It seems a pity that, Mr. Mark It Peragini, should
have restricted so firmly the length of his book on The krt of Ballet (Martin Seeker, 15s. net). He bee lay its• brevity, forced himself to keep within the narrow. boundaries of the history of ballet alone, dissociating it as far as possible; and some- times rather awkwardly, from the history either of dancing or of the. drama a even so, he has, been obliged to concern. himself almost exclusively with its career in England and• in France. The subject is one' which is full of interest: the ballet, which Mr. Perugini defines as " a series of solo and concerted dances with mimetic actions, accompanied by music and scenic accessories,, telling a gory,' formed a part at the dances of ancient Egypt, and from that time until, now has: continued with growing elaboration and varying popularity. In Italy, in the, year 1489; it was, used to accompany the serving of a banquet,. producing, an extravagant, and pre, sumably uncomfortable; effect similar to that of the freak dinners of modern America.; during, the reign of Queen Anne it was "'esteemed' only as an amusing trifle:" Then came the: wonderful days. of the early nineteenth. century, of Taglioni and "the divine Fanny"; and lastly, the' " discovery," in our time,. of the Russian ballet, In years to- come Mn Perugini, who is certainly an indent lover' of the art, hopes to win fee' it State. support. and a State Opera, House.
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