arms may fall to rest in recitation: and also at the close of each completed description. But where the description, though the sense is sufficiently complete, is not absolutely finished, because in the next stanza other objects are presented as existing in a different part of the landscape, the discrimination is advantageously made, by what may be termed the semipause or semilermination of gesture; this, in effect, is no more than the change of the principal gesture to a different hand, by which the former falls to rest, as has been already mentioned. The second stanza of the same poem, and the beginning of the third will afford an example.

3

Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight

phf p-R And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds;

—ieq n

aR2

The principal gesture in the second stanza is represented as performed by the right hand.. The new objects in the third stanza may be represented in another part of the picture, and are described by the gestures of the left hand; whilst the right. falls to rest in the close of the second.. In the third, the right hand not being noted accompanies the left according to the rules of accompaniment. The position of the feet is also. changed in this stanza.

CHAPTER XIX

OF THE FREQUENCY, MODERATION, AND INTERMISSION OF GESTURE.

Gesture should be used with moderation-Sometimes intermitted altogether -The frequency determined by the number and novelty of ideasPeriods of gesture—Quintilian's directions as to frequency of gesture -The best rule for regulating gesture-Gesture should not be used unless for illustration or enforcement-An English audience prepossessed in favour of quiet dissertation-But acute in judgment when excited-Premeditated gestures to be moderated in actual delivery, if the feelings are not sufficient for their perfect execution—A public speaker should always be able to govern his feelings, and restrain them within proper bounds.

CHAPTER XIX.

Of the Frequency, Moderation, and Intermission of Gesture.

As gesture is used for the illustration or enforcement of language, it should be limited in its application to such words and passages only as admit, or rather require, such illustration or enforcement. That is, gesture should not be used by a public speaker on every word, where it is possible to apply it without manifest impropriety; but it should rather be reserved for such passages as require to be rendered more prominent than the others, and to be coloured higher. A judicious speaker will therefore reserve his gesture, at least the force and ornament of it, for those parts of his discourse for which he also reserves the brilliancy of language and thought. As words of themselves when composed and delivered with propriety, are fully intelligible for every purpose of argument, instruction, and information; in those divisions of a discourse, therefore, which treat of such topics, gesture may be well spared, and if any is used it ought to be the most moderate and unostentatious.

The simple and occasional inclination of the head, the

The character of the discourses delivered from our pulpits in general is such, that gesture is rather properly to be omitted. They are no more than quiet dissertations. Sermons admitting rhetorical delivery must be composed, as has been already observed, in rhetorical spirit.

A portico supported on Corinthian columns would be a very incongruous entrance into a simple, neat cottage.