But the regular exercise of the whole or part of them, _daily_, will, in a comparatively short time, most surely impart immense strength to, and render flexible, the muscles and joints of the fingers; will enable you, if the directions be duly followed, to effect for yourself perfectly equal and even fingering, and render the fingers entirely _independent one of another_. But let all be done with due moderation, and not driven to excess. This gymnastic staff, or walking-stick exercise, however simple it may appear, should, on no account, any single day be omitted. It produces a most surprising effect if carefully and vigorously made; an effect which will be the more remarkable in proportion as the fingers are pressed and stretched far away from one another. By this means all the various muscles, and even the tendons, joints, and ligaments are put into motion, and both fingers and nerves are rendered strong and firm. Besides, no time need be lost; as in performing these exercises you may converse or engage in other occupations.[8] In this manner, also, _the 4th finger may_ have a special training, and become equally strong with the others. This finger is, on physiological grounds, the weakest of all, and after a number of vain attempts at remedying its well-known weakness, some physiologists of note in Germany, have gone so far as to suggest the idea whether it would not be well to cut the ligament joining the two fingers, in order to set the 4th finger free. But it is unnecessary to have recourse to such rude and unnatural measures; the natural weakness of the 4th finger may be effectually remedied, and may be entirely overcome, by the above exercises. The same exercises, if _performed strictly according to the directions_ given above, are extremely useful for _all_ the fingers, which they will render both strong and flexible. These exercises may be _partially_ performed on musical instruments; but they are _far more_ effective if made gymnastically, as directed, because the fingers, in having a resting point, or lever, and having something firm to grasp, are enabled to perform them _gymnastically_. FOOTNOTES: [7] The late Mr Clementi was celebrated for the perfect evenness and beauty of his touch in playing rapid passages on the piano. The means by which he attained this execution he was unwilling to disclose. It is now known that he effected it by playing his scales VERY SLOWLY, and with _great pressure_ of each individual finger (see page 96). [8] The celebrated violinist, Bernard Molique, told me lately, in London, that when he was called on to play difficult solo pieces in public, he very often played them previously over _upon a stick_. CHAPTER XIV. MECHANICAL FINGER-EXERCISES (CONTINUED).