Paper 25

Assembly Room Rules for Social Dancing

Contributed by Paul Cooper, Research Editor

Assembly Rooms were important venues during the Georgian period in Britain, they were used for social dancing as well as other functions. Rules and bye-laws were developed to govern the dancing at these venues, in this paper we'll consider a selection of these rules, and consider the implications for social dancing in Georgian Britain. In a previous paper we've investigated the dancing conventions at Almack's Assembly Rooms, the most prestigious dancing venue of Regency London; this paper will compare the published rules of a more diverse range of Assembly Rooms, and investigate some of what those rules can tell us about the dancing conventions, and how they changed over time.

I've struggled to find a good introduction to the Assembly Rooms of Georgian Britain. It's probable that a systematic study of them has been published, but such a work has evaded my discovery. If you know of a good source, do let us know. This review doesn't attempt a definitive study, it's just a commentary on the patchwork of surviving regulations that I've stumbled across. If you have further information to share, do please get in touch.

As we'll see, the conventions evolved over time, and families of related rules emerge. Many of these conventions went on to be included in, and expanded upon, in the various ball-room etiquette guides of the early 19th Century. We'll consider these etiquette guides in more detail in a future research paper, this paper restricts its scope to the published Assembly Room rules themselves. Each Assembly Room was expected to display the rules that regulated them, and visitors were expected to familiarise themselves with those rules on arrival. The progressive changes in the rules offer an insight into the evolving social dancing experience for the frequenters of the Assembly-Rooms.

Figure 1. Detail from Almacks Over the Water, 1846, by George Cruickshank (Over the Water probably implied the southern side of the River Thames)

This paper mainly consists of reference information, the following table of contents may assist in navigating it.

• Rules to be Observed at Bath (first half of the 18th Century)
• Derby Ladies' Assembly (c.1740s)
• Some Rules of Good Manners to be Observed by Country Dancers (1764)
• Wade's Dress Code for the Rooms at Bath (1769)
• Wade's Rules for the Rooms at Bath (1771)
• Dawson's Rules for the New Assembly Rooms at Bath (1777)
• Tyson's Rules for the Old Assembly Rooms at Bath (1780)
• Southampton Winter Assembly (1781)
• Dunn's Assembly Room, Edinburgh (1783)
• Scarborough Assembly Rooms (1783)
• Highbury Assembly Rooms (1785)
• King's Rules for the Lower Assembly Rooms at Bath (1787)
• Edinburgh New Assembly Rooms (1787)
• Weymouth Assembly Rooms (1788)
• Dublin Assembly Rooms (1790)
• Southampton Summer Assembly (1793)
• Plymouth Assembly Rooms (1796)
• Plymouth Long Room (1796)
• Margate Assembly Rooms (1802)
• Cheltenham Assembly Rooms (1803)
• Glasgow Assemblies (1804)
• Manchester Assembly (1804)
• Belfast Assembly (1808)
• Norwich First Subscription Assembly (1808)
• Glocester Dancing and Card Assemblies (1809)
• Bury New Rooms (1810)
• Lower Assembly Rooms, Bath (1810)
• Buxton Assembly Room (1811)
• Bristol Assemblies (1813)
• Edward Payne's Rooms, London (1814)
• Leamington Spa Assembly Rooms (1814)
• Kingston Assembly Rooms, Bath (1816)
• Guernsey Private Assemblies (1822)
• Aberystwyth Assembly Rooms (1824)

Rules, it might be said, are there to be broken. Figure 1 is a detail from an 1846 print showing the prominently positioned rules at an Assembly Room being ignored; those rules indicate that No Gent to dance with his Hat on; No Gent to Smoke except at refreshment time; No two Gents to dance together. One particularly striking couple in the foreground have managed to break all three rules at the same time! A reviewer of the image in the Morning Post (2nd July 1846) commented: The waltz, the polka, and the mazourka are here seen to perfection, and the Gents and Gentesses of the Surrey side are all to nothing the most amusing animals in creation.

The tables below list the rules associated with particular Assemblies. Each rule is listed together with a reference identifier that has no significance beyond this document (they're useful for referencing individual rules). The identifiers are not part of the original texts, many of which were not numbered in the source works.

Enforcement of the Rules

Before we consider the regulations in detail, it's worth considering how seriously the rules were enforced. I suspect that genteel society was self selecting, and rules were rarely transgressed. Disagreements could occur however.

An interesting criminal report exists of two officers who disrupted an assembly in the North of England. The Kentish Weekly Post for 14th February 1806 carried a report from Gateshead of the disturbance, it offers an insight into how the rules could be enforced. The report documents an investigation at the Court of the King's Bench:

Figure 2. The Gig Shop or Kicking up a Breeze at Nell Hammilton's Hop, Rowlandson, 1811
© Trustees of the British Museum

Mr. Hullock moved for leave to file a criminal information against two officers of the North Lincoln Militia.

