Produced by Tim Lindell, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) [Illustration: NEW SYSTEM OF SWORD EXERCISE ] A NEW SYSTEM OF SWORD EXERCISE FOR INFANTRY. BY RICHARD F. BURTON, AUTHOR OF âA SYSTEM OF BAYONET EXERCISEâ (1853). LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, 13, CHARING CROSS. 1876. THESE PAGES ARE DEDICATED (WITH PERMISSION) TO His Royal Highness Field-Marshal the Duke of Cambridge, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY, ETC., ETC., ETC., WHO HAS GRACIOUSLY ENCOURAGED THIS ATTEMPT TO EXTEND THE âINFANTRY SWORD EXERCISE,â BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESSâS MOST HUMBLE AND DEVOTED SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE Introductory Remarks 11 Sect. I. Preparatory Instruction without the Sword 20 II. Preparatory Instruction with the Sword 26 III. The Manchette, or Fore-arm Play 45 Conclusion 56 Appendix (Note on Sabre handles) 57 [Illustration] A NEW SWORD EXERCISE FOR INFANTRY. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Before proceeding to develop my New Sword Exercise for Infantry, I would offer a few remarks upon the changes proposed in these pages. Whilst the last half century has witnessed an immense improvement in the projectile weapons of the civilized world, the theory and practice of the sabre or cutting arm have remained _in statu quo ante_; indeed, if there has been any change it is for the worse. The two systems authorized in the British army are completely behind their time. First and senior is the âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ (with plates): Revised Edition, Adjutant-Generalâs Office, Horse Guards. London: Printed under the superintendence of H.M. Stationery Office: 1874. The second is the âInstructions for the Sword, &c. (without plates), for the use of Cavalry.â Adjutant-Generalâs Office, Horse Guards. June, 1871. The latter can be despatched very briefly. Despite the late date, it is as obsolete as the older system; it is, in fact, only the âInfantry Exerciseâ with the addition of âpursuing practice,â and âpost practiceâ--the latter upon a sort of modern Quintain not made to revolve. So far, so good. The practised swordsman has little to learn when mounted, except the few modifications which he can teach himself. His real study is on foot. But some of the remarks appear not to have been written by a practical hand. For instance, we read (p. 27): âIn delivering a forward thrust, very little force is necessary when the horse is in quick motion, as the extension of the arm, with a good direction of the point, will be fully sufficient.â âFully sufficientâ--I should think so! The recruit must be carefully and sedulously taught when meeting the enemy, even at a trot or canter, to use no force whatever, otherwise his sword will bury itself to the hilt, and the swordsman will either be dragged from his horse, or will be compelled to drop his weapon--if he can. Upon this point I may quote my own âSystem of Bayonet Exerciseâ (p. 27):-- âThe instructor must spare no pains in preventing the soldier from using force, especially with the left or guiding arm, as too much exertion generally causes the thrust to miss. A trifling body-stab with the bayonet (I may add with the sword) is sufficient to disable a man; and many a promising young soldier has lost his life by burying his weapon so deep in the enemyâs breast that it could not be withdrawn quickly enough to be used against a second assailant. To prevent this happening, the point must be delivered smartly, with but little exertion of force, more like a dart than a thrust, and instantly afterwards the bayonet must be as smartly withdrawn.â In fact the thrust should consist of two movements executed as nearly simultaneously as possible; and it requires long habit, as the natural man, especially the Englishman, is apt to push home, and to dwell upon his slouching push. The âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ is nought but a snare and a delusion. Except in pagination, it is the same as the âRevised Editionâ of 1845--the only difference or revision that I can detect is the omission of a short sentence in p. 26 of the older issue; it even retains the General Order of Lord Hill, 23rd April, 1842. Thus âRevisionâ is confined to the plates. In 1845 the figures wear the milk-pail shako widening at the top, the frock coat and the scales; the last edition, dated April, 1874, dons the tall modern chimney-pot, the tightly buttoned tunic with stiff collar and, like its predecessor, the sash and the scabbard. It is no wonder that the figures display an exceeding _gÃªne_, the stiffness of pokers, as the phrase is: here we might with profit borrow from the French or Italian artist. I am opposed to almost every page of this unhappy _brochure_, especially to the âSeven Cuts and Guardsâ of the target; to the shape of the target--I never yet saw a man absolutely circular; to the grip of the sword; to the position in guard; to the Guards or Parades, especially the inside engaging guard (Carte); to the Lunge; to the angle of the feet, and to the system of âloose practice.â The âCutsâ will be noticed in a future page. Of the grip I may remark that the one essential, the position of the thumb, both in attacks and parries is, as a rule, neglected by the âSword Exercise.â[1] As early as 1828, MÃ¼ller made his _point dâappui_ a grasp of the handle with the four fingers, the thumb being stretched along the back, in order to direct the edge, and to avoid the possibility of striking with the âflat.â The only exception to this universal law is when doing the âMoulinetâ movements, which will be explained farther on. Some professors, both with broadsword and small-sword, would stretch the index, when pointing, along the right of the handle. I have objected to this practice in the rapier and the foil: except when done to change position for relief, it serves merely to fatigue the wrist. But the proper use of the thumb, â_le pouce allongÃ© sur le dos de la poignÃ©e_,â which is troublesome at first, and which demands some study, especially from those who have acquired bad habits, is the base of all superior âcounterpoint.