The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-22
THE ART OF FENCING.
Instructions From q Skillful
French SwOrdsman.
IMPLEMENTS AND MOVEMENTS.
An Elegant and Manly Accomplishment,
Giving suppieness. Strength
and Ouickness.

NEW YORK. Jan. l6.-rSpecial Core
spondence. AT the outset let us get a
clear idea of the implements used in fenc-
ing. First, there is the foil, the blade of
which is Quadranguiar. or four sided, and
is about thirty-three or thirty-eight inches
long. proportioned TO the heigh. Of the
person using 1t. II is pliable and very
highly tempered steel. Il is mounted the
same as any other sword and made blunt
at the point by button TO prevent danger
In Its use. The stout part. next to the
hllt which protects the hand. for about
one-thi-d the length of the blade, is called
the forte; the remaining two-thirds, taper-
ing towards the point. is called the foible.
The remaining part of the foil, tapering
from the hilt TO the end. is called the grip.
1t should be about i've inches in length
and conform to the shape of the hand
when rightly placed. One advantage
OF a long grip is that sometimes,
by slightly shifting your hand to-
ward the pummel. you can deceive
your adversary in his calculation as to the
length Of your reach. There is one Pc
cu.iar feature about the imported French
toll; if you allow it to rest on your finger
at point just above the hilt the handle
III ue Gouiii 10 DtLaUCe the
the fencer wears mask made of stout
wire as protection against accidental
thrusts. It should fit nicely. the ears
should be properly covered and the top
bar across the front should not interfere
with the light
Next is the glove which should be light
and padded only enough TO save the hand
and not interfere with the free play of the
wrist and finger.
The jacket, which is usually worn, if
made OF canvas, or some kind Of stout
cloth. generally covered with channels
leather, IS capable Of protecting the fencer
from severe injury in case the foil OF his
adversary should accidentally break. The
collar should be made high enough to pro-
tect the neck. Some beginners wear a side
pad as protection against the wild thrusts
OF an opponent. And right here let me
warn the amateur fencer that it is dan
gerous TO indulge in this pastime without
wearing mask.
The first thing TO be learned in fencing
is how to hold the foi:. You place the
thumb on the upper part Of the grip, not
too close to the hilt; let the fingers clasp
the grip, but not so far around as TO touch
the part upon which the thumb rests
The blade is directed in its course largely
by the movement OF the thumb and index
or foretinger and wrist.
In the first position in fencing you take
the foil In the right hand. IN the manner
already described. with the finger nails up,
the point turned toward the ground about
three inches from it, and the elbow in line
with the hip. You should stand perfectly
erect, with the left arm close to the side,
the hand turned palm outward. The
right foot should point straight TO the
front. and the left foot to the left. When
the weapon is brought into position the
left hand, with the fingers extended,
should be raised TO level with the head,
as counterpoise In the various motions
to ensue.
Next, you establish the position of guard.
The right foot must be advanced ABOUT
twenty-four inches before the left, the
heels In straight line. Both knees
should be little bent so that they NAV