The motion he grounded on the affidavits of several persons at Gateshead, near Durham, and stated, that there were certain rules for the regulation of the company frequenting them, particularly that non-subscribers should not be admitted, unless introduced by subscribers; that in the month of December last there was a ball at the rooms, and the defendants, who were not subscribers, and had no regular introduction, made their appearence about eleven o'clock, and demanded admittance. They were not in the usual costume of a ball-room, but, on the contrary, were dressed in boots.

The door-keeper informed them, that unless they were properly introduced, they could not be admitted. They appeared satisfied, and went away, but soon afterwards one of the defendants returned, and forced his way in, threatening to strike the man at the door with a whip; he was followed by the other defendant. The managers of the Assembly hearing of what had passed, sent in a polite message to the two intruders, desiring they would wait upon them in an adjoining room, in order that they might explain to them the rules of the Assembly. They returned for answer, that they were very comfortable where they were, and they would not stir. The managers went and expostulated with them, remarking, that they were not dressed, and they hoped they would withdraw; that nothing personally disrespectful to them was meant, but that the regulations of the ball must be preserved. They replied, that they might be forced out, but they would not withdraw.

The two officers went to the card-room, and sent for one of the Gentlemen who had interfered. He attended them, and upon the managers, a few minutes following, they found the defendants menacing him with clenched fists, and shaking their whips. A scuffle ensued, and all parties got into an adjoining apartment, which communicated with the street. The managers and their friends succeeded in locking the door, and then returned to the ball-room. A very little while elapsed before a violent knocking was heard, and it appeared the defendants were breaking the pannels of the door, and forcing through the apertures. A constable was sent for, and they were delivered into his custody, but they doubtless escaped, for in less than half an hour a letter was sent to the managers to this effect:- Gentlemen, you all combined, seemed so valiant, that we have no doubt you will demand satisfaction. We are waiting below to make the necessary arrangements for meeting you tomorrow morning. This was not thought worthy of an answer.

Nothing further occurred at the rooms; but as Mr. Hawkes, one of the company, was going home with his wife and sister, one of the defendants met and accosted him, saying, As I struck you, I suppose you will wish to have satisfaction, and I am ready to fight you with sword and pistol. Mr. Hawkes asked at what time:- Why now, replied the other. Truly, said Hawkes, I am much better engaged, I am going home with my wife.

Figure 3. Assault at Ipswich The London Courier, 23rd November 1801. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Image reproduced with kind permission of The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Mr. Stubbs moved the Court for a criminal information against Colonel Bailey, of the West Middlesex militia, for challenging a Mr Bacon to fight. He stated, that in the course of the last season there was a subscription ball at Gosport, at which Mr. Bacon was appointed Master of the Ceremonies; and in the proper discharge of that duty, he had laid down certain rules and regulations to be observed by the company. Colonel Bailey and his daughters attended, and danced: and Mr. Bacon conceiving they had, in some respect, transgressed the rules of the ball-room, mentioned it to them. The Colonel hearing of this, said, they were foolish rules, and his daughters should not observe them. He, however, left the ball-room, taking his daughters with him; but he soon after returned again alone, and observing Mr. Bacon standing near some Gentlemen, he rushed through them, and brushed against him, and would have occasioned his falling, but that a person who stood by him prevented it. He then asked him what he meant by making his daughters leave the room? To which the other replied, nothing had been farther from his intentions - he had only informed them of the regulations. The Colonel turned round to depart, and when he was near the door, he called Mr. Bacon a scoundrel, telling him, at the same time, he knew where to find him.

Lord Kenyon observed, that it was highly proper, and even important, that there should be certain regulations in those assemblies to which the public resorted for their innocent recreation. He recollected a circumstance that had occurred at Bath: a lady of very high rank (the late Dutchess of Queensberry) was walking into the ball room, when she was met by the Master of the Ceremonies, who informed her Ladyship she could not be admitted with an apron. She happened to have an apron on made entirely of the finest lace and valued at 300 guineas; but she immediately pulled it off, delivered it to the Master of the Ceremonies, and with the most condescending politeness thanked him for having by his timely communication prevented her transgressing the rules of the room. His Lordship expressed his regret that Colonel Bailey had not been actuated by a similar disposition, and granted a rule to shew cause.