â[2] The position on guard is a debated point. Many, indeed I may say most, of the moderns follow the rule of all the older swordsmen, namely, reposing two-thirds of the body-weight (as in p. 19 of the âExercise,â which, however, is an exaggeration) upon the left leg. The reasons usually given are that in this position the person is not so much exposed; moreover, that the centre of gravity being thrown back adds spring and impetus to the Lunge. We may remember how Cordelois (1862) made a step towards change in his fencing-schools at Paris. My objection to the old style is that the farther you are from your opponent, the longer and slower will be your attack; moreover, I have ever found, in personal practice, that it is easier and more convenient to âsit on guardâ with the weight equally distributed on both haunches and legs. In fact, that the backward position is not natural any pair of thighs can ascertain for itself after trying it for five minutes: whilst the muscles of the right or forward limb are relaxed as much as possible, those of the left are tight strung, so as to do double work and threaten cramp. This single objection is serious enough to counterbalance any other claims to superiority. [Illustration: First Guard. (Prime.) (âWhat to avoid.â)] Again, there is no excuse for the guards in the âExercise.â The âHanging guardâ (p. 18, in the older issue p. 21) is the worst that can be imagined--a painful spectacle, a lesson of âwhat to avoid.â The head ignobly cowers, and the eyes look up, in a forced and wearying position, when the former should be held upright, and the glance should be naturally fixed upon the opponentâs eye and blade-point; the body is bent so as to lose our national advantage of height and strength, and the right fore-arm in such a position is, and ever must be, clean uncovered. Let the recruit, however strong may be his haunches, stand a few minutes in this âHanging guard,â and he will soon feel by his fatigue how strange, awkward, and strained it is. The Carte or inside Engaging Guard (pp. 19, 22), again, endangers the fore-arm. The Tierce or outside Engaging Guard (pp. 20, 23) holds the hand too low, and unduly shortens the arm, thus offering an undesirable amount of exposure; it is in fact not a Guard, but a bad parry in âlow Tierce.â Worse still is the Lunge (pp. 14, 17): here the body is placed bolt upright, instead of being easily bent, without exaggeration, to the fore, prolonging, as every man instinctively would do at his first attempt, the line of the left leg. The former position is not only fatiguing and âagainst the grain;â also shortens the reach and carefully places the opponent safely out of measure. Many swordsmen still contend for the stiffly upright position in Lunge:[3] I am disposed to consider it a mere survival of the classical and artificial French school of arms, which aimed at opposing nature as sedulously as the Italian, who always leans to the fore, attempted to follow her dictates. Moreover, their arguments are founded upon the abuse, not the use, of the inclined pose which the body naturally assumes. In teaching the recruit it is well to see that he does not fall into the dangerous habit of throwing the chest forward (_poitriner_) to meet his opponentâs point; but the truth of muscular motion must be consulted. Finally, I would note the mistake of âloose practiceâ with the single-stick instead of the sabre; it probably arose from a mistaken economy in saving swords and paddings. Single-stick is a different weapon, a cane or light cudgel with a basket-hilt covering the back of the hand, like the imperfect guard of the Highland Clay-more; it is straight, not curved, and, as the rod has no edges, so in practice every blow equally represents a cut. Single-stick has merits of its own, but its practice is fatal to excellence with the broadsword, and even the âExerciseâ seems to recognize the fact, for the _guindÃ©s_ figures are armed with officersâ Regulation swords. [Illustration: Inside Guard--(Carte). (Weight all thrown back.)] Both âSword Exercisesâ carefully avoid naming âTierceâ and âCarte;â preferring ârightâ and âleftâ (of the Sword) or âoutsideâ and âinside,â as if such mysteries were too high or too deep for our national intelligence. I would again quote a few lines from my âSystem of Bayonet Exerciseâ (Introductory Remarks, pp. 8, 9):-- âBut why, it may be asked, should the English soldier be deterred by difficulties which every French voltigeur can master? We admire the intelligence of our neighbours in military matters: we remark that they are born soldiers, and that their men learn as much in four months as ours do in six. Is not this, however, partly our own fault? In my humble opinion we mistake the cause of their quickness, attributing to nature the effect of art. When our system of drill is thoroughly efficient; when the _Manual and Platoon_ is much simplified, when a _salle dâarmes_ is established in every corps, and when the bayonet exercise becomes a recognized branch of instruction; then, I believe, we shall find our soldiers equal in intelligence to any others.â These words were written in 1853; in 1875 I add, âWhen we enlist the right kind of recruit either by improving his condition and his prospects, not his pay, or better, far better, by securing a superior man through the conscription of modern Europe.