FAVOURABLE
They made their appearance in the Lower Rooms; and here fortune was more favourable to our heroine. The master of the ceremonies introduced to her a very gentlemanlike young man as a partner; his name was Tilney. He seemed to be about four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it. His address was good, and Catherine felt herself in high luck.The Narrator on Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey, Chapter 3
After a friendless entrance into Bath society, fortune shines favourably on young Catherine Morland and she is introduced to the “very near handsome” Henry Tilney at the Lower Rooms. This is a bright beginning for our heroine after arriving in Bath with no social connections and little experience.
Today, could you imagine arriving at a disco-tech and being introduced to a dance partner by the Master of Ceremonies? Wow, no wallflowers allowed here! But in 19th-century Bath, it would not have been appropriate for a man to walk up to a lady and just ask her to dance! One must be formally introduced by family, friends or a professional such as the Master of Ceremonies, who was not only responsible for introductions, but planned the Balls, hired the musicians, organized the dancing and made sure that proper etiquette prevailed. Phew … what a job!
Learn more about the authority and importance of the Master of Ceremonies and other decourums of the Regency era dance protocol in the informative book Jane Austen and Leisure, by David Selwin on-line at Googlebooks.
*Illustration by M. V. Wheelhouse, “They made their appearance at the Lower Rooms” page 50, The Austen-Gaskell Book: Scenes from the Works of Jane Austen & Mrs. Gaskell, published by G. Bell & Sons, Ltd., London (circa 1920)
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