It is, therefore, the duty of all to assist teachers of music and proficients, as much as possible, in promoting this beautiful accomplishment; for this reason, encouraged by persons of the highest distinction, and moved by the love of the art and of mankind, I venture to make known my “_Gymnastics of the Fingers and Wrist_,” and to offer to all who work with their fingers in general, and to musicians in particular, a means which, based on physiological principles, leads most surely to the attainment of artistic execution, and which is in itself so simple, that any child may use it; a means, too, which will effect a great saving of time and facilitate the work of both teachers and students. I have only to add that, as a matter of course, these exercises, in order to have the desired effect, should be performed _gymnastically and regularly_, according to _the directions_ given, and not otherwise; whilst, on the other hand, they ought _not to be carried to excess, nor are they intended to supersede the usual finger-exercises, scales, and studies_. CHAPTER IX. FREE GYMNASTIC EXERCISES FOR THE FINGERS AND THUMB. _First movement._ [Illustration: Fig. 5.] [Illustration: Fig. 6.] Stretch the fingers as much as possible one from the other, let them fall on the large muscle of the thumb (thumb-ball), and press them firmly on it; _remain for a moment in this position_, and bring the thumb against the forefinger, 40 times up and down. You will find that this exercise, as well as several others, if vigorously continued for three minutes only, is very fatiguing; a clear proof that the muscles of the fingers, although they may be quite fit for ordinary daily occupations, are, nevertheless, _very weak and incapable_ when anything more is demanded from them, and without proper gymnastical training, they must remain so. _Second movement._ [Illustration: Fig. 7.] [Illustration: Fig. 8.] Stretch the fingers as before, but let the finger-ends fall against the middle of the cavity of the hand, instead of against the great muscle of the thumb, and press them firmly. To be repeated 40 times. _Third movement._ The following exercise (9 and 10) is intended particularly for the small joints of the fingers. It is effective, but difficult. [Illustration: Fig. 9.] [Illustration: Fig. 10.]