â We Britons are no longer physically divided from the total orb; nor can we afford to remain morally insulated and isolated. The logical effect of union with the outer world will be to make us do as the world does, and all our exceptional institutions, such as the system of volunteer recruiting, must sooner or later go by the board. [Illustration: Outside Guard--(Tierce). (A Parry not a Guard.)] Nor is the most modern French Treatise (pp. 229â256, _Manuel de Gymnastique et dâEscrime_, officially published by the _Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies_; Paris, Dumaine, 1875) â_Escrime au Sabre_â much superior to our home growth. The position of the left hand (pp. 232, 233) is bad throughout: it must slip during the Lunge and make the play loose. The retreat of the left leg (Fig. 5, p. 235) is carried to an extreme of caution. The body is always perpendicular in the Lunge, whereas the same volume shows (Fig. 16, p. 20) the trunk naturally inclining forwards. The Cuts are not double nor continuous, as they should be. The âHanging Guardsâ (pp. 240, 244, 245) are deplorable. On the other hand, the _Manuel_ (p. 231) places the thumb along, not around, the handle; the _moulinets_, the _enlevÃ©s_, and the _brisÃ©s_ (presently to be explained) are good stuff, and, moreover, they are applied to the Cuts (p. 239). Finally, nothing can be better than the advice (p. 249), âAprÃ¨s avoir touchÃ©, retirer vivement le sabre en arriÃ¨re en lui imprimant une direction oblique dans le sens du tranchant, de maniÃ¨re Ã _scier_.â Of the points or thrusts with broadsword nothing will here be said: they belong to another order of things, and they should be studied in the fencing school.[4] But the soldier must be taught that if his adversary attempt a thrust, the broadsword is easily disarmed. When the opponent comes to the position of pointing, that is, extends his blade, a sharp glissade along its length will make the grip fly out of his grasp. Another way of embarrassing the attack is to cut right and left at the hand, the wrist, or the fore-arm, when the adversary begins to present point. General LamoriciÃ¨re was a firm believer, as we all are, in the thrust, and the French Sword Exercise for Cavalry (p. 178 _RÃ¨glement Provisoire sur les Exercises de la Cavalerie_, officially published at the _MinistÃ¨re de la Guerre_; Paris, Dumaine, 1873) justly remarks: â_Les coups de pointe doivent toujours Ãªtre employÃ©s de prÃ©fÃ©rence, comme exigeant moins de force et ayant un rÃ©sultat plus prompt, plus certain et plus dÃ©cisif_.â The reason of its confessed superiority to the Cut is as old as the axiom, âa straight line is the shortest way between two points.â The Thrust describes a diameter, the Cut, a segment, of a circle and, with equal velocity, the Cut will traverse a distance occupying some two-thirds more of time than the Thrust. The French tactician therefore proposed to abolish the use of the edge for cavalry, thus traversing the instinct of the man-at-arms who, especially on horseback, loves to slash at his enemy, and who runs far less risk of entangling his blade. But he of course advocated a straight and tapering sword with no edge to speak of; indeed the cuirassierâs _latte_ is still a kind of rapier, but it is rendered useless by prodigious length and by the weight of the handle. The modern Italian School of Sabre uses, especially in single combat, all the _dÃ©gagements_ of the _salle dâarmes_: this is thoroughly illogical; the weapon is chosen because it is supposed to be less fatal than foil or rapier, and yet it is so used as to become even more deadly. I need hardly say that the weight and shape of the broadsword, together with the positions of guard, render pointing with it awkward in the extreme.[5] I have now finished with the ungrateful task of criticizing, and I proceed to propose a system which it is hoped will be as severely criticized by others. It is only candid to state that its pretensions are high, that it contains two distinct novelties, the Manchette System and the Reverse or Back-cut; and, finally, that it aspires to be the first Treatise in which the broadsword is scientifically taken in hand. SECTION I. PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION WITHOUT THE SWORD. Â§ 1. _Preliminary._ Nothing will here be said concerning the âgoose step of the sword,â the âBalance Motions,â and the âExtension Motions,â of the official âInfantry Sword Exercise.â They are essentially a part of âSquad and Setting-up Drill,â and as such they have been treated in several good manuals, especially by Serjeant-Major S. Bertram Brown: A âPractical Guide to Squad and Setting-up Drill, in accordance with the Principles laid down in Part I., Field Exercise of the Army.â Adapted for the use of Recruits, Rifle Volunteers, Militia, Police Force, Schools, and Families: Illustrated with sixty-eight figures, representing each Stick and Club Exercise, Extension Motions, and Sword Exercise Positions. London: Allen and Co., 1871. 2nd Edition.[6] Considered in a wider sense they belong to the Branch of Science so thoroughly developed in âA Military System of Gymnastic Exercises for the Use of Instructors: Adjutant-Generalâs Office, Horse Guards, 1862; Physical Education,â _Clarendon Press Series_, Oxford, 1869; and in âTraining in Theory and Practiceâ (London, Macmillan, 1874), by Archibald MacLaren,[7] whose excellent code for the army, and whose influence with successive war ministers, as some one truly said, have aided largely in introducing that admirable training which is transforming the stiff, slow-moving grenadier of past times into the vigorous, rapid, and enduring soldier of the present day. Squad drill is not likely to make a good swordsman, yet economy of time renders it a necessity. It must be practised first without, then with, weapons, after which those who show unusual capabilities should be taken individually in hand by the master. The latest French system (_Manuel, etc_.) divides the four lessons into two degrees: 1. Preparatory Movements; moulinets and simple attacks and parries. 