Preface of "The Art of Dancing"

The following is a transcription of the preface to John Weaver’s translation of Feuillet’s ballet dictionary. In this short essay, Weaver briefly overviews the history of the language of ballet, from its early archaic form to what Weaver views as a perfect language. It is important to note that for ballet, this progression took roughly one hundred years; while modern dance has been in existence for almost one hundred and fifty years. Why has a language for modern dance not yet been developed? What can modern dance learn from ballet’s systems, and what should it discard?

The Preface

I persuade myself, that before so useful a Curiosity as the following Treatise, it would not be disareeable to the Reader, to give him an account of the Origin and Progress of the Art of Orchesography. Furetier, in his Historical Dictionary, tells us of a curious Treatise of this Art by one Thoinet Arbeau, printed 1588 at Langres, from whom Monsier Feuillet, in his Preface, supposes this Art to date its first Rise and Birth, tho he could never procure a sight of it, as not to be found in Paris. But this very Book falling into my hands, I took care to peruse it with some attention, but found it far short of that Expecation, which such Recommendation had rais’d in me. For tho it might perhaps have given the Hint to Mr. Beauchamp; yet it is nothing but an imperfect rough Draught, nor is it confined to Dancing, since its treats besides of beating the Drum, playing on the Pipe, and the like. 

But notwithstanding this blind Hint of Arbeau, to do justice to Mr. Beauchamp, we must attribute to him the Invention of this Art, who in all Probability, could no more see the former Book, than Mons. Feuillet. But as no Art was ever invented and perfected at once, so it remain’d for Mons. Feuillet, to raise the compleat and finish’d superstructure on Mons. Beauchamp’s Foundation; and it must be allowed that Mons. Feuillet has carry’d this Art to a very great Perfection, and taken a great deal of Pains in the Improvement of the Character, & given Rules so just, and a Methos so proper, that I cannot imagine any Man can flatter himself with an Ability of designing a better, or more regular manner. For this reason I chose rather to follow his Method entirely than attempt any Alteration of my own, which I have done with that Care and Diligence, that I think I may assure the Reader I have omitted nothing that he has deliver’d. I have also made it my Business to bring the Reader acquainted with the meaning of my Author, as well as his words, which is a Happiness every Translator has not the Power of arriving at, as generally either ignorant of the subject or Language he translates from or into, or both. 

There will be no need to enforce the Use of this Art, and by Consequence recommend the Book that teaches it, to all Lovers of Dancing since it carries its own Evidence with itself, and has already convinced themof its Benefit and Advantage; and I question not but others will find the same satisfaction from their study, which I have done since by a close Application to this Character, I have made such a Progress in it, as to be able to communicate all Dances to the rest of the Profession at any Distance. 

I have a great deal of Reason to believe, that had not I first undertaken to make Mons. Feuillet speak English, this Character had yet a longer while remain’d a secret to this Nation; those who had made their private Market of it, not being willing to admit any rivals in an Art, which chiefly distinguish’d them from others of their Profession. 

I must undeceive some, who may perhaps mistake the Design of the following Treatise, and take it for an Instruction, or some Improvement in the Art of Dancing, or Method of Teaching. But I must assure them, that I am not yet Master of Vanity enough to venture upon a Talk so difficult, and so invidious, since I am of Opinion that there are not better Masters for instructing scholars in a genteel Movement and Address, than the English. 

I shall not therefore detain the Reader any longer in the Porch, but leave him now to enter, and improve

Ingredere ut proficias. [Enter so that you will progress.]