted with the fellow from Carter's Tent Rental in Basingstoke and he assured me that parties at big houses, schools, and restaurants keep about four tent companies in the area busy. Imagine how many parties that is!

Another photo is what we see frequently here, arrivals for the twice weekly tour of the Great House. As there is no parking on site, visitors must ring for admission at the gate, as this group did. We (the VFs) are all a-twitter about what the AGM will be like!