2. Compound attacks and parries. The formation of the squad is in the usual line, with open order at armâs length from the right or left. The men are then taught the three positions as follows:-- [Illustration: First Position. Second Position. Third Position. In two movements. In two movements. In two movements. ] Â§ 2. _First Position in Two Motions._ _One._--Place the hands smartly behind the back, the left grasping the right arm just above the elbow, and the right similarly supporting the left elbow. _Two._--Make a _half-face right_ by pivoting smartly on both heels, which must be kept close together; the feet at right angles; the left pointing to the front, the face looking towards the opponent, or the right-hand man, and the weight of the body balanced equally upon both haunches and legs. _Second Position in Two Motions_ (Guard). _One._--Bend the knees gradually till they are perpendicular to the instep, keeping the head and body erect, and both feet firm on the ground. The instructor must be careful that the knees do not incline inwards--a general fault. _Two._--Advance the right foot smartly about 20 inches in front of and in line with the right heel, and rest the whole weight of the body upon both haunches and legs.[8] In the second position, that of Guard for the feet, care must be taken that the left foot remains firm on the ground, without shuffling or turning inwards or outwards. Many swordsmen find a better balance when the right heel is on a line with the hollow of the left foot. _Third Position in Two Motions_ (from Guard to Lunge). _One._--Advance the body slightly forward, and bring the right shoulder and knee perpendicular to the point of the right foot. _Two._--Advance the right foot smartly, about 20 inches, or double the distance of No. 2, Second Position (Guard), taking care that the foot does not overhang the instep; extend the left leg with a spring, the left foot remaining true and firm, and the left knee perfectly straight; let the shoulders expand and the body be profiled and slightly inclined forwards, or towards the opponent. This is the position of the legs in the Lunge, and the greatest care must be taken to prevent the recruit learning it in a careless, shuffling way. Above all things he must accustom himself to separate the action into its two composing parts, otherwise the lower limbs will often take precedence of the upper (shoulder, arm, and hand), and the Lunge become worse than useless. When recovering guard the contrary is the case; the left knee must be bent before the right foot is moved, and the latter should exert a slight pressure on the ground; at the same time the body must be drawn backwards, not jerked upwards. These measures of Guard (20 inches) and of Lunge (40 inches) are best fitted for average-sized men; in exceptional cases they must be shortened or lengthened according to the stature and stride of the recruit. The rule for guard is the measure of two foot-lengths; the Lunge doubles that span; and the least vigorous men require the greatest distances. These movements must be learned, first in slow, and afterwards in quick and in double-quick, time; the same may be said of all practice with and without the sword. _Squad attention!_ and _Stand at Ease!_ need hardly be explained. The recruitsâ muscles soon become fatigued by the unusual and monotonous exercise, causing them to remain too long in one position; the easiest way to relieve them is to change front, making the left leg stand on guard and lunge, as a left-handed fencer would do. This double practice is as useful and recommendable in fencing and broadsword play as in bayonet exercise: it gives additional balance to the body, it equalizes the muscular strength of both sides, and it makes the soldier feel that if his right arm be disabled he can still depend upon his left. The word _Steady_ must not be used as a command: it should be a caution given at the completion of any part of a practice with the view of correcting faults. Â§ 3. _Attacking, Advancing, and Retiring._ _Single Attack._--Raise the right foot well off the ground and beat smartly with the whole sole, the greatest force being upon the ball of the foot, and the least upon the heel. _Double Attack._--The same movement made twice. The instructor should carefully avoid the directions of the âInfantry Sword Exercise,â--_first with the heel, then with the flat of the foot_. Nothing jars the leg more than this use of the heel; it is a bad habit to use it for anything but âpivoting.â _Advance._--Smartly advance the right foot about six inches and bring up the left as nearly as possible to the same distance. The soles must just clear the ground, and the toes be kept on a straight line with the knee, and never turned inside or outside. Neglect of the latter precaution leads to a loose, unsteady, and slovenly style which, easily learnt, is hardly to be unlearnt. _Single Attack._--As before. _Retire._--Move the left foot lightly to the rear about six inches, and let the right foot follow it. Recruits are uncommonly apt to âstep short,â and this can be remedied only by making them retire for considerable distances. The weight and balance of the body must be equally distributed on both haunches and legs, not resting upon the left, which can serve only to give cramp. _Double Attack._--As before. _Front._--Resume the position of âAttention.â SECTION II. PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION WITH THE SWORD. Â§ 1. _Explanation and Use of the Target._ The Target prefixed to these pages explains itself. The shape is oblong, the frame measuring 6 feet by 3, and the figure 5 feet 8 inches by 1 foot. As the latter represents the opponent, the centre should be about 4 feet from the ground, the height of the recruitâs breast. Perpendicular to the foot of the figure in each Target a horizontal line is drawn, forming for the feet, the legs, the body, and the arms, the âdirecting lineâ of the scientific schools. At a distance of 10 feet the recruit is placed in the position of âAttention,â with his left heel on the line, so that at the command âFirst Positionâ his right foot may cover it. The parallelogram shows the direction and the numbering of the Cuts, concerning which further details will presently be given. They should be regulated according to the lines described upon the Target; nor should the recruit be practised in any other mode until he has gained the proper direction of the blade. Nothing need be added to