The true province of elocution, therefore, is not to make a person less, but more natural.

The following are some of the benefits to be derived from the study, and the uses to which the art may be applied.

Elocution is a means for artistic and intellectual cul

ture.

It is an accomplishment.

It improves the conversational powers.

To the possessor of the art, it is a solid satisfaction, and it enhances the enjoyment of society.

It is the best form of gymnastics-exercising in a salutary manner the most important functions of mind and body.

Through a proper direction of its breathing and vocal exercises, it is made an invaluable factor for the preservation and restoration of health.

It stimulates thought through the reflex influence which well-spoken words are known to have upon the mind of the speaker.

It aids in getting a higher appreciation of the beautiful and grand in literature.

It brings out the subtler meanings of language through the proper enunciation of the words.

It is one of the three essential branches of oratory, and necessary to the highest success in public speaking. To all instructors, needful; to the teacher of reading, indispensable.

It is most essential to the study of drama, and important as a preparation for the actor's calling.

"There's a charm in delivery, a magical art,

That thrills like a kiss from the lip to the heart;
'Tis the glance, the expression, the well-spoken word,
By whose magic the depths of the spirit are stirred.”

VOICE CULTURE

AND

ELOCUTION.

*

*

We must exclude everything from the definition of language, but actual speaking. * * It is only by the spoken word that the speaker breathes his own life into the souls of his hearers.

-Wilhelm Von Humboldt.

Delivery has the sole and supreme power in oratory.-Cicero.

ELOCUTION is the Art of expressing thought and feeling by means of Voice and Action.

VOICE is the result of air made audible, in its passage from the lungs, by the action of the vocal ligaments. It becomes Speech when individualized by the organs of resonance and articulation.

.

ACTION is pantomime language, appealing to the eye. It comprises all the physical means for communicating thought and feeling.

GESTURE is a term synonymous with Action, and is the one more commonly used. It embraces Position, Poise, and Movement.

THE VOICE QUALIFICATIONS essential to a good elocution, and which, if not already possessed by the student, must be acquired through the development and culture of the organs of speech, are,

1. Fullness, Strength, Clearness, and Resonance.

2. Distinctness and Correctness of Articulation.

3. Perfect adaptation and control of voice through the variations in Pitch, Stress, Time, and the other elements of vocal expression.

CALISTHENICS.

The wise, for cure, on exercise depend.-Dryden.

A FEW Calisthenic exercises should precede Gesture. They will contribute freedom and strength to the trunk and limbs. The following will be found ample for the purposes intended.

Each movement should be repeated five to twenty times, depending upon the difficulty of the exercise, and upon the strength and convenience of the pupil. Ten to twenty minutes, once or twice a day, may be profitably devoted to systematic physical exercises.

POSITION.-Weight of the body equally on both feet, heels together, and toes extending to the right and left at an angle of sixty degrees. Head erect, shoulders well back, and arms by the side—the military position. This is the attitude of attention, or "first position."

CHEST EXTENSION.-With the arms extended in front, palms together, throw the arms horizontally backward, then return to the front on the same line, keeping the elbows straight and the body erect. The movement should be made only at the shoulder-joints.

UPWARD CHEST EXTENSION.-From "first position," without bending the elbows, swing the arms from the sides upward, striking back of hands together directly over head; then, by reverse movement, return the arms to first position.

These movements should be given slowly at first, increasing in rapidity and energy in the ratio of acquired strength and skill.

CIRCULAR Movement of Arms :

1. Forward. From "first position," elbows straight, swing the arms forward, up in front, back close to the sides of the head and down behind to commencing position, describing with the hands, as near as possible, parallel circles.

The arms are allowed to rotate freely at the shoulderjoints.

2. Backward. Carry the arms back, up, around, and down in front,-the reverse of the preceding. It may be best to practice first with each arm separately, and then both together. Great care should be taken to keep the feet firmly in position, the knees straight and the body perfectly erect.

ARM AND BODY MOVEMENT COMBINED.-For commencing position extend the arms straight up each Iside of the head. Then, from this position, with elbows and knees kept straight, swing the arms down to the front, back, up, around and down again, at the same time bending the body forward, letting the bend be mostly at the hips.

If it can be done with ease, allow the extended fingers to touch the floor. The reverse movement brings the body to an erect position, while the arms are carried back, down, and up in front to commencing position.

Performed with energy, this is a most invigorating and economical practice, giving the pupil the greatest amount of exercise in the shortest possible time.