New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-21
SOCIETY WOMEN WHO FENCE.
A MASTER OF ARMS TELLS TALES OUT OF SCHOOL
-DUEIs BETWEEN WOMEN IN THE PAST
RI AVERY OF Az AMERICAN WOMAN

-DUELs BETWEEN WOMEN IN THE PAST
BRAVERY OF AN AMERICAN WOMAN.
"The best fencing which have seen in many days
was by a young Ffth-ave. woman. whose father
Is a prominent banker. When first spoke to her
parents about giving her lessons, they objected
seriously IT unladylike and dangerous The
young woman and myself overcome the prejudces.
however and I teaching the bankers
daughter the use OF the foils When she first
to me she not particularly graceful. although
she had ridden horseback good DEAL had danced
and rowed But to-day she is a marvel She has
the strength OF a man in her arms; her shoulders
and chest are larger: she breathes and walks bet
ter and she IS as graceful as a josephine
The speaker French fencing-master who
had taught the graceful TO many women of
the fashionable Partisan faubourgs and crossed
swords with some OF the best fighters Of his time.
You would be surprised" he added 80 know
how many New-York society take lessons
in fencing. I could name them by the score. Every
of them who INDUCES in the exercise and prac-
tises 1t methodically is stronger woman for II.
know nothing better for sick nerves. II teaches
them to be brave. too. ] have pupils who could
defend themselves well against the prize man Of
a German university corps. or the fighting member
Of the editorial STAFF Of Paris newspaper Fenc-
ing for has 10 stay"
The conversation naturally led up TO duelling and
encounters between women. which have not been
members of the gentler sex have long been pro-
tected from the necessity Of fighting their own
battles
You, OF course" continued the maitre d'armes
have seen the famous picture of F.. Bsyard-or a
copy-representi duel between two women. But
did you know that the Idea for this picture was
suggested by duel between American woman
ami a French woman? Such the case.
1T in 1856 Miss Shelley. an American girl
met Nine Astie de Vasayre. the advocate Of
women's rights in France The young American
patriotic as most OF them are-decared that the
women doctors OF France far less skilled than
the American women who had taken up the study
OF medicine one word brought another, until
the American at last called the French woman
an idiot This was too mucn for the Gallo blood
Of Nine de Valsayre. who. 1t may be remembered.
mems clothes in the streets OF Paris. despite
the protests OF the police. n challenge followed
As the American knew no,hn got the use of foils.
her antagonist gave her two weeks for practice.
The contest took place near Waterloo Despite
the ominous name-omnous for the French woman
the American girl was defeated and carried her
hand in A sling for some time. The incident created
a great sensation at the time. and the painting by
Bayard was the result. The picture has probably
done moro than the preaching OF masters to en-
courage the practice OF fencing among women.
"put duels among women have not been rare In
the past Under Louis XIII two women OF the
! highest arstocracy. the Maryuise de Meres anu
the Countess dc Poignac, had duel with pistols
In the Bots lie Bouogne. The cause vas the gal
liant Duke de Richelieu
| THE notorious Nine. dAubigny, better known as
Mile de Maupln was challenged by three cavaliers
who took her to be man. she put all three ho''
Dc combat. -, o,
"a diplomatic duel was that In which the Coun-
tess G.odlska Trautmannsiorf. born POE was en-
| gagged. It a tragic affair. indeed A rival OF
| her husband published article when attempted
n max tho latter ridiculous. The Count was
soon after his marriage in ls3i-discovered soon
! a.terward tina; certain Baron Rapp was the a,i;
fhor Of the article and called him out on the heid
| OF honor \ friend OF the Baron with the count
permission represented the former In the contest.
! and killed Count TrautmannsdorN. The count
second then callel Baron Rapp himself TO account,
/ and In such a manner that the exasperated baroh
/ drew his sword and stabbed the second What was
/ his modification and chagrin. however, when ne
/ discovered that the brave second was the countess
| Trau,nannsIorff wife OF the dead prncipal Inc
/ countess died from tie effects of the wound anu
| the Baron ended his own lie from shame