_Further upon the same._ After the cylinders, by far the most effective of all means for imparting, gymnastically, strength and flexibility to the fingers, together with evenness of vigour, individuality, and independence, is, daily, in the room, or while walking, to take the above-named staff, or, indeed, a smooth round stick of 18 inches long, and half to three quarters of an inch thick, or an ordinary walking-stick, and to perform on it as follows—With the four fingers of one or both hands firmly pressed and stretched upon it, raise one finger as high as possible, and, as above stated, let it fall down upon it vigorously, like a hammer, while the other fingers remain firmly pressed on the stick, 20 to 30 times in succession, then in couplets with the 5th and 4th fingers, then with the 4th and 3rd, then with the 3rd and 2nd, 20 times each, the two fingers, in all cases, as stated, lifted as high as possible, and the others remaining, _stretched at even distances_, firm upon the staff; finally, with the four fingers of each hand, 12 times ascending, and 12 times descending, but always SLOWLY, energetically, with firm pressure, “and in time.” You may _occasionally_ practise a little faster, but it must be the exception. Slow moving, pressing, and stretching should from the chief gymnastic rule.[7] In a similar manner you may practise, _slowly and with energy_, with one or with both hands, all sorts of difficult, muscular movements and passages upon the staff, for example:— _First series._ In couplets 20 to 30 _times each in succession_, with the 2nd and 4th fingers, alternating, afterwards, with the 4th and 2nd; then with the 3rd and 5th fingers, alternating with the 5th and 3rd; in each case the two fingers stretched wide apart, and the other fingers pressed upon the staff. _Second series._ In couplets 20 to 30 _times each in succession_, with the 2nd and 3rd fingers, first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating in the same way, with the 3rd and 2nd. With the 3rd and 4th fingers first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating, in the same way, with the 4th and 3rd. With the 4th and 5th fingers, first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating in the same way, with the 5th and 4th. In each case slowly, the two fingers lifted as high as is convenient, 20 to 30 times in succession, and the other fingers remaining firmly fixed upon the staff. Lastly, all the four fingers together, in each of these varied and different directions. The number of times of each movement, and the duration of time, also whether all should be made at the same hour, or otherwise, is left to the discretion of the teacher and pupil. I would recommend, at first, the selection of three or four modes or exercises for persistent practice, to last over a given period of time, then to change to others.