EXERCISE III. Assume a position as in the preceding exercise, with the arms extended forward. Hold them in this position for several seconds, then relax the wrist and let the hands droop from the level of the outstretched arms. Special care must be taken not to bring the hands down by muscular effort; when the wrists relax, the hands should fall of their own weight. Vitalize the hands and repeat the exercise a number of times, until there is a sense of weariness and a feeling of complete freedom of wrists, hands, and fingers. Then let the arms relax and fall to the side. Remain quiet for a few moments, then raise the arms horizontally to the side and repeat the exercise. Observe how this exercise, together with the preceding one, serves to establish the condition so essential to good gesture — freedom of all the parts, and particularly of that unruly member, the wrist joint.

EXERCISE IV. Stand erect with the feet well separated and with one foot slightly in advance of the other, as in assuming a good speaking position. First, let the weight of the body rest principally upon the balls of both feet. Then sway forward until nearly all the weight of the body rests upon the front foot. Retain this position for a few seconds, then sway the body backward slowly until the weight rests chiefly on the heel of the rear foot. Continue this shifting of the weight forward and backward, making the movement a little less marked each time until a position of perfect poise is gained, such as we considered early in Chapter III. The aim should be to discover by actual trial just how the body may be held in perfect poise so as to give the greatest ease and, at the same time, the greatest freedom for public speaking.

EXERCISE V. Stand erect in easy poise, with the weight of the body evenly distributed between both feet. Shift the weight to the left foot, leaving the right leg entirely

free. Without allowing the body to slump, dangle the right leg in the same manner as suggested for the arms in Exercise II. Try to gain a feeling of general freedom from the hip downward. Then walk forward with the right foot leading, with easy, graceful walking movements, such as would look well in advancing upon the platform when addressing an audience. Stop in a good speaking position. Repeat the exercise by resting the weight of the body upon the right foot, freeing the left leg, and advancing in the same manner. Practice many movements of this kind, forward and backward and to the side, in order to cultivate good poise and easy walking movements upon the platform. Note the ungainly effect that results when an attempt is made to cross the free leg in front of the one upon which the weight of the body rests.

EXERCISE VI. Speak the following sentences with correct vocal expression and with such action of the arms and hands (or of the entire body if you feel like it) as you may have the impulse to use. Do not attempt to put in any gestures of any kind; use only such action as you feel like using, and do not trouble yourself about forms of gesture. Merely use the kind of gesture that seems to you to express the idea in the best way. Assimilate fully the thought of each sentence before you try to express it, and remember that you are using gesture solely for the purpose of expressing each idea in a more effective way than you would be able to express it by means of the voice alone. If there is no impulse at first to express through action, repeat the sentence several times with an attempt to make the thought clearer or more emphatic, and note the result. Stand in an easy speaking position, preferably upon a platform in a good-sized room, and speak as though expressing the thought earnestly to an actual audience.

I. I ask you to consider fairly with me the proposition of preparedness on the part of the United States.

I would call your attention to what I regard as two very important considerations in this question: first, the desirability for a change of present conditions; second, the necessity for such a change.

Now, what in your opinion would be the wisest policy to pursue just at this time?

Several proposals for bettering conditions have been made. The first is reasonable and one that I would be willing to accept; the second, I consider impractical and would reject at the start; the third is ridiculously absurd and one that I would strenuously oppose.

2. There can be no delay; we must act and act immediately.

Behold a broad extent of territory with unlimited resources stretching from east to west.

Here on this very spot merged those tremendous forces which determined our nation's destiny.

Acres and acres of land have merely gone to waste. The bright-winged bird flitted here, there, yonder, and was gone.

Five, ten, twenty years, but no news of his return. Specter-like, a female figure glided among the shadows of the forest and was lost in its silent depths.

Instantly the great car shot forward, rounded the sharp curve at the end of the arena, and then the crash.

Our schools, our shops, our firesides concerned in the outcome of this issue.

- all are vitally

On the one hand, culture, refinement, unbounded opportunity; on the other, ignorance, selfishness, unspeakable degradation.

3. What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?

I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?

They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.

What have we to oppose them? Shall we try argument? Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing.

We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm that is now coming on.

The war is inevitable, and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there is no peace. I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

EXERCISE VII. Express in the way that seems to you most appropriate the following ideas, which tend to require different forms of gesture:

1. Emphatic gestures.

In effective expression the guiding principle must be first, last, and always the thought.

The things required for prosperous labor, prosperous manufactures, and prosperous commerce are three: first, liberty; second, liberty; third, liberty.

You cannot, I repeat it, sirs, you cannot conquer America.

There is no alternative. I defy them, I defy them all. If I were an American as I am an Englishman, I would never lay down my arms, never! never! never!

...

2. Suggestive gestures.

In my native town of Athens is a monument that crowns its central hills a plain white shaft. Deep cut into its shining side is a name dear to me above the names of men, that of a brave and simple man who died in a brave and simple faith.

Witness the veteran standing at the base of the Confederate monument, above the graves of his comrades, his empty sleeve tossing in the April wind, adjuring the young men about him to serve as honest and loyal citizens the government against which their fathers fought.

I catch another vision. The crisis of battle a soldier struck, staggering, fallen. I see a slave scuffling through the smoke, winding his black arms about the fallen form, reckless of the hurtling death, bending his trusty face to catch the words that tremble on the stricken lips.

I see him by the weary bedside, ministering with uncomplaining patience, praying with all his humble heart that God will lift his master up, until death comes in mercy and in honor to still the soldier's agony and seal the soldier's life.

I see him by the open grave, mute, motionless, uncovered, suffering for the death of him who in life fought against his freedom.

I see him when the mound is heaped and the great drama of his life is closed, turn away and with downcast eyes and uncertain step start out into new and strange fields, faltering, struggling, but moving on, until his shambling figure is lost in the light of this better and brighter day.

3. Locative gestures.

See, on that hilltop a camp fire is burning.

There he stood statue-like as if transfixed on the spot.

He is the culprit on whom rests the blame.