Here is some simple but useful advice on Victorian Ballroom Etiquette as we try to follow it today:

Traditionally it is the gentlemen who ask the ladies to dance, although we are not strict in that regard in this community. We only ask that you do try to arrange dances with as many different partners as you can and not dance solely with the person you came with or only your favorite partners. Either way is extremely discourteous to the dancers you are neglecting. The proper way that a gentleman asked a lady to dance would be to say, "Will you give me the pleasure of dancing with you?"

 Traditionally, it is the opening dance and the last dance of the evening, that the gentlemen would dances with his lady, if he had brought one.  More recently, the trend has been to do the opening march or processional, the last waltz and a favorite dance of the lady's choosing during the course of the ball.
 

Other dances should be divided equally between your old friends and favorite partners and new attendees and new friends, being careful to leave a few open spaces on your card for latecomers, ladies who happen to be without partners, or "spontaneous partnering opportunities" during the ball.

At a Ball it is improper for a Lady to decline the invitation of a gentleman to dance. Of course, unless she had a prior invitation to dance with someone else.  If she must decline for any other reason, like fatigue, the lady should have a reasonable excuse to offer the gentleman. Not to do so would be rude and unkind. Once a lady has declined an invitation of a gentleman under the guise of fatigue or the like, it is the worst etiquette to be seen dancing with another gentleman for the same song.  This is the surest way to find yourself without many partners in the future. 

As each dance is announced, the gentleman, after thanking his current partner and seeing her to her place or next partner, seeks out his next partner. Upon finding her, the gentleman leads her to a place on the dance floor either in the Grand Circle or forming up sets for called dances. When the music commences, the gentleman bows, the lady responds with a courtesy and the dance begins.

While dancing, a gentleman was to lead his lady partner ever so lightly but firm. The couple were not to sway to the music but only move from the hips downward keeping the upper body poised. His leading was to compliment her gracefulness.

It is typical for this kind of ball for the couple dances to dance in the "line of direction" (in a counter-clockwise direction around the ballroom). This allows for a nice flow of dance. If you find that you do not tend to travel as fast as the other folks around you, or if you want to experiment with a different move that spins or stays in place, then just try to dance toward the center or toward the corners of the hall. This will help keep the dance flowing.

At the end of the dance, the gentleman thanks the lady for the pleasure of her company and sees her to her next partner or to her seat before seeking out his next partner. If he does not have a partner signed up for the next dance, he could seek out a lady who also does not have a partner. If he is fatigued and does not wish to dance the next number, he might indicate that by taking a seat.

A Lesson in Historical Ballroom Etiquette

Most everyone of the Victorian Era found enjoyment at parties. Some were small and some were grand. In order for a party to even be considered a Ball its compliment had to be well over 50 people. A large Ball consisted of over one hundred people in attendance. When a Ball was given by the Victorians it was usually given with style. If one could not afford such a party then they most often did not give one. To give a Ball was quite an event. The hostess needed to make sure she had enough room for her guests. She would only send as many invitations as her home could entertain.

Invitations for such a Ball would be sent out at least ten days before the event. A quick response was needed to see how many would be coming to the party. It would have been considered rude not to respond. There were many things that needed to be prepared. Gowns needed to be made. Food and beverages had to be bought. Help was hired for extra work and very importantly musicians had to be selected.

It was not at all important for guests to show up on time. The hostess could spend up to an hour receiving her guests. Upon arriving, ladies with their husbands and unmarried ladies with their escort were directed to the cloak room. This room was for hanging the guest's belongings such as coats, shawls, hats, umbrellas and canes.
 

The master of the home saw to it that every lady got to dance, especially wallflowers. He did so, inconspicuously and delicately as to not injure their feelings. Ladies were to be cared for, treated first, to have good seats, and to have protection.

While dancing, both lady and gentleman wore smiles. Afterward the gentleman would walk the lady back to her seat, thank her for the dance and graciously bowed to her. However well the dance went, just because the lady accepted his kind invitation to dance did not entitle the gentleman to a friendship after the ball.
 

After enjoying a few sets of dancing, ladies and gentlemen were to leave the floor allowing others to dance who had not. Besides, it looked unseemingly for them to be utterly overwhelmed by the experience.
 

When leaving the Ball a lady, if married, left with her husband. If she was unmarried she left with her escort or mother. After walking the lady home he was not to go in. He kindly said goodnight to her. If rules of etiquette were followed then evenings at the Ball would be a success. And most often remembered.