http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moajrnl/ahj1472.2-12.067/77:17?page=root;rgn=main;size=100;view=image
La Genara – a story of early San Francisco, 1854
A gold-rush era, 2nd floor ballroom sponsored by a hostess and her daughter. The dancing master fiddles as he prompts. He is accompanied by a piano player. There is also a bouncer who keeps the riff raff out. Some dances are waltz, quadrille, and grand promenade.
Calls in this story: “Salute partners, A la main left, Chassez,” “Ladies forward to center and back!” “Gents forward and back. Ladies to the center. Join hands. Gents circle half round the outside. Back to partners. Form basket. Balancez.” “Swing partners to place.” “Promenade all.” “Gents, forward”
One of the characters is nicknamed Reel (short for Aurelius).
Square Dancing in the 1800s 