Gilbert Austin (1753–1837) was an Irish educator, clergyman and author. Austin is best known for his 1806 book on

chironomia Chironomia is the art of using gesticulations or hand gestures to good effect in traditional rhetoric or oratory. Effective use of the hands, with or without the use of the voice, is a practice of great antiquity, which was developed and syste ...

, ''Chironomia, or a Treatise on Rhetorical Delivery''. Heavily influenced by classical writers, Austin stressed the importance of voice and gesture to a successful oration.

Biographical information

Gilbert Austin was born in 1753 in County Louth,

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Austin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1774 and his Master of Arts degree in 1780. After graduating, Austin established a private school in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 c ...

where he taught the sons of Ireland's elite, including

Augustus Frederick FitzGerald Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...

, later Third

Duke of Leinster Duke of Leinster (; ) is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and the premier dukedom in that peerage. The subsidiary titles of the Duke of Leinster are: Marquess of Kildare (1761), Earl of Kildare (1316), Earl of Offaly (1761), Viscount Leinster, ...

(Robb and Thonssen 1966:xv-xvi). Austin inscribed his best-known work, ''Chironomia, or a Treatise on Rhetorical Delivery'', to another of his former pupils, Francis William Caulfeild, Earl of Charlemont. An active member of the Royal Irish Academy, Austin wrote several scientific papers describing his inventions. In 1789, Austin edited and published a collection of poems by Irish writer Thomas Dermody. Austin also published a number of his sermons, including the collection ''Sermons on Practical Subjects''. Austin began work on his most famous book, ''Chironomia'', in the 1770s but it was not published until 1806. Austin held several clerical appointments in the

Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland ( ga, Eaglais na hÉireann, ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Kirk o Airlann, ) is a Christian church in Ireland and an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the secon ...

. In 1798, Austin became a minor canon of

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Saint Patrick's Cathedral ( ir, Ard-Eaglais Naomh Pádraig) in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1191 as a Roman Catholic cathedral, is currently the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Christ Church Cathedral, also a Church of Ireland cat ...

. From 1816 until his death in 1837, Austin was

Vicar A vicar (; Latin: '' vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English pre ...

of Laraghbryan (or

Maynooth Maynooth (; ga, Maigh Nuad) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's ...

), a living to which he was presented by his former pupil, the

. Austin also held the

prebendary A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of th ...

of Blackrath from 1821 to 1835 (Robb and Thonssen 1966:xvi). He served as chaplain to the

Magdalen Asylum Magdalene asylums, also known as Magdalene laundries, were initially Protestant but later mostly Roman Catholic institutions that operated from the 18th to the late 20th centuries, ostensibly to house " fallen women". The term referred to fema ...

, Leeson-Street, Dublin.

Works

Scientific articles

Between 1790 and 1803, Austin published three articles in the ''Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy''. Philippa Spoel (1998) writes, "these articles, which describe the construction and application of chemical apparatus invented by Austin, demonstrate his involvement...with the flourishing field of chemistry" (7). The inventions Austin described include a portable

barometer A barometer is a scientific instrument that is used to measure air pressure in a certain environment. Pressure tendency can forecast short term changes in the weather. Many measurements of air pressure are used within surface weather analysis ...

, a mechanism for filling water with

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide ( chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is trans ...

, and an apparatus for collecting gasses over water and mercury. In 1813, Austin published "On a New Construction of a Condenser and Air-Pump" in the ''Philosophical Transactions of the

Royal Society of London The Royal Society, formally The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, is a learned society and the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences. The society fulfils a number of roles: promoting science and its benefits, re ...

''.

Sermons and other writing

In 1789, Austin edited and published Thomas Dermody's first collection of poetry, ''Poems''. In 1794, Austin published ''A Sermon on a Future State: Combating the Opinion that "Death is Eternal Sleep."'' American author

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wid ...

(1844) described Austin's sermon as "nearly, if not quite the best 'Essay on a Future State' " (584). Austin published ''Sermons on Practical Subjects'' in 1795 and ''A Sermon for the Support of

Mercer's Hospital Mercer's Hospital ( ga, Ospidéal Mercer) was a hospital in Dublin, Ireland. It was converted into a clinical centre and medical library for the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1991.rhetoric, namely rhetorical delivery, called by the ancients ''

actio Pronuntiatio was the discipline of delivering speeches in Western classical rhetoric. It is one of the five canons of classical rhetoric (the others being inventio, dispositio, elocutio, and memoria) that concern the crafting and delivery of sp ...

