What follows is a reproduction of the original instructions to "The Quadrille" from the
the book Hillgrove's Complete Guide To Art of Dancing (New York: 1863), pp. 65-79)
by Thomas Hillgrove.
THE QUADRILLE.
Description of the first set, or plain Quadrille, as
now danced in New York.
FIRST FIGURE.
Music -- Four Parts.
Right and Left, . . . . Music 8 bars.
The first and second couple join hands and dance forward toward each other four steps (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1.
then cross to opposite places, each lady passing between the opposite couple (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2.
The gentlemen then present their left hands to the left hands of their partners, turning them half round (Fig. 3),
Fig. 3.
and then turn themselves, so that each couple may face the opposite couple, having only exchanged places (Fig. 4 -- four bars).
Fig. 4.
This is repeated, both couples returning to their own places in the same manner. (Four bars.)
Balance, . . . . . . . Music 8 bars.
The first and second couples face their partners, joining hands with the right hand uppermost (Fig. 5),
Fig. 5.
and slide seven steps across the set -- passing to the right of the opposite couple (count eight -- four bars), and then return in the same manner to places. (Four bars.)
Ladies' Chain, . . . . . Music 8 bars.
The first and second ladies cross to opposite places, giving the right hands as they pass each other, and the left hands to the opposite gentlemen (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6.
Both gentlemen turn the ladies round with the left hand (Fig. 7),
Fig. 7.
and then turn themselves, and face the opposite couple (Fig. 8 -- four bars)
Fig. 8.
after which the ladies return to their own places, each lady giving her right hand to the right hand of the opposite lady as they pass each other, giving the left hand to the left hand of her partner, and turn to place. (Four bars.)
BALANCE -- the same as before (Fig. 9) -- 8 bars.
Fig. 9.
Or otherwise half promenade, both couples passing to the right round to opposite places, the ladies turning on the outside of their partners, and finish, facing the opposite couple. (Four bars.)
And then, half right and left to places, each lady passing between the opposite couple, giving her left hand to the left hand of her partner, and turn to place. (Four bars.)
[hand dingbat]This figure is repeated twice -- first by the head couples and then by the sides.
SECOND FIGURE.
Music -- Three Parts.
Forward Two, . . . . . Music 16 bars.
The first and second couples join hands and advance four steps, and back the same. (Fig. 10 -- four bars.)
Fig. 10.
Forward again, and cross straight over to opposite places -- each lady passing between the opposite couple (Fig. 11),
Fig. 11.
and finish, the ladies facing each her own partner (four bars). Then chassez across (i.e., the dancers should walk forward and pass) each other four steps, and back the same, the gentlemen passing on the outside of the ladies. (Fig. 12 -- four bars.)
Fig. 12.
After which, they recross to place, each lady passing between the opposite couple, and the gentlemen outside (four bars).
BALANCE -- the same as the first figure -- 8 bars.
Fig. 13.
[hand dingbat]This figure is repeated four times -- twice by the head couples and twice by the side couples.
THIRD FIGURE.
Music -- Four Parts.
Right Hand Across, . . . . . 8 bars.
The first and second couples cross to opposite places, each lady passing between the opposite couple, presenting the right hand to the opposite partner as they pass each other. (Fig. 14 -- four bars.)
Fig. 14.
Face about, and return in the same manner, taking the opposite partner by the left hand, which is retained (Fig. 15),
Fig. 15.
the ladies passing between the gentlemen, holding fast with the left hands, and turning half round so as to give the right hands to partners (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16.
Here the ladies have to pass the right arm over the left, in order to join right hands with their own partners, forming a circle in the middle of the set (four bars).
N.B. -- The gentlemen do not cross their arms.
Balance, . . . . . . . . . 4 bars.
The four dancers then balance in a circle by taking one step forward and one back (count four), which is repeated twice. (Fig. 16 -- four bars)
Half Promenade, . . . . . . 4 bars.
