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

they may be called, are much less strongly marked. For examples of these moderate positions, see Figs. 42, 43, 44; and compare them with Figs. 29, 34, 39. The peculiarity

Fig. 42.

Fig. 43.

e

d

Fig. 44.

of these positions is, that the arm is held nearer to the side, and the elbow is more bended.*

Errors in the Positions of the Arms.

1. All constrained movements of the arm, proceeding only from the elbow; with the opposite fault of throwing the arm out straight and rigid.-These are both opposed to

*NOTE TO THE TEACHER. The improvement of the learner here, as elsewhere in many other parts of this Manual, depends entirely on practice, and on such a familiarity as will make these movements seem to him more natural than any others, when he comes to the exercise of speaking. This may be successfully accomplished by a course of training something like the following:Let a class, or section of a class, take their position in the floor,all occupying the second position of the right foot, with the hands at rest. Then,

1. Let them present the natural state of the right hand in several of these positions of the arm; while the left hand remains at rest.

2. Let the same be done with the left hand,-carefully observing the position of the fingers, both in the hand which is employed in gesture and in that which is at rest.—Let these exercises be continued, till the perfect command of the fingers is acquired in the various positions of the arm.

3. Direct special attention to the positions of the arms, both right and left, while the learner passes through the positions regularly, as laid down in the system.-In Fig. 25, the Roman letters mark the points to which the right hand may be directed; those which the left hand alone can reach are marked with Italics; while all the points o, f, and c, are reached in common by both hands.

4. When these positions taken regularly can all be executed with sufficient ease and grace, then the learner may be required to pass from one to another indiscriminately, with reference to making the transitions gracefully and in curved lines, instead of passing from the one to the other in a straight line, by the shortest course.

5. The learner may be required to distinguish, in his preliminary practice, between the colloquial gestures, or those of moderate extent, and the bolder gestures which bear the same name, suited to the drama and the more elevated efforts of the orator.

Other exercises will suggest themselves to the teacher. When, as in this case, habits of action are to be formed, he need not fear varying or repeating the exercise too much.