the directions of the âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ (pp. 12, 13, 14), as regards the movements subject to the following words of command: much, on the other hand, with great advantage, might be taken away, and the result would be the increased efficiency that results from simplicity. _Draw Swords_ (should be much abridged; after the modern French School, pp. 165, 166: _RÃ¨glement Provisoire_, &c.); _Slope Swords_; _Return Swords_ (should be simplified); _Stand at Ease_; _Attention_; _Prepare for Sword Exercise_; _Right prove Distance_; _Slope Swords_; _Front prove Distance_; and _Slope Swords_. At the order, _Stand on Guard_, the recruit having assumed the Second Position, No. 2, falls on Guard: the pommel of the sword fronts his right breast; the point is directed at his opponentâs right eye; his right arm is extended with an easy bend at the elbow; the wrist is inclined, with the knuckles slightly turned upwards, to his own right, so as to cover him in case of a straight thrust, and the left hand is placed upon the left flank just below the ribs, with the fingers to the front and the thumb to the rear. The several guards (parries) are learned by holding the sword opposite to and in the inclination of the dotted lines which have sword-hilts attached to them; the recruit is thus taught from the Target the angle of the blade and the position of the wrist. The Target directs the recruit _how_ to make the Cuts and to form the Guards, but not exactly _where_; this must depend upon how the opponent acts during the attack and the defence. Cuts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 (odd numbers) are all from Carte, which the âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ calls _Inside_. The corresponding even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) are from Tierce, or _Outside_. The same nomenclature applies to the Guards or parries. When the recruit thoroughly understands the use of the Target he need no longer be practised in front of it; but the instructor (sword in hand) should consider it a sure guide and reference for correctly forming the Guards and for giving a suitable direction to the edge when making the Cuts. Â§ 2. _The Moulinet._[9] This rotation movement should be learnt before the recruit proceeds to the Cut. There is nothing better for âbreaking,â as the French say, the recruitâs wrist than this sweep of the sword; and the style of a swordsman may always be known by his Moulinet. We will divide it into three kinds, viz. (1) horizontal, (2) diagonal, and (3) vertical; the latter again may be either (a) ascending or (b) descending; but as the second (diagonal) is a mere modification of the first and the third, it will be sufficient to notice only two; these are:-- 1st. The horizontal movement, or _Moulinet_ proper, circling the sword round the head. The grip is held as lightly as possible, chiefly with the thumb and the first finger, resting the pommel upon the palm, and carrying the nails upwards. The blade should be moved as horizontally as it can be, with the back just clearing the swordsmanâs crown: it should describe, not a true circle, but an oval with a long diameter in the directing line to the centre of the Target through the heels or ankles of the recruit. Finally, the point should be lanced or thrown out, as it were, towards the opponentâs face. Evidently it may be done in two ways, first, from right to left, which I will call the âTierce Moulinetâ (_Moulinet Ã gauche_); this is by far the easiest and the more habitual, corresponding with Tierce âCounter,â opposition, or describing with the blade a circle round the adversaryâs blade, in the fencing school. The reverse movement (âCarte Moulinet,â _Moulinet Ã droite_), from left to right, requires, like the Counter of Carte, much more practice. In these directions âright and leftâ apply to the right and left of the swordsmanâs wrist. 2nd. In France the term âMoulinetâ is mostly applied to these two rotations of the sword round the head, but we will extend it to all circlings of the point. The vertical form is also made from the hand in Tierce (Outside Guard), the blade is brought sharply round with the back towards the breast and left shoulder, and returns to its original position; we will call this the âInside Moulinet,â having reference to the performer, not the adversary. The âOutside Moulinetâ is when from âTierce or Outside Guardâ the blade passes along the right shoulder, it is simply the former done in the outer line. [Illustration: Horizontal Moulinet.] Again the âInside Moulinet,â which ends with the Cut from above downwards (the French _enlevÃ©_), may be inverted so as to cut from downwards upwards (the _brisÃ©_). The same may be done with the âOutside Moulinet,â when the wrist must be turned upwards, and the Cut given in the ascending line. This difficult movement should be practised in order to ensure a flexible wrist, but it exposes the whole arm. In the four latter âCuts,â the one invariable rule is to circle the point as vertically as possible. The French _Manuel_ (pp. 234, 235) gives: 1, the _enlevÃ©_ cutting from above downwards; and it may be either _Ã gauche_ (Tierce Moulinet) or _Ã droite_ (Carte Moulinet); 2, the Moulinet proper; and 3, the _brisÃ©_, cutting from downwards upwards, thus reversing the _enlevÃ©_; and this also may be done _Ã gauche_ (Tierce Moulinet) or _Ã droite_ (Carte Moulinet). [Illustration: Vertical Moulinet.] The âMoulinetâ should be practised first without, then with, the sword, and on foot, before attempting it on horseback. In the earlier stage the recruit must turn the hand, with the arm nearly extended, in the horizontal and vertical movements, without stiffness and displacement of the elbow. In the second he may, if no Target be procurable, work before a cross chalked on the wall so as to secure horizontality and verticality. Finally, the soldier will combine the two, Tierce and Carte, by passing rapidly from one to the other. Whilst practising the Moulinet the