The affidavit of Mr Prentice stated, that there was a subscription assembly held at Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk, of which he was the Treasurer, and that it was customary for every subscriber to pay up his subscription before the fourth night, without which his admission was against the rules of the assembly; that General Garth was observed to have entered the room without having paid up his subscription; that Mr. Prentice, wishing to conduct himself with as much delicacy as possible, spoke to Major Heron to intimate the reguation to General Garth. In the mean time, one of the door-keepers had informed the General of his subscription not having been paid; and as the General happened at the time to be in conversation with some ladies, he was rather offended; but, upon the door-keepers asking his pardon, he forgave him; that the defendant, who was the General's Aid-de-Camp, came up on Mr. Prentice and challenged him, as the author of the insult offered to his General, and, after using a deal of abusive language, wrung him by the nose. This outrage to decency was taken up by the subscribers in general, and the present prosecution was determined upon.

Rules to be Observed at Bath (first half of the 18th Century)

Many of the conventions that came to be associated with Assembly Rooms saw their early development in Bath in the first half of the 18th Century. The story of how Richard Beau Nash and his contemporaries engineered Bath's rise to prominence, realised through a mixture of luck, necessity and personal charisma, has been amply described elsewhere. The best book I know of on the subject is John Eglin's The Imaginary Autocrat: Beau Nash and the Invention of Bath, I can also recommend Ian Perkins' AsDancedAtBath blog as an excellent source for dance-history information pertaining to Bath. Bath's successes saw the conventions established there mirrored and promoted elsewhere in Britain throughout the 18th Century.

Nash is credited with having introduced a set of rules that governed (or at least documented) the polite behaviour at Bath. Eleven rules were displayed at the Pump Room and other public venues, a copy of which are preserved in Oliver Goldsmith's 1762 The Life of Richard Nash. They were composed in a jocular fashion and hinted that transgressors would be ridiculed; it's reported that they were first adopted in 1742, and were by general consent determin'd and were to be observed by every Person of Fashion then in Bath, or who should come to the City for the future (as recorded in the 1765 A Description of Bath by John Wood). A document from the Bath Central Library Collection associates the rules with 1707 rather than 1742; I'm unable to explain that disparity in dates, but suspect an early date for the spirit of the rules even if the final text may have been later; Eglin reports that seven of the regulations were known in 1723. These rules governed the polite behaviour in Bath, their success was probably the trigger for the many subsequent sets of rules that emerged to regulate Assemblies at Bath and elsewhere over the following century.

Several of these rules relate to the organisation of Balls at Bath. BATH02 attempts to reduce the chaos of people leaving a Ball and having to wait for their chairs, carriages and similar to arrive. BATH05 ensures that unsuitable people are kept out of the Balls; there were stories of prostitutes being dressed up as gentlewomen and smuggled into society Balls (see for example, the Memoirs of Charles Macklin, Comedian), this rule bans such activity. BATH06 ensures that the ladies would have sufficient space to enjoy the dancing.

One of the most important and far-reaching of rules is BATH07, variants of which survived through to the 19th Century. The Balls at Bath at this time usually started with Minuet dancing, followed by Country Dancing. In both cases there would be strict rules of precedence which determined who got to dance first, mediated by the Masters of Ceremony. BATH07 demands that even if one does feel slighted, one should have the good grace to accept the situation. The BATH08 rule makes a similar point; the dancing is organised so that an eligible range of ladies have preferential opportunity to demonstrate their dancing prowess, the older and younger ladies are required to accept their supporting roles.

Derby Ladies' Assembly (c.1740s)

The next set of rules are unusual as being representative of a tradition largely unrelated to that of Bath. They consist of just six rules, and governed the Ladies' Assembly at Derby, a county town towards the North of England. I don't have a precise date for the rules, but they're probably from the 1740s. They were researched and documented in the 1899 Letters of Lady Jane Coke to Her Friend, Mrs. Eyre at Derby, 1747-1758 by Mrs. Ambrose Rathbone. They were also included in an 1854 copy of The Works of Oliver Goldsmith, where the editor estimated a 1760s date for them. The oldest dated reference I've found for them is from The Morning Post, 23rd October 1847, where it is reported that:

Derby Balls Two Centuries Ago - The following is a copy of a printed bill in a frame hanging against the wall of the Derby Town and County Museum, Victoria Street, Derby. The name of Anne Barnes is in writing, all the rest in print. Following Mr. Francey's name (rule 2) is a piece of paper pasted over, no doubt the names of some of the favoured shopkeepers.

Mrs. Rathbone reports that Mr. Franceys was the Worshipful Henry Francis, Major of the Borough, an eminent and and noted apothecary. According to Wikipedia he was Mayor of Derby in 1747, though he died at the start of the year. If her identification is correct, then the rules probably do date back to the 1740s.

These rules emphasise that certain social boundaries must not be transgressed. Rathbone also noted that Mrs Barnes (who was the first signatory of the rules) resigned from her position of responsibility for the Assemblies in 1752, and made the following note in her account book: Aug 4th. Delivered up the Assembly-room to the Right Honourable the Countess of Ferrers, who did me the great honour of accepting it. I told her that trade never mixed with us Ladies.

