2. Hold the breath thus taken, but only for a short time, counting in the same manner as before. 3. Exhale slowly, still counting. After a few moments' rest the exercise may be again carried out in the same way. These exercises may be in series, several times a day. The following warnings are especially to be observed: 1. Never continue any exercise when there is a sense of discomfort of any kind whatever. Such usually indicates that it is being carried out too vigorously. 2. Increase the depth of the inspirations daily, but not very rapidly. 3. The inspirations and expirations should both be carried out very slowly at first. 4. Cease the exercise before any sense of fatigue is experienced. Fatigue is Nature's warning, and should be always obeyed. It indicates that the waste products which result from the use of the muscles are accumulating and proving harmful. After a week of such exercises the following modification of them is recommended: 1. Inhale with the lips slightly apart. 2. Gradually increase the length of the time the breath is held, but let it never exceed a few seconds. 3. Through open lips allow the breath to pass out, but with extreme slowness. The student should try to increase this last, somewhat, daily, as it is above all what is required in singing, and also in speaking, though to a somewhat less degree--a slow, regulated expulsion of the breath. If when the chest is full of air the subject gently raises the arms over the head, or directs them backward, he will experience a sense of pressure on the chest. If this be carefully done, its effect is to strengthen, and it is especially valuable for those inclined to stoop. The recommendation to inspire through the open lips applies only when one is in a room, or in the open air when it is warm enough and free from dust. But the student should learn to inspire through the slightly open mouth, as to breathe through the nose in speaking, and especially in singing, is objectionable for several reasons which can be better explained later; so that the rule is to _breathe through the nose when not using the voice, and through the mouth when one does_.