recruit must be taught the two main divisions of the sword-blade. Fencers have introduced an immense complication into this simple matter; and some have proposed eight parts: for broadsword it is sufficient to divide the length. The âFeeble,â or weak half, is that contained between the point and the centre; this, the proper part for the Cut or attack is ground to a thinner edge, and consequently is more liable to an injury from another sword if the Cut be not very true. The âFort,â or strong half, is from the centre to the hilt, and upon this we must rely for defence. A few hoursâ practice and a few pressings upon the different parts of the blade under the surveillance of the instructor will teach the recruit the high importance of this lesson. He will learn that in opposing the adversaryâs sword the strength of the defence decreases from the hilt upwards in proportion as the Cut is received towards the point; and that, _vice versÃ¢_, it increases from the point downwards to the hand. The strongest man cannot âforce inâ the opponentâs Guard if the Cut or Thrust be received upon the part near the handle. With a true Guard the ordinary fencing foil can turn off the thrust of a musket and bayonet weighing 10 lbs. The practised swordsman always attempts, when attacking, to gain with his âFortâ the âFeebleâ of the opponentâs weapon, in which case the superior leverage will often beat down the parry; and this manÅuvre should be carefully practised by men of superior muscular strength. The Cuts must, as a rule, be delivered within eight inches of the point and at the âcentre of percussion,â[10] so that the sword may clear itself and the arm escape a âjar.â The two virtues of the Cut are its trueness and its velocity. Unless true it will become a blow with the flat that would shiver to pieces any brittle Eastern blade. Assuming the _vis viva_ or force of a moving body to be its weight multiplied by the square of the velocity, let us suppose a strong man cutting with a sword weighing 4 lbs., to which he can give a velocity which we will call 1, or 4 Ã 1 = 4: a weaker man who applies double the velocity to a 2 lb. sword will thus produce a momentum of 8, doubling the force of the blow. But let the stronger man take the lighter sword, evidently he will obtain a higher velocity, which we will assume at 3: in this case the effect will be 18. Thus the power of the Cut is enormously increased by increased velocity, but much less by increased weight in the moving body. Â§ 3. _The Cuts._ The Target prefixed to the âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ gives Seven Cuts, an insufficient number. The German systems add an eighth blow perpendicularly upwards, when the whole of the swordsmanâs arm from wrist to shoulder would be completely at the opponentâs mercy. The French _Manuel_ has only seven, viz. the _Coup de TÃªte_; 2, the _Coup de Banderole_; 3, the _Coup de Figure Ã droite_; 4, the _Coup de Figure Ã gauche_; 5, the _Coup de Flanc_; 6, the _Coup de Ventre_; and 7, the _Coup de Manchette_. [Illustration: German System.] The subjoined diagram shows the Twelve Cuts[11] which serve to âloosenâ the rigid arm of the recruit. [Illustration: The Twelve Cuts (shown by the thick strokes), the dotted lines denoting the course of the blade in âMoulinetâ, or rather in âSemi-Moulinet.â CARTE. TIERCE. Cut 1. Cut 2 (Head Cuts). Cut 3. Cut 4 (Face Cuts). Cut 5. Cut 6 (Shoulder Cuts). Cut 7. Cut 8 (Breast Cuts). Cut 9. Cut 10 (Stomach Cuts). Cut 11. Cut 12 (Groin and Thigh Cuts). ] The figure represents the opponent; the thick lines show the direction of the edge when cutting; and the dotted continuations denote the course of the blade when describing the several âMoulinets.â The Cuts should be continuous, the regular succession always beginning from Carte or the Inside, that is, from the rear of the left shoulder. As in the âMoulinet,â the less the arm is bent and the sword-hand is moved from the line of direction (to the front), the greater is the value of the movement. The recruit, who must walk before he runs, should deliver the whole dozen in continuous sweep without pause, but at first very slowly, till, by the proper and timely use of the wrist, the Cuts lead into one another. The more advanced swordsman, whose pliability of strength is free from contractions and other vicious habits, should practise the series of twelve with increased rapidity till the blade whistles through the air. All the Cuts should be given strong, with the edge leading well forwards and with the arm extended to its utmost in the delivery. The following are the Twelve Cuts:-- I. and II. These Cuts are made, after falling into Tierce or Outside Guard, from above downwards at the opponentâs head. In No. I. the point, beginning as usual from the left shoulder (Carte), describes a full circle (âInside Moulinet,â the _brisÃ© Ã gauche_ of the French _Manuel_), the hand moving as little as possible so as to cover the body; the knuckles turned up and the blade passing close to the breast: it finishes by delivering a vertical Cut, with the âFeebleâ close to the point, at the right half of the adversaryâs crown. No. II., which follows without interruption, reverses the process; the knuckles are turned down and the blade sweeps past the right shoulder (_brisÃ© Ã droite_); ending with the left half of the opponentâs head. The latter Cut is by far the more difficult to make without moving the hand, but it is good practice for âbreakingâ the wrist. III. and IV. The horizontal face-cuts, also beginning from the left (Carte), an invariable rule, and ending with the right, that is, at the adversaryâs left cheek. The reason of this practice is to make the movement habitual to the recruit; cutting from left to right always causes less exposure of the inner wrist than cutting from right to left. V. and VI. The slanting shoulder-cuts, also from above downwards (Nos. 1 and 2, or rather 2 and 1, of the âInfantry Sword Exercise,â pp. 14, 17, and the _Coups de Banderole_ of the _Manuel_); describing