In the march, the weight of the body is advanced from the heel to the
instep, and the toes are turned out. This being done, one foot, the
left for instance, is advanced, with the knee straight, and the toe
inclined to the ground, which, without being drawn back, it touches
before the heel, in such a manner, however, that the sole, at the
conclusion of the step, is nearly parallel with the ground, which it
next touches with its outer edge; the right foot is then immediately
raised from the inner edge of the toe, and similarly advanced,
inclined, and brought to the ground; and so on in succession. (Plate
VIII. figs. 1 and 2.) Thus, in the march, the toe externally first
touches, and internally last leaves the ground; and so marked is this
tendency, that, in the stage step, which is meant to be especially
dignified,--as the posterior foot acquires an awkward flexure when the
weight has been thrown on the anterior,--in order to correct this, the
former is for an instant extended, its toe even turned backwards and
outwards, and its tip internally alone rested on the ground, previous
to its being in its turn advanced. Thus the toe’s first touching and
last leaving the ground, is peculiarly marked in this grandest form of
the march. This pace should be practised until it can be firmly and
gracefully performed.