cotillons

Even the wives and daughters of low tradesmen, who, like shovel-nosed sharks, prey upon the blubber of those uncouth whales of fortune, are infected with the same rage of displaying their importance; and the slightest indisposition serves them for a pretext to insist upon being conveyed to Bath, where they may hobble country-dances and cotillons among lordlings, squires, counsellors, and clergy.

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker 2004

At one end was a slightly-raised stage, and off that was a tiny chamber, originally known as the toy-room, and pretty well dedicated to the same use now, being stored with properties for cotillons, the aforesaid games, theatrical representations, &c.

Belles and Ringers Hawley Smart

Perhaps it would be interesting to the participants of the gay Newport cotillons of to-day to know the names of the dances with which the company regaled themselves a hundred years ago.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 26, September, 1880 Various

You could not talk in contra-dances, as you do in cotillons, or even in the pauses of waltzing; but there were chances for tongues and sounds, as well as for eyes and blushes.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 74, December, 1863 Various

I can already play several minuets and cotillons from the notes, and will soon learn a polonaise.

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 4, October, 1863 Devoted to Literature and National Policy Various

In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.

The French Immortals Series — Complete Various

Virginia carried off to the clouds, and Parisian _belles_ dancing cotillons in the bowers and pavilions of a Mahometan paradise,

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 56, No. 345, July, 1844 Various

Lady Sarah, your sister, and His R [oyal] H [ighness] did nothing but dance cotillons in the new blue damask room, which by the way was intended for cards.

George Selwyn: His Letters and His Life Helen [Editor] Clergue

Venetian nobles, followed by Monsieur Clement Souverain, a young Belgian, starter of the Nice races, a great pigeon shot, and a mad leader of cotillons.

The French Immortals Series — Complete Various

At last a lady takes her seat at the piano, then comes an eager rush of gentlemen into the room, and partners are taken for cotillons, -- large, double, _very_ double cotillons, here called _contradanças_.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 37, November, 1860 Various