two diagonal Moulinets, first from left to right, and then from right to left. The sword again makes a double âMoulinetâ with the edge downwards, and descends first upon the opponentâs right and then upon his left shoulder. VII. and VIII. The horizontal breast-cuts, parallel with the face-cuts, and, like them, delivered with the blade as horizontal as possible. IX. and X. The horizontal stomach-cuts, parallel with, and lower than, the breast-cuts. XI. and XII. The slanting groin or thigh-cuts, diagonally from downwards upwards; in fact, the reverse of the shoulder-cuts (Nos. 4 and 3 of the âExercise,â and the _brisÃ©s_ of the _Manuel_). In these diagonal Moulinets, the elbow must not be bent; the hand should deviate as little as possible from the directing line under pain of dangerous exposure; and the two movements should follow each other without a break. Whenever the recruit fails to carry the edge well forward in making the attack, he should be practised slowly and repeatedly in combining the opposites, as Head-cut (No. 1) and Thigh-cut (No. 12), Head-cut (No. 2) and Thigh-cut (No. 11), and so forth. The instructor must see that the edge leads on to the respective lines of the Target, the point being darted out at the end of each cut. The Cuts will be practised first in No. 2 âSecond Positionâ (Guard), and afterwards in No. 2 âThird Positionâ (Lunge). [Illustration: Prime, or Hanging Guard.] Â§ 4. _The Engaging Guards, or Engagements._ As the âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ has a deficiency of Cuts, so it has a superfluity of âEngaging Guards.â I have already expressed my opinion concerning the Guard (p. 18 of 1874) popularly called the âHanging Guard.â Even with the best position, the head erect and the eyes looking straight and not upwards, it is utterly faulty; it displaces the arm and the sword, and, as no serious attack can be made directly from it, it necessitates a movement entailing a considerable amount of exposure. It is now chiefly confined to studentsâ duels with the German SchlÃ¤ger, wherein slitting the opposing nose, which can be done with a mere jerk upwards, is the swordsmanâs highest aim and ambition. The âEngaging Guardsâ are thus reduced to the two following:-- Tierce (or outside) Guard; defending the outer lines, arm, shoulder, back, and flank. The recruit having assumed the âSecond Positionâ (No. 2), brings the pommel of his sword to the centre of his right breast; opposes the point to the adversaryâs right eye; extends his right arm with an easy bend of the elbow; inclines the wrist with the knuckles upwards to his own right, so as to cover himself in case of a straight thrust, and places his left hand upon his left flank with the fingers to the front and the thumb to the rear. In Tierce of course the edge of the sword is to the right or outside. [Illustration: Engaging Guard in Tierce (Outside).] Carte (or Inside) Guard. This movement defends the inner lines, chest and stomach; the knuckles are turned down; the opposition is made to the left, and the edge is carried in the same direction. [Illustration: Engaging Guard in Carte (Inside).] When engaging in guard (joining weapons), the swords should meet each other about eight inches from the points. If the distance is diminished the opponents are âout of measureâ (or distance); if increased, they are âwithin measure.â The recruit must be taught slightly to press upon the opponentâs blade, but not to rest upon it; by this âoppositionâ his hand and wrist will be more ready to follow the weapon during the attack. Thus also the âEngaging Guards,â Tierce, and Carte (outside and inside) afford protection preparatory to the movements for offence and defence. The eye must be fixed upon the eye and the hand or the blade-point of the opponent, not upon the eye only. Guard may be partly defensive when the bust is advanced and the point approaches the opponent, or it may be purely protective when its sole object is the âparry.â The right-handed recruit must be taught always to attempt Engaging in Tierce,[12] with his opponentâs blade in the outer line (_sur les armes_). The reason is simply that in the reverse position (_dans les armes_), the fore-arm, from the elbow to the wrist, is comparatively unguarded; whereas Tierce facilitates the defence of the âlow linesâ (i. e. those below the wrist). Tierce therefore has invariably the advantage with the sabre, as Carte carries off the palm with the small-sword, the foil, and the rapier.[13] But the right-handed man engaging in Tierce puts his left-handed opponent in Carte; and the latter, if a skilful sworder, will manÅuvre, by withdrawing his blade, by coupÃ©s or degagements over the point, and by other feints, to regain the ground of vantage. The best treatment of this case is to make a time-cut in Seconde (âinner Moulinet,â or _brisÃ© Ã gauche_) at the adversaryâs knuckles, a movement which will presently be explained. Â§ 5. _The Guards or Parries._[14] The âInfantry Sword Exerciseâ proposes Seven Guards, a number which can hardly be reduced for practice on the drill-ground or in the schools: the _Manuel_ contains the same number, including one for the Point. But of the seven no less than five are âHanging Guards,â and Nos. 3 and 4 serve only to defend the inside and the outside of the advanced leg. This limb requires no assistance of the kind: an able swordsman never exposes his head and shoulders by cutting so low, and, if he does, the leg can be smartly withdrawn (_parade retrograde_, or _en Ã©chappant_), rendering the attack not only useless but dangerous to the assailant. Even in fencing, âlow thrusts,â that is, at the body below the wrist, are never made, for fear of the âTimeâ being taken, until the upper line has been closed by a feint. In our Single-stick practice the first thought seems to be to attack the advanced leg--which may be well enough for Single-stick. [Illustration: Lunge and Cut in Carte (Inside).] The following are the full number of guards or parries in which the edge must invariably be used: they are evidently dividable into two; (1) Head (with face) Guards, and (2) Body Guards:-- I. Prime (p. 38), so called because it is the âfirstâ position of defence after drawing the blade, that which the unpractised man would naturally assume to defend his head. It is the 7th Guard of the âInfantry Sword Exercise.