Memoirs of Anne C.L. Botta,: written by her friends. With selections from her correspondence and from her writings in prose and poetry.

Selections from 1etr settrer
far more to do than we can possibly accomplish. This
chronic constriction of the nerves, never relaxed, in volves such an expenditure of vital force as often pre cludes the possibility of rest, which is found only by
going to Florida or to Europe, to Lakewood or to
Weir Mitchell. For this condition the system of Del sarte offers a remedy, as you have shown, by teaching
how to rest, how to train the nerves not less than the
muscles as a necessary part of physical culture, how
to move and act with the greatest economy of force,
without wasting the vital powers in superfluous
action as we all do: teaching, in short, both repose
and action, relaxation and concentration, and that
command of reserved force so essential in character
as well as in all the arts. In these particulars the
splendid system formulated by Delsarte can be studied
by every one, old or young. In its wider and more
general application to the young, the education of two
or three generations in these great principles would
do away entirely with round shoulders, hollow chests,
and spinal curvatures, now so common, and, I fully
believe, would produce a race which in beauty of
form and expression would compare favorably with
those antique statues whose forms and attitudes you
can so beautifully represent. I am happy to tell you
that I have formed a class to meet here twice a week,
on such days as will be convenient for you to give
the lessons.
Sincerely yours, ANNE C. L. BOTTA.
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