hand without difficulty passing from c on the left back to b on the right, while the left may pass from o to b. These movements are reversed and made inward when the hand is to be placed upon the breast or other part of the body. Fourth.-A mere swing of the arm, even though it is in a curved line, and though it is in itself ever so graceful, does not accomplish the most important objects of gesture. In general, there should be a point, at which the gesture of the hand should abruptly terminate. This remark applies more particularly however to the movement in the vertical circles. And the points at which the gestures of the hand should thus terminate are the points at which these vertical and transverse circles cut each other. Allowing the right hand then occasionally to cross the body to the circle z C R, and also to be thrown back, as it sometimes is, to the circle z b R, there is presented the following regular system of gestures, depending on the position of the arm and hand at the time the gesture terminates, each of which will be designated by a name for convenience of future reference, and illustrated by a figure. Systematic Positions of the Arms. With regard to these positions, though thus mathematically defined, the learner will understand, that an approximation to the points designated in Fig. 25 is all that is intended. The gesture should doubtless terminate as near these points as convenient; though any apparent care in regard to this is to be avoided; and especially would the following of the hands by the eye, as if to assist in adjusting the gesture, be a great fault. To complete this system of positions of the arm, there should be added its positions in a state of rest, (see Fig. 13, p. 234;) and when pointing to the zenith. (See Fig. 41.) Fig. 41. It should be added, that for every position we have given of the right hand, there is a corresponding one for the left; and also that both hands may be brought into these positions at the same time.—To indicate still further the variety of gestures of which this system furnishes the basis, it may be remarked that those already noticed have exclusive reference to the relative position of the hand at the termination of the gesture, without regard to the extent of the sweep by which the arm has been brought to this position, or to the direction or the rapidity of its movement.-And still further, these gestures have been designated with reference to the direction of the hand from the centre of the breast of the speaker, without regard to the degree to which the arm is extended. In the system of figures just given, (see Figs. 26-40,) the boldest positions were delineated, suited to excited and stirring eloquence; whereas the colloquial elevations of the arm, as |