The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third VoyageCook, James
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The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
The entertainments of this memorable night concluded with a dance, in
which the principal people present exhibited. It resembled the
immediately preceding one, in some respects, having the same number of
performers, who began nearly in the same way; but their ending, at each
interval, was different. For they increased their motions to a
prodigious quickness, shaking their heads from shoulder to shoulder,
with such force, that a spectator, unaccustomed to the sight, would
suppose, that they ran a risk of dislocating their necks. This was
attended with a smart clapping of the hands, and a kind of savage holla,
or shriek, not unlike what is sometimes practised in the comic dances on
our European theatres. They formed the triple semi-circle, as the
preceding dancers had done; and a person who advanced at the head on one
side of the semi-circle, began by repeating something in a truly musical
recitative, which was delivered with an air so graceful, as might put to
the blush our most applauded performers. He was answered in the same
manner, by the person at the head of the opposite party. This being
repeated several times, the whole body on one side joined in the
responses to the whole corresponding body on the opposite side, as the
semi-circle advanced to the front; and they finished, by singing and
dancing as they had begun.
These two last dances were performed with so much spirit, and so great
exactness, that they met with universal approbation. The native
spectators, who no doubt were perfect judges whether the several
performances were properly executed, could not withhold their applauses
at some particular parts; and even a stranger, who never saw the
diversion before, felt similar satisfaction, at the same instant. For
though, through the whole, the most strict concert was observed, some of
the gestures were so expressive, that it might be said they spoke the
language that accompanied them, if we allow that there is any connection
between motion and sound. At the same time, it should be observed, that
though the music of the chorus and that of the dancers corresponded,
constant practice in these favourite amusements of our friends, seems to
have a great share in effecting the exact time they keep in their
performances. For we observed, that if any of them happened accidentally
to be interrupted, they never found the smallest difficulty in
recovering the proper place of the dance or song. And their perfect
discipline was, in no instance, more remarkable, than in the sudden
transitions, they so dexterously made from the ruder exertions, and
harsh sounds, to the softest arts and gentlest movements.[181]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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