â In practice the point is more inclined to the horizontal line than when the blade is unsheathed; the edge is carried somewhat inside or to the left; the arm is shortened and so raised that the eyes look under it, but the head remains upright. The recruit must be careful _not_ to âbend the body;â _not_ to âdraw in the chest and neck;â and _not_ to âbring the left shoulder a little forward.â The defect of Prime is its being a âHanging guard,â rendering the riposte or reply difficult, and modern practice prefers âHigh Tierce.â II. Seconde (4th Guard), so termed because following Prime: the arm is extended, the edge is carried to the outside or to the right; in practice the hilt is lowered, and the point, threatening the opponentâs loins, is depressed to the half of a right angle. This position must be learned for the sake of feinting: as a parade it is not much used, because it defends only the hip and leg, and a good swordsman will never expose himself to exceeding danger by making low cuts. Modern practice prefers âlow Tierce.â III. Tierce (2nd Guard) has been described (p. 39) under âStanding on Guardâ and âEngaging Guards;â it defends the outer lines, arm, shoulder, and back. IV. High Tierce is a head-guard: the hand is raised to above the shoulder to the maximum level of the swordsmanâs right eye, and the blade is carried at an angle of 45Â° with the edge up and the point to the left. V. Low Tierce is a flank-guard; the arm is shortened, the hand is depressed six inches; the opposition is to the outside, and the point is held vertically or almost vertically, as the attack demands. VI. Carte (1st Guard) has been described (p. 40) under âEngaging Guards,â as defending the inner lines, chest and stomach. For the purposes of parrying, the arm is withdrawn till the elbow, almost touching the belt, forms an equilateral triangle with the hilt and the left side. VII. High Carte is a head-guard like high Tierce: the hand is raised to the left of the left eye, and the blade, crossing the face at an angle of 45Â°, carries the edge up, and the point to the right. VIII. Low Carte is a stomach guard. As in Low Tierce the arm is shortened, the hand is depressed six inches; the opposition is to the inside, and the point is held vertically or almost vertically, as the attack demands. In practice the advanced swordsman will confine himself to Tierce and Carte with their natural modifications. He will consult his own feelings about the head-guard, abolishing Prime in favour of High Tierce or High Carte, and he will prefer Low Tierce or withdrawing the leg (_rassemblement_) to using Seconde. Of these movements the simplest are always the best. When parrying, the sword-arm must invariably be drawn for defence nearer the body, and the grip should be sensibly tightened to receive the cut. No strength is necessary when making the parries: I cannot accept the âSforziâ or guard-forcings of the neo-Italian broadsword school, dry blows upon the blade, which, intended to disarm, are essentially dangerous. The Guards or Parries will be practised like the Cuts, first in the âSecond Positionâ (Guard), and afterwards in the âThird Positionâ (Lunge). SECTION III. THE MANCHETTE OR FORE-ARM PLAY. Â§ 1. _Preliminary._ The recruit is now sufficiently advanced to begin the system of Manchette, which, as it is the most valuable part of sword-drill, has been practised the least, and should be practised the most. A swordsman thoroughly trained in this section does not allow the opponent to deliver a cut. It is certain that hand and wrist, short-arm and elbow, are capable of as many different attacks and defences as the whole body: these are the parts most prominent, most exposed, and consequently most readily made the _point de mire_. Yet this true and simple secret of the broadsword has been universally neglected, or rather not worked out: in England we content ourselves with the parades technically called _retrogrades_, that is, withdrawing the limb from the assault, by shortening the arm and, sometimes, by retiring the right foot either near to, or up to, or behind the left heel: even this evasion which cannot expect to pass for a Guard, is not described nor figured in the official âInfantry Sword Exercise.â[15] In France, and even in Italy where most subjects are exhaustively treated, Manchette is dismissed with a few careless words. The _Manuel_ gives to the _Coup de Manchette_ only these few lines: â_ExÃ©cuter un enlevÃ©_ (vertical Moulinet from above downwards) _en arriÃ¨re Ã droite, et arrÃªter le sabre vis-Ã -vis le milieu du Corps, le tranchant en dessus, le poule lÃ©gÃ¨rement Ã droite; diriger lâenlevÃ© de maniÃ¨re Ã empÃªcher en arrÃªtant lâavant bras, lâexÃ©cution dâun coup de tÃªte_.â Capitano Settimo del Frate (p. 50, _Istruzione sul Maneggio e Scherma della Sciabola_) in one of the latest works on swordsmanship contents himself with the following desultory observations: âManchettâ (_sic_) âcan attack the fore-arm either above or below, according as the opponent gives an opening. âManchett is generally used against an adversary whose guard is defective. By merely extending the arm with a turn of the wrist, this attack may readily succeed should the opponent neglect to provide against it. âOne of the most dangerous guards against Manchett is Tierce; the surest is High Seconde, which indeed is also the best parry adapted to this system of attack.â The first member of the last paragraph is sensible; the second is thoroughly fallacious. As has been stated, the right-handed man must always
{'title': 'A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry by Sir Richard Francis Burton', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}