g. Increasing in force to the middle, and decreasing to the last while descending the scale.

h. Decreasing in force to the middle, and increasing to the last while descending the scale.

These exercises may be varied by changes in quality of voice, and by tremor, or tremulous voice.

At this time the vowel and consonant sounds should be thoroughly learned, and their combinations practiced, until a word or succession of words can be pronounced without difficulty. The tables for this drill are Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the tables in Orthophony called "Contrast Exercises" for imperfect pronunciation.

To overcome the habit of speaking and reading with the teeth closed, or nearly closed, practice the vowel sounds with a stick or finger between the teeth. Increase the thickness of the stick until the distance between the teeth is satisfactory.

Again, repeat a sentence, and insert two fingers between the teeth at every syllable.

CALISTHENICS.

CALISTHENICS, from two Greek words, signifying beautiful and strength, is distinguished from gymnastics by quick, light movements, without apparatus or mechanical aid, producing grace and symmetry. Gymnastics may be graceful, brisk, and slight, but are generally understood to mean athletic strength in attitudinizing, lifting, swinging, climbing, requiring slow time and heavy work. Dio Lewis calls his later and improved exercises "Light or Free Gymnastics," to distinguish them from the older and partially discarded heavy gymnastics; wooden bells, wands, rings, and clubs taking the place of iron bells, weights, etc. But light gymnastics are not as easily adapted to the school-room as calisthenics, which require no apparatus, and can be abandoned and resumed at pleasure. Such exercises only as are best calculated to aid and improve the voice will be inserted in these pages. These will include a series of movements for the chest, shoulder, arm, hand, head, neck, and trunk.

The calisthenics in this volume are for those who have no system learned, and not to supersede those producing the same results.

MOVEMENT.*

Movement includes all the requirements of action from the beginning to the end of an exercise. 1st, Position; 2d, Direction; 3d, Order; 4th, Manner; 5th, Time.

I. POSITION FOR HYGIENIC EXERCISE.

There are two general or primary positions, termed military or gymnasium, and rostrum, and an indefinite number of SPECIAL positions, indicating the series of movements or exercises which are to follow.

*Much of the benefit arising from calisthenics is derived from the alternation of rigid and relaxed muscles. There should be an accent to the motion, and that accent should occur at the climax of the outward movement; hence the muscles should be firm in the outward movement, and relaxed in the return.

General Positions.

1. The military, or gymnasium position, is to place the heels together, toes out, and hands at the side; the ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle appearing to be

in a perpendicular line, and the weight equal on both feet.

Full Description of the Military Position. a. Heels together, or an inch apart.

b. Feet at right angles.

c. Knees together.

d. Body and head upright.

e. Shoulders back.

f. Eyes front.

g. Arms at the side.

h. Palms in, and thumbs front.*

i. Mouth closed (except in vocal exercise).

2. The rostrum position is an easy, upright speaking po sition, with one foot advanced, and the

weight of the body principally upon the

foot in the rear.

Full Description of the Rostrum Position. a. Body erect and easy.

b. One foot three or four inches in advance of the other.

c. Toes turned out in an angle of about 45 degrees.

d. Arms at rest at the side.

e. Heel of the foot in advance, in a line with the heel of the other.

f. Hands relaxed and natural (as they would hang at the side).

3. The reading position is similar to the rostrum, save that the book should be held in the left hand, high enough to keep

* This position is sometimes given with the palms front and thumbs out. (See Figure.)

the head from drooping, yet not so high as to hide the face of the reader from the audience.

Special Positions and Movements. (See Table No. 1.) The special positions are always taken at the commencement and between the movements of a series. The military always precedes the special position, unless otherwise stated.

1. CHEST SERIES.

1. Percussing.*-Position: hands upon sides, so that the fingers may touch in the back; thumbs pointing front, with the elbows pressed back, and the chin curbed; action: fill the lungs, and, with open hands, pat the chest rapidly and gently from the neck to the girdle; increase the intensity of action when no inconvenience is felt therefrom, but never bruise the flesh.

i t

2. Single Thrusting from the Arm-pit.t-Position: fists upon the chest, near the arm-pit, in front; elbows elevated and pressed back; wrists bent inward; direction, the twelve points: three front, three oblique, three extended, and three backward; order, single; manner, direct. (See Table No. 1.)

* Percussing distributes the air to the remote portions of the lungs that are less often inflated, and strengthens them.

† All the thrust exercises widen the chest in front, and make the back straight and narrow.

B

3. Double Thrusting from the Arm-pit.*-Position as in No. 2; direction, contrasting, up and down, or right and left; order, double; manner, direct; action: 1st, descending and ascending front, alternating four times with both fists; 2d, descending extended to the right, and the same to the left, four times alternately; 3d, horizontal extended to the right twice, the same to the left, and four times alternately; 4th, ascending extended to the right twice, and the same to the left, and four times alternately.

4. Thrusting from the Chest centre.-Position: fists on the chest, backs front, knuckles touching; elbows horizontal with the shoulders; direction, the twelve points; order, single; manner, direct.

5. Thrusting from the Sides.*-Position: elbows back; fore-arm and fists parallel upon the sides, and horizontal; direction, three points front; order, single; manner, direct.

6. Thrusting from the Hips.-Position: fists upon the back of the hips, near the girdle, palms in, thumbs closed, and elbows pressed backward; direction, backward; order, single; manner, direct.

II. SHOULDER SERIES.

1. Extending the Arms from the Arm-pit.-Position: elbows horizontal with the shoulders, thumbs and fingers joined, and drawn up under the arms; direction, extended * Inspire at the return, and expire at the outward movements.