The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-18
THE "NOBLE ART"
SeIf-Defense by kicking Exempli-
fed by French Artists In London.

fed by French Artists In London.
From the London Chronicle.
LES Boxeurs Francais," who made their
first appearance at the Alhambra thea
ter yesterday, have apparently come over
on an educational mission, and though they
may fail to convince Britishers of the su-
periority of la Savate" over the ordinary
fsucuff encounter, their exposition of the
mobile art of self-defense," as it appeals to
It's votaries in France, may at least be
expected to attract considerable interest,
as showing how the use of pedal extremi-
ties has been brought to the level of
fine art.
This latest addition to the Alhambra pro-
gramme was introduced to an invited COM
pany at a special rehearsal yesterday al
ternoon, at which NJ. Georges d. Armoric,
who is in charge of the display, and has
also prepared short argumentative trea-
tise in advocacy of the French method
explained all about it. The French mot
to in This connection appears to be De
Tense not Defiance" the argument briefly
being that if you are attacked you should
he able to avail yourself of all the wea-
mons with which nature has furnished
YOU. and not merely, so to speak, the up
per half The idea Is, therefore, not to pro-
vide a means of attack but of defense, so
that if you happen TO be attacked IN the
street by a ruffian who does not observe
the rules of the ring" you may be the
better prepared TO Tepel him. Whether this
highly moral principle entirely controls the
nractice of the art is perhaps another ques-
lion. hut such is, at any rate, the theory
AS preliminary to the boxing proper
according 10 French vieWS) the display
began with an exhibition of the uses 10
which the walking stick or umbrella can
he nut as a means of seif-defense. M. q =
Arnoric apologized for the absence OF NJ.
Victor Castere (who, he said, is at least
one of the two best opponents OF La pa
vate') on account of broken arm, ana
introduced M. Bouldin professor at the
Saue Castere) and M. Arnai pupil at the
sans. establishment, who accordingly gave
an exhibition closely corresponding to sin-
ale-stick play, except that the sticks We're
furnished with no guards, but merely with
looms for the insertion of the thumb. Ihen
came the illustrations of La SaVate'
showing in detail the various forms Oh at
tack and guard. First there was Demon
stration of the various guards and ripostes
D1itb the fists alone, and then some idea
was given of the use of the feet
In using his foot, the boxer generally
sv,inos round on enc leg and shoots our
the other sideways, sometimes shootlns
vtght nm over his opponents head; the
came movement often includes quick, sue
cessiye kicks at different parts OF the pouy
for instance the chest, ana then the
head. Occasionally the KICK may De
r,,rrine one. straight to the front but, IN
cor al sorts of attitudes are assumed in
tba delivery of the blow. The kicks, II Is
~ ha rot;ced are invariably defended with
~ owns the hands, of course, being H.
,osa1 in the customary boxing gloves. AS
a means of defense, the foot as seen 70 au-
ea,,taoa in what is known as the coup
1,orret which consists simply In stop
aing your opponent by thrusting out the
foot al right angles against ms CHEST
90 rvav OF meeting a kick IS, OF course
~ &C vour opponents foot. if you can
80 n He NAV release himself by a
- -, bv resting his hands on the ground
49, licking with his free leg; but, on the
o+ber hand. the man with the imprisoned
INN NAV sometimes be hurled backward
70 the ground In addition to the use Oh
tbe "coup d'arret," French poxer pos
seeses an advantage over an hhsHsh o'-
nonent in his liberty 60 use the paeh-
-, throw. This simply means putting
~ foot behind your opponents heel ana
..,r,4ne him up or, in the aitern awe
-, him behind the heel with the
Sond and so hurting him on to his back.
Finally. wrestling can be added 70 boxing
- tbe proceedings made TO assume the
a.iu - 80 a mixture of boxing, wrestling,
and acrobatic feats
Tbe rehearsal concluded with a sort OF
oor,r,1ed display Of all the features OF the
french art, in the shape Of four two-mln-
- Funds with six-ounce gloves. This
vowed somewhat more vigorous and ex-
citing than the preliminary demonstra-
lions The third round terminated witn
lxnock-down kick on the chest. WINE the
lll'Il 80 reached when the victor seized
We nr,,orent and threw him over his head.
On he whole, the display, however IS re-
,,,arltabIe as en- exhibition of skill and
agilitv rather than of force.