Mr. Joseph Congdon's subscription rooms were in Northernhay-place, Exeter. In October, 1829 a Ball took place which was reported by The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 10 October 1829:
"The Ball at Congdon's on Friday, was not so well attended as we have seen it on former occasions though several distinguished persons were present. The scene was gaiety itself and the room was fitted up with considerable taste. The Quadrille predominated, but the Waltz was occasionally introduced.
"The extreme familiarity of this dance is certainly uncongenial to the taste of Englishmen: it may be pleasing to a few who delight in the Epicurean pleasure of clasping a beautiful woman in their arms, but it is a notorious fact, which proves the light in which men hold it, that where there is much waltzing there is little marrying."
The Waltz had been danced in England since 1813 but clearly some Englishmen in Exeter, but not, it might seem, Englishwomen, still found it shockingly 'familiar'.
Ladies! If you want to find a husband stick strictly to the Quadrille!
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