The morning call., 1892-10-27
AN EXHIBITION OF FENCING
On the French Frigate Yes
terday Afternoon.
Interesting Athletic Exercises on the Dubour-
80 disu Given by Members Of the Olympic
Club and Others.

s very interesting and pleasing pro-
gramme was rendered on board the French
frigate Dubourdieu yesterday afternoon
1t consisted entirely of athletic exercises
and was highly appreciated by officers and
crew as we'll as the few invited guests.
The performance commenced promptly at
o'clock P. NJ, and at that time the deck
presented a pleasing and brilliant picture.
The entire crew was allowed the liberty Of
the deck, and with their white uniforms
made a striking contrast to the dark blue
uniforms Of the officers aud the bright col
cred gowns OF the ladies. The guns we're
in full sight and the deck presented its
everyday appearance except that an awning
was spread to keep off the suns rays.
Everybody on the vessel was pleased and
happy and everything went of smoothly.
Theexerciseseomme by performances
N the horizontal bar by members of the
Olympic CLUB and Of the ships company.
But these were only a prelude TO what
followed. and did not attract much atten-
ton. What all wanted to see were the
sword exercises, which were Of the highest
class and of rare eXcellencs.
The first bout with foils was between
Professor de Smet of the Olympic Club and
Professor Gueydon, one of the Dubourdieu's
quartermasters. 1t resulted in draw.
very interesting exhibition was
given By Professor TrODchet and his
ffteeD-year-old pupil. S. Waterman. It
showed the power the master had over his
scholar as well as what control OF the sword
can be obtained with few months careful
study.
Passages at arms took place between Pro-
lessor Ansot and Professor COutois, Bern
hardt and Guillermo. Tronchet and Guey-
don, AnsOt and Lastrels, and others.
Tie contest between Tronchet and Guey-
don was really the event OF the day. Pro-
lessor TrOnchet was at one time instructor
in the French military school at GolnvilIe
and Professor Gueydon Is at present one of
the instructors on the Dnbourdeu. The
two men were both masters OF the rapier
and passes were exchanged for several
moments, without thrust being made. The
two blades Of polished steel flashed like
lightning and seemed to twine themselves
together like two silver serpents. The
swiftness OF the thrusts and passes was
like the fash Of the wings Of hnmming
bird in the sun. But Tronchet was the
stronger man and soon beat down his op-
ponenfs defense and delivered thrusts in
rapid succession, until IN few minutes he
had the best OF il.
The contest between TTonchet and
Chapins was an exhibition of rare skill.
Then followed Indian-club swinging. box
ing wrestling and single-stick exercises.
The French boxing match, called LA
Savats" was very amusing form Of box
ing. II seems to 90 on the theory that III
you can't hit, kick" and as a consequence
the cOmbatants had their toes in the vien-
ity Of their opponents ears about as much
as they had them on the deck.
The athletic exercises were concluded
with wrestling match that resulted in a
draw.
After the athletic exercises some of the
lady guests rendered short musical pro-
gramme in the wardroom. Mrs. Kehlein
sang the well-known French ballad "Deux
Langues." Mrs. S. Blumenberg rendered a
piano solo, valse de concert, by Moskow-
ski. There were several impromptu musical
selections by members OF the company
Mrs. S. Parker concluded the musical pro-
gramme by singing a selection from lie
Cid"
Among the guests were Captain and Mrs.
Z. McNeyin, Captain and Mrs. S. Blumen-
berg. First Troop Cavalry. N. G. c.; Lieu
tenant and Mrs. +. Kehlien, Third In
fantry. Y. G. c.; DR.. Theo Rethers. sur
geon, First Troop, n g. c.; Mr.. and Mrs.
Clark Parker and the Misses Richmond.