art of making a proper use of the sword, as well for attacking an enemy as for defending one's self.

This art is acquired by practising with foils, called in Latin rudes; whence fencing is also denominated gladiatura rudaria.—It is one of the exercises learnt in the academies (see Exercise and Academy); and is an accomplishment both agreeable and useful:—Agreeable, as it affords gentlemen a noble and distinguished amusement:—Useful, as it forms their body; and furnishes them with the faculty of defence, whether it be of their honour or their life, when the one or the other is attacked by those turbulent and dangerous persons whose correction is of service to society in general.

Pyrrad assures us, that the art of fencing is so highly esteemed in the East-Indies, that none but princes and noblemen are allowed to teach it. