"DANCING" THE LANCIERS ON BICYCLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 77, 3 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

"DANCING" THE LANCIERS ON BICYCLES.

Fancy bicycling is becoming popular among ladies as well aa gentlemen, and nothing prettier in the way of movement is conceivable than some of the many figures which have beon invented. Suitable music is oil tha greatest assistance, bhe lighb operas and German waltzes furnishing bhe fiibtesb accompanimenb for bhe purpose. When oub of doors a good milibary band is 'most pleasanb, bub indoors a grand piano in enough, although in very large halls stringed instruments will be fouiad a welcome addition. Ono of the mo.b fascinating rides is the lancers, which can be done with very libtle altera-

tion, tho curves and circles, when done should aa much aa possible follow gracefully and with precision, being ex- the Hoea of bhe dance aa pertremely attractive, the moving wheela formed on foot. Ifc may ba mentioned tbab crossing and re-crossing with charming decorated bicycleß greatly improve the effecb. The grand chain, albhough effecb. Anyone arranging the ao;orea will requiring much work, ia well worbh bhe see how much practice is required, and tbab trouble ib involves, and ia always a largo apace is necessary for fche performthoroughly appreciated. The ground for ance. thia ride ia marked oub with lines as is a Other dances can be done on the same lawn tennis courb, small circles or dobs lines, such aa quadrilles, garland dances, showing bhe places of tho riders. No hard etc. Tho following is a detailed descripand faab rules ban be laid down aa regarda tion of the beginniug of the figure :—ine tho actual course taken by the riders, no eighb riders, before taking up their positwo instructor agreeitig absolutely as to tiona (diagram 1), ride round the course, tho prefcbieab method. This muab, bhere- coming up bhe canbre, and branching to fore, be lefb to the discretion and righb and lefb in single tile (vide diagram taste of the leader, who, however, 2). On fche bwo columns meebing ab the

bop of the course they ride down in couples and branch in bwoa to righb and lefb. coming up to bheir poaition a8 in diagram 3. All couples commence by riding to bhe centre and circling there vis-a-vis, returning to placea (diagram 4), repeating bhis on the other side (diagram 5). Then couples 1 and 2, holding hands, cross between couples 3 and 4, No. 5 to 8 doing tbe same (diagram 6), returning lo places and repoab bhe reverse way (diagram 8). Then seb to corners (diagram 9), 1 circling 3, 4 circling 7, etc. From thia figuro bhe reader will geb an idea of how the others must be done for thia and other dances. For the less skilful there aro plenby of easy military rides, club circling rides, etc.