Quadrilles

"A dull old game," she is irreverently terming the quadrilles -- that massing together of inelegant movements so dear to the bucolic mind -- that saving clause for the old maids and the wall-flowers; when a little change of position shows her the double quartette on the right hand side of the magnificent ballroom. ❋ Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (N/A)

We did not see Guy among the dancers, who were now forming in a somewhat confused square, in order to execute a new dance called quadrilles, of which Miss Grace Oldtower was to be the instructress. ❋ Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (1856)

Mr. Brady was very much esteemed as a composer, being the author of many fine pieces of music, such as quadrilles, polkas, waltzes, marches, and songs. ❋ James M. Trotter (1867)

"quadrilles" as a sign of entertainment offered, we'll have Osborne and ❋ Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1837)

The minstrels were embowered in greenery as they played waltzes and quadrilles, which were danced with great zest, and the hall rang with good-humored laughter . . . ❋ Thaddeus Russell (2010)

Alva threw down the gauntlet when she planned an enormous house-warming costume ball complete with expensive favors and elaborate quadrilles. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Living in his mother's house on Perdido Street in the black section of the Storyville neighbourhood, making a living by delivering coal, milk and newspapers, he would have heard the bands playing the new form of music – a bouillabaisse of ragtime, French quadrilles, work songs, hymns and marches – in the local "tonks", which merged the functions of bars, dancehalls, grocery stalls and bordellos. ❋ Unknown (2011)

I have danced the faith v. reason, religion v. atheism quadrilles many, many times. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Derived from such venerable French folk dances as cotillions and quadrilles and adapted to Irish music, set dancing has never lost its rhythmic attraction for Mr. Hayes. ❋ Unknown (2008)

At night, when I come from the quadrilles, I show Stella to the stars, and I say to them: “Behold her.” ❋ Unknown (2008)

Rufus and Jane could have spent a lot of time dancing quadrilles with Virginia Randolphs and Carolina Bradfords. ❋ Diane Roberts (2008)

The events themselves, supervised by Dr Hood and the other medical officers, are distinguished by the organisers regard for etiquette and urbanity: nothing that could be regarded as wildness or extravagance is perceptible in the patients demeanour or attire as they join in the quadrilles and polkas. ❋ Catharine Arnold (2008)

“Why all the girls in the room would be quarreling for him,” she said, glancing at the quadrilles. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Two or three hours passed, the quadrilles began, the room filled; but no lion appeared. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Ceremonies, the quadrilles commenced with considerable spirit. ❋ Unknown (2007)

The musicians were securely confined in an elevated den, and quadrilles were being systematically got through by two or three sets of dancers. ❋ Unknown (2007)