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.

I admit that it is indulged in by a great multitude (not of the best)
but the most aristocratic society people. But does the fact that society
has permitted itself to be carried by storm into a toleration of the
modern dance make the dance any less degrading and sinful. No more so,
it seems to me, than does the fact of the universal use of alcohol make
its effect less harmful or make it any the less a destroyer of homes,
happiness and character.

No, its universality does not prove its morality, and it is certain that
results prove conclusively its immorality, and all who try to make it
out otherwise, are either those who know nothing at all about it and are
unwilling to believe that such an evil could be in their midst without
their knowledge, or those who know and practice the abominations, but
enjoy it far too well to confess what they know. These last will be
loudest in their clamor against this book and its author, and in their
profession of perfect innocence.

They believe themselves to be the sole possessors of the secret which
makes the waltz their pet amusement. They do not mean that their secret
shall be divulged, and they seize every opportunity of praising the
"beauty a