

An online definition may be found here.
Bars: 4.
Thomas Wilson defined a different way of doing Right and Left. He said that the 2nd corners should change places by the left shoulder looking at each other with a slight inclination of the head, over the left shoulder. Then the 1st corners change by the right. Then the 2nd corners change back (by the left) and the 1st corners change back (by the right). All this in 4 bars.
(He defines the normal right and left figure, but calls it a Chain for four)
Wilson's definition is mostly in pictures so I shan't quote it.
Nicholas Dukes defined Right and Left in 1752 in the normal way.
I haven't any other contemporary publisher who used Wilson's definition.
Keller & Sweet in A Choice Selection of American Country Dances of the Revolutionary Era interpret a variety of Country Dances and use Wilson's definition of Right and Left. I'm not sure if this was a good choice (as this is not the figure that has come down to us in Contra Dancing), but they may know more than I do. Sadly Saltator, a US author who in 1802 defined a few figures, did not define "Right and Left", though he did use the term.
Note: This list may be incorrect or incomplete.
This website is copyright © 2021-2026 by George W. Williams V My work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Most of the dances have more restrictive licensing, see my notes on copyright, the individual dance pages should mention when some rights are waived.