amounts of money only are involved, the same act undergoes, it would appear, a change of moral character, and loses the features which in the former instance are viewed with disapprobation and disgust. A gross error, however, is here committed. What is inherently wrong in the greater, cannot be right in the less; the obnoxious elements, which exist in an extensive system of gaming, pervade, in a proportionate degree, every modification of the practice, and convey a corresponding measure of criminality. If gaming is immoral in all its gradations, it must be in card-playing, which is one. CHAPTER IV. DANCING. Blame, cynic, if you can, quadrille or ball, The snug COWPER. EVERY one acquainted with this elegant amusement is aware that it presents to the lovers of pleasure the most powerful attractions. There is no scene in which pleasure reigns more triumphantly than in the ball-room. The assemblage of fashion, of beauty, of elegance, and taste; the music rising "with its voluptuous swell;" the elegant attitudes, and airy evolutions of graceful forms; the mirth in every step, and joy in every eye, unite to give to the spirits a buoyancy, to the heart a gaiety, and to the passions a warmth, unequalled by any other species of amusement. What emotions of pleasure are like those which are felt when Upsprings the dance along the lighted dome, That it should, therefore, find many admirers and advocates is naturally to be expected, and he who declares himself an opponent of the gratification, and enters the lists against it, had need to be liberally supplied at once with courage, weapons, and address. The present discussion, however, involves a task, if not less difficult, at least less formidable; demanding rather sagacity and caution, than confidence and courage. Its design is not, at all events, to oppose, declaim against, and censure, *Thomson's Seasons. but to observe, investigate, argue, and decide. Prejudice may regard the effort with an evil eye, but intelligence and candour will meet it with civility and respect. If conviction can be obtained, that the amusement is harmless and pure, sanction for it will be cheerfully granted; and approbation will be withheld only on the ground of manifest and formidable injury or danger. No sensible person, it is presumed, would think of maintaining, that dancing, when conducted under proper restrictions, is, in its own nature, criminal; some evil attendant circumstances can alone form the ground of objection. For young persons the amusement appears both suitable and desirable; as an art it is elegant, and as an exercise necessary for young people. To it they are instinctively led, and by it their health and growth are promoted. The flow of their animal spirits, and their gaiety of heart communicate a corresponding influence to the animal frame, and dispose its ductile powers to active and vigorous motion. Dancing, especially in its relation to the female sex, appears to be admirably adapted to these phenomena of juvenile character and state. When not excessively practised, so as either to dissipate the mind, or injure the body by fatigue and exhaustion, the amusement is salutary. The discipline which the art secures is also valuable. It gives ductility to the limbs, gracefulness to their movements, and that elegance of carriage, which forms so pleasing and desirable an accomplishment. At the same time it must be admitted, that the dangers of the amusement are far from trifling. Fondness for dress, love of display, desire of admiration, and all the remaining concomitants of juvenile vanity are by it supplied with additional facilities of growth and developement. There is room also for the apprehension that a permanent taste for the amusement may be acquired, the gratification of which, in the estimation of many persons, ought to be granted only |