In Russia, balls as a cultural phenomenon appeared in the XVIII century, but only a century later found true popularity. In the classical sense, a ball is a solemn event, social or social, in which the main emphasis was on the dance program.
Instruction manual
1
Balls were usually given all year round. The official opening of the season was held in November, when representatives of the upper class returned from summer residences and began to frankly get bored in the cities. It was customary to go to balls all winter, excluding the time when there was a post. Often, the head of the family received several invitations to balls appointed on the same day. Some of them could be ignored, while others were obligatory to appear. Most balls ended late in the morning. The next day in the afternoon, it was necessary to make visits, and then prepare for new balls.
2
The ballrooms in the house included a hall where the main action took place, a smoking room, a buffet and a games room. Ball etiquette in the 19th century was so precisely spelled out that the slightest deviation from it was considered indecent. Everything was regulated: costumes, and rules for dancing, and etiquette, and norms of communication, and the design of halls.
3
Balls were court, private, merchants, children, public, wedding, birthday. It was customary to send an invitation to the ball in advance - at least 7-10 days before the celebration. This was done so that the ladies could prepare a new dress. To go out twice in the same was considered the height of indecency and a sign of financial insolvency. If a thematic ball was held, for example, monochrome, the invitation indicated in which color the costumes should be invited. By the way, sometimes a masquerade toilet for a lady cost her husband one or two villages along with lands and peasants.
4
Young girls were instructed to go to balls in pastel-colored dresses, to have uncomplicated hairstyles, to wear a limited number of not-so-catchy decorations. Older ladies could afford something more extravagant and vibrant. In any case, the dress was open, the neckline size was sometimes shocking. Soft balls, usually without heels, were put on the balls. From cosmetics it was supposed to use only powder.
5
After receiving the invitation, it was supposed to send written consent to take part in the celebration within two days. It was not supposed to refuse, if there were no good reasons, for example, the death of a close relative.
6
Balls were given in huge halls, decorated with flowers and ribbons and lit by thousands of wax candles. In the middle of the hall they danced. On two long walls elevations were usually mounted, where armchairs and ombre tables were placed, on each of which several new decks of playing cards were laid. Gossiping at these tables, losing fortunes, dueling, discussing politics. For musicians, they usually put a separate platform with benches located in the amphitheater.
7
Arriving at the ball, the guests had to pay their respects to the owners of the house. If the lady was married, she was obliged to come to the ball with her husband. When he was absent, it was possible to come with a friend and her husband. Unmarried girls were accompanied by mothers or elderly relatives, who were to vigilantly monitor the observance of all decorum. Girls who were not popular with gentlemen danced anyway, since their partners were chosen by their mother or relative. Even if the lady was frankly nasty by herself, they had to start a small talk with her, give compliments. She, in turn, must smile, flirt with a fan and show sympathy to the gentleman.
eight
Each lady had a ball book with her, called a carne or an agend. A list of dances was made there in advance, and on the contrary, the names of the gentlemen who wanted to dance with her were already entered at the ball. Ballroom books were tiny and usually fastened to the waist of the dress. To give a promise of one dance to two cavaliers was considered bad form and could provoke a duel. For beautiful and free girls and women, the endowment was painted from the very first minutes of the ball. It is curious that the lady should not have danced with the same gentleman for more than three dances in the evening. If this rule was not respected, then they started talking about an imminent wedding.
9
The ability to dance gracefully, conduct small talk and good manners often made commanders of entire battalions out of court dandies, contributing a lot to career advancement.
10
The first dance in the XIX century was often a minuet, the second - a waltz. The culmination of the evening - mazurka, the final - cotillon. Girls and boys were taught to dance from the age of five. Often, such exercises resembled an athlete’s training. Regardless of the state of health, mood and emotions experienced, it was necessary to execute the figures, managing not to step on the partner's feet, not to push anyone, not to fall and not to confuse directions.
