Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-03-14

mems women" Deuned-mfs. hendai on
American women-some Beautiful Vgo-
men Not Young Mission OF Edu-
Gated women.
Sufficient evidence that woman may be-
come n mistress Of fence with the foils as
she is always with tine tongue is given in a
spirited article by Margaret Bisland, pub
lished In Outing. She tells Us that it is in
Paris, where the practical use Of small swords
among men has never been restricted, that
the art Of fencing has hourished apace since
the days Of "Le Grand Monarch Many
women regularly attend the SALES darmes,
of which there are a score, or practice in
their homes, always under the eye of some
skillful maitre. For this part Of her educa-
ton the French woman has a natural apt
ness; the tradition, agility and wit of her
race aid her In a rapid mastery of detail and
graceful finish of execution. 1t was she, no
doubt, who 80 successfully proved to Ameri-
can women that fencing is after all the exer-
else best adapted to feminine needs. Much
Of that French temperament is common in
our ladies, who, after noting the fact that
even their German and Italian sisters entered
the lists 10 gain crowns of laurel, took up their
foils with such characteristic energy and en-
thusiasm. Among them we may look for and
indeed have already found several fencers of
no common skill The French woman took
up this practice more as a polite accomplish
ment than for any serious reason, while on
this side Of the water it is studied not only
for pleasure, but for higher physical develop
ment, 10 which American women have of late
turned their attention.
Now, fencing develops the muscular sys-
tenn by the simple process of learning its
practice, while it does not bring on physical
exhaustion, often the result of other exer-
cises Many women have overtaxed their
powers at lawn tennis by becoming over
heated or straining weak muscles, only to
pay dearly in the future for such imprudence.
Or perhaps-and tits not uncommon after
one season Of vigorous racquet swinging
big knotty bicops are found TO have become
too prominent in a white, rounded arm and
gloves Of size fit for the left hand refuse to
fit over the broadened palm of the right, And
this is the prime advantage Of fencing-that
every muscle Is brought into play, not in the
arms alone that WELD the foil but the wrists,
lower limbs, waist and back, and even ankles,
must be trained to fall from one position into
another without effort, yet with wonderful
rapidity and grace.
The average sport or exercise is mastered
by plunging wildly into its mysteries, hitting
out blindly to right and left trusting with
confidence TO change and practice to getting
licked into shape, and in most cases guide
or master is rather a hindrance than help
But II Is hardly 80 with fencing, for this is
altogether too intricate and delicate game
TO admit Of even one blunder which would
unhinge all the carefully planned theory by
which 1t is taught The pupils are requested
10 exercise not only "A deal of muscular energy
and dexterity, but an intelligent Judgment
that will keep the mind on the alert, eager,
yet pleasantly excited and well under con-
troll.
When once the delicacies of the foil prac-
tice are successfully conquered, the slender
cleaning rapier might be intrusoed even in
the hands Of woman, for what she may
lack in positive size of bone and muscle is
made up in exceeding dexterity. Yet, so
far, they are content with the blunted foil
Broadswords are somewhat too heavy to lift
and swing, while feminine nerves shrink from
the clash of steel, cut and slash, before which
her more strongly constituted brother never
quails.
Nervous prostraton, the evil genius that is
supposed sooner or later TO overtake the ex-
cited nervous society girl in her mad career
after pleasure, may be yanquished at the
blades point. This is a common ailment Of
American women, who are apt to carry out
any work which their hands find to do with
such vigor that exhaustion is often the result.