This may be a more modern feature, for
an undoubtedly ancient Jig--viz., Dr Bull's 'King's Hunting Jigg,' not
only has no dotted note, but is in common time, without even a
tendency towards the rhythm of triplets. [Also see Appendix,
'Cobbler's Jig.' 1622.]
Here is a most entertaining quotation from Selden,[19] dealing with
fashionable court dances in Elizabeth's reign, and shewing how things
had gone from bad to worse in respect of dignity and state in dancing,
under the Stuarts.
[Footnote 19: Selden's Table Talk, article 'King of England,' Sec. 7.]
'The court of England is much alter'd. At a solemn dancing,
_first_ you had the _grave measures_, _then_ the _Corantoes_
and the _Galliards_, and _this_ kept up _with ceremony_; and
_at length_ to Trenchmore, and the Cushion dance: _Then_ all
the company dances, lord and groom, lady and kitchen-maid,
_no distinction_. So in our court in queen _Elizabeth's_
time, _gravity and state_ were kept up. In king _James's_
time things were _pretty well_. But _in king Charles's
time_, there has been nothing but Trenchmore and the
Cushion-dance, _omnium gatherum, tolly polly, hoite cum
toite_.'
There are very many passages of interest, containing references to
Dances. The first one here given is an instance (in Shakespeare's very
text) of singing a dance and dancing to it at the same time.
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