due to their Sovereigns; and of all Arms, the Sword is
probably the most ancient: It is honourable and useful, and upon
Occasion, causes a greater Acquisition of Glory than any other: It is
likewise worn by Kings and Princes, as an Ornament to Majesty and
Grandeur, and a Mark of their Courage, and distinguishes the Nobility
from the lower Rank of Men.

It is the most useful, having the Advantage of Fire Arms, in that it is
as well defensive as offensive, whereas they carry no Defence with them;
and it is far preferable to Pikes and other long Weapons, not only
because it is more weildy and easy of Carriage, but also by reason of
the Perfection to which Art has brought the Use of the Small Sword;
there being no Exercise that conduces so much as Fencing, to strengthen
and supple the Parts, and to give the Body an easy and graceful
Appearance.

The Sword, since it's first Invention, has been used in different
Manners: First, with a Shield or Buckler; Secondly, with a Helmet, and
Thirdly, with a Dagger, which is still used in _Spain_ and _Italy_. Mr.
_Patinotris_, who taught at _Rome_, introduced, and laid down Rules for
the Use of the Small Sword alone, which has since been much improved by
the _French_ and our Nations.

As the Art of Fencing consists in attacking and defending with the
Sword, it is necessary that every Motion and Situation tend to these two
principal Points, _viz._ In offending to be defended, and in defending
to be in an immediate Condition to offend.

There is no Guard but has it's Thrust, and no Thrust without it's
Parade, no Parade without it's Feint, no Feint without it's opposite
Time or Motion, no opposite Time or Motion but has it's Counter, and
there is even a Counter to that Counter.

Some injudicious Persons have objected to Mr. _L'abbat's_ Manner of
Fencing, that it is too beautiful and nice, without observing that if it
be beautiful, it cannot be dangerous, Beauty consisting in Rule, and
Rule in the Safety of attacking and defending.

In Fencing, there are five Figures of the Wrist, _viz._ _Prime_,
_Seconde_, _Tierce_, _Quart_, and _Quinte_. The first is of very little
Use, and the last of none at all.

Prime is the Figure that the Wrist is in, in drawing the Sword.
_Seconde_ and _Tierce_ require one and the same Figure of the Wrist,
with this Difference only, that in _Seconde_, the Wrist must be raised
higher, in order to oppose the Adversary's Sword; but in both these
Thrusts the T