Foils are of two kinds, for lessons and for assaults. The first should be used by beginners, as from their flexibility accidents are less likely to occur, and as the stiffness of the latter would be apt to give to the hand a rigidity injurious to light and ready movement.

The foil for lessons is a flat blade, about 31 inches long, (measuring from shoulder to point,) and should, when bent, curve at least three-fourths of its length from the button. A blade that begins to bend at the middle is badly made, there being too much metal in the feeble, (18); it is consequently not balanced, and would be weighty in the hand. A good blade is strong at the shoulder, and tapers gradually from it to the point.

As the stiffness of the foil for assaults is objectionable in lessons, so the flexibility of the flat blade or foil for lessons renders it unfit for as­saults. The foil for assaults is a square blade, about 32 inches long, tapering from shoulder to point, and should, when bent, curve its whole length, A certain degree of stiffness and temper is requisite: if too soft, it will be rendered more so in the process of mounting, and would become altogether useless in two or three assaults; if too hard, it is apt to be brittle, and accidents may happen. A brittle blade, however, that pleases in other respects, may be reduced to a proper temper by heat­ing it a little, and allowing it to cool gradually. Practice will soon enable one to distinguish a well made and balanced blade.

In purchasing a blade, first measure the length, then pass the eye along each of the four sides to detect flaws, if any, then placing the point on the ground, bear the hand down a little and gradually, observing the curve. Be careful not to lower the hand too much and suddenly, as the strain will be thrown upon the feeble, and the blade may break.

The gripe should be about four and seven-tenths inches long, and its section a rectangle, (because if rounded it would be liable to turn in the hand,) and of uniform thickness from end to end. A gripe, whose section is rectangular, is easily held with­out unnecessary compression of the fingers, and allows them free play. The thickness will depend somewhat upon the size of the hand; it is ordinarily two and six-tenths inches in perimeter. It should fill the hand without injuring the grasp.

FENCING WITH THE SMALL SWORD, ARRANGED FOR INSTRUCTION IN SQUADS OR CLASSES,

BY

BREVET MAJOR H. C. WAYNE,
U.S. ARMY,
LATE DIRECTOR OF THE SWORD EXERCISE
IN THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON:PRINTED BY GIDEON AND CO., 1849.

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Alas, poor Brevet Major Wayne; his lateness finally caught up with him, and he could not riposte.

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