Front matter
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Introduction
important gestures illustrated by photographs. To this I wish to add that although correct gesture is one of the greatest aids of expression, too many gestures will spoil the effect of what would otherwise be a most successful effort. Therefore, I advise the use of few gestures and only such as will tend to emphasize what is said.
The rules for speaking apply with the same force and exactness to reading, for reading should be a perfect facsimile of speaking.
In speaking, reading, or portraying a character in a dialogue or play speak with the face as well as the voice. Exercise the facial muscles and practice until you can control them, for the emotions of Anger, Love, Grief, Fear, Surprise, Hate, etc., should be mirrored in the face as well as conveyed by the voice.
Every part of the body can be made to aid expression — the arms, the hands, the eyes, the legs, the feet, the head — there is use for them all, particularly in portraying characters in dialogues and plays, where there is wider range of expression than in a single recitation:
But whether the character to be portrayed, whether in recitation, dialogue or play, the speaker should always speak in a voice natural to such a character, and for the time being imagine himself or herself that particular individual.
The selections in this volume are admirably adapted to the widest range of elocutionary, oratorical and dramatic expression, and embrace a wide variety of the best literature for use in public and private entertainments.
The illustrations are very effective and will greatly aid the speaker to appear before the public to the best advantage, inasmuch as they portray actual scenes in a great variety of entertainments. The photo-pictures which accompany the lesson on Gesture show the expression of various emotions, through the attitude, the position of the arms and other parts of the body. The facial expression is excellent in all of them and they are a safe guide to any student of elocutionary art. M. V. H.
Photo by Byron, N. Y.
THE SWEETEST STORY EVER TOLD.
A PLEA FOR FORGIVENESS.
Contents
Preface 7
Introduction 9
Contents 13
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