Lord Angus, thou hast lied!"



VI. GESTURE. (55)

Gesture is that part of the speaker's manner which pertains to his
attitude, to the use and carriage of his person, and the movement of his
limbs in delivery.

Every person, in beginning to speak, feels the natural embarrassment
resulting from his new position. The novelty of the situation destroys his
self-possession, and, with the loss of that, he becomes awkward, his arms
and hands hang clumsily, and now, for the first time, seem to him worse
than superfluous members. This embarrassment will be overcome gradually,
as the speaker becomes familiar with his position; and it is sometimes
overcome at once, by a powerful exercise of the attention upon the matter
of the speech. When that fills and possesses the mind, the orator is
likely to take the attitude which is becoming, and, at least, easy and
natural, if not graceful.

1st. The first general direction that should be given to the speaker is,
that he should stand erect and firm, and in that posture which gives an
expanded chest and full play to the organs of respiration and utterance.

2d. Let the attitude be such that it can be shifted easily and gracefully.
The student will find, by trial, that no attitude is so favorable to this
end as that in which the weight of the body is thrown upon one leg,
leaving the other free to be advanced or thrown back, as fatigue or the
proper action of delivery may require.