Some Rules of Good Manners to be Observed by Country Dancers (1764)

The next set of rules wasn't from an Assembly, they're rather some general advice for the management of Country Dances. They've been included here as they fit both chronologically and thematically, even if slightly out of context. The anonymous A.D. Dancing Master published a book called Country-Dancing Made Plain and Easy in London in 1764. It's a fascinating and encyclopedic guide to Country Dancing of the 1760s, and includes the author's suggestions for organising Country Dances. Those suggestions were probably influenced by the prevailing customs of the time, but they're the first written form I'm aware of for many of the conventions that were subsequently published elsewhere.

These rules entirely relate to Country Dancing, the conventions for which we've investigated in a previous research paper. They're reasonably self explanatory, and do make sense. They're largely consistent with the conventions promoted during the Regency period by the likes of Thomas Wilson. AD01 is interesting for using the word caller in reference to the lead couple who have danced down the set; it also gives them the option (but not a requirement) to dance down the set for a second time. Several writers of the early 19th Century inform us that the top couple would typically dance down to the bottom of the set, figure back up to the top, and dance back down a second time and then the Country Dance would end; A.D. hints that this convention was not uncommon in the 1760s. AD06 is interesting for introducing stylistic requirements - ladies are not to be pulled about! These six rules were reproduced in various forms through to the Regency period, though AD04 is a little unusual in allowing someone to both leave and return to a dance.

Wade's Dress Code for the Rooms at Bath (1769)

Our next set of rules are the first variant of the single most influential set. They were signed by Captain William Wade, Master of the Ceremonies at Bath, and were published on September 18th 1769 (or September 19th, the accounts vary). They were widely printed at the time, examples including the Oxford Journal (23rd September 1769) and the Leeds Intelligencer (26th September 1769), but they're best known from being included in The New Bath Guide. Variants of these rules remained in use at Bath for several decades, and these rules heavily influenced most other published sets. The 1769 rules may in turn be derived from other earlier sets of rules, but this is the first publication I know of. Some commentators suggest that these rules derive from Nash himself in the 1730s, which is potentially true; it's probable that they existed in some form prior to 1769. Wade is said to have had the rules hung up in the Assembly-rooms and Pump-room ... It being absolutely necessary that a propriety of dress should be observed at so polite an Assembly as that of BATH; it is humbly requested of the Company to comply with the following regulations:.

One point of interest is that the dress code was different for Minuet dancing (WADE6901 requires large hoops) and Country Dancing (WADE6904 requires a lack of hoops). If the same lady wanted to dance both, she would have to get changed. There are also clear advantages for ladies of rank (such as WADE6903 and WADE6905).

Wade's Rules for the Rooms at Bath (1771)

Bath's New or Upper Rooms opened in 1771, and a new version of Wade's rules were published on 1st October 1771. The 1771 variant is very similar to the 1769 prototype, though a few rules related to the dancing were added, and some ambiguities addressed. This new variant is the basic set of rules that went on to be reproduced with minor variations for the rest of the 18th Century.

Comparing these rules to the 1769 version shows very little change. WADE6902 and WADE6908 were merged into WADE7108 and the exception for ladies of precedence in WADE6903 was removed from WADE7102. The regulation against wearing hoops in a Country Dance in WADE6904 was clarified in WADE7103 (it's tempting to imagine some young lady attempting to change in public so as not to miss a dance!), and rules WADE7104, WADE7109, WADE7110 and WADE7111 were added. Rule WADE6903 evolved into WADE7105, but seems to have served a similar purpose. Rule WADE7109 is especially interesting as Wade retained the right to end a dance mid-flow at 11pm. A Country Dance could take half an hour or more to dance through completely, so this rule may have had practical significance, as well as allowing him to assert some authority over the Assembly. WADE7104 is also of interest, it hints that Ladies of precedence may have caused problems when attempting to assert their privilege after a Country Dance had started, and the rule was brought in to ensure that once started a dance couldn't be interrupted (except by Wade himself!).

The New Bath Guide for 1775 retained this set of rules, but added a further rule pertaining to the purchasing of Tea (WADE7512).

Dawson's Rules for the New Assembly Rooms at Bath (1777)

This set of rules were again from Bath, and heavily based on Wade's rules of 1771, they include some minor modifications related to fashion, together with a general restructuring. By this date William Dawson was the Master of Ceremonies for the New Rooms, and they were signed by his name.

There are many new words involved in these rules, but the content is mostly unchanged from 1771; the most interesting change is with DAWSON07, requiring that after any lady has had her turn to call, she will be expected to start the next dance from the bottom of the set. It's likely that this had always been the convention, it's even hinted at in AD01 from 1764 (where the calling couple may dance down the set a second time, thereby ending at the bottom and ready for the next dance), but it's interesting to see it explicitly stated for the elite dancers at the Bath Assemblies.

