The dancing-master; or, Directions for dancing country-dances

Originally published in 1650 under the title of The English dancing master, this work went through numerous editions from 1652 to 1728, first by John Playford (1623-1686?), then by Henry Playford, and, after 1706, by the publisher John Young. The treatise is considered an important work on English country dance, a form of dance where couples perform a series of set patterns. The work utilizes a rudimentary dance notation, and page one of the treatise is devoted to an explanation of the symbols. Each of the 360 dances contained in this last edition is given appropriate music, in the form of a treble line. Most of the dances are designated for longways sets of three couples, four couples, or "as many as will."