Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 edition. Excerpt: ... SEC. IX. General Observations on the Simple Parades. THE parades which we have noticed, viz. Carte, Tierce, Circle, Octave, Prime, and Seconde, are six. They are called Simple Parades, in order to distinguish them from the Counter Parades. Although I have recommended that the simple parades should generally be formed with the arm bent, it must be observed, that there may happen situations in the assault wherein it is necessary to parry with the arm a little extended; but this depends entirely, as I have said before, on the distance of your adversary's sword from your body. Observe however, that it should be an invariable principle, In whatever situation you find yourself in the assault, when you have occasion to parry, to command the feeble of your adversary's sword with the fort of yours. You will, then, find that if very seldom happens to be necessary to parry otherwise than.as above directed; for if you are both at the proper distance to reach each other, and your antagonist thrusts at you (which it is not probable he will do without being near enough), it is certain that, to join the feeble of his blade with your's, you must bend your arm, on account of his point being close to the side of your body. I know some persons may remark that, by this mode of parrying, your fencing must become very " ungraceful'" but it should be understood that I am speaking of its real utility alone, to avoid being hit, and not of the " graces." Yet I will venture to affirm that, although it may not have, what is tealled, o, graceful appearance, it is very far from being inelegant.J, u'! r '. ' ir: L. '.'t Observe, that, at' all times, when you parry, you must endeavour to keep the point of the foil as near to your adversary's body as possible, ...
