Elocutionists, also, in exhibiting some vehement passion to a class, have brought their mind up to such a pitch of frenzy as to be several hours in overcoming its effects. Students should always, before attempting to express one of the passions, carefully examine in what Tone, Key, Force, and Rate it should be delivered.

Finding these, adapt the voice and expression to it, and then deliver it.

GESTURE.-Oratory without proper gesture loses half its charm. The ancient Greeks and Romans attached great importance to gesture. Their rhetoricians taught their pupils as well graceful gestures, as how to manage their voices. He who gestures spontaneously, conforms to his subject, and who in other respects, is truly eloquent, can, in the most effectual manner, make himself a master of other men's minds. Such an orator has power "to stir a fever in the blood of age, and make an infant's sinews strong as steel." Gesture should be used only when it will aid in expressing more forcibly, and to be appropriate and impressive, must always be natural; excess in gestures is to be avoided as well as awkward ones. The following rules have been given by one who has given much thought to this subject and will be found of great value to the student, taken in connection with the illustrations contained in this article.

Fig. 19.-RESOLUTION.

I. "The gesture, employed most frequently, is the movement used in handing a book or other article to a friend, and the delivery of an oration is simply the presentation of ideas to an audience. "POSITION OF THE HAND.-The hand open, the first finger straight, the other

slightly curved, and generally the palms of the hands open toward the audience, so that they may be seen by the audi

ance.

"2. The Argumentative gesture may, and should be, used most frequently in debate and argumentative declamation.

"POSITION OF THE HANDS.-First finger straight, the others closed, or nearly

"This gesture is very useful in earnest debate, as it was often remarked of Clay that the argument seemed to drop from the ends of his fingers. These gestures are of great value in any discourse.

"3. The Fist, sometimes called the Fig. 20.-ADMIRATION 'sledge-hammer' gesture, should be used in the expression of the most earnest, powerful, moving sentiments, where strong arguments are to be brought out with telling effect. This gesture was a favorite one with Daniel Webster; and in those memorable debates with Hayne in the United States Senate, he is said to have riveted his arguments with the force of a giant when at every appropriate place he brought down his 'sledge-hammer' gesture.

"Save in debate and argumentative orations, gesture

should seldom be used, except when referring to some object in nature.

"I. When referring to the earth covered with snow, to withering famine, to desolation in whatever respect, or when referring to death or hell, always have the palm of the hand downward, and the arm raised but slightly from the body.

II. "When referring to the earth robed in green, to the trees and flowers in bloom, to life or to abundance, always have the palm of the hand upward, and often raised as high as the head.

"In all cases be careful to complete the gesture where it is intended at the instant of uttering the syllable or word; for if it comes in before or lags behind the word, it will certainly detract from the effect."

POSITION OF THE BODY.-A speaker should not stand perfectly erect, only when he is expressing

Fig. 21.-REGRET.
The posture

courage, fortitude, firmness of purpose, etc.

of the body should be a little inclined to the audience, yet nearly in an erect position, that the chest may be fully expanded and an easy play given to the organs of respiration and utterance.

THE WEIGHT OF THE BODY.-Grace and dignity depend much on the position of the feet and lower limbs.

The weight of the body should be thrown upon one

foot, the other being left to preserve the balance and move

freely, or the weight of the body changed to rest upon it. The foot supporting the weight of the

body, is firmly planted.

The feet at

nearly right angles-so that lines passing lengthwise through them,

shall cross under the heel

of the foot least advanced

-(see Fig. 1.) A little practice will enable the learner without effort or affectation to assume this position easily as he gives utterance to his words. In advancing or retiring the speaker must make the change with the free foot, and by a step of moderate length.

POSITION OF THE HEAD.-The head should be in an erect, natural position, not stiff, as this in delivery contributes to the expression. The body should be upright with the face and breast turned toward the audience, the shoulders square, and not shrugged up. The learner should avoid inclining to one side, as it expresses languor, if dropped, humility; when turned upward, pride; when stiff, a lack of ease and self-possession.

Fig. 22.-DISDAIN.

THE COUNTENANCE. As the eye is the light of the body, so in delivery they are the life of the expression, and none will deny that the eye speaks more truly than the tongue-this may also be affirmed of the countenance in general. The forehead denotes calmness or trouble, the lowering brow indignation, the tell-tale cheek shame or fear, and the expressive lip, scorn. One well versed in

the expression of the face says: "When any passion is called into action, such passion is depicted by the motion

of the muscles, and these motions are accompanied by a strong palpitation of the heart. If the countenance be tranquil, it always denotes tranquility in the region of the breast and of the heart." Again, "Hence it appears that the orator who would move others must appear to be moved himself; that is, he must express his emotions in his countenance and by his manner; otherwise his language will be contradicted by his looks, and his audience will be more inclined to believe them, which are the natural and sure indications of the inward mind, than his words, which may easily be feigned and may differ much from his real sentiments."

The speaker should avoid the following faults: Staring or fixing the eye upon vacancy, or upon an individual; or foolishly turning them down; weeping—unless upon occasions worthy of tears. Frowning, smiling, unmeaningly pushing out, or biting the lips.

Fig. 23.-APPEAL.

THE HANDS, FINGERS AND ARMS must not be overlooked, as they play an important part in Gesture; grief is denoted by placing the hands over the eyes. Truth or emotion is expressed by placing the hand on the breast. Reflection is shown by putting the finger on the chin. Silence by placing the forefinger on the lips. These gestures should be used sparingly and appropriately. Cleav