Aaron A. Warford

“ I am of opinion that, in addition to the amusement which this exercise (fencing) affords, it is particularly calculated to excite in young persons a greater degree of energy and circumspection than they might otherwise possess; and it is obvious that, in respect of health, that mode of exertion is superior to all others, which, while it gives motion and activity to every part of the body, produces at the same time corresponding interest in the mind. ”

“ To deceive a contre-parade, a separate movement, called a
DOUBLE,
has been invented; it is very simple in principle, and admirably answers the purpose. For instance if you were to threaten your adversary by a disengagement to the outside, and if, instead of tierce, he parried contra de quarte, the double is then made by your making a second disengagement to the same side as the first, for it will be found that his contra de quarte has replaced the blade in the positions they occupied previous to your disengagement. You will then have an opening, and may finish the attack by the longe. ”

“ Indeed, the first movements in fencing are the most trying to the learner; and he must not be discouraged if he fails to do them correctly at first—practice only will give him this power. The Longe is that extension of body which accompanies every attack, and is thus made:—The right [Pg 9] arm is extended straight from the shoulder, the arm and blade being on the same level; by a second movement, the right foot is raised from the ground, and a step made forward, about eighteen inches in length, while the left remains firmly planted in its place. ”

“ Fencing is the art of using the small-sword, or rapier. The small-sword has a straight blade, about thirty-two inches in length outside the guard, and is fashioned for thrusting only. Although it is an art of the greatest antiquity, very great improvements have been made in it during the last half-century, chiefly by French masters, who excel those of all other countries. ”

“ If there are any ends hanging from the string cut them off pretty close, and see that the whipping in the middle of the string is close and well-fitting. The case should be hung up against a dry internal wall, not too near fire.
In Selecting the Bow, be careful that it is not too strong for your power, and that you can draw [Pg 49] the arrow to its head without any trembling of the hand. If this cannot be done after a little practice, the bow should be changed for a weaker one, for no arrow will go true if it is discharged by a trembling hand. ”

“ The first movement a beginner has to learn, is the manner of placing himself in the position called
THE GUARD.
It is from this position that all movements are made, whether offensive or defensive. Let the beginner be placed with his knees straight, his feet at right angles, heel to heel; the right foot, right side, and face directed to the master. The body must be held upright and firm, the arms hanging down by the side, but easily and without constraint, the left hand holding the foil a few inches beneath its guard. Next, let him bring the right hand across the body, and seize the foil-handle ”

“ If the two parties exchange a cut or a thrust at the same moment, the one who gave his cut or thrust in the third position is victorious.
When a cut or thrust is made, the one who receives it passes his sword, i. e., stick, into his left hand, and his opponent comes to inside guard.
Always spring back to the second position after delivering a cut or thrust. ”

“ In this parade the hand is raised as high as the forehead, so that the fencer can see his opponent's face under his wrist. The blade of the foil is almost horizontal, but the point is rather lowered towards the ground. As this parade will throw the right side of the body open to the adversary's sword, it is good play to disengage from left to right, and deliver a rapid thrust at the adversary, in order to anticipate him before he can bring his own sword round for another thrust. ”

“ On the approach of the point of an adversary's blade (and how these approaches are made I will presently explain) , the right hand is moved a few inches—three or four will be enough—across the body on the inside, the hand being neither depressed nor raised, and the foil being kept on the same slope as in the Guard. [Pg 12] This guards the body on the inside above the hand, but (and here comes an important law in fencing) the very movement which has guarded the body on one side has exposed it on the other ”

“ To know one contre-parade is virtually to know all, as they are all formed on the same plan. They are all full circles in the position of hand and direction of foil of the different simple parades; or more clearly speaking, each simple parade has a contre-parade; there are, therefore, four simple [Pg 17] and four contre-parades, which may be thus arranged:
I have said that a contre-parade is a full circle in the position of hand and direction of blade of its simple ”

“ According to my judgment, the exercise of fencing tends to promote bodily health, and the development of athletic powers. It is likewise apparent that the attitudes and exertions of fencing are conducive to the manly forms and muscular energies of the human figure. ”

