DACTYLIC OF SIX FEET, OR HEXAMETER. This is the forest primeval; but where are the hearts that beneath it, Leaped like the | roe, when he | hears in the woodland PHYSICAL CULTURE. PHYSICAL CULTURE, for the purpose of securing general health, expanding the chest, and strengthening the muscles of the lungs and vocal organs, is of the utmost importance to students of Elocution. We recommend Light Gymnastics to reading classes as a regular exercise at least two or three times a week. Full descriptions and instructions for such exercises can be found in any of the numerous school manuals on the subject. When well understood and practiced in concert, these exercises will occupy but very little time, and will be found pleasing as well as beneficial. VOCAL CALISTHENICS. THE VOICE is as susceptible of improvement by cultivation as are the muscles of the arm, and it should be the constant care of the student to lose no opportunity, in or out of the class, for the practice of those simple arts which never fail, within reasonable time, to deepen and strengthen the voice, and give ease and accuracy to the action of the vocal organs. The lungs constitute the bellows of the vocal instrument, and on their power and freedom depends the ability to read well, to say nothing of their sanitary relations to the physical system. For strengthening the lungpower, deep breathing with the lips closed, inhaling as long as possible and exhaling slowly, is highly valuable. Having inflated the lungs to their utmost capacity, expel the breath slowly through the vocal organs. This exercise should be frequently repeated, as the compass of the voice will be augmented thereby, and the capacity of the chest much enlarged. The best posture for deep breathing is the following: Place yourself in a perfectly erect but easy position, the weight of the body resting on one foot; the feet at a moderate distance apart, the one in advance of the other; the arms akimbo; the chest freely expanded and fully projected; the shoulders held backward and downward; the head perfectly vertical. In this position draw in a very full breath and exhale it in a prolonged sound as, for instance, of the letter h. Repeat the same with a gradual increase of force in the expulsion of the breath, until the h is exploded in an abrupt kind of bark or cough with the full strength of the lungs. Then select any sentence; as, Thou too, sail on! O Ship of State! Sail on! O Union, strong and great! and practice its repetition in all varieties of modulation. It will be found that these varied exercises will surround the recitations of the reading classes with an interest they do not ordinarily have, and give a new impulse to the study. ORATORY. ORATORY is the art of speaking in public in an effective manner, and is the result of a harmonious combination of eloquence and elocution; eloquence, depending upon natural gifts and attainments, being the animating principle of all impressive discourse. The principles of Elocution have already been set forth in the Analysis of Reading, and it remains to consider only those outward or physical accessories of speech which constitute a material portion of the art of Oratory. POSITIONS IN SPEAKING. There are four principal positions of the feet in speaking. First. The body rests on the right foot, the left a little advanced, left knee bent. Second. The body rests on the left foot, the right a little advanced, right knee bent. Third.--The left foot is advanced from the first position, the body resting upon it, leaning forward, and the right foot is brought to its support. Fourth.—The right foot is advanced, the body resting upon it, leaning forward, and the left foot is brought to its support. 36 PACIFIC COAST SERIES. The last two positions are assumed in argument, appeal or persuasion. In taking these positions, all movements should be made with the utmost naturalness and ease, affectation or restraint being alike avoided. Advance, retire, or change, with grace and composure. GESTICULATION. Gesticulation is one of the most important elements of Oratory. We can, by varying movements of the hands and body, represent our thoughts and feelings with almost the force and precision of words. Full instructions for Gesticulation, so far as it admits of definite regulation, will be found in the various works on Elocution and Oratory. TAKING POSITION. The learner is now prepared to take his position before the audience. He should advance calmly, with a modest, yet assured step. A bow, being the most graceful symbol of introduction and respect, should be made just after he reaches his place on the platform. In making a becoming bow, there should be a slight and graceful bend of the whole body; the eye should not fall below the person or persons addressed; and the arms should move lightly forward and a little inward, as they naturally do when the body is bent. On raising himself into the erect position from his bow, the speaker should fall back into the first position, before described. In this position he commences his speech, which the principles of Elocution, heretofore discussed, will enable him to deliver with proper effect. |