ay; but am very sure, there was not
only a great deal of natural mirth in it, but that it is
susceptible enough of improvement, to rescue it from the
contempt it may have incurred, through its being chiefly in use
among the vulgar; though most probably it may have descended
among them from the higher ranks. For certainly of them it was
not quite unworthy, for the Pirrhic or military air it carries
with it, and which probably was the cause of its introduction
among so martial a people. Rude, as it was, it might require
refinement, but it did not, perhaps, deserve to become quite
obsolete.

In SPAIN, they have a dance, called, _Les Folies d'Espagne_,
which is performed either by one or by two, with castanets.
There is a dress peculiarly adapted to it, which has a very
pleasing effect, as well as the dance itself.

In FRANCE, their _Contre-dances_, are drawn from the true
principles of the art, and the figures and steps are generally
very agreeable. No nation cultivates this art with more taste
and delicacy. Their _Provencale_ dance, is most delightfully
sprightly, and well imagined. The steps seem to correspond with
the natural vivacity and gaiety of the Provencals. This dance is
commonly performed to the pipe and tabor.

The FLEMISH dances run in the most droll vein of true rural
humor. The performers seem to be made for the dances, and the
dances for the performers; so well assorted are the figures to
the representation. Several eminent painters in the grotesque
stile, Teniers especially, have formed many diverting pictures
taken from life, upon this subject.

At NAPLES, they have various grotesque dances, which are
originals in their kind, being extremely difficult to execute,
not only for the variety of the steps, but for the intricacy and
uncommonness, or rather singularity of them.

But while I am mentioning Naples, I ought not to omit that
effect of dancing, which is attributed to it, upon those who are
bitten with the _Tarantula_. The original of this opinion, was
probably owing to some sensible physician, prescribing such a
violent motion, more likely to be kept up in the patient, by the
power of music, than by any thing else, as might enable him to
expel the poison, by being thereby thrown into a copious sweat,
and by other benefits from such a vehement agitation. This, it
is supposed, was afterwards abused and turned into a mere trick,
to assemble a croud and get money, either by sham bites, or by
mak