Evening journal., 1908-11-30
ILESLABAY A
GREAT MASTER
New Y. M. c. A. Instructor
Has Won World HOnOrS as
Fencing Instructor

The ply steal department Of the Young
Mems Christian Association has been for
tunate in securing the noted Professor
Jules Leslabay of France, as fencing
master. 1t is hoped that large enough
number of pupils can be secured to take
u9 this sport
The Partisan has a fine record. having
won honors in many countries
Leslabay enlisted in the French army at
tie age OF eighteen. A year and half
l.ter he graduated as fencing master and
vas appointed instructor Of offices in the
Fifty-seventh Regiment of Infantry. lie
left the army when twenty-five years of
age, and went first TO Buenos Ayres, Ar
gentine Repubica and then to Australia.
/ At Melbourne. Leslabay won the cham
pionship OF Australia from French ex-
pert, Amadee. Leaving the land of the
Kanc aroo, Ieslabay came to America. At
! San Francisco he fenced a draw with
Louis Trouchett. who claimed the national
championship. After that he was engaged
as instructor of fencing at the University
of Minnesota Leslabay then won the
title of the West by defeating Professor
Seeger. at Minneapolis. Later he went to
Cuba and defeated Pho AlonXo and later
Edward Ritas. He also fenced a draw
with Giuseppe Galanto, the noted Italian
expert. He is tall. 1.-THE and agile. the
typical build of fencing master.
Anton Schatzel. director Of physical
training who is a supporter of this sport,
says fencing has few equals as an exer-
else TO establish graceful carriage, and
an upright bearing.
Discussing the sport. Professor schatzel
says:
1T makes the eve brighter. the step
more assured and elastic, the fingers more
supple and the muscles hrmer. This is not
all Fencing. to be first rate. calls for
and puts into play. many valuable quail
hcations; intelligence. temper patience.
quickness. condition and balance It does
not consist merely in the number Of tech.
nical manoeuvers. mechanically applied
one after another. in a wooden, uninteln-
gent manner.
Fencing teachers control the mind and
muscles Of the body. good fencer must
have complete control of his physical re.
source so he may be free TO devote all his
attention TO watching his adversary mar
rowly in order to anticipate and thwart
his attack. and TO ascertain and battle
his parties.
Fencing requires quickness and energy
backed up. guided and controlled by
judgment In other words. it is the head
which is the true sign of fine fencer.
ION this account, claim that fencing
should be accorded an honorable place.
even when regarded simply I'm the point
80 A IN
doses his head is ready TO play all game
looses his head is ready 70 play all game
and 10 tackle opponents of widely differ
ent temperaments.
''The beauty Of fencing is that it teaches
control of tile physical powers and rapid
concentration Of one point foot hand,
and eye. working together harmoniously.
strength in itself, is always a thing
TO be desired.
Among the physical powers peculiarly
developed by fencing. may be mentioned
especially the use of the hands. wrist and
fingers. which play as important a part
here as they do in performing on a musi-
cal instrument. All delicacy and fineness.
such as neatness in carrying quickness
/ and closeness in passing a disengage,
and the like. depend on the free use Of
b fingers and wrist. Then. again. there is
the training Of the eye IN anticipating at.
taclSa detecting openings and the accu'
[ rate measurement of distance. position
Of the body, also, forced well down on the
knees. gives pliabiity TO the limbs and
authority TO the movements and above
an the erect carriage Of the head. and the
bracing back of the shoulders pull man
y together and develop his physical power
I tending TO establish a free upright bear
! ing. very different from the shambling
:, hang-in-the pocket style too common
nowadays.
2 Fencing indeed has few equals as an
n exercise to establish a graceful carriage
I and upright bearing. 1t gives the body
e the majestic appearance so much ad.
mired by everyone.