a moderate sigh. Repeat the exercise with regard to the fullest supply of breath in the inhalation, filling about five seconds of time each with the inspiration and the expiration.

2. Inhale with especial reference to the filling of the lowesl air-cells in the lungs, and be conscious of the entering current of air as far as it can possibly reach downward. Then exhale so as to exhaust the supply from the lowest aircells.

3. Inhale as above, expanding outwardly the lower aircells as much as possible. This will cause an outward proExpel the air as before directed,

jection of the lower ribs.
when the lungs have been filled.

4. By muscular effort raise the shoulders, and fill the lungs upwardly. Exhale with the downward pressure of the clavicle.

5. Inhale with especial reference to the outward and forward expansion of the chest, giving it a rounded projection, and throwing the shoulders well back and down. In the exhalation press the ribs inward and upward, so as to exhaust the supply of air.

6. Let the breath be inhaled as before, with the fullest expansion of the chest, and then retain it for ten seconds. In repeating the exercise, from time to time, increase the number of seconds of the retention, as far as the exercise may be carried without inconvenience.

7. Take the same exercise as above, walking a few steps across the room, with the lungs inflated, and then exhale. 8. Fill the lungs completely at one gasp.

9. Inhale as before, and exhale with a firm, voluntary action of the muscles, still employing breath, not sound. The object of this exercise is not merely to strengthen the lungs, but also to secure the proper abdominal action of the muscles in exhalation. Let the effort be made to exhaust the lungs by throwing the breath entirely through the nostrils. Repeat the same exercise with the mouth open, as

in the action of hearty laughter, still using the aspirated, not the vocalized, breath.

10. With the same inhalation as above, give abrupt and somewhat violent action to the abdominal muscles, so as to produce explosive breathing in the exhalation, resembling a whispered cough.

The previous exercises have primary reference to the effect of the breath upon the lungs. Other suggestions will be given below, in connection with remarks on muscular action. They will be found particularly serviceable as preliminary to the use of the voice in church. Most of them can be followed during the hours of exercise, or on the way to church, or in the vestry-room. Several pupils have expressed to the author their indebtedness for this form of exercise in warming the blood and heating the organs healthfully before the public use of the voice.

Second Series: With Reference to the Vocal Chords.

1. Inhale as before, with the nostrils, and exhale with the whispered sound of "ah," caused by the passage of the air over the tense vocal chords.

2. Prolong this expiration for several seconds. Sufficient practice will enable the student to easily double the number of seconds which he found sufficient for the first attempt. One beginning with fifteen seconds as the time for the first expiration will, after a few days, reach from thirty to forty-five seconds, and in a few weeks a full minute, or even more, will not be found exhausting.

3. Fill the lungs as above, and prolong the whispered "ah," with a free opening of the vocal chords-the same position of the organs as in sounding the lowest note of the musical scale. Then proceed from this to change the position of the organs to that employed in the production of the highest notes, graduating the exercise through several varying tones.

case.

Let the expiration be moderate in each

4. Fill the lungs and give the expulsive action to the muscles, the breath escaping through the larynx, instead of the nose, as in Exercise 9, First Series.

5. Inspire as above, making a complete occlusion of the vocal chords, and then let the breath be forced out with an explosive effort.

Caution. The two exercises following must be practiced moderately to avoid injury:

6. Inhale with the mouth open, the breath being drawn across the vocal chords so as to be audible, but not properly vocal, making the same effort to produce different notes on the musical scale, with the sound of "ah."

7. Inhale and exhale rapidly, as in panting.

Third Series: With reference to the Uvula.

1. With the uvula pendent, sound the lowest aspirated note of the syllable 66 aw."

2. Elevate the uvula, and give the breath an acute sound on the high pitch, with the syllable "ah."

It is a good custom to open and close the breathing exercises with some moderate inhalations and exhalations, the mouth being closed. This closed position should be observed as a rule in the greater part of the exercises. It should also be remembered as a healthful position of the organs for natural breathing, especially in sleep. Any public speaker can verify this assertion by observing the difference between the effect on the voice succeeding the natural position and that following prolonged and slothful slumber, sleep after great fatigue, or attacks of biliousness or indigestion. In the latter conditions the mouth is frequently thrown open, and the effect upon the voice is very different from that which comes after restful sleep with the mouth tightly closed.

Fourth Series: Muscular Exercises combined with

Breathing.

1. Fill the lungs completely, and exhale with a strong expulsive effort, so as to project the stream of breath as far as possible. This is a strong form of delivering the exhalation, in the manner known by the boys as "seeing the breath" on a frosty morning.

2. It is very important that the public speaker should have an an erect carriage of the body. He thus not merely secures the full play of the lungs, and avoids the cramped position of the abdomen, which, in time, affects the organs of digestion, but cultivates, at the same time, that upright bearing of the body which is one of the attractive features in public speaking. An enfeebled look or carriage of the body, especially when aggravated by the stooping posture which stomachic disorders naturally produce, sadly detracts from the manly and commanding effects of the orator. All public speakers should acquire, by every effort of will, and at whatever cost of time and exertion, the power to stand erect. One of the best exercises to secure this erect carriage, and one which will certainly so result if persisted in, is the following: Stand against some perpendicular surface, and then inhale and hold a full breath, carrying the chin down and in, and the brow back, the heels, head, and all parts of the body being pressed firmly against this surface. Then walk around the room a few times, with the lungs still inflated, and the body held at the undeviating line directed, and return to the former position to see if there has been any variation from the perpendicular. The head and heels should touch the surface simultaneously on returning, in this test. In order to secure the straightest line for this measurement, a door may be opened, and the edge used for the normal line. If this exercise be persisted in as a daily drill, it will, almost by necessity, straighten the form.

3. Every public speaker inclined to the stooping posture, that he may secure the proper carriage, should take especial pains to see that his sitting posture is also erect. If the spinal column is pressed against the back of a chair, it will result as above. Chairs with curved backs and scooping seats, particularly the "American rocking-chair," are very injurious to the habits of the speaker in their effect upon the body. If absolute rest is at any time required, it is better to recline at full length than to sit in a cramped position. Chairs with stuffed backs heat the spine, and must, therefore, be avoided.

4. Fill the lungs, and hold the chest full, tapping it gently all over with the tips of the fingers.

5. Then, inflating and holding the lungs full as before, slap the chest gently with the open hand.

6. Expand as above, and beat gently with the fists, with light, elastic blows, so as to make the chest resound.

7. Inflate the lungs, and press firmly upon the chest at different parts, as if to break down the muscular resistance of the expansion.

8. Inhale a full breath, set the abdominal muscles on tension, and press against them firmly with the tips of the fingers, so as to feel strongly the resistance.

9. Inflating as before, slap with a light blow of the open hand all the surface of the chest, and as far down as the abdomen.

10. Repeat as above, using the fist gently, and increasing the strength of the blow as the power of resistance in

creases.

11. Inflate the lungs fully, while extending and moving the arms up gradually from the sides to the highest reach, keeping them perfectly straight.

12. Exhaust the supply of breath, throw the arms up as before, and inhale as they gradually descend to the sides, keeping them open.

13. Exhale, extend the arms in front, with the palms