"I should expect my scholar during the first month to give up _half an
hour a day_ to foil practice, and after that to keep it up _three times
a week_. My first lesson would be devoted to showing him theoretically
and practically the vital importance of establishing a perfect concert
or balance between the various movements. This is the fundamental
principle of all athletic exercises, and applies equally to riding,
swimming, gymnastics, and to fencing.
"I should make him advance and retire, lunge and recover, taking care
not to lose his balance. This first lesson is sufficient to enable
the least intelligent to understand the mechanism of the different
movements, which are based on the natural and instinctive faculties of
the human body.
"Come, C----," I said, rising from my chair, "unless I am mistaken, you
have never attempted to fence. Will you allow me to make use of you by
way of illustration?"
"I shall be delighted," replied C----, "but I shall be very awkward."
"Perhaps you will be for the first five minutes. It is the common lot
from which no one can escape. Now place yourself 'On guard'; the words
explain themselves:--to be on guard, to protect yourself, that is to
say to hold yourself equally ready for attack or defence.
"Bend your legs. Let me use an expression which is perhaps incorrect
but which explains my meaning clearly:--Sit well down.
"Your right arm must be half extended. As a general rule the wrist
should be at the height of the breast. You will be able later to modify
these elementary studies, by adapting them to suit the position which
comes to you most naturally. The important thing is to acquire an
uncramped easy style, and to keep the body evenly balanced. In this
position the sword can most easily traverse the various openings that
are offered to it.
"I advance on you. In order to get back and always keep your distance
you have only to carry the left foot to the rear, and let the right
foot follow it immediately. To advance on me, simply reverse these
movements. Bring the right foot forward and follow it up with the left.
"Bravo! you advance like a professor. See that you keep your legs bent
and the body upright, so as to be always ready for advance or retreat.
If you cannot avoid stooping, lean forward rather than backward. By
carrying the body forward you are no more exposed than you were before;
for the body by its inclined position protects itself, presents a
smaller surface, and makes it more difficult for your opponent to fix
his point, when he might otherwise hit you; but if you throw the body
back, you lose the power of making a quick attack and a quick riposte.
Are you tired?"
"No."
"Good! That shows that your position is correct, and that it does not
cramp your muscles or paralyse any of your movements. You understand,
of course, that by standing sideways you present a smaller target to
your adversary.
"So much for defence. Now, for the attack.