ABSTRACT
At this stage, a socio-historical summary of the general findings will be useful, bearing in mind the following points. The sociologist is of necessity concerned with trends and generalities and not with unique occurrences or special instances. It is, therefore, legitimate in summing up the complicated pattern of the developing social dance in England from the Middle Ages to the present day to concentrate upon the changes and innovations in any period, rather than to mention every single dance known at the time. From the point of view of the relationship to society, what is continuing to be danced in any particular period is not so significant as what is new (for which the time must be ripe) and what is dropped, as out of date.
