cold air after speaking in a heated room, then the throat should be covered; but it is much better for the speaker to remain for ten or fifteen minutes in the room where he has been exercising his voice, that the blood may be gradually cooled. We believe our advice on this point is clear. It may be summed up by saying that the throat should be left open as long as this strengthens it. When danger arises that a chill will be caused, then it should be protected.

Another essential condition for the preservation and development of the vocal powers is the recognition of nature's demand for healthful rest. The nervous system of the speaker demands it, because that, especially, is worn by the intense concentration of thought and vivid flashes, or continuous fire, of the feelings which accompany public speaking; the muscular system, because in many parts of the body, and especially in the trunk, there is a continued strain upon the muscles, which becomes the more wearisome because varied by the concussive effect of the expulsion of voice. This waste can be supplied only by the proper amount of sleep during the night, when the nerves find their recreation in rest and torpidity, the muscles theirs in quiet secretion. The speaker who exhausts his power by too little sleep, or an excess of it, is deliberately injuring his voice. Insufficient sleep leaves the nerves disturbed, and imparts a harsh, wiry quality to the voice; the excess of it causes that stupefying and sluggish circulation which renders the action of the organs labored and unwieldy, and effects the roughness of tone attending profound somnolency. A brief nap, caught. even in a chair, is often a great restorative to the enfeebled energies of body and voice. Excessive or even the usual amount of labor on the day preceding public effort should be avoided. The best possible preparation for effective Sunday work is a Saturday morning of exercise, an afternoon of quiet meditation, and a night of sleep.

Harmonizing with the rest of body is the rest of spirit,

which should precede the placidity and depth of feeling expressed in Divine Service. This tranquillity should be imparted, in turn, to the voice, that through this medium the sweet influences of the Holy Spirit may be the more perfectly shed into the hearts of the hearers; and few things can be more earnestly condemned than the ill-timed haste with which some clergymen approach their divine ministrations. A rush for the vestry, a hurried and superficial glance at the Lessons, the whisking on of a surplice, the sudden assumption of a calm face over a disturbed heart, and the shepherd is ready to lead his flock into the Holy of Holies! It is impossible. A few moments, surely, of calm should precede the approach to the chancel. It is the custom of at least one effective speaker in the Church to so plan his time as to arrive in his vestry-room several minutes before service, in order that he may be seated quietly for a brief space before his work; and the best preparation for the fit rendering of Divine Service is a quiet hour of private meditation. The voice will tell its unwelcome tale in public if the clergyman neglects his duty in private.

In regard to all other matters relating to preservation of health through needful rest, the speaker should realize that the violation of nature's laws will be retributively visited upon him in spite of all efforts to secure the best culture of voice; and, among others, it should be remembered that there are few things so injurious to the voice as protracted mental exertion until late hours of the night.

Another important matter to be considered is close observation of the natural results of proper dieting. The clergy, as a class, suffer more from indigestion than any other body of men-the inevitable result of their sedentary habits and neglect of exercise. This evil is largely increased by eating indigestible food. No single rule can apply to all cases, but whatever is found to be difficult of digestion should be avoided by every man seeking the best use of his voice. The disturbance of the mucous

membrane, caused by a disordered stomach, tells immediately on the vocal quality. Almost any one can satisfy himself of this by eating largely of any fatty matter, or highly spiced salads, pickles, nuts, etc. Whatever may be easily digested, that the speaker should consider sufficient nourishment as his meal before speaking. He can gratify the cravings of appetite at other times. The precise hour for using the voice after eating would depend on the condition of the stomach. Strong vocal effort should be avoided immediately after eating a hearty meal, yet it should be remembered that it will not benefit the voice to speak while fasting.

In this connection the author feels the necessity of cautioning all public speakers against the custom of drinking freely of cold water, especially iced-water, either immediately before or during the hours of speaking. It is well also to avoid, as far as possible, the use of condiments as a habit. A medicated lozenge, or even something as simple as a lump of sugar, or, better still, a taste of an orange, may be helpful at times; but to form such a habit is almost of necessity to destroy the more delicate and natural qualities of the voice, and the play of the organs in producing them. We should so drill the organs to a natural and healthful action as to make them independent of all soporifics and stimulants.

There is still another matter left which is, perhaps, of greater moment to the public speaker than any of the considerations preceding, and that is the absolute necessity of paying attention to physical exercise. No man, desirous of using his voice at the best, can accomplish this purpose without some stated exertion, which shall cause the blood to circulate freely and healthfully, and to give tone and vigor to the body. Whatever pertains to physical health immediately affects the voice. It is simply an impossibility that a clear and healthy resonance and a sustained and reserved vocal power can be secured while the bodily

health is neglected. The speaker needs elasticity of spirits and physical energy if he is to acquire the magnetic power in expression. The feeble man may excite the sympathies of his congregation, but does not control or direct their thoughts through the living power of his own utterance. It must be admitted that this is to be secured only at the sacrifice of time and effort; but if the end aimed at is not worthy of this, then let the public use of the voice sink into secondary relations, and the clergyman not be blamed for the neglect of this God-given power.

Walking is said to be the natural exercise for students. Energetic gymnastic exercise with labor apparatus, or with machinery that requires the exertion of the will to secure its benefit, is not, ordinarily, the best exercise for the thinker and speaker on sacred subjects. He must deal philosophically with the profounder and greater realities of life, allure to a brighter world, and lead the way thither, and, therefore, can not be careless of the finer sensibilities. Every clergyman can learn to give his body healthful exercise by the use of the imagination, by lifting imaginary weights, reaching to the utmost height and to the greatest distance, throwing the arms open the full sweep, by clinching the fists, and energetically thrusting them forward, downward, upward, etc. By these and similar exercises he may give his body all the necessary drill required for the preservation of the voice.

A caution must be added against exercising with too much violence. The man of studious habits can not expect every fiber in his frame to have the same toughness natural to the body of a working man. He must, therefore, be careful not to take too much as well as too little exercise.

By observing these directions, a vigorous and healthful tone may be secured to the physical organization.

CHAPTER II.

BREATHING EXERCISES.

THERE can be no natural, effective, and long-sustained speaking, conducted with ease both to the speaker and to the hearer, without the proper management of the breath. And, inasmuch as public speaking exceeds in effort the ordinary colloquial use of the voice, it is necessary to keep the lungs supplied with a greater body of air for the former than for the latter. The more powerful efforts of the orator require the physical pressure of a large volume of air deep in the lungs, behind the vocal organs. The delicate uses require that the organs be well trained to emit it in proper quantities. And no less skill is required in replenishing the exhausted store-house than in emptying it effectively. The whole apparatus, from the lips to the lowest cells of the lungs, must be in vigorous condition and in perfect training, before the speaker can expect his thought to be fitly uttered. It is very seldom that men of sedentary habits have occasion to use more than the slightest supply of breath.

The tidal breath, so termed, is sufficient for the study, but not for the public auditorium. The prescribed exercises following will not only give full and free expansion to the lungs, but will also exercise the expulsory muscles healthfully, which are called into play in the stronger uses of the voice.*

First Series: With Reference to the Complete Airing of the Lungs.

1. Stand in the erect posture, with arms akimbo, that the weight of the shoulders may be lifted from the chest. Inhale a full breath, with the mouth closed. Exhale with

* In all these exercises pure air must be secured, but not the outer air, if it be cold.