“ Bowstrings are made of hemp or flax, the [Pg 44] former being the better material; for though at first they stretch more, yet they wear longer, and stand a harder pull as well as being more elastic in the shooting. In applying a fresh string to a bow, be careful in opening it not to break the composition that is on it; cut the tie, take hold of the eye, which will be found ready-worked at one end, let the other part hang down, and pass the eye over the upper end of the bow. If for a lady, it may be held from 2 to 21⁄2 inches below the nock ”

“ In doing this, all contact with the feathers should be avoided, unless they are rubbed out of place, when they may be smoothed down by passing them through the hand from the point towards the nock.
The Attitude for shooting should be graceful as well as serviceable. The body should be at right angles with the target; but the face must be turned over the left shoulder, so as to be opposed to it. The feet are to be flat on the ground, with the heels a little apart, the left foot turned towards the mark ”

“ The seventh guard ought, however, not to be made directly across, but must have the point directly rather forwards and downwards, as a cut 7 glides off the blade, and can be instantly answered either by a thrust or by cut 1.
[Pg 26]
The two dark circles represent the places where the thrusts take effect.
The learner begins by taking the sword in his right hand, having its edge toward the target and its back resting on his shoulder. His right arm is bent at right angles, and the elbow against his side. The left hand must rest upon the hip, the thumb being to the rear. ”

“ Two boys are placed opposite each other, at just such a distance, that when perfectly erect they can touch the hilt of their adversary's sword with the point of their own.
The one who gives the first point is called Front Rank (there may be a dozen in each rank, each having tried the distance to his right by extending his sword) , and the one who gives first parry is called Rear Rank. ”

“ When strung, a lady's bow will have the string about 5 or 51⁄2 inches from the belly; and a gentleman's about half an inch more. The part opposite the handle, is bound round with waxed silk, in order to prevent its being frayed by the arrow. As soon as a string becomes too soft and the fibers too straight, rub it with bees-wax, and give it a few turns in the proper direction, so as to shorten it and twist its strands a little tighter; a spare string should always be provided by the shooter. ”

“ The young swordsman must be provided with a [Pg 37] very stout wire mask, which defends the face and part of the neck, and which should be worked in a kind of helmet above, to guard against the disastrous consequences of receiving the seventh guard. No practices, loose or otherwise, should be permitted without the masks, as neither party would be able to cut or thrust with proper confidence. ”

“ There are many exercises with the broadsword, called practices. I have given one of them, which is to be practiced alone; but when the pupil has attained some confidence in the use of his weapon, he must be placed opposite another pupil, and they must go through them, each taking the attack and defense in turn. ”

“ Muscular exertion is essential in perfecting the form of the body, and those exercises which require the exercise of the greatest number of muscles are the most conducive to this end. Fencing causes more muscles to act at the same time than most other exercises. ”

“ To avoid all danger in the lessons and practice, foils are substituted for real swords. Strong wire masks are worn on the face, a well-padded glove on the hand; and the upper part of the body, at which alone the thrusts are aimed, is protected by a strong jacket, the right side and collar of which should be of leather. ”

“ After an arrow has been shot into the target or the ground, be particularly careful to withdraw it, by laying hold close to its head, and by twisting it round as it is withdrawn in the direction of its axis. ”

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“ This is so called because the archers rove from place to place, and have no fixed target, but shoot at trees or any other object which presents itself. The winner of the first shot chooses the next, and so on; the distance being from 100 to 200 yards; and all arrows falling within five bow-lengths scoring, if nearer to the mark than the adversary's arrow.
Flight-Shooting.
Flight-Shooting is merely a trial of distance, and he who can shoot the furthest is the winner of the trial. ”

“ The learner stands perfectly upright opposite the target, with his right side towards it, his heels close together, his right toe pointing to the target, and his left foot at right angles with the left. ”

“ These movements must be made at the same time, as it is their united action that enables a person to recover from so extended a position as the Longe quick enough to avoid a thrust if his own attack has failed. ”

“ Each competitor is entitled to three trials. The measurement shall be from the scratch-line or mark opposite the toe-print to the first or nearest break of the ground made by the shot.
Note.—The object being to see how many feet and inches the competitors can put, in accordance with the above rules, not how straight they can put.
[THE END.]
[Pg 61]
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