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Show 118 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. serve to point out more clearly the object to which he directs his thought. Symbolic gestures, and gestures otconvention and of art, are employed to signify every thing that cannot be exactly imitated or counterfeited by means of simply natural gestures alone. They point out to the imagination of the spectators all that cannot be seen by them on the stage. They in general bear as much analogy as possible to the things they endeavour to describe. This is their chief object. Study to make yourself understood by imitating the form of the objects you wish to signify ; and, when that is not possible, point out, as clearly as you can, their use, & c, so that your beholders may conceive your meaning without ambiguity. Let all your expressions be precise and distinct. One of Lucian's commentators has said, that Pantomime is capable, by gestures of convention, to express past and future times, with every abstract action which bears no relation to the passing moment: this is precisely what was done by the ancient Pantomimes. I a m aware that many persons would be ignorant of the meaning of those artificial gestures not immediately founded on passion and nature ; but in that case, to raise a desire to learn their signification, the Ballet-master, and those who represent his compositions, should exhibit pieces both easy and accurate, thus would such be obliged to relish their excellence by applying themselves to the grammar, if we may so call it, of this new language6. This is, in some measure, reasonable enough, and might be done with no great difficulty in Italy, where the people are naturally inclined to Pantomimes, and where the mimes already make use of gestures of convention. In France, some length of time, and a course of deep study, would be required to attain the same degree of perfection. |
