amusement that stultifies the communicative faculties, and fosters
social seclusion. Some one might say this may be a good thing, since
every grade in moral and social standing are represented. Yes, but this
only acknowledges the lack of opportunity for social fellowship. It is
not true that the dance, as an institution, is not patronized by the most
capable in conversation and companionship? Certainly this is true in
the so-called higher society, among those whose sole ambition is to
excel in formal manners and in personal appearance at the gay function,
and at the social ball. To be communicative one must have something
to communicate, and this means a cultivation of the mind and heart.
True social fellowship is one of the sweetest pleasures of life and always
has its source in the culture of the soul. Whatever may be said for or
against the modern dance, it is true that because of the mixed characters
of its attendants, and for want of opportunity to communicate, the social
nature becomes neglected and abused, and may be fatally poisoned.

The modern dance destroys intellectual growth. The person who has
the dance-craze cares no more for mental improvement and growth than
a starving man cares for splendid recipes for fine cooking. The thought
of a problem to be solved, of a book to be read, of an organ exercise to
be practiced, of all things, are most tame to the one who is filled with
dreams of the last dance, and with visions of the one that is to come. To
grow, the mind must be free from excitement. The fault with the dance
in this respect is that it has in it a fascination that does not exist in the
ordinary social amusement. Some persons complain that they can not
get an evening to go off well without dancing. But this is only an open
confession to mental vacuity, to intellectual poverty. For one need know
but little to flourish at the dance. And always, where little is required,
intellectually, little is given. It is the rule that those who are in the
greatest need of mental cultivation and growth are those who make up