FIG. 26. FIG. 27. EXERCISE III Rejection of Trifles. Rejection of trifles is made with the weakest part of the hand, i.e., the back, and either outward or upward. The latter is the more contemptuous action. In all oppositions, the degree of action in the head is in direct proportion to that of the arm. The head inclines or pivots from the object according to the strength of feeling. The inclination of the head is less powerful than the pivot. In rejection of trifles the action of the head will be slight; in fact, the eye alone is often sufficient for this gesture. Affirmation. (Figs. 28, 29, 30.) Here the action is up and down instead of outward. The arm first folds as in self-indication, but without bringing the hand quite so near to the body, while the head bows toward it. Then the head rises to the normal attitude, or is even lifted in strong affirmation, while the arm unfolds, finishing its gesture with the palm open toward the audience. Practise this as well as the preceding with three degrees of emphasis: (1) moderate; (2) with considerable energy; (3) with head uplifted and arm extended straight downward at the front, with the hand fully expanded. Practise also bringing the edge of the hand instead of the palm toward the audience. This is definition, or the teacher's affirmation, and is appropriate to quiet, earnest moods of the mind. Also with clinched fist. This affirmation is appropriate to anger, defiance, and the like. The head rises, the eye seeking heaven, then returns to the audience while the arm is lifted. Practise this with forefinger pointing upward and with open palm. The former is intellectual, the latter more emotional, open-hearted, strong. The hands are thrust out as if to push something away, while the whole body draws back and turns away as if shrinking from some dreaded or displeasing object. Of course, the strength of the action will depend upon the degree of repugnance. It may vary from playful, or pretended repulsion to that caused by ex treme fear. Remember to draw back the hips more than the shoulders. Practise in various directions: in front, at the sides, upward, and downward, keeping the eye fixed on the object, and also turning the face away, as if unable to endure the sight. EXAMPLES FOR PRACTICE. It is only the pure fountain that brings forth pure water. The good tree only will produce the good fruit. If the centre from which all proceeds is pure and holy, the radii of influence from it will be pure and holy also. Go forth, then, into the spheres that you occupy, the employments, the trades, the professions of social life; go forth into the high places or into the lowly places of the land; mix with the roaring cataracts of social convulsions, or mingle amid the eddys and streamlets of quiet and domestic life; whatever sphere you fill, carrying into it a holy heart, you will radiate around you life and power, and leave behinɑ you holy and beneficent influences.-Cumming. Up from the meadows, rich with corn, The clustered spires of Frederick stand, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.—Whittier. Come back, come back, Horatius!" loud cried the fathers all. "Back, Lartius! back, Herminius! Back, ere the ruin fall!” -Macaulay. "The olde sea-wall (he cried) is downe; The rising tide comes on apace, And boats adrift in yonder towne Go sailing uppe the market-place." |