'' and ''

pronuntiatio Pronuntiatio was the discipline of delivering speeches in Western classical rhetoric. It is one of the five canons of classical rhetoric (the others being inventio, dispositio, elocutio, and memoria) that concern the crafting and delivery of speec ...

''. (ix) Austin observed that British

orators Public speaking, also called oratory or oration, has traditionally meant the act of speaking face to face to a live audience. Today it includes any form of speaking (formally and informally) to an audience, including pre-recorded speech delive ...

were skilled in the first four divisions of rhetoric: inventio, dispositio, elocutio, and

memoria Memoria was the term for aspects involving memory in Western classical rhetoric. The word is Latin, and can be translated as "memory". It was one of five canons in classical rhetoric (the others being inventio, dispositio, elocutio, and pronunt ...

. However, the fifth division,

or delivery, was all but ignored. Delivery, which is often improperly referred to as elocution ( elocutio), concerns the use of voice and gesture in an oration. Rather than study the art of delivery,

trusted to the inspiration of the moment to guide their voices and gestures. Austin describes this as a reliance on "gestures imperfectly conceived...which will consequently be imperfectly executed" (5). ''Chironomia'' is a treatise on the importance of good delivery. Good delivery, Austin notes, can "conceal in some degree the blemishes of the composition, or the matter delivered, and...add lustre to its beauties" (187). In the first part of the book, Austin traces the study of the art of delivery from the classical world to the 18th century. The second part of the book is devoted to a description of the notation system Austin designed to teach students of rhetoric the management of gesture and voice. The system of notation is accompanied by a series of illustrations depicting positions of the feet, body and hands. Throughout ''Chironomia'', Austin instructs speakers to avoid the appearance of vulgarity or rusticity. Austin first developed the system of notation described in ''Chironomia'' at his school for privileged young men. Austin's goal was to prepare his students for a life in the church or politics by training them to become better orators. Although Austin's system was eventually dismissed as too rigidly prescriptive, ''Chironomia'' was a highly influential book during the 19th century.

Influences

Discussing the need for a treatise on delivery, Austin writes "during my examination of modern writers, it has appeared to me, that, with little exception, they have neglected to pay due attention to the precepts and authority of the great and ancient masters" (v). Austin remedies this oversight by compiling a collection of classical sources on the art of delivery. Austin was heavily influenced by

Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the esta ...

and Quintilian.

refers to action as the "language of the body" and the art of delivery as "corporeal eloquence" (Austin 8061966:1). Austin attributes to Quintilian the use of the word ''chironomia'' to refer to the art of gesture (2). In ''Chironomia'', Austin quotes extensively from

's ''De oratore'' and Quintilian's ''Institutio oratoria''. Austin also cites Ludovicus Cressolius's 1620 book ''Vacationes Autumales sive de perfecta Oratoris, Actione, et Pronuntiatione'' and the work of Caussinus as influences. Despite their use of the term elocution for the art Austin calls delivery, Austin refers to

Thomas Sheridan Thomas Sheridan may refer to: *Thomas Sheridan (divine) (1687–1738), Anglican divine *Thomas Sheridan (actor) (1719–1788), Irish actor and teacher of elocution *Thomas Sheridan (soldier) (1775–1817/18) *Thomas B. Sheridan (born 1931), America ...

's ''Lectures on Elocution'' (1762) and John Walker's ''Elements of Elocution'' (1781) in his discussion of voice and countenance. Austin's work would appear to be a direct descendant of John Bulwer's book ''Chirologia, or, the Natural Language of the Hand'' which, when it was published in 1644, also included Bulwer's work ''Chironomia; or, the Art of Manual Rhetoricke''. However, Austin does not mention Bulwer anywhere in his ''Chironomia''. Robb and Thonssen (1966) suggest this is because Austin was unfamiliar with Bulwer's book (xi).

