shuffle the feet. Practice turning in all possible directions, advancing the foot, retiring, turning halfway around, etc., but always noticing that the free foot points in the new direction before you change the weight. This does away with the very ungraceful screwing about of the foot after the weight of the body is on it.

EXERCISE XI

Keeping the body erect (with the heels together at the start), (1) advance the free foot as far as possible with the knee bent. (2) Transfer the weight. (3) Spring back to the opposite position, but on the same foot. (4) Spring forward. Practice in all directions. The arms may be as in the diagram, or in any other strong attitude.

CHAPTER III

LOGICAL EXPRESSION

THE simplest forms of expression are those which for convenience we designate as Logical; that is, dealing chiefly with thoughts, or statements of facts, and the relations of one idea or fact to another.

The simplest of the logical forms is called the Didactic style of speaking, because it aims to instruct, to give information, rather than to amuse us or excite our sympathies. The manner which we habitually use in ordinary intercourse is called the Conversational style of address. It is not so precise and exact as the didactic. The most familiar form of conversation is the Colloquial. Such expressions as don't for do not, we'll for we will, and familiar forms of address, like hello, old fellow! are examples of colloquial diction. So, the delivery of colloquial language should be more careless and familiar than that of the other forms of logical expression.

But, curiously enough, though we all speak colloquially, few of us can read with even a fair imitation of the conversational manner. It is enough, at first, if we succeed in reproducing the didactic style.

In the following illustration, Webster, one of the greatest of orators, endeavors to impress upon us the necessity for cultivating those powers which are the basis of all true oratorical success.

When public bodies are to be addressed on momentous occasions, when great interests are at stake, and strong passions excited, nothing is valuable in speech, further than it is connected with high intellectual and moral endowments. Clearness, force, and earnestness are the qualities which produce conviction.

How shall we read this so as to make it impressive? First of all, by thinking Webster's thoughts over again,not merely thinking about them, but convincing ourselves of their truth; and, second, by endeavoring to impress those thoughts upon our auditors so that they shall be convinced. It is hardly necessary to say that in order to do this, one must thoroughly understand the meaning of the author he would interpret. To express naturally we must concentrate on one thought at a time. A group of words that expresses a single thought or feeling, describes a single event, or pictures one scene for us, is called a phrase.

The greatest essential in phrasing, and the one most neglected by readers and speakers, is pause.

In the above example we must wait for each thought to make its impression upon the auditor before we speak the next. We pause in speaking our own thoughts because we must, in order to arrange our words; but in reading aloud, and especially in reciting what has become familiar to us by frequent repetition, there is great danger of neglecting this, and forgetting that what is old to us, is new, or supposed to be new, to the audience.

The best rule to follow is to pause for every thought.

In the pause try to think the new thought, see the new picture, or feel the new emotion as if it had never been thought, seen, or felt before in your life.

Phrases are sometimes marked by a slur over each group, sometimes by one or more vertical lines I, II, III, between the phrases, according to the length of the intervening pause. Where the slur is used, we indicate a very slight pause thus, showing that though there is a momentary cessation of sound, the thoughts are too closely connected to admit of a distinct separation.

In reading aloud, consider each phrase as a temporary' compound word, with the accent falling on the most important word. Speak the unimportant words clearly, but not overcarefully; that is, just as you would speak the unaccented syllables of any word which you wish your hearer to understand fully, but not as if each word or syllable were as important as the others. Treat the different phrases in the same way, speaking the most important ones more slowly and impressively than the rest, and passing lightly over those which you regard as of little comparative consequence. The more earnest the speaker, the more frequent the pauses. In reading poetry, especially where rhyme and meter are prominent, it is of the greatest importance to phrase carefully. The unpleasant effect known as singsong arises from neglect of pause and rhythm.

Take a breath for each phrase. The more important the thought, the deeper and fuller should be the breath, but "use all gently."

Analyze the following selections for phrasing.

There is one broad proposition, Senators, upon which I stand. It is this that an American sailor is an American citizen, and that no American citizen shall, with my consent, be subjected to the infamous punishment of the lash. Placing myself upon this proposition, I am prepared for any consequences.

-COMMODORE STOCKTON, Against Whipping in the Navy.

Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,

My very noble and approved good masters,

That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true.

How would you phrase the following: (a) for conversation, (b) for a very earnest and impressive didactic expression?

The only method of acquiring effective elocution is by practice, of not less than an hour a day, until the student has his voice and himself thoroughly subdued and trained to right expression.

- HENRY WARD BEECHER.

ILLUSTRATIVE SELECTIONS

TRUE ELOQUENCE

WHEN public bodies are to be addressed on momentous occasions, when great interests are at stake, and strong passions excited, nothing is valuable in speech farther than it is connected with high intellectual and moral endowments. Clearness, force, and earnestness are the qualities which produce conviction. True eloquence, indeed, does not consist in speech. It cannot be brought from far. Labor and learning may toil for it, but they will toil in vain.

Words and phrases may be marshaled in every way, but they cannot compass it. It must exist in the man, in the subject, and in the occasion. Affected passion, intense expression, the pomp of declamation, all may aspire after it, but cannot reach it. It comes, if it comes at all, like the outbreaking of a fountain. from the earth, or the

bursting forth of volcanic fires, with spontaneous, original, native force.