"One word more. What was the reason for choosing this attitude and
these movements?
"They were chosen because they are natural and instinctive. Instinct
dictated the rule, which is based on experience, on practical
necessity, on correct principle.
"What is the object to be attained?
"First, for defence, to allow the limbs their complete liberty of
action, their natural elasticity and easy play; secondly for attack, to
give the extension of the body its full force.
"Now try to change the position; straighten your legs; you will at once
notice the increased difficulty of executing the different movements,
whether of attack, defence, or retreat. You lose your balance, and the
lunge either precedes the action of the hand and the extension of the
arm, or follows those movements too late.
"The legs are springs which support the body and determine its most
rapid movements. If you are out shooting and want to jump a ditch, you
bend your legs in order to obtain the necessary spring. Or again, if
you jump down from a height, you bend your legs at the moment your feet
touch the ground; if you do not, your whole body is jarred.
"I dwell on this point in order to convince you of its absolute
necessity, and to make you understand clearly the why and wherefore of
the position. But, I repeat, instinct was the first teacher, experience
came later and has only confirmed the principle.
"One last caution. When once you have learnt by practice how to
harmonise your movements, and have realised how great a power at a
given moment the faculty of making these movements with ease and
rapidity may be, then, and not till then, venture to take your personal
inclination into account. And if after carefully weighing the pros and
cons you come to the conclusion that you can, owing to some personal
peculiarity, improve upon the elementary rules of the lesson, do not
hesitate to depart from them without scruple, but never without good
reason. The best position is that which allows you complete freedom and
perfect balance. But never forget that all exaggeration is bad, and
that nothing can be worse than the exaggeration of an ungraceful and
ungainly style. That is all I have to say this evening."
[Illustration: _Keep the left shoulder back._]