In the polka there an but two principal steps, all others belong to
fancy dances, and much mischief and inconvenience is likely to arise
from their improper introduction into the ball-room.
_First step._ The gentleman raises the left foot slightly behind the
right, the right foot is then hopped with, and the left brought
forward with a glissade. The lady commences with the right, jumps on
the left, and glissades with the right. The gentleman during his
step has hold of the lady's left hand with his right.
_Second step._ The gentleman lightly hops the left foot forward on
the heel, then hops on the toe, bringing the left foot slightly
behind the right. He then glissades with the left foot forward; the
same is then done, commencing with the right foot. The lady dances
the same step, only beginning with the right foot.
There are a variety of other steps of a fancy character, but they can
only be understood with the aid of a master, and even when well
studied, must be introduced with care. The polka should be danced with
grace and elegance, eschewing all _outré_ and ungainly steps and
gestures, taking care that the leg is not lifted too high, and that
the dance is not commenced in too abrupt a manner. Any number of
couples may stand up, and it is the privilege of the gentleman to form
what figure he pleases, and vary it as often as his fancy and taste
may dictate.
_First Figure._ Four or eight bars are devoted to setting forwards
and backwards, turning from and towards your partner, making a
slight hop at the commencement of each set, and holding your
partner's left hand; you then perform the same step (forwards) all
round the room.
_Second Figure._ The gentleman faces his partner, and does the same
step backwards all round the room, the lady following with the
opposite foot, and doing the step forwards.
_Third Figure._ The same as the second figure, only reversed, the
lady stepping backwards, and the gentleman forwards, always going
the same way round the room.
_Fourth Figure._ The same step as figures two and three, but turning
as in a waltz.
[MAN'S HEART BEATS 92,160 TIMES IN A DAY.]