The New York Speaker (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868. Excerpt: ... Truth Of Gesture.--The first of these principles, Truth, or simplicity, implies, of course, entire exemption from all traits of an artificial, fanciful, or whimsical character, fastidiously precise positions, dancing school attitudes, finical niceties of anatomical display of joint or member, gliding motions of the fnet, obtrusive curvilinear sweeps of the arm, and gestures introduced because they are pretty or graceful. Firmness.--The second feature of good style in gesture, Firmness, is opposed to all feeble slackness, or yielding weakness, in the limbs, arms, and hands, or drooping positions of the head and neck. Firmness implies that one limb is firmly braced, as a steady support to the whole body; that the whole mien is upright, even when, in earnest appeals to the speaker's audience, he inclines somewhat forward, that the chest is always well expanded and duly raised, and the head erect, unless the speaker happens to be placed much above his audience. Force.--The third characteristic of appropriate manner in gesture, is Force; which, as a prime attribute of man, can never be dispensed with. It forbids all feeble, shuffling, and unnecessary shifting of the feet, a curtseying motion of the kneejoints, an unmeaning swaying and rocking of the body, a feeble and timid half-stretching of the arm, and a niggardly halfopening of the hand in gesture; the elbow thus making an ungainly angle, and the hand held as if to receive something palpable from the audience, instead of sympathy and thought. Speaking, it should never be forgotten, is giving, not receiving; and the wide-open hand and free palm, not the contracted, pouch-like paw, are the proper visible language of nature in human speech. Force in gesture is utterly incompatible with any feeble, fluttering, ..