Peacock, Francis Sketches Relative to the History and Theory, but more especially to the...
Peacock, Francis Sketches Relative to the History and Theory, but more especially to the Practice of Dancing. Aberdeen: J. Chalmers & Co., 1805. 8vo, later rebound in half leather over marbled boards; pp. 222 [text ends subscribers' list 'K', lacking to end]; provenance: Prof. Airey (Dancing Master in the Hawkshead area in the 1900s, bookplate to upper pastedown). Blasis, Carlo Notes Upon Dancing, Historical and Practical. M. Delaporte, 1847. 8vo, half calf over marbled boards; three engravings; provenance: George Grote (?author and radical MP, armorial bookplate on upper pastedown) -- Prof. Airey (as above, lower pastedown). Peacock was a Scottish dancing master of six decades experience when he published this book - many of these as the only Dancing Master in Aberdeen. He draws on previous books, not least John Locke, as well as personal experience to portray dance as a highly desirous part of education of the young. In its curated but vigorous expression it offers health, promotes social development and gives a safe outlet for youthful high spirits.
Blasis was an important figure in the development of dance theory and the analysis of individual movements using geometry. He advocated a serious of figures, which should be learnt by students. From this, the student would learn to add emotional expression, drawing the action out of the regimented and into the artistic. He was in some ways ahead of his time, studying moves then considered too difficult or demanding for general dancers of the age. [2]