Booth's Escape Route

[Natty]

(01-29-2013 03:07 PM)BettyO Wrote:  

Quote:Was it common for men to marry ex-dancers or was this more of an exception?

As for the grand balls, I figured that they might be nothing more than a myth. Were these dances you listed popular in the South? And what was the scoop on those Baptists? Would Lewis Powell have learned a single dance step in his life?

Would men marry ex-dancers? Usually actors would have no qualms. Unfortunately this was a stigma that took years to overcome. There were many nice, chaste ladies who went onto the stage simply because of the glamor and pay. Some men would as well.... I don't see why not. But the usual answer because of the questionable activity of these ladies was no.

There may have been early in the war grand balls, and yes, they would have walzed, polkaed, etc. Same with the grand balls in the North.

To a Baptist, dancing was a moral sin. Dr. Gillette wrote a sermon on the subject, I think, in the 1870s. He was dead set against it. Would Powell have danced? That I don't know, but I'd have to say as per his upbringing, which would have been very strict, no. He may have after he joined the army and fell away somewhat from his piety, but there is no way of knowing.

How was the general distribution of the various religious groups in the South during that period? Were Baptists more of a minority? I was always under the impression that they were quite a significant, dominant group. If not, which group would have been more inclined to host balls and promote dancing?

Another thing that has always interested me.... what kind of instruments (besides the obvious piano!) would have been popular in the South?