I began this with no background information and soon became appalled. The author, in extremely suggestive language was preaching against the Waltz! Well, okay I thought. Lots of people were against dancing, including my own great grandparents, so I thought I would read it out of interest. It struck me as a bit strange, and a bit of a mania how fervently this man who was not religious was going on about it.

I have heard of Ambrose Bierce, the real author of the piece. I rather thought he wrote things such as journalism and possibly some O. Henry type of stories or something like that. About half way through I decided to do some research and discovered that he was a satirist, and this was a bit of satire. Oh! Very well, I suppose it was a bit like The Onion of their times.

He certainly is talented with words, and his alliteration commands attention.
"...simpering simpletons who sympathize..." I think it was after stumbling over that I decided to research the author some more.
"...facile fair being whom favoring fortune..."
"...no personal or pulpit popularity to preserve..." Yeah.

Still and all, I think after reading this I will go take some Waltzing lessons. ;) Whew, is it hot in here? ( )