Fig. 2.

On raising himself into the erect position from the introductory bow, the speaker should fall back into the first position of the advanced foot. (See Fig. 2.) In this position he commences to speak. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Fellow-Citizens, etc. This may be called the speaking attitude of the feet and body.

Students, or individuals, should here stop and train themselves for some time. Pupils at school, and those at academies and colleges, too, may be trained in classes on the bow, combined with the changes of the position of the feet. As the pupil advances to any of the second positions, let him occasionally be directed to advance with a bow, and fall back again into the speaking attitude. This may be done at first in the class, and afterward separately before the class, by fronting the class as an audience. The following figures illustrate action in speaking:

6.

"How frightful the scene !''

7.

"Behold how beautiful are the clouds !"

Students should never be called upon to recite before an audience until they have been trained in the positions and gestures.

The stroke of the hand terminates on the emphatic word. Be careful not to "saw the air" with the hands; move them in curved lines. They should move steadily, and rest on the emphatic word, returning to the side after the emotion is expressed that called them into action.

In the following sentences, the emphatic word upon which the hand rests is italicized.

1. "They grew in beauty side by side.”

2. "They filled one home with glee." (Both hands — middle circle— palm up.)

3. "Their graves are severed far and wide." (Right hand on "graves" —lower circle— rising to middle circle on "far" and " wide," and extending to the right.)

4. "Neath mount and stream and sea." (The hand moves upward to upper circle on "mount," and falls to lower circle on "stream" and “sea.")

Do not repeat the same gesture in a stanza or paragraph. In the following lines the palm of the right hand is up, on the word "reward," directed to the middle circle in front, and on the word "spurns" it is down, and moves to the right. It is brought to the heart on the word "bosom," and middle finger is pressed inward; on the word “high” it is directed upward to upper circle, palm up, etc., etc. Continue the gestures without duplicating either to the end of the quotation:

And his reward you ask! Reward he spurns,
For him the father's generous bosom burns;
For him on high the widow's prayer shall go;
For him the orphan's pearly tear-drops flow,
His boon the richest e'er to mortals given-
Approving conscience and the smile of Heaven.

These exercises may be repeated until the awkward and ungraceful can make them elegantly. Even children in the primary school may be benefitted by this drill. We add other sentences for "combination exercises" in gesture, position, and voice. They may be omitted until the student has practiced the voice exercises.

1.

The heart of the sleeper beats high in his breast,
Joy quickens his pulse-all his hardships seem o'er,
And a murmur of happiness steals through his rest
"Oh God thou hast blest me- I ask for no more.'

Ah! what is that flame which now bursts on his eye?
Ah! what is that sound which now larums his ear?
"Tis the lightning's red glare, painting hell on the sky!
"Tis the crash of the thunder, the groan of the sphere!

He springs from his hammock-he flies to the deck;
Amazement confronts him with images dire-
Wild winds and mad waves drive the vessel a wreck -
The masts fly in splinters—the shrouds are on fire!

2.

If ye are beasts, then stand here like fat oxen, waiting for the butcher's knife! If ye are men - follow me! Strike down yon guard, gain the mountain passes, and there do bloody work, as did your sires at old Thermopyla!

3.

Look to your hearths, my lords!

For there, henceforth, shall sit, for household gods,
Shapes hot from Tartarus!-all shames and crimes!
Wan treachery, with his thirsty dagger drawn;
Suspicion, poisoning his brother's cup;

Naked rebellion, with the torch and ax.

4.

I warn you, your labor is lost; you will not extinguish it, you will not confuse it. Far easier to drag the rock from the bottom of the sea, than the sentiment of right from the heart of the people!