Voice and countenance

Austin was concerned with both the quality and management of the voice; he considered the former a gift of nature and the latter a matter of art (29). Austin developed rules for the management of articulation, pronunciation and emphasis. On articulation, Austin writes

ordsare to be delivered out from the lips, as beautiful coins newly issued from the mint, deeply and accurately impressed, perfectly finished, neatly struck by the proper organs, distinct, sharp, in due succession and of due weight. (38)

Austin agreed with Sheridan's advice that good articulation consisted of pronouncing each syllable distinctly and with proper emphasis (37). Austin's rules for pronunciation address the issue of the provincial accent, something Austin labels "a stain of rusticity" (47). Austin encouraged his students to rid themselves of their provincial accent in favour of a courtly accent. In addition to his rules for the management of the voice, Austin also addresses issues of vocal quality including pitch, volume and variety. Austin was also concerned with the management of facial expression. Austin stresses the importance of using appropriate tones of voice, facial expressions and gestures to convey sincerity.

Gesture

Austin describes gesture as the "action and position of all the parts of the body" (133) and attributes to gesture the power to convey meaning. During the 18th century, speakers preferred the natural style of gesture but Austin warns against this style saying that speakers who rely on nature run the risk of displaying "the untutored extravagance and uncouth motions of the vulgar" (138 see ''Plate 2, Figures 8 and 9'' below). By following Austin's guidelines, speakers could improve their delivery by matching their gestures to their words. Austin advises his students, however, that gesture should be used with restraint and only when appropriate (137).

System of notation

Austin's system of notation begins with the placement of the body in an imaginary sphere (see ''Plate 2, Fig. 18'' below). The speaker then moves his or her body, feet or hands toward one of the points on the sphere. Each movement is assigned a notation that specifies the direction and manner in which the speaker should move. The speaker should include these notations in the text of his or her speech so that he or she knows when and how to move. Notation regarding the hands is written above the sentence; notation regarding the feet is written below. For instance, the notation ''Bcl. e f sh.'' above a word indicates that the speaker should clasp both hands and extend them forward at shoulder height in a shaking motion (see ''Plate 8, Fig. 75'' below). The notation ''L 1 x'' under a word indicates that the speaker should advance the left foot and bend the right knee. Austin also provides a notation system for the voice. Notation marks are placed at the beginning of a passage and then throughout the text whenever the speaker is to change the tone or rapidity of his or her vocal delivery.

Illustrations

The text of ''Chironomia'' is accompanied by 12 engraved plates depicting various positions of the feet, arms and body. Austin credits

George Chinnery George Chinnery (; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China. Early life Chinnery was born in London, where he studied at the Royal Academy Schools. ...

as the original artist but claims that he could not afford to pay Chinnery to complete the engravings. An anonymous young man was employed to alter and complete the plates (Austin 8061966:viii).

Influence and criticism

Robb and Thonssen (1966) write, "until the teaching of rançoisDelsarte...Austin was the authority on teaching gesture" (xvii). With the publication of ''Chironomia'', Austin's influence extended beyond his own school to classrooms throughout Britain and America. By the end of the 19th century, however, ''Chironomia'' had fallen from favour. Austin's method was considered too mechanical for modern tastes. G. P. Mohrmann (1968) claims the misperception of ''Chironomia'' as rigidly prescriptive is due to a lack of critical analysis of Austin's method (18). Spoel (1998) describes ''Chironomia'' as "a unique socially and historically situated representation of bodily discipline" (5). ''Chironomia'' remains of interest to scholars not only for its insight into late-18th and early-19th century rhetorical practices but also for its collection of classical writings on delivery.

Resources

*Austin, Gilbert. ''Chironomia, or a Treatise on Rhetorical Delivery''. London: 1806. Ed. Mary Margaret Robb and Lester Thonssen. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois UP, 1966. *Mohrmann, G. P., "The Real Chironomia." ''Southern Speech Journal'' 34 (Autumn 1968): 17–27. *Poe, Edgar Allan
"Marginalia."
''Democratic Review'' December 1844. 580–594. *Robb, Mary Margaret and Lester Thonssen. "Editor's Introduction." Austin, ''Chironomia'' ix–xxi. *Spoel, Philippa M. "The Science of Bodily Rhetoric in Gilbert Austin's Chironomia." ''Rhetoric Society Quarterly'' 28 (Autumn 1998): 5–27.

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin, Gilbert Irish non-fiction writers People from County Louth Rhetoricians 1753 births 1837 deaths