nice and who are so considered. I am ashamed to say in by-gone days, I
have been among these young men myself, and I know that to hear them
give free expression, loose-tongued, to the lewd emotions and sensual
pleasures in which they indulge while in your embrace, is almost as
common as the waltz itself.

I repeat what I have said before, that I do not refer to rough,
uncultured men, but to those who are looked upon by society as most
polished, refined and desirable young men.

If it be true that a woman, however innocent in thought, is the subject
of such vile comment, if there is the barest possibility that it may be
true, is it not also true that if she is possessed of a remnant of
delicacy, she will shrink from exposing herself to such comment, and
flee from places of dancing as from a den of vipers?




CHAPTER VI.

THE APPROVAL OF SOCIETY IS NO PROOF AGAINST THE DEGRADATION.


I know that there are many who will contend that I have some selfish or
spiteful motive in writing thus strongly in condemnation of the waltz.
Many will doubtless claim that the waltz is very moral and healthful, is
indulged in by the best people of every land, seemingly tolerated by
all, and that he who raises his voice against it does so from other
motives than a disinterested desire to warn his fellow-men against it.