4. SUGGESTIVE HINTS TO TEACHERS, 1. Whatever indifference or languor the pupil exhibits in other exercises, no feeble effort is to be tolerated in elocution. Require a constant and vigorous mental and bodily activity, or excuse the laggard from participation.

2. The exercise should be performed according to the text, mastering each principle as it is presented. When the book is completed review the examples whose elements are given in the key, with all accompanying requisites to secure the most effective expression possible.

3. The exercises in Respiration are not only beneficial in the cultivation of voice power, but are healthful and invigorating, and should not be abridged.

4. The mere pronunciation of the words in articulation will not repay the time occupied in the act. The elements must be accurately and vigorously uttered alone each articulated with that incisive energy that implies a finality.

5. The questions placed at the close of certain topics are not to be asked by the teacher, but should be used in the following manner: each pupil rises as called, and, holding the book open, reads and answers as many questions as the teacher may assign to him.

6. READ THE LESSON OCCASIONALLY FOR THE CLASS. Group the words of a paragraph or an entire selection ; read each group separately, stopping for the class to repeat it with appropriate expression.

7. The selections are admirably adapted for declamation, and if used as such, after their component elements of expression are mastered, they will lay the foundation of an effective oratorical power.

8. The process of Grouping can be profitably used as a syntactical and rhetorical drill. As a blackboard exercise, permitting class criticism, it will be very interesting and valuable.

9. No amount of instruction will compensate for a meagre drill. The highest excellence in reading or speaking requires the same conditions as music, painting, and poetry, — Practice,. Practice, PRACTICE.

PART I.

5. RESPIRATION.

1. RESPIRATION, or breathing, is the act of taking air into the lungs and expelling it from them.

2. Voice is dependent upon a proper and sufficient supply of air for its purity, power, and flexibility; hence, habits of correct breathing should be acquired early and adhered to faithfully.

3. The organs concerned in respiration are, the Diaphragm, Abdominal Muscles, Thoracic (chest) Muscles, Larynx (Adam's Apple), the Trachea (windpipe), the Bronchia (branches of the windpipe), and the Lungs. These should be kept in a healthy condition by judicious use and frequent practice. They are capable of being subjected to the will to such an extent that respiration is said to be suspended by the pearl fishers of India from three to four minutes.

NOTE. The longer a reader can hold his breath the more effective will be his delivery of those complex sentences that become almost meaningless if broken by spasmodic gaspings for breath.

4. In the exercises which follow, enter upon your work with vigor and earnestness, determined to accomplish the results sought. Keep your thoughts directed

upon the organ in action. Estimate each day your improvement upon the previous accomplishments.

5. Bear in mind that as voice is dependent upon a copious supply of air, under the control of the will, so effective breathing is dependent upon pure blood, which, in turn, owes its existence to proper and sufficent food and physical exercise.

6. As a reward for your faithful practice of these exercises in respiration, you are promised an increased activity and buoyancy of spirits, a command of voice that will be pleasing to your friends, and above all, a vigor of mind and body that can accompany only perfect health.

6. Position of the Body.

Stand erect, without constraint, with one foot slightly in advance of the other, with the body mainly supported by the rear foot. Throw the shoulders backward and downward. Project the chest as fully as may be without a sense of effort. Keep the mouth shut unless, directed otherwise. In this connection, the pupil is reminded that the mouth should be kept closed at all times when not in actual use. Breathing must be performed through the nostrils, and not through the mouth.

7. Breathing Exercises.

NOTE. Continue each of the following exercises from three to five minutes.

1. ABDOMINAL BREATHING. Place the fingers upon the abdominal muscles and thumbs upon the costal

muscles. Take a full breath, forcing the abdominal muscles outward, then let the muscles sink in as the breath comes out. Hold the shoulders firm.

2. CHEST BREATHING. Relax the muscles of the chest. Take a full breath, and expand the chest to its full capacity. Exhale slowly; direct the thoughts to the object to be accomplished in this, as in all other exercises.

3. DORSAL (BACK) BREATHING. Place the fingers at the back of the dorsal muscles, and thumbs on the sides. Take a full breath, trying to expand the muscles under your fingers as much as possible. Exhale slowly and evenly. This method of breathing is particularly healthful, and care should be taken to dress so that its free action be not impeded.

4. COSTAL (RIB) BREATHING. Place the fingers on the costal muscles and the thumbs at the back. Take a full breath, distending the muscles of the ribs as much as possible. In exhaling, let the sides sink in to their full extent.

5. WAIST BREATHING. With hands hanging by the sides inhale with a view of distending the entire circle of the waist. Let the breathing be full and deep.

6. HOLDING THE BREATH. A valuable exercise for controlling the breathing is to practice the " Waist Breathing" method for a few seconds, until the muscles employed are under the control of the will, and then observe, by noticing the second-hand of a watch, how long you can hold your breath.

7. EFFUSIVE BREATHING. Inhale naturally, filling