The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-28
AS NATURE INTENDED 1T.
A COMMON SENSE IDEA OF ELocU-
TON AND ITS ORIGINATOR.
eve Must First Decompose the Body"
m Expression That Precipitated an
Interesting Conversation on Deisarte
and His Methods.

'swe must first decomposc the body"
were the startling words which fell upon the
ears OF an ArrrAL man us he sat quietly in
corner OF n street car. Points for an item
foated through HIS mind but as he turned
be recognized charming friend who is one
the leading clcoutionlsts In the city.
"you needn't look frightened" she TO-
marked as she met his astonisbcd gaze. II
was only speaking Of the Dclsarte system
which you know is pet hobby OF mine.
predict that within five years Dclsartc's
theory will be universally taught both In
school and college and the stage itself will be
H. mirror"
The reporter, who knew as little about Del.
sarte as he did about clocution, was curious
10 learn something Of a system which Is just
now proving q popular vehicle OF expression
aud bugboar 10 the old school Of elooution.
"Dcsarte himself was student Of nature"
she continued, "and lac developed the school
Of natural expression, which one enthusiast
declared would reyolutioniIc all philosophy.
The mental, moral and physical trinity which
runs through man Is the primary principle
OF all expression. To deyelopc this, We must
o. I stated above, decompOse the body. In
other words, we must put the muscular or
physical portion entirely under the control
OF The mental. Then the encnqzing begins
and we learn 10 move and act In harmony
with thoughts A. all thought Is diiiercntin
various people, NO action aud gesture become
different. II we all followed the imitation
school We would all be q set OF parrots In
stcad OF self thinking. sclf-aciing beings"
The little lady here raised her eyebrows
and shrugged her shoulders IN too express
I've a manner 10 be misunderstood.
"ltisn beautiful study aud one which can't
be learned In a day. Why, I could devote
months alone 10 the aesthetic gymnastics,
which are elemental factors In not only clio.
cniion, hut everyday social and home life.
The great trouble In teaching this system Is
thnt parents and pupils expect 10 enter upon
platform work before they have scarcely
learned the Of expression. Just rs AN
amateur IN art longs 10 paint n landscape ere
he has learned the rules Of perspective or
the names of the uolors. The system Il No
beautiful IN lis intricate workings, 30 har-
monious la It's development, that n child
can comprehend. ! am frequently called
upon To- teach scholar a recitation which n
beyond his comprehension, and this IN the
vcry icathhiow 10 perfect rendition, M n Y,
dsfriiy oppn.cd 10 the cardinal principle o
nclssfic. IL thad my way with pupils.
shouldn't allow them 10 40 ON the platform
until they thoroughly understood the sys
TEN Of expression and gesture"
Here the charming cnnyeraiionalist gave
some extracts from Shakespeare showing
thr uroTer gesture aud motion Tor each, aud
a. she turned her pretty head In various
attitudes indicating despair. faith, anger,
etc, the reporter almost became converted
at once.
ITO intelligent and reasoning people
nelsarle n easy To comprehend aud apply,
but Ia teach Il TO children We must reduce
everything 81 simple lines and simple
thoughts let every pupil form his own
conception Of piece, trying as near rs
possible 10 have u IN accordance with mine,
and you would be surprised 10 note ,he
gestures which each child giNcs o. u
lni,rprcis Il. Under the old system We
would make the same gestures aud be merely
Initiative"
AT Normal Park near Chicago the
Dclsarlc system u taught 10 perfection and a
pupil who once undertakes the course never
iccls satisfied until she has learned tho
iniricacics and beauties of II. Our en-
structures began withus 10 study the simplest
poems Of Iongicllow, analyring each word
and thought until the poets thoughts wcr,
ours. Shakespeare and lrowninF wcr'
siudicd only when We had mastered Che
science 81 expression"
'Can you tell me something n Dclsart'
and how he invented the system
''Oh, YES, though that IL n matter ~ his
tory. lie was a younger ION II large lam
llyl and the poverty ot his father COMPELLED
him 10 take up his home IN Paris with III
uncle, who was n painter ON china
lie had no natural talent for the art, anl
to0n be became disguised aud repaired I,
The Conservatory of acting 20 study the or
In which De had NJ that time ~, : iiiii,
talent lie was a faithful student, but poo
executor aud his patient efforts 10 rcciu
naturally aud effectively were painful 10 Mi
nlaslers, who In despair were about 90 Civ
him up. lie had learned n part where nm
usual JOY had 20 be expressed. lie got th
expression, but liis voice showed no life o
animation. lie rchcarscd Il time aud agaii
without success and he repaired 90 M
courtyard 10 brood over bis troubles. Will
be MAS deep In dependency he wa
startled by the appearance ~ n YOU
cousin Of whom he was very fond, and h
ltaricd toward him with unusual Ioy an,
animation In his face and voice IIe linn,
diaicly rushed IN hm room and reproduce
The action Just ~ be had performed u natu
rally and Then 10 hs professor, Who rejoice