Dance historian demonstrates original 1816 waltz. Clip from BBC history documentary: Elegance & Decadence: The Age of the Regency (Episode 2: Developing the Regency Brand)
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Other sources also say that they all danced in a revolving circle and not in sweeping moves of the later waltz.
And, of course, we also had earlier dances that were danced to 3/4 time music, and the music was called waltz. Very confusing for those of us who like to be accurate.
The Country Dance Waltz; It is likely that Mrs. Weston ( In Austen’s Emma) played a Country dance waltz and not the scandalous waltz. It was the way the couple held each other that was scandalous, though they had held hands in Allemandes and some other dances had them crossing their arms behind them. Usually, such actions were of short duration and the couple separated to swing the corners or to perform a pousette. In the scandalous Waltz the couple stayed together for the whole dance.
Yes, and focused on one another for the whole time. It was, of course, important to pay attention to one’s partner during a dance, but being with the same partner, and touching all (or perhaps almost all) the time? Shocking!