The text discusses the expressive actions of the head and hands during letter writing and questioning. It emphasizes the importance of clearly conveying actions in various contexts, such as state or divine matters. Additionally, it describes how instructional gestures are distinct from questioning ones, emphasizing subtlety and moderation.
Actual Behaviors
The forehead contemplates the hour on a watchtower. Also, in a small and light endeavor, which must be handled carefully. Likewise, there are people who in letter writing contort their entire head and face, especially the mouth and eyes, according to all the sways of their pen. Indeed, as their work progresses, and it flows well for them, this often becomes more intense and pronounced.
In a questioning action, the hand is not linked to a fixed movement but changes depending on the topic of the questioning. It should be noted once and for all that when in an action something cannot be well expressed, of whatever matter was dealt with, namely affairs of state, divine matters, art exercises, executions, or otherwise; that in and around such ordinances certain visible circumstances, and clear expressions should bring enough clarity, so that the deficiencies in actions can be perceived easily. However, this pertains to the regulation, which we will discuss another time, as time and our situation allow.
An action of instruction will clearly remain distinct from the action of questioning when the forefinger presses the inside part of the thumb: And the other fingers are kept loose. This can also be done with a closed hand, only with the forefinger extended; however, this action is better suited for fatigue, or when it is not necessary to express it strongly or precisely to a moderate admonishment.