ALTERNATE GESTURES Auxiliary or alternate gestures serve to aid or enforce the gesture of the advanced hand. They are thus performed: After the advanced hand has made its gesture on the emphatic word, instead of passing to another gesture on the next emphatic word, it remains in the attitude of the last stroke, till the retired hand is brought up in aid of it, either by a similar gesture or by a more decided one; which gives at once variety and extraordinary energy to passages admitting such gestures. They are used, of course, with great advantage in high passion, but are also frequent in description, where they are executed more tamely.-AUSTIN. SELECTIONS FOR PRACTISE THE PUBLIC DUTY OF EDUCATED MEN* BY GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS It is with diffidence that I rise to add any words of mine to the music of these younger voices. This day, gentlemen of the graduating class, is especially yours. It is a day of high hope and expectation; and the counsels that fall from older lips should be carefully weighed, lest they chill the ardor of a generous enthusiasm or stay the allconquering faith of youth that moves the world. To those who, constantly and actively engaged in a thousand pursuits, are still persuaded that educated intelligence molds States and leads mankind, no day in the year is more significant, more inspiring, than this of the college commencement. It matters not at what college it may be celebrated. It is the same at all. We stand here, indeed, beneath these college walls, beautiful for situation, girt at this moment with perfumed splendor of midsummer, and full of tender memories and joyous associations to those who hear me. But on this day, and on other days, at a hundred other colleges, this summer sun beholds the same spectacle of eager and earnest throngs. The faith that we hold, they also cherish. It is the same God that is worshiped at the different altars. It is the same benediction that descends upon every reverent head and believing heart. In this annual celebration of faith in the power and the responsibility of educated men, all the colleges in the country, in whatever State, of whatever age, of whatever religious sympathy or direction, form but one great Union university. *"From Volume I. Curtis's Orations and Addresses. & Brothers." Published by Harper |