Both couples passing to the right round to opposite places (Fig. 17),
Fig. 17.
the ladies turning on the outside of their partners, and finish facing the opposite couple. (Fig. 18 -- four bars.)
Fig. 18.
Ladies Forward, . . . . . . 4 bars.
The two ladies forward toward each other four steps, and back the same; the gentlemen remain in their places (four bars).
Gentlemen Forward, . . . . . 4 bars.
The two gentlemen then forward and back, the same as the ladies (and the ladies stand still in their places -- four bars).
Forward Four, . . . . . . . 4 bars.
Both couples take their partners by the hand (Fig. 19),
Fig. 19.
and forward toward each other four steps, and back the same (four bars).
Half Right and Left, . . . . . 4 bars.
Both couples cross over and return to places, each lady passing between the opposite couple (Fig. 20),
Fig. 20.
and give their left hands to the left hands of their partners, and turn to place. (Fig. 21 -- four bars.)
Fig. 21.
[hand dingbat]This figure is repeated four times -- twice by the head couples, and twice by the side couples.
FOURTH FIGURE.
Music -- Four Parts.
Forward Four, . . . . . 8 bars.
The first and second couples each take their partners by the hand, and advance forward four steps, and back the same. (Fig. 22 -- four bars.)
Fig. 22.
Forward again, and the first lady leaves her partner and presents her left hand, taking the left hand of the opposite gentleman, who receives the left hand of the first lady, and, at the same time, with his right hand takes the right hand of his own partner, and retires toplace with both ladies -- the first gentlemam returning alone. (Four bars.)
Forward Three, . . . . . 8 bars.
The second gentleman then forwards with the two ladies four steps towards the opposite gentleman, who remains in his place, and back the same. (Fig. 23 -- four bars.)
Fig. 23.
Forward again, with the two ladies, while the first gentleman advances and receives them, and returns with the two ladies to place -- and the second gentleman then retires alone (four bars).
Forward Three, . . . . . 8 bars.
The first gentleman and the two ladies then forward and back. (Fig. 24 -- four bars.)
Fig. 24.
Forward again, and turn both ladies quite round, while the second gentleman advances and meets the three in the centre, and the four form a circle joining hands (four bars).
Four Hands Half Round, . . . 4 bars.
The four dancers join hands, turning half round to the left (Fig. 24), and retire backwards to opposite places. (Fig. 25 -- four bars.)
Fig. 25.
Half Right and Left, . . . . 8 bars.
Both couples return to their own places, the ladies passing through the centre, the gentlemen outside (Fig. 26),
Fig. 26.
and give their left hands to the left hands of their partners, and turn to place, (Fig. 27).
Fig. 27.
[hand dingbat]This figure is repeated four times -- twice by the head couples and twice by the side couples -- the first, second, third and fourth ladies taking the lead alternately
FIFTH FIGURE.
Music -- Four Parts.
All Promenade(*), . . . . 8 bars.
Each coulpe face their own partners, joining both hands, with right hand uppermost, (Fig. 28)
Fig. 28.
And all promenade, with a slide or gallop step, passing to the right in a circle round to their own places, being careful not to extend beyond the limits of their own set (eight bars).
Forward Two, . . . . . 16 bars.
This is danced the same as the second figure -- see description.
Balance. -- The same as the first and second
figures, . . . , . . . . . 8 bars.
This figure is repeated four times -- twice by the head couples, and twice by the sides -- after which they
All Chassez, . . . . . . 8 bars.
The chassez is always called to terminate a quadrille, and is performed as follows:
Each couple facing their own partners. Thus (Fig. 29.)
Fig. 29.
And chassez across each other four steps, the gentlemem passing to the outside of the ladies and back the same, finishing with a bow and courtesy. The gentleman then offers his hand or arm to his lady, and conducts her to her seat, which is the proper termination to each set of quadrilles.
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