New-York tribune., 1899-07-12
THE ART OF FENCING.
TT is AGAIN BEING TAKEN UP WITH THE
oLDTIME ARDOR
WHAT MISS LEoNIE sTAMM. NEWBORN
TEACHER. WEARS WHEN PRAcT1sINo-EN-

TEACHER WEARS WHEN PRACIlSiNo-
rrrrrsrAsrrc pEvorEEs OF THE FoIIs
Fencing is one Of the rarest accomplishments IN
dulged in among women Its science is 80 eNao
inz in its requirements that the average youi1s
woman decides that rowing swimming, rloihs anu
wheeling more in her line. Fencing deia =,
constant practice. agility. absolute freeooin IN
movement. quick wits a level head good Judgment
and plenty of courage
Within the last few years II has become a re'i'e
Art TO some extent. Society women first orsahi]eu
classes and procured teachers. and went INTO "
for the sake Of novelty. and stuck TO II FOR the
sake Of health and beauty. Fencing gives exercise
70 the muscles Of the body develops the nsure'
reduces stout women to smness and ROUNDS OUT
the figures OF angular ones. 1t makes the "alst'
small and improves ones natural carriage 10 20
known as a good fencer is 10 be known as a grace
ful woman Awkward women cannot fence. Inc
poses and costumes are picturesque ana tno N
bat fascinating and exciting.
Another class OF women who have learned fenchs
are the actresses. Their reasons are nuch '"0
same as the society woman's They desire aooVe
all things grace ease. repose and suppe-
ness. Fencing is declared by them 10 pr'Hs Ni'
surest and best results
Other women who have taken up fencing nave
been the athletic ones. many OF whom have gone
into II thoroughly with the intention OF teachlng'
One OF the most successful teachers or lenclhs u
Miss Leonie stamm. Of New-York She is French
spent much OF her life abroad, studying IN Europe
most OF the time. She has given exhibitions OF her
skill all over the Continent. winning particular
in Italy
Miss Stamm's life has been full Of stirring incl
dents. Her first adventure occurred when she was
about six years old At that time her parents sent
her on trip with oldtime friend OF theirs VINO
was a priest AS he obliged to visit several
monasteries during the trip. little Leone Was
garbed in boys clothes. and thereby entered those
value OF the situation lost upon her thei'
Great was her youthful CONSERVATION when. N
the last they visited, her identity was ,;o GIsoc;
end of her travels are about the only incidents
she remembers. AS a souvenir OF tnat auNth. ~ g
given her on the trip BY one Of the priests
Miss stamm teaches number OF soTerE Tengs ss her
summers Newport some one OF tne big TesoF ne
Mo Mss afT %1hs RuPM Ms.
Frank Worthing and Of Joseph Jeherson
enpov Mss ss se Services one Of o. va f she found
took man clean and care for her folis propeILy
As osS she re the aksS ss Tar o Wealthy pupils who
wish to fence before breakfast she found & Igss &c
man servant could attend to her heavy luggage
The costume adopted BY Miss stamm for her I per- r.
sonal consists OF dark blue accordion pieated
skirt. knckerbockers and a sweater; aIthougn sne
says she would prefer TO fence skirtess. II Il were
OF the Berkeley School in Brooklyn.
A young woman who has won considera5le I6o1 atfen
Her skill IS said 10 have been match for some OF
the best amateur fencers IN that city Lazy
Colin Campbell, Lady Randolph Churchlii and MIS-
Langtry are all expert fencers Miss owe OHVer'
the actress has won golden laures OF opinion In
the West. and Miss Julie Senac, Of New-York, mas
helped TO uphold the honors OF the East
Miss Rosamond Taylor. OF No. 40 Rodney-st'
Brooklyn became one OF the most enthusiastic
fencers when the rage broke out. Her noticeable
ability resulted in an offer from the American
School Of Eocution 10 teach the fencing class Miss
TAYLOR accepted this place. which she held sue
cessfuy for two years. She believes that fencing
is especially good for women. az It produces an
utter forgetfulness OF self IS physical heneht and
gives an added charm and grace 10 womans car
riage
Il think" said Miss Taylor 10 Tribune reporter
that every stage woman should know how TO
fence Why? For physical training. I took It UP
first because II belonged to the curriculum, and
kent at II because found II doing me so much
good l was very enthusiastic, and am stlll. for
| that matter I think many OF the American women
| took up fencing as fad. but know many or them
| who have kept al IL for the same reason l DID IL
isn't strength that determines ability but quckness
| and lightness. A girl 70 be a good fencer must
have her wits about her. and training that de-
| velops self-possession Is good.
Miss Taylor has always had liking Tor athletic
| sports and numbers horseback riding among her
| athletic accomplishments.
| There are quite a good many fencers among the
| young women OF Brooklyn, including the Misses
| Mae Knitting. Eugene Kelley, May Decker. Bessie
! Arthur Josephine Wittichen and Julia Aver.