From the mid-1800's; definitely like a square dance, or perhaps what we call
"Contradancing" today. Not exactly a reel dance, which goes in long lines of
people facing one another. You have 8 couples in a square doing what is
"called" next by a prompter or caller.


Geri Wagner
Technicrafts
315.337.6463








> At 7:50 PM -0400 4/29/02, HistorianCindyA wrote:
>> What kind of dance was the quadrille? Or is it slang and not really a
>> dance? (See below)
>>
>> The Daily News
>> Batavia, Genesee Co., NY
>> Thursday Evening, April 7 1881.
>>
>> MERE MENTION.
>> --The Cuba News is now engaged in writing up the "nice young men" of that
>> place.  Their remarks in regard to the boys are unusually sharp.
>> --Can you dance the quadrille?  My brother Bill can dawnse[sic] the
>> quadrille, and goes to the bar and gets his fill, like any other pill--so
>> be still.
>
> A real dance.
> I dont know how to decribe it though.
> How about a formal square dance with no calling.
>
>
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