by way of rest, to
the first figure.

_The measure_, or time, is 2-4; but, to facilitate our definition, we
subdivide each measure, or bar, into one--two--three--four; the accent on
the two, etc., to be played not so fast as the galop.

_The steps_ are two, and the following description may, in some measure,
convey them to our readers; we commence with the first, and most general.
At the one, hop on the right leg, lifting, or doubling up your left leg
at the same moment; at the two, put your left leg boldly forward on the
ground; at the three, bring your right toe up to your left heel; at the
four, advance your left foot a short step forward: now, at the one, in
the next measure, or bar of the time, hop on the left leg, doubling, or
lifting up your right leg, and so on, proceeding in this step, with your
arm encircling your partner's waist, round the room. This may be termed
the first figure.

Figure 2.--Still adopting the same step, with your right arm round your
partner's waist, and her right hand in your left, you place your lady
exactly before you, and back all round the room, your lady pursuing you
(as shown in the sketch); you then reverse this figure, and let your
partner do the back step, whilst you pursue her, and, at the same time,
carefully guide her round the room.

[Picture: The Drawing-room Polka.--Figure 2. Ill. Lon. News, 11 May,
1844, p. 301]

In backing, the leg which in figure one, you put boldly forward on the
ground, you now fling boldly backward, and are thus enabled to effect
your progress round the room.

Figure 3.--With the same step you waltz round the room--in other words,
you perform the Galop waltz, substituting the Polka step as described.

Figure 4.--This is also a waltz with the second step, which we will now
describe as "the Heel and Toe step." At the one, make a little hop on
your right leg, dropping your left heel close to your right foot; at the
two, another little hop on the right leg, pointing your left toe (not
forward, but as close to your right foot as possible); at the tree,
another little hop on the right leg, advancing one step forward with the
left foot; at the four, bring up the right foot, turning at the same
instant, and passing your partner over to your left arm from your right
arm; in your next measure, return your lady to your left arm, and so on.

[Picture: The Drawing-room Polka.--Figure 5]

Figure 5.--This