The articulations unfold successively and harmoniously.  Every articulation which has no action, must remain absolutely pendent, or become stiff.  Grace is closely united to gesture; the manifold play of the articulations which constitutes strength, also constitutes grace.  Grace subdues only because sustained by strength, and because strength naturally subdues.  Grace without strength is affectation.

Every vehement movement must affect the vertical position, because obliquity deprives the movement of force, by taking from it the possibility of showing the play of the articulations.

The demonstration of movement is in the head.  The head is the primary agent of movement; the body is the medium agent, the arm the final agent.

Three agents in gesture are especially affected in characterizing the life, mind and soul.  The thumb is the index-sign of life; the shoulder is the sign of passion and sentiment; the elbow is the sign of humility, pride, power, intelligence and sacrifice.

The first gesture of the series is the interpellation, the entrance upon the scene.  The soul is scarce moved as yet, and still this is the most difficult of gestures, because the most complex.  It must indicate the nature of the interpellation, its degree and the situation of the giver and receiver of the summons in regard to each other.

A study of the signs which distinguish these different shades will teach us the analysis of gesture.

Aside from simple interpellation, the series passes successively from gratitude, devotion, etc., to anger, menace and conflict, leaving the soul at the point where it is subdued and asks forgiveness.

The passional or fugitive type forms the constant subject of the study of this series.

The Series of Gestures Applied to the Sentiments Oftenest Expressed by the Orator.

First Gesture. Interpellation.

Interpellation embraces five steps: 

The first consists in elevating the shoulder in token of affection.  If the right shoulder, as in figure 2 with the right leg weak.

The second step consists in a rotary movement of the arm, its object being to present the epicondyle (elbow-joint) to the interlocutor.  For this reason the epicondyle is called the eye of the arm.

The third stage consists in substituting the articulation of the wrist for the epicondyle.  In making the forward movement of the body, the epicondyle must resume its natural place.

The fourth step consists in extending the hand toward the speaker in such a way as to present to him the extremities of the fingers.

The fifth step is formed by a rapid rotation of the hand.

Second Gesture. Thanks—­Affectionate and Ceremonious.

This gesture consists of six steps: 

1.  Consists in lifting the hand and lowering the head.

2.  Consists in raising the hand to the hip.