SIGN.

n.

FORM OF THE HAND.

USE, OR EXPRESSION.

Used in addressing, appealing to, exhorting, entreating, repre

Natural-(the form in
which the hand is held
out to shake hands)..(senting.

P Prone the reverse of
the natural hand....

S.

Supine-the natural
hand in tension...

cl. Closed, or clenched...

Forbidding, rejecting, denying, abjuring, commanding, crushing, destroying.

This form is a stronger expres-
sion of the natural hand, forforce.
Used only in strong passion: or
as a descriptive gesture of ex-
traordinary force.

i. Index finger, marking
or pointing (the other
fingers being closed).marking, reproving.
Left hand..

Advising, arguing, instructing,
impressing, warning, pointing,

L.

Used occasionally for variety.

Used in addressing large assemblies, or in violent feeling; or extended action (descriptive.) In prayer.

OF THE ARM.

o. oblique.

h. horizontal.

v. vertical.

X. extended.

Z. zenith.

fo. folded.

cr. crossed.

k. akimbo.

-or ele

NOTE. The position of the arm is regulated according to the situation (above or below the speaker) of those addressed,vation or depression of the feeling expressed, or object described.

NOTE. The motion of the arm, by its direction and rapidity, expresses the triumph, or depression, or energy of the orator's feelings, or the position of the object described.

REMARKS.

The initial letters enable the student or speaker to mark, in a written speech, any gestures he may think appropriate: thus, B. n. h. f. w. would signify, Both hands natural, horizontal, forwards, waving the proper gesture for such words as, "Romans, countrymen, and lovers!"

B. n. f. c. Both hands natural, forwards, elevated-is the gesture of "SUPPLICATION."

APPENDIX:

CONTAINING

A COMPLETE COURSE OF PRACTICE

IN

PROSE-READING,

AND IN

ORATORICAL, POETICAL, AND DRAMATIC

DECLAMATION.

APPENDIX, &c.

PROSE-READING.

DELICACY OF TASTE.-HUME.

NOTHING is so improving to the temper as the study of the beauties either of poetry, eloquence, music, or painting. They give a certain elegance of sentiment, to which the rest of mankind are strangers. The emotions which they excite are soft and tender. They draw off the mind from the hurry of business and interest; cherish reflection; dispose to tranquillity; and produce an agreeable melancholy, which, of all dispositions of the mind, is the best suited to love and friendship. In the second place, a delicacy of taste is favorable to love and friendship, by confining our choice to few people, and making us indifferent to the company and conversation of the greater part of men. You will seldom find that mere men of the world, whatever strong sense they may be endowed with, are very nice in distinguishing characters, or in marking those insensible differences and gradations