The morning news., 1897-08-18
TWO STYLES or DUEMNG.
Difference Between the Methods of
the French and the Italian.

FROM the new lolh A1tidiN'
While the object Of all duelsts is to
thrust with all possible force and to parry
the opponents return there is a distinct
difference in the methods of French and
Italian fencing. Experts OF both schools
use their brains as well as their arms in
guiding the sword. but the Frenchman in
variably holds his sword armbent, with
the weapon at such an angle that a line
drawn from hilt to point would clear the
top of his adversarys head. He makes
thrust by Strengthening the arm and let
ting the body follow.
The Italian, on the contrary holds the
sword In a straight line, at arms length.
aud makes thrust by lungng the body
quickly forward. The pose of the Italian
school is not so easy and graceful as the
French, and on the stage, as theatrical
display, one would say that the French
was much more picturesque
But there is something thrlllngly bust
ness like in the Italian way of holding the
sword with the point aimed directly at
his opponents heart and with the body
couched as il ready for spring. In an
assault the Italian always keeps the poipt
Of the foil ia that general position-that
is. a. near the breast of his adversary az
possible, except, Of course, when making
a feiut.
The advantage OF this Is that a fencer
can play in a very small circle and sim
ply by turning his hand, direct a blow
above or below. Italian fencers declare
that by Keeping the sword extended they
are always ready TO defend themselves
quickly The nearer In line with an OPP
ponents body the fencer keeps his weapon,
they say, the smaller the are which the
swords point must traverse to make a par
t.V ar a fbrnaf This enables ppp a fbrtfqf
quickly with less eXertion than IL the sword
were further away.
French experts In disagreelng with the
Italians say that to hit well one must ex-
tend the weapon by STRENGTHENING the arm
at the moment Of attack, the same as I'm
boxing As a rule, a French master of the
art uses the coupe only In ripostc or CAMEL
riposte. or answer and double answer.
That IL to say. when his antagonist has
made a thrust which has been successfully
parried and he desires TO answer quickly
with q return thrust, he may, under Ger
tain circumstances. disengage his foil from
contact with his antagonists weapon by
raising the point Of the foil instead Of low
ering IT, and coming over his enemy .
blade and down on the other side. follow
ing up the opening with a thrust at the
heart
The stroN must be made with wonder
ful quickness TO succeed n one ~ facing a
good fencer; Otherwise Il leaves the heart
and lower part OF the body exposed for
fatal thrust It's success depends upon
the ceerity OF the motion entirely, ana
the chances are il cannot be repeated
twice Ia the same assault if ones adver-
sary Is alert ana skillful for he will take
advantage Of the exposure OF the body
and make a successful thrust on the in
stant.
II ones antagonist knows anything
about fencing the consequence OF his taxi
ing advantage Of this exposure Will be
worse than a double thrust. for before the
fencer can touch him he will run I'm on
him with what Is known In the Neapol-
tan school as the cavation. which Is a
simple but very effective half turn OF the
wrist.
one Of the most tragic duels between
men Of royal blood in recent years was
that In which Prince Henry De Bourbon
was Instantly killed by the Duke OF Mont
penser. This affair Of honor took place
seven miles from the walls OF Madrid,
March II. 1870
The Immediate cause o. the hostile meet
Ing was tho production Of insulting letters
from Prince Henri, branding the Duke OF
Montpensier as q Jesuit eonspirat tor"
against the peace and happiness OF the
country and the spanish people. and as be-
ing "hloated French pastry cook"
The Duke OF Montpensler's seconds we're
Gems. Alaminor ana COrdova and Col. So
Ter. The princes seconds were republican
deputies. members Of the Cortes. After
reaching the place Of meeting Prince Hen
n won the toss for weapons and chose pis-
tolls
Prince Hcnris first and second shots
missed his opponent. Ills third grazcd the
check Of the duke, lnhlcting Il slight
wound The dukes nrst shot went wide,
but the second struck his opponent in the
side. The third shot took effect IN Prince
Henrls forehead, killing him on the spot
on seeing the prince fan the Duke OF
Montpcnsier exclaimed;
My God! what have I dOney'
Then he swore that he would protect the
princes children.
Afior the Duke OF Montpensier had fred
his second shot the seconds on both sides
tried 20 effect Il reconciliation bur the
prince refused The offcr with furious vc-
homonce
Tho duel caused "a profound sensation In
Spain. and the Duke Of Montponaier WaH
arrested ON "a charge Of murder. A. hls
trlai he made prompt confession OF hls
guilt and expressed profound regret that
ho had killed hla adversary. Tho accused
man w1f sentenced 10 one months exile
from the r'ty 81 Madrid ana 80 pay W.Dg0
indemnity 10 the family ~ Prince Henri