The first is a commencing gesture; the second, a suspending gesture; the third, an emphatic gesture; and, as it is the last, it is a terminating gesture also; and the arm falls to rest. Should a deaf person observe the gestures, as noted above, made by a speaker in a public assembly, he would conclude that the orator had performed what may be termed a regular period of gesture, by the commencement, the suspension, and the emphatic close of the action. Should the sentence be rendered more complex by the introduction of other members, discriminating gestures will be introduced. ·

shq

shf

ief

ihf nIt is an old observation, but not, therefore, the less true, that

no man is wise at all times.t

dis.

susp.

dis.

R

dis.

The beautiful reply of St. Paul to Agrippa, entering as such, at once, into the subject abruptly, without exordium, has no commencing gesture.

Bsef sp

Bshf p

I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear

veq

emph.

dis.

br.

me this day, were both almost and altogether, such as I am,

* The notation letters, shf, signify, the hand supine, the arm horizontal forwards; nef, the hand natural, the arm elevated forwards; shf st, the hand supine, the arm horizontal forwards striking; R, rest, the arm in its natural position, by the side.

† The letters, shf, signify, supine horizontal forwards; ief, index elevated forwards; ihf n, index horizontal forwards noting; shq, supine horizontal oblique; nef, natural elevated forwards; shf st, supine horizontal forwards striking; R, rest.

Bsef sp, both hands supine, the arms elevated forwards springing; Bshf p, both hands supine horizontal forwards pushing; 9, ob

The five classes of gestures, above described, may be used in any part of an oration. They are, as it were, the elements of gesture, which, by their combinations. produce its whole power of language and expression. These elements are the component parts of every style of delivery, whether tame or vehement, argumentative or diffuse, ardent or indifferent, cold or pathetic.

It has been observed that the principal gesture is performed by the advanced hand, and the subordinate gesture by the retired hand. The best modern speakers use either the right, or the left hand, indiscriminately, for the principal gesture, as occasion may require. As this practice is altogether at variance with the opinions and rules of the ancient critics and rhetoricians, it may be proper to inquire how far we are justifiable in our departure from their great authority.

"The left hand," says Quintilian, "can never, with propriety, perform gesture alone; but it frequently acts in support of the right

hand." The consideration of the dress of the ancients, which differed so essentially from that of the moderns, may be sufficient to account for the difference between their customs and ours. The form of the ancient dress obliged the speaker, if not totally to disuse his left hand, at least to restrain its action very considerably. (See Fig. 94.) The occasions on which the left hand may perform the principal gesture, are the following: 1. When the persons addressed are on the left side, the left hand naturally performs the principal gesture, in order to avoid the awkwardness of gesticulating across the body. 2. The necessary discrimination of objects opposed to each other, requires the left hand alternately to perform the principal gesture. 3. The advantage of variety. 4. The power of giving, not only variety, but force, by occasionally elevating the retired hand, and bestowing upon it all the spirit and authority of the gesture.

94

But it is not only in the use of the left hand that modern speakers differ from the ancients: they constantly violate another precept enjoined by Quintilian and his followers, viz., that of speaking with

ique position; x, extended position; veq, hands vertical, arms elevated oblique; a, ascending; br, breast the right hand is laid on the breast; Bnef, both hands natural, the arms elevated for wards; Bshf sh, both hands supine, arms horizontal forwards shaking; R, rest, the hands fall to rest.

the corresponding hand and foot advanced.* And yet, if the natural emotions afford any just foundation for the manner of gesture, we shall be inclined to give the preference to modern custom. Those passions which incline us to advance towards their object, as love, desire, anger, and revenge, naturally cause the corresponding hand and foot to advance together with the head and body; for, in this way, the nearest approach is made to the object. And when passions of a contrary nature, as aversion and terror, affect us, still the corresponding hand and foot are advanced; as if the better to guard the body and head, which are thrown back. In such cases, it would produce unnatural-distortion to advance the contrary hand and foot. Under tranquil circumstances, as when the speaker delivers narrative, or reasons calmly, the contrary hand and foot† may advance together with grace and propriety. Indeed, perhaps such posture is preferable, as it presents the body more exactly in front towards the persons addressed. It was, probably, such circumstances alone, which Quintilian had in view when he pronounced his opinion, that it is unbecoming to stand with the corresponding hand and foot advanced. This explanation will serve to reconcile the apparent deviation of the moderns from the ancient practice.

THE PREPARATION, TRANSITION, AND ACCOMPANIMENT OF GESTURE.

In the transitions of gesture, the hand and arm should not, in general, be precipitated to the intended position by the shortest course; but, in the calmer parts of the oration, they should move in a sort of waving line, or in one returning upon itself, somewhat in the manner represented by the following diagram :

Let f represent the position of the arm and hand for wards, and let the place of the next gesture be q (ob

* Right hand and right foot; or left hand and left foot.

The right hand and left foot; or the left hand and right foot.

lique), and of a third be x (extended). The hand should not move in the line of dots directly from f to q, and from q tox; but from ƒ go back almost to c (across), in order that it may traverse the greater space; and then proceed to q with an accelerated motion for the stroke of the gesture. In the same manner, and for the same purpose, it should return back almost to ƒ, before it proceeds to x.

The ascending and descending gestures are performed

Diag. 19.

in the same manner, under simi lar circumstances, as may be seen in diagram 19, in which Z is the zenith, and R the point of rest, and where the hand, in ascending and descending, is represented as making returning inflections at the principal points, d, h, and e.

The line of preparation assumes a variety of other curves, fourteen of which are represented by Diagram 20.

Whatever form this indirect line may be, it is used as a preparation for the gesture to which it leads; and the extent of the return, or depth of the sweep or indentation, is determined by the character of the sentiments to be delivered. The more magnificent they are, the greater is this parade; and the nearer to ordinary discourse, the less it is. The preparation made by these different curves does not suit every species of gesture; it is adapted almost solely to that kind which is termed discriminating Another kind of preparation is made for emphatic gestures. They are generally preceded by a suspending gesture, which serves the double purpose of marking some less important word, and of preparing for the

stroke of the emphatic gesture. It will be recollected that contracting and retracting gestures are reckoned

among the suspending gestures, as be

ing made previous to some forcible ef

fort, and are, therefore, preparatory to the gestures which ensue. In order to illustrate what is here advanced, let it be supposed that the em phatic gesture requires

Diag. 20.

cussion of the arm descending forwards, as shf st-, the preparation for this is the suspending, or prepara tory gesture nef bn, as in the following example:

vhf rt

vhf rj

I hate the drum's discordant sound.t-Langhorne.

A gesture across, which passes rapidly to the extended position, may also be used as a preparation for rejection :

*The letters, nef bn, signify, natural elevated forwards bending shf st, supine horizontal forwards striking.

†The letters, vhf rt, signify, vertical horizontal forward retract ing; vhf rj, vertical horizontal forwards rejecting.