HOW TO FENCE.
CONTAINING
FULL INSTRUCTION
FOR
FENCING
AND THE
USE OF THE BROADSWORD;
ALSO
INSTRUCTION IN ARCHERY,
DESCRIBED WITH
TWENTY-ONE PRACTICAL
ILLUSTRATIONS.
A COMPLETE BOOK.
New York:
FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,
34 and 36 North Moore Street.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by
FRANK TOUSEY,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Fence
Broadsword Exercise
Archery
Hurdle Racing
Vaulting with Pole, or Pole-Leaping
Throwing the Hammer
Putting the Shot
HOW TO FENCE.
Fencing is the art of using the small-sword, orrapier. The small-sword has a straight blade,about thirty-two inches in length outside the guard,and is fashioned for thrusting only. Although itis an art of the greatest antiquity, very great improvementshave been made in it during the lasthalf-century, chiefly by French masters, who excelthose of all other countries. This has been attributedto various causes; by some to the agilityand acknowledged power of rapid physical actionpossessed by this nation; by others, to their natural[Pg 4]vivacity and mental quickness. In my opinion,however, a more direct and powerful cause may betraced in the great encouragement and universalpatronage which it has ever received from everygrade of a chivalrous and military people. Everyregiment has its maitre d'armes, and every barrackits fencing-school. Indeed, in so important alight was the proper teaching of this art held, thatone of the French kings (Louis XIV.) granted letters-patentto twenty eminent masters, who alonewere permitted to teach in Paris. When a vacancyoccurred, no interest and no favor could enable acandidate to obtain this privilege: he had to fencein public with six of these chosen masters, and ifby any of them he was beaten by two distinct hits,he was considered unqualified to teach in the capital.
Independent of its value as the scientific use ofthe sword—the gentleman's weapon of defense,par excellence—fencing stands unrivaled as anexercise; and it is in this sense that it will now betreated. The most eminent physicians which thiscountry have produced, have all, in the mostearnest manner, recommended it to the attentionof the young. Thus, Dr. Clive says:
"Muscular exertion is essential in perfectingthe form of the body, and those exercises whichrequire the exercise of the great