Circassian Circle ~ La Daphne (Chivers)

Circassia is (or was) a region on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea.

In 1822 in his book The Modern Dancing Master, G.M.S. Chivers introduces a style of dancing he calls "Circassian Circle". He then publishes four dances to be done in this style, none of which is called "Circassian Circle" itself.

Chivers's version is different from the modern way of dancing. At the time, in longways sets, only the top two couples would start dancing, in this circle dance only the two couples closest to the music would start, they would pass each other, and then each would dance with the next couple in their direction of motion. And so on.

Any number of persons can join in the Dance, observing that there is an even number of couples; the odd numbers stand on one side, and the even numbers on the other, forming a circle, thus:

The 1st and 2nd couples face each other, who perform the Figure and exchange places: then the 1st and 4th couples, and at the same time, the 2nd and 3rd couples do the same, and so continued all round. Each Dance terminates when all have been through it.

Each lady to stand on the right of her partner throughout the Dance. All the odd numbers face the same as No. 1, and the even numbers face the same as No. 2.

— The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, Harding Mus F 346

Note this is simply a general description of how to dance in a circle. It is followed by four figures for this format. the one which most closely matches the modern version is called "La Daphne":

Right and left set and turn partners ladies chain half pousette into each others place, and turn partners under the arm

— The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, Harding Mus F 346