every gentleman of respectability ought to have so striking a mark of distinction.'

But fencing is not the exercise of a few days, or even months; the practice of two or three years is requisite to enable a person to become a skilful fencer. In France, where the best fencers in Europe are found, a very indifferent opinion is entertained of any one if he cannot boast of at least four years regular practice in the fencing schools.

This art is, however, too much dependent on personal instruction and practice to demand any lengthened treatise in a work like the present. We shall, therefore, only attempt to give a succinct account of the first lessons, the thrusts, parades, &c., following Monsieur Danet's wellknown arrangement.

It will be necessary, first, to observe that the sword is divided into two parts: the strong part, or fort, as it is usually termed, reaching from the hilt to the middle of the blade, and the weak part, or foible from the middle to the point.

Thrusts are made either inside, or outside, over, or under the arm, and ought to be parried with the fort of the blade. Supposing the sword held flat before you, the inside is that edge which is nearest the left side, the outside that nearest the right; a thrust put above the sword is over the arm, one put in beneath it under the arm.

The GUARD.-The only regular guard in fencing, is assumed after the following manner. Hold the sword with the thumb flat upon the handle, at about the distance of an inch from the guard, pressing the hilt principally with the little and ring fingers; incline the edge of the blade a little inwards, the hilt being at the height of the right breast, and the point a little higher. The body is to be turned, so as to present the profile of it, the heel of the right foot in a line with the ancle of the left, at the distance of at least twice the length of the foot, and at right angles with each other. The right arm inust be a little bent, the elbow inclining inwards; the left arm raised to the height of the head, and forming an easy semi-circle, the fingers a little bent, and the index just touching the thumb.

The THRUSTS.-In fencing there are nine different positions of the arm and wrist in thrusting, which are thus distinguished. 1. Prime of the modern nomenclature, commonly called high carte, inside the arm; 2. Ancient prime; 3. High tierce or modern seconde; 4. Old seconde, a mere low tierce; 5. Low carte of the moderns, the common carte of the ancient school; 6. Quinte, the same in both modern and ancient style; 7. Carte, over arm; 8. Carte, cut outside; and 9. Flanconnade.

It is necessary to observe that all thrusts and parades are included in but three positions of the wrist, viz. supination, the palm of the hand being turned upwards; pronation when reversed or turned downwards; and the mean position the medium between these two, the thumb being above the fingers as they are bent.

1. Prime or high carte, inside the arm.-' -This thrust is the prime of the moderns, not only because it is the highest elevation of the wrist, but because it is also the easiest, most used, and most simple thrust in fencing. It is given inside

the arm, the wrist in supination raised about three inches above the crown of the head during the movement of the right foot. The instructions for performing this thrust, as given in Rolando's modern art of fencing, are the following:-Carry the right foot forward to its greatest point of extension, which is generally about four times its length; and in the very time of this action, when you ought to direct your point, adjust your thrust without vacillation towards your adversary's right breast; but, as soon as the point of your sword reaches within three or four inches of his body, form the opposition of your wrist, the nails uppermost, your chest a little inclined forward, the head turned a little outside, the left haunch steadied, the shoulders well turned out, the right knee outwards, and bent perpendicularly with the instep; the left heel on the same line with the right heel, the leg well bent, and the foot firm upon the ground. The right hand, in directing the thrust, must always set out first, and the other parts of the body should follow rapidly. The thrust being made, get up quick on guard, joining your adversaries blade without forcing, and holding your point still opposite to his breast. In every thrust all these evolutions are to be executed with the same precision. This thrust is parried either by high carte, prime seconde, or octave. See plate I. FENCING, fig. 1.

2. Ancient prime.-This was the first thrust of the ancient school, and was so named as being the natural attempt made by any one, who had never learned to fence, to thrust with a sword. it is executed by raising the wrist in pronation about three inches above the crown of the head; and, in plunging the point at the adversary, the body is inclined somewhat more forward than in high carte: the remainder is executed in the same manner as described in the account of that thrust. In order to obtain an opening for this thrust, which is generally put in after the prime parade, it is sometimes necessary to step out of the line, to the right, as you make your thrust. This is parried by prime, half circle, and octave. 3. High tierce, or the seconde of the moderns.-In making the thrust of high tierce the wrist should be in pronation at about the height of the crown of the head; the sight may be directed under the arm, the body should be a little more inclined forward than in high carte, and the thrust should be given between the arm-pit and the right breast: the rest as in high carte. This thrust is parried by tierce, carte over arm, and pointe volante. Although this thrust is given in the same situation as the old prime, it differs from it not only in the height of the wrist, but in the more marked opposition of the fort of the blade. See plate I. fig. 2.

4. Seconde of the ancients, or low tierce of the moderns, is thus performed: lower the point of your sword under your adversary's guard, and thrust under his arm; the wrist in pronation raised as high as the eyes, directing the point under his arm-pit, and inclining the body and head farther forward than in the preceding; covering, particularly the head, as much with the wrist as by the fort of the blade. This thrust is parried by the half-circle, prime, seconde, octave, and quinte.