Analogy makes this clearer still.  Our back teeth were built for the purpose of grinding; hence their broad crowns, strong shafts, and firm roots; the teeth in the front of the mouth were intended for tasks not at all so arduous.  Tamper with this arrangement; transfer the laborious work of mastication to the front teeth, and see how nature will punish you.  This illustrates the outrage committed when the strain and effort that should be shifted to the lungs are allowed to rest on the slender organs intended for the entirely different purpose of modulation.

[Side note:  How acquire a chest voice]

One question remains—­How can a person cultivate a chest voice?  How bring the voice directly from the lungs without in the least distressing the throat?  This is all important.  The young speaker should practise for a short time daily the method of lifting, first, words and then sentences straight from the lungs without making the least possible demand on the throat or vocal chords, stealing each word out of the depths of the lungs, afraid, as it were, of awakening the upper organs.  When he has acquired this habit of speaking words and sentences, let him practise a verse or two of declamation.  In a short time he will be surprised at his progress in acquiring a chest voice.  In public speaking it will become his ordinary voice; for not only does the established habit assist him, but the organs daily develop and fit themselves to his purpose, and he learns to transfer the stress from his throat to his lungs as easily and quickly and instinctively as the pianist passes his fingers from the treble to the base notes on the keyboard.

The test of any theory is—­How has it worked in practice?  The method of voice production here recommended has given the writer advantages that it would be difficult to overestimate.  Lungs naturally weak grew to three times their former size and strength; his voice increased in depth, richness and resonance; though constantly speaking in large churches for years, he has never known what hoarseness, sore throat or huskiness is.

A method that to him has been worth untold gold may not be without advantage to his readers.

[Side note:  Resonance]

We must, however, have more than speech; we must have musical speech.  This is acquired by resonance and inflection.

To send a stream of air from the lungs and vocalise it on its outward passage is not enough; by this you produce only a tiny, impoverished voice that conveys no force and awakens no emotion.  There is something wanting; that something is—­Resonance.  It supplies richness and effectiveness to the stream of sound.

[Side note:  An illustration]