Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-10
: A Good Exerrise.

There is surely no form of sport in
which women show to better advantage
than in the sport of fencing, and it is
certain there Is none in which their
presence is more genuinely welcomed
by the other sex. Let 1t be assumed that
in writing OF fencing for women we write
only of foil fencing, for women are not
endowed with physical qualities to fit
them for the sterner work of the epee or
the saber. The whole art and science or
fencing are contained in the foil, and IT
affords form of exercise especially suit
able for women.
The hygienic and physical advantages
of fencing have long been recognized by
the medical profession.
In fencing abnormal muscular develop
ment is not only unnecessary. but q posi-
tive disadvantage. for excellence In the
use of the foil depends above all things
upon suppleness' of limb.
The beginner who is placed en- garde,
foil In hand. for the first time instructive
ly clenches the hand on the hilt of her
weapon every muscle in her body rigid.
She is at once told to relax the muscles
and to hold the foil lightly with the
thumb and first two fingers. feeling the
hilt somewhat more firmly with the
others. 1t is only by correctly holding the
foil that full play can he given to the
fingers, and it is by finger play. or doiste.
as the French call 1t, that the intricate
movements of the foil are made.
Again, on the extension OF the arm on
the attack rightly of the muscles of the
shoulder means loss of direction of the
point and of rapidity and precision in the
parry il the attack fails. And stiffness of
the body and lower limbs on the lunge de-
stroys the balance and the power of q
t.uick recovery to the position of guard.
These are the first lessons in fencing, and
lessons of the first Importance, and wonl-
n master them more readily than men.
Indeed although our lady fencers lack
the autorite which distinguishes the foil
play of our leading swordsmen. and are
somewhat deficient in the quality known
in France as the sentiment de fer. they
keel in the charm of grace, and they
have proved their capacity to master the
ntricacies of the foil. the rules and con-
yentiOns of the game. and the etiquette
of the fencer's art.
| 1t is not only in the privacy of the sale
| that these qualities are displayed In the
annual competitions for the ladies' anna
teur championship the self-possession ex-
hibited by our leading lady fencers is
truly remarkable and an example to some
| of their brothers in arms.
1t is true that on these important occa-
| sions they often carry restraint almost tG
| the verge of timdity, and manifest a re-
luctance to attack lest the attack should
| fail and expose them to the dangers OF
| the riposte. But their defense Is admir-
lble and many hits are obtained by the
| riposte or counter riposte. direct, by dis
engagement, or by one-two-an excellent
| hing in fencing, for it requires the proper
| formation of the parry. sound judgment
| Of time and distance and skill in the man
agement of the weapon.
| Well conceived attacks are also seen
| from the simple disengage to the one-two
the disengage and double. the beat-cu'
! Overland disengage, ana other compli
Gated movements. Moreover. our lady
fencers are enthusiastic followers of the
| sword.
| Consider the dress that lady fencers
wear In what other sports is their cos
tune at once so becoming and SO admir-
ably designed for the purpose?
The white jacket is de rigueur. for il
forms the target. and on the dark ma
| terial. it would be difficult TO detect the
| hits.
Some prefer the Jacket with a basque
and white breeches buckled at the knee
| That II Is an elegant and smart costume
all must admit who have seen Miss j
tombstone, the lady champion; Miss Mill.
! cent Hall, the ex-champion, and the Ba.
roness de Meyer, all Of London, England