The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-08-29

ania~rence nesvveen the Methods 81
the French nud The Italian.

Isni9crence netvveen the Methods o.
the French and the Italian.
New York Herald.
while the object Of all duellsts u t.
thrust with all possible force and TO parry
the opponents return there IL a distinct
difference In the methods OF French and
Italian fencing Experts Of both schools
use their brains a. well as their arms In
guiding the sword. but the rrrnchnan In
4 variably holds his sword Armbent. with
the weapon at such an angle that line
drawn from hilt to point would clear the
top OF his adversary's hcad He makes
Thrust by STRENGTHENING the arm and let
ting the blow follow.
The Italian, on the contrary, holds the
sword In a straight line, at arms length.
and makes a thrust by lunging the body
lquicky forward The pose Of the Italian
school is not so easy and graceful rs the
French, and on the stage. as theatrical
display. one would say that the French
was much more picturesque.
But there is something thrillingly bust
ness like IN the Italian way OF holding the
sword. with the point aimed directly at
his opponents heart aud with the body
couched as II ready for spring. in an
assault, the italian always keeps the point
Is. as near the breast ~ his adversary az
possible, except OF course. when making
la fcint.
The advantage OF this Is that A fencer
can play In very small circle and. SIM
ply by turniug HIS hand direct blow
above or below. Italian fcncers declare
that by keeping the sword extended they
are always ready To defend themselves
quickly. The nearer In line with IN OPP
poncnt's body the fencer keeps his weapon,
they say, the smaller the are which the
swords point muat traverse 10 make q par
ry or thrust. This enables one to thrust
quickly with less exertiou than II the
sword were further away.
French experts. In disagreelng with the
Italians, say that to hit well one must es-
tend the weapon by STRENGTHENING the arm
ut the moment OF attack the same as In
boxing, AS rule, a French master OF the
art uses the coupe only Ia ripostc or CAMEL
: riposte, or answer aud double answer.
That is to say, when HIS antagonist has
made thrust which has been successfully
d lrarried. and he desires TO answer quickly
with return thrust, he may. under GER
tain circumstances, disongage his foil from
contact with his antagonists weapon b,
raising the point OF the foil instead OF low.
y ering IT, aud coming over his enemy's
y blade aud down on tho other side. follow.
ing up the opening with a thrust nj tn,
. heart.
q The stroke must be made with wonder
ful quickness TO succeed II one is facing
= good fenccr, otherwise II leaves the hear
aud lower part OF the body exposed for
fatal thrust Its success depends upon IN
celebrity OF tho motion entirely. and tn
| chances are II can not be repeated twic
In the Same assault II ones adversary
alert and skillful. for he will take advan
4 tnge of the exposure Of the body and max
d successful thrust on the instant
II ones antagonist knows anythin
about fencing the consequence OF his takin
, advantage of this exposure will be wors
than a double thrust, for before the fence
can touch him he VIII run In ION him wit
what Ia known IN the Neapolitan school n
y the cavation, which IN "A simple bu, very CT
4 fectivc half turn Of the wrist
n One OF the most tragic dues between me
Of royal blood In recent years WAS tina
In which Prince Henry de Bourbon wa
instantly killed by the Duke OF Montpen
i. aer, This affair OF honor took pac
u seven miles from the wallis Of Madri'
o March II, 1870.
=. The immediate cause of the hostile meet
"a Ing was the production of>insulting letter
;. from Prince Henry. branding the Duke {
u Montpensier as Jesuit conspirator
Q against tho peace and happiness OF III
n country and the Spanish people. and 9
10 being ''bluated French pastry cook"
The Duke OF Montpensier's seconds wer
Generals Alaminor and Cordovn and Cole
mel Sober. The princes seconds were r.
: publican deputies. members of the corte
= After reaching the place OF meeting PRIME
d Henri won the toss for weapons and cbof
:. pistoIe.
~ Prince Henri's first and second shot
y missed his opponent His third gra2ed II
~ cheek OF the duke. inficting slight woun
Is The dukes first shot went wide, but II
second struck his opponent In the side TT
third shot took effect In Prince Henri
Ia forehead, killing him on the spot, On sc'
IN ing the prince fall. the Duke OF Montpei
sicr exclaimed:
70 MY God. what have done?"
Then he sworc that ne would protect II
princes children.
Ia After the Duke OF Montpenscr had fir
n tho second ahot the seconds on both sid
tried TO effect a reconciliation. bur u
prince refused the offer with furious v
hemence.
The duel caused profound sensation
- Spain. and tho Duke Of Montpensier VI
arrested on n charge Of murder ~ b
i, trial he made prompt confession Of h
q guilt and expressed profound regret tn
y he had killed his adversary. Tho accus'
= man was sentenced TO ono months exl
a, from the city OF Madrid and 10 pay $50
indemnity 10 the family OF Prince Hneri.
III -