Hang a silk cushion, stuffed with feathers or down, so high that the
centre of it would be a few inches higher than the top of your
lead-cutting stool, then, aiming at the most acute edge, deliver as at
the lead. On account of the inconvenience caused by the escape of the
feathers from the cushion when cut, this feat has of late years been
left unperformed at public assaults-of-arms. The last time I saw it
executed was many years ago by my esteemed friend, Mr. Alfred Shury, at
that time one of the best swordsmen in London.
This and the following are the feats said to have been done by Saladin,
when he met Richard Cœur de Lion in the Diamond of the Desert.
They consequently bear his name.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXIII.—CUTTING A VEIL.]
PLATE XXXIII.
TO CUT A VEIL IN TWO AT ONE STROKE.
Fold a veil neatly lengthways and lay it on the edge of the sword,
almost close to the hilt.
Place your feet together, with your sword hand resting on the bend of
the left arm, the edge of the sword turned up. Take two quick steps to
your front, beginning with the left foot, and as you make the second,
deliver an upward cut with a good edge, throwing the point of the sword
high in the air, so that when the veil separates the two parts will have
some distance to fall. A good effect will thus be produced.
At the finish of this cut, as in the lead cutting one, the arm should be
brought straight.
The feat may also be done with a cambric or a silk handkerchief (the
latter is very difficult), or with a kid glove or ribbon.
When ribbon (which should be very narrow) is used, have three or four
colours, about a yard of each, and lay the whole on the sword at once.
After cutting them once, take all the pieces and cut them again. If they
are thrown high they will somewhat resemble the coloured fire falling
from a sky-rocket, and will have a very pretty effect.
Gauze is the best textile to practise with. Try to cut a yard of it into
as many pieces as possible, always taking care to fold each piece
lengthways before placing it on the sword.
When you can do this well, try something more difficult.
For this and the preceding feat you require a special sword called a
handkerchief cutter. It should have the edge of and be kept as sharp as
a razor.
The edge should be ground and set towards the hand, and when sharpening
or stropping it, you should always rub from point to hilt.
If you look through a very powerful magnifying glass you will find the
edge of a sword is serrated like a saw, but not so regularly; therefore,
by having the teeth pointed towards the hilt, the edge more readily lays
hold of the veil.
To understand this more clearly, take a common saw, whose edge is set
towards the point, and rub your finger from handle to point. However
hard you may press, the teeth will not prick you. Rub the other way and
the effect will be very different.