curves, the arm rising from the side, coming to the front, turning to
the left or right. I was drilled as to how far the arm should come
forward, where it should start from, how far go back, and under what
circumstances these movements should be made. It was drill, drill,
drill, until the motions almost became a second nature. Now I never
know what movements I shall make. My gestures are natural, because
this drill made them natural to me. The only method of acquiring an
effective education is by practice, of not less than an hour a day,
until the student has his voice and himself thoroughly subdued and
trained to right expression.

"H. W. B."


Mr. Montague says: "Mr. Beecher submitted to Mr. Lovell's drilling and
training with a patience which proved his interest in the study to be
great. The piece which was to be spoken was committed to memory from
Mr. Lovell's mouth, the pupil standing on the stage before him, and
every sentence and word, accent and pronunciation, position and
movement of the body, glance of the eye and tone of voice, all were
subjects of study and criticism. And day after day, often for several
weeks in continuance, Mr. Beecher submitted to this drilling upon the
same piece, until his teacher pronounced him perfect."

His dramatic power was displayed and noted at this early period. Dr.
Thomas Field, a classmate in the school, says: "One incident occurred
during our residence in Mount Pleasant which left an abiding impression
on my mind. At the exhibition at the close of the year, either 1828 or
1829, the drama of 'William Tell' was performed by some of the
students, and your father took the part of the tyrant Gessler.