B. Extend the arm; hand, palm downward. Keep the garm firm and move the entire hand to right and then to left, as in Cut. Keep fingers still, and have the movement all proceed from the wrist. Practice with left hand.

Practice like movement with hand in position for pointing. Do not hold muscles rigidly firm.

B. Extend the arm very fully and hold the hand firmly clenched as in Cut. Now, keeping the arm firm, throw the fingers violently open, so as to completely spread the palm of the hand, and fully extend all the fingers and the thumb, as in Cut. Then close them again firmly and repeat the exercise ten times. Practice all exercises vigorously.

C. Wrist Circle. Extend the arm fully and with hand in position for pointing, as in Cut, describe a circle from the wrist. Make the circle as perfect as possible, and be sure that all movements proceed from the

wrist. Practice left to right, then right to left.

Wrist Movement.

VERTICAL.

Allow the arm to rise from the side slowly and as it ascends make a series of vertical movements with the wrist until the arm is raised to its full limit, when you will complete the movement by one full stroke of the wrist. The Cut will suggest the movement. These last hand exercises will give great freedom and force of action to the wrist.

Each arm gesture is not complete until the wrist stroke is given. This movement is the last part of the gesture action.

Elbow Circles. 1. With arm downward, describe a circle from the elbow, keeping the hand in position of last Ex., allowing the hand to follow the wrist. Thus, when the wrist ascends, the hand will be below the wrist, when the wrist descends, the hand will be above.

2. Raise the arm to a horizontal position and make a circle in like

manner.

3. Raise the arm directly upward

and describe a third circle. Be careful the circle is from the elbow; do not move the arm at the shoulder. Practice like manner left arm.

COMBINED ARM MOVEMENT.

Allow the arm to start from the side and make a series of movements to left and right, the hand following the arm, and gradually ascend until the hand reaches its highest point above the head. Let it end the movement with a vigorous stroke of the elbow and wrist. The Cut will explain the movement. Practice with left arm.

This movement of hand and arm is called into use when the meaning is held until near the close of the sentence, or in rising to a climax.

HANDS TOGETHER.

The hands, from their lowest point of clasping to their highest at the neck, form a scale of intensity— the higher they clasp, the more excitement of feeling they express. The hands together, denote sympathy and affection; when apart, they show disagreement or opposition of feeling. When clasped, the palms should be pressed together; to clasp only the fingers would evince lack of emotion.

LONG LINES OF GESTURE.

The longer the lines of Gesture, the more striking and more powerful the effect of the movement. Thus, in the Cut, the line from 1 to 2 gives strength and power to the gesture and seemingly adds to the height of the speaker. So, also, if the right arm be raised and formed from 3 to 4.

the line be

Also, lines formed with weight on forward foot and the arm raised as in Cut I, show the longest lines of movement and are most striking. The power of a gesture depends partly upon the position of body and limbs, partly upon the lines of movement, and also upon the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

MOVEMENT OF EYES.

The muscles of the Eye are capable of wonderful development. Its movements, like those of other parts of the body, are limited in number, but of many degrees.

I. Stand with face to front. Turn both eyes firmly to right as if looking at some object. Do not turn the head. Turn them to the left in like manner. Practice with counts, but allow them to keep position for some seconds each time.

2. Keeping the face still, raise the eyes as if to see some object above the head. Lower them as if to see the floor. Practice each movement several times. The following cuts will assist.

3. Open the eyes to their wides extent and hold them so for some seconds. Then close them firmly and hold them so for an instant before repeating the exercise. These exercises will strengthen the eyes, as well as render them more expressive.

4. Close the eyes until almost shut, as if thinking, and hold them in this position.