THE NEW METHOD OF FENCING. 
ous, and not in keeping with the ad- 
vance of civilization, and some of their 
features certainly savor of medizval 
times; but there are some good points 
also in this custom. With the equaliza- 
tion that is given by the sword be- 
tween men of different build and phy- 
sique, the weaker man has, if skillful, 
an even chance with a man of more 
powerful build, and the big, brutal 
bully has no advantage from his 
greater strength. 

HEAD CUT 
As any act of boorishness, coarse- 
ness or unprovoked insult is bound to 
see its perpetrator called to account, 
men become most careful in their deal- 
ings with one another, as sometimes 
even a sneer is sufficient cause for a 
challenge 
According to statistics published 
November 14th, 1903, there were 
6,000 duels fought in Germany dur- 
ing the preceding 12 months, 22 of 
which resulted fatally 
Fencing is, therefore, conducive to 
good manners, not only as a restrain- 
409 
ing factor, but because it is a 
chivalrous sport in which every con- 
sideration is shown the opponent. 
Never would a fencer think of taking 
an unfair advantage of his adversary. 
Should one by mischance drop his 
sword, or make a misstep, the oppo- 
nent at once lowers his weapon until 
his antagonist has regained his proper 
position. An unfair blow is a dis- 
grace, unless a proper apology is at 
once offered. Courtesy and fair play 
(PARRY SEXTA.) 
are sine qua non conditions of fenc- 
ing. That this sport tends to make 
its adepts graceful and self possessed 
has often been observed, and there is 
no better exercise to overcome awk- 
ward self consciousness or clumsi- 
ness. As a means of self defense, 
fencing is important. A fencer armed 
with an ordinary walking stick can 
easily keep at bay one or 2 assailants, 
even if similarly armed; and it is out 
of the question that if attacked with 
fists only a moderately skillful fencer 
should not come out victorious from 