Tyson's Rules for the Old Assembly Rooms at Bath (1780)

By 1780 the two Assembly Rooms at Bath began to diverge in their management, having separate Masters of the Ceremonies. The MC at the Old Assembly Rooms at this date was Richard Tyson. The rules at the two Rooms remained very similar, but there are differentiating points. This may have been a catalyst for other Assemblies in other towns to invest in their own local rules.

These rules are broadly equivalent to Dawson's rules from 1777, and Wade's rules from 1771. The most interesting is TYSON05, which encourages ladies who have already enjoyed leading down a Country-Dance to remain in position for the subsequent dances. It repeats the DAWSON07 rule, but adds the further clarification that it's rude to leave before everyone else has had the chance to lead a dance too. The implication that good breeding requires dancers to remain in the longways set may have shamed some of the more privileged dancers to dance longer than they were otherwise inclined to dance.

Southampton Winter Assembly (1781)

The c.1795 10th Edition of the Southampton Guide recorded that a Winter Assembly was established at the Dolphin inn, in 1781. Assemblies are held every fortnight during the winter, on Tuesdays, commencing the latter end of October, and ending in the beginning of May.

The most interesting rule here is SOUW02 which requires dancers to remain active until the dance officially ends. It's similar to the AD02 rule from 1764.

Dunn's Assembly Room, Edinburgh (1783)

The Caledonian Mercury for 18th December 1782 printed the admission rules for James Dunn's Assembly-Room.

These rules only relate to admission. A similar advert was printed roughly a year later (Caledonian Mercury, 29th November 1783), it added: Mr Dunn humbly hopes, that such Ladies who mean to countenance him will honour the Assembly with their presence the first night, for the purpose of appointing twelve Ladies for directing each Assembly in turn, who may, upon their own night, make choice of what Gentlemen they please to assist them. It appears to be a reference to the concept of Lady Patronesses, an institution of great significance by the Regency period.

Scarborough Assembly Rooms (1783)

The Leeds Intelligencer for the 30th September 1783 reported: It having been found necessary to ascertain for the future the RATES of SUBSCRIPTION to the PUBLIC ASSEMBLY-ROOMS of this Place, and to put a stop to growing Impositions, A GENERAL MEETING has been held of all the present Subscribers, and a Committee appointed at such Meeting, have upon full Consideration agreed upon the following RATES and RULES, as proper to be observed and conformed to by the Keepers of both the Assembly Rooms, and which the Committee have thought fit to Advertise for the Information of the Public.

The most interesting rule here is SCA04 which makes explicit reference to the dancing of Country Dances on Ball nights. It hints that no other form of dancing was performed.

Highbury Assembly Rooms (1785)

The British Museum hold a printed copy of the Rules for the Highbury Assembly from 1785.

Several of these rules are of interest. It's notable that Minuets were expected to be danced at the start of the evening, that no new dancing was to commence after midnight, and that if there were sufficient people present then two longways sets of dancers would form.

King's Rules for the Lower Assembly Rooms at Bath (1787)

By 1787 James King was the Master of Ceremonies for the Old Assembly Rooms, he published his own set of rules, which remained very similar to Tyson's 1780 rules.

In this set of rules the interesting addition is rule KING05, which points out that if a couple is allowed to force their way into a Country Dance that has already formed, it causes everybody below them to spend longer stood out. Nobody should permit intruders to force their way into the line in this way, even as a favour to a friend. This same rule contains an intriguing exception for ladies of rank, it implies that a person of rank may request the Master of Ceremonies to let them into the line ahead of others (see also rule KINGSTON05).

Edinburgh New Assembly Rooms (1787)

The rules for the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms were published in the Caledonian Mercury on the 26th March 1787. They are the most sophisticated set of rules I know of prior to those of the 19th Century Etiquette guides; I'd like to think that they're representative of many Assembly Rooms outside of Bath, but lack the evidence to substantiate that theory. They are a rich new tradition of rules, whether of Scottish origin or elsewhere, with only a passing resemblance to the rules from the Bath Assemblies (though they're ultimately derived from the Bath rules).

The rules begin: At a General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Assembly-Rooms, held this day, the following Rules were adopted, and ordered to take place at the Peers Assembly, Tuesday the 27th March, under the direction of William Graham, Esq; Master of Ceremonies.

There are many comment-worthy novelties in this set of rules. For example, they're the first to relegate Minuet dancing to pauses between the Country Dances (EDIN09); they contain complicated numeric rules for determining who dances when; Country Dancing sets are restricted to twelve couples (EDIN03) but may be doubled or even quadrupled up (EDIN04) with chance based precedence across the sets (EDIN08).

Another insight into the application of these rules can be found in the Memorials of His Time by Lord Cockburn. He shared his memories of the George Street Edinburgh Assemblies of his youth (probably the late 1780s and early 1790s):

No couple could dance unless each party was provided with a ticket prescribing the precise place, in the precise dance. If there was no ticket, the gentleman, or the lady, was dealt with as an intruder, and turned out of the dance. If the ticket had marked upon it - say for a country dance, the figures 3.5 - this meant that the holder was to place himself in the 3rd dance, and 5th from the top; and if he was anywhere else, he was set right, or excluded. And the partner's ticket must correspond. Woe on the poor girl who, with ticket 2.7, was found opposite a youth marked 5.9! It was flirting without a license, and looked very ill, and would probably be reported by the ticket director of that dance to the mother. Of course parties, or parents, who wished to secure dancing for themselves or those they had charge of, provided themselves with correct and corresponding vouchers before the ball-day arrived. This could only be accomplished through a director; and the election of a Pope might sometimes require less jobbing. When parties chose to take their chance, they might do so; but still, though only obtained in the room, the written permission was necessary; and such a thing as a compact to dance, by a couple without official authority, would have been an outrage that could scarcely be contemplated. Tea was sipped in side-rooms; and he was a careless bean who did not present his partner with an orange at the end of each dance; and the oranges and the tea, like every thing else, were under exact and positive regulations.

Weymouth Assembly Rooms (1788)

John Love in his 1788 The New Waymouth Guide included the Rules for the Balls at Weymouth. They have some similarities with the rules from Bath, and probably came into effect somewhat earlier than 1788, but there are several innovations. They're credited to the Master of Ceremonies, T. Rodder.

This set of regulations has abandoned any references to the Minuet; and also any references to precedence, privilege and rank. These absences may not be significant, or they could imply a subtle change to how Assemblies were being conducted. The rules also include such innovations as a requirement to leave swords at the door (WEY07) and no admittance to dogs (WEY08). They include variants of the DAWSON07 rule from 1777 that required the lead couple to start the subsequent dance from the bottom (WEY05), and the TYSON05 rule from 1780 that required couples that had gone down a dance to remain in their places (WEY03).

Dublin Assembly Rooms (1790)

Most Assemblies had administrative rules in addition to those that governed the dancing. One such set was published by Mr Landrin in 1790 covering his Assemblies in Dublin. Landrin was the son of one of the highest profile dancing masters in Paris.

The price in rule 3 is unclear, it may have been misread. Landrin prefixed his rules with the following text: The acknowledged Advantages resulting from a DANCING ACADEMY, CONDUCTED with decorum, propriety and taste, as usual in London and Paris, must be obvious to all who wish to perfect themselves in the practice of an accomplishment, not less useful than graceful. Under this impression, Mr LANDRIN, from the Opera House, Paris, submits the following proposals to the candid consideration of a discerning and polite public.

The DUB02 rule is interesting for mentioning Cotillion dancing.

Southampton Summer Assembly (1793)

The c.1795 10th Edition of the Southampton Guide recorded two sets of regulations for the Summer Assemblies at Southampton, both within three weeks of each other. Both sets are associated with the Master of Ceremonies A.G. Haynes. The first set are dated 2nd July 1793, and cover the Summer Balls at Mr. Martin's Rooms.

The next set of rules are dated 24th July 1793.

These rules are broadly consistent with those of Bath, Weymouth and elsewhere. The SOUSB05 rule is interesting as it suggests that ladies had been in the habit of allowing their friends to join a Country Dance ahead of themselves; the injunction against this is similar to the KING05 rule from 1787. The SOUSB04 rule against leaving a dance early is worded very similarly to the WEY03 rule from 1788.

Plymouth Assembly Rooms (1796)

The 1796 Plymouth-Dock Guide contains a copy of the rules governing the public assemblies at Plymouth's Fountain Tavern.

This set of rules introduce some new ideas. PLYA04 introduces the concept of a Queen of the assembly, to whom responsibility for decision making is delegated. She is assisted by stewards, much as the 1783 lady directresses at Dunn's Assembly Rooms appointed Gentlemen to assist them. The Queen appoints her own successor. The formal dancing appears to be a mixture of Minuets and Country Dances.

Plymouth Long Room (1796)

The same 1796 Plymouth-Dock Guide also contains a copy of the rules governing the assemblies at the Stonehouse Long Room.

The restrictions on wearing of swords and on the presence of dogs mark these regulations as being similar to the 1788 rules at Weymouth.

Margate Assembly Rooms (1802)

The 1802 New Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs Guide contains a copy of the rules governing the public assemblies at Margate, under their Master of Ceremonies Charles Le Bas.

This set of rules are similar to earlier sets, the most interesting addition being MAR06 which introduces rules for the dancing of Cotillions and Reels, and MAR08 which indicates that Country Dancing sets only split once more than 20 couples stand up (contrary to the rules at Edinburgh in EDIN03).

Cheltenham Assembly Rooms (1803)

The 1803 History of Cheltenham contains a copy of the rules governing the public assemblies there under their Master of Ceremonies James King (also of Bath).

Perhaps the most interesting of these rules is CHE09, which explicitly grants permission to change partners after every two dances.

Glasgow Assemblies (1804)

The 1804 History of the City of Glasgow by James Denholm included a copy of the regulations of the Glasgow Assemblies. The Assembly Rooms were opened in 1798 and the rules may date to then. They are broadly equivalent to the earlier rules from Bath and elsewhere, but are lacking some of the innovations from the Edinburgh rules.

The references to tickets are similar to the rules from Edinburgh, except that they are allocated by a draw rather than in sequence. The restriction to 12 couple sets (GLAS02) also matches the Edinburgh rules. The most interesting new rule is GLAS06 that denies the dancing of Reels without the permission of the director (see also MAR06); it can be possible to dance a Reel to the same music as a Country Dance, and some dancers may have been inclined to do so while a Country Dance was being danced, this rule forbids that distraction. Other interesting points include the reference to a Directress (GLAS06) and the non-admittance of servants (GLAS10).

Manchester Assembly (1804)

The 1804 Manchester Guide by Joseph Aston contains a copy of the rules governing the Mosley-street rooms in Manchester. The rooms were originally opened in 1792, the rules may date to then.

There are several interesting new features of this set of rules. The MAN03 rule requires a change of partners after every two dances, it's a gender reversed version of CHE09; MAN04 defines how a longways set will be split in two; the phrase Queen of the Assembly is introduced, as in PLYA04, perhaps a similar concept to the Directress in GLAS06. One particularly interesting reference is to Cotillion dancing in MAN08, something not many of the previous regulations have referred to, and which also brings to mind the GLAS06 rule concerning the dancing of Reels. The final MAN11 clause ensures the smooth emptying of the building, and is similar in purpose to Nash's original BATH02 rule.

Belfast Assembly (1808)

The Belfast Commercial Chronicle for the 23rd January 1808 printed a brief advert for the Fourth of the Belfast Assemblies, which was to be on the 26th January 1808 under the direction of Mr Hull. It included a new rule that was to be added to the existing rules of the Assembly.

The implication is that something had gone wrong at preceding assemblies, and Mr Hull felt it necessary to impose this new rule in order to avoid similar complications thereafter. He expressed the two clauses as one long rule, which was to be inserted as the Fourth Rule of the Assemblies.

Norwich First Subscription Assembly (1808)

The Norfolk Chronicle for the 22nd October 1808 printed a brief advert for the Norwich First Subscription Assembly, which was to be on the 1st November 1808. It included a couple of rules, potentially implying that they were newly introduced (and perhaps implying that other rules weren't required).

Rule NOR01 is comment-worthy as it's the first rule to explicitly require a dancing ticket or number to be worn. It's not clear how they were worn, weather pinned to clothing, dangling from a ribbon, or tucked into a hat.

Glocester Dancing and Card Assemblies (1809)

The Gloucester Journal for the 20th November 1809 carried an advert reporting that next Subscription Assembly will be held at the Bell Inn, on Thursday, the 23rd of November, 1809, under the stewards for the night MR. T. TURNER and MR. GORDON. It included one new rule in the advert.

This rule is interesting as it's the first to explicitly indicate that the Gentlemen will draw the tickets that influence who gets to lead the Country Dancing; it's similar to the GLAS02 rule from 1804, except that required the Ladies to draw tickets for their places.

Bury New Rooms (1810)

The Bury and Norwich Post for the 28th November 1810 carried an advert for the second Subscription Ball, at these Rooms, will be on Thursday, December 6th, 1810. It included several rules, and the stewards would be Capt. Tinling, R.N. and Lieut Col. Gould.

The BURY01 rule is of interest as indicating that married women enjoyed some degree of precedence prior to the start of the Ball.

Lower Assembly Rooms, Bath (1810)

The 1812 Historic and Local New Bath Guide included the 1810 rules for Bath's Lower Assembly Rooms under master of ceremonies F.J. Guyenette. They're not materially different from the earlier regulations at Bath.

The most interesting of these rules is GUY04 as it offers the most comprehensive description of how ladies of precedence are treated after a dance has begun. If they're late, they must start at the end, but can be promoted back to a position of privilege for the subsequent dances on application to the Master of Ceremonies.

Buxton Assembly Room (1811)

The 1811 History of Buxton included the regulations for the Assembly Room there. It reports that The Harmony of the Society, consisting in regularity and good order, the following proposals are submitted to the consideration of the Visitors of Buxton, and which if subscribed to, it is presumed will be invariably attended to.

The small spa town of Buxton had distinctive rules. It had rules to prevent gambling on Sundays (BUX02), concerning operation out of season (BUX01) and to keep operating costs to a minimum (BUX03).

Bristol Assemblies (1813)

The 1813 A Guide to all the Watering and Sea Bathing Places included the regulations for the Assemblies at Bristol under the Master of Ceremonies William Pennington.

There are several points of interest in these rules. Bristol had retained the formal dancing of minuets in BRI05, acknowledged that special balls for the benefit of the master of ceremonies could have different rules in BRI06 (though not with regards to hats), and BRI07 required the dancing to end at 11pm on account of the health of the company.

Edward Payne's Rooms, London (1814)

Edward Payne published his A New Companion to the Ball Room in 1814, and included in it the rules he used at the Assemblies that he hosted. They're especially interesting as being solidly Regency era, from London, and associated with a high profile Dancing Master. These rules do post-date several of the great Etiquette guides of the early 19th Century, and may have been influenced by them - Payne himself being the author of one of the most comprehensive of such guides.

There is much of interest here. The PAYNE02 rule specifically banned coloured handkerchiefs (cravattes), which is similar to the WEY04 rule that banned coloured gloves in 1788. The numbers are allocated on arrival with no hint of rank based precedence, and Country Dancing can begin once six couples are ready (PAYNE04). The PAYNE07 rule encouraged a change of partners every two dances (a footnote indicated that it has previously been every three dances), and harks back to the MAN03 rule from 1804, with the novel proviso that if a couple arrived together they could continue dancing together. Rule PAYNE08 is especially interesting, it allows a Waltz between each two Country Dances (recalling references to Minuets, Reels and Cotillions in previous rules), and for the first time we see PAYNE09 discouraging same-sex partners.

The rules in italics (PAYNE08, PAYNE11, PAYNE14 and PAYNE15) were identified by Payne as being unique to his establishment. He considered his other regulations to be generally applicable.

Leamington Spa (1814)

The 1816 New Guide, An Historical and Descriptive Account of Warwick and Leamington included the regulations for the public assemblies at Leamington in 1814 under Master of Ceremonies James Heaviside.

These rules fuse together elements from many previous sets. The subscribers at Leamington were keen to emphasise their authority over the Master of Ceremonies, and the right of precedence in the dancing for ladies of rank.

Kingston Assembly Rooms, Bath (1816)

The 1819 Walks Through Bath by Pierce Egan included the regulations for the Kingston Assembly Rooms in Bath, dated November 19th 1816, and conducted under the Master of Ceremonies, Captain Marshall. They're a modernised (Regency era) version of the rules traditionally associated with the Bath Assemblies.

Interesting rules include KINGSTON06 which permits, but doesn't require, ladies to change partners every two dances - it's similar to PAYNE07. The KINGSTON07 rule is especially interesting in permitting ladies to dance with whom they please, with no forfeit for refusing a partner. KINGSTON10 indicates that Minuet dancing was still practised at Bath, despite it having fallen out of fashion at many other venues.

Guernsey Private Assemblies (1822)

The 1833 Strangers' Guide to the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey included regulations for the private assemblies at Guersey, in the Channel Islands. It reports that visitors often made invidious remarks over the mode of admission, but as the assemblies were private it was the islanders right to enforce them. It is implied that the rules were adopted in 1822.

Several distinctive rules are found here. GUE09 indicates that any inhabitant subscriber could be drafted into the office of MC, whether they wished to serve or not. GUE03 explicitly refers to the dancing of Quadrilles, and indicates that a Quadrille set would be paired with a Country Dance. Several of the rules emphasise the priority of locals over visitors.

Aberystwyth Assembly Rooms (1824)

The 1824 New Aberystwyth Guide by T.J. Llewelyn Prichard included the regulations for the public assemblies at Aberystwyth.

These rules are reasonably standard, ABER04 implies that there are no precedence rules, and explicitly requires the ladies to draw the tickets for leading the dances.

Figure 4. Interior of the 1784 Cheltenham Assembly Rooms, courtesy of Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.

The existence of a rule could hint that transgressions had necessitated its being written. The absence of a rule doesn't imply the lack of a convention - many of the regulations will have been in common practice before the rule was officially enacted. The rules hint that Country Dancing was the primary activity of the public balls at the Assembly Rooms, along with Minuet dancing at Bath; most other dance forms either weren't practised, were restricted to special nights, or weren't commented upon in the rules.

Towards the start of the 19th Century a series of etiquette guides were published containing further detailed rules for conducting the dancing at public assemblies; those guides were heavily influenced by the prevailing assembly room conventions, but we'll consider them in a future paper.

We'll leave this investigation here. If you have further information to share pertaining to the regulations at Britain's Assembly Rooms, do please Contact Us.