Joseph Wilson and William D. Wilson, Sketches of the Higher Classes of Colored Society (Philadelphia, 1841), 51.
Item
Title
Joseph Wilson and William D. Wilson, Sketches of the Higher Classes of Colored Society (Philadelphia, 1841), 51.
Includes music itself or text of song
no
Identity of singers; solo/group
free, upperclass
Space/room
ballroom
activity
dancing
Geographical location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Excerpt
The vulgar and indecent practices which obtain foothold among them, and which would perhaps forever soil the fame of any one of the plain, unostentatious, unpretending members of plebian society in the estimation of his associates, are by them termed “ fashionable foibles, " and he or she who is not an adept in such matters, is looked upon as a “ simple ton, ” or a “ flat; " or is otherwise regarded in the light that one would be who should appear in a ball - room and offer to lead in the dance, with brogans upon his feet — a grossly ignorant and unfashionable fellow! It is not of course for the want of education or of better information, but in truth the very possession of these, which they consider - con joined with wealth — confers upon them the privilege of establishing and adhering to just whatever regulations and practices, under the name of " fashion, ” their corrupt fancies may lead them to.
Context
Wilson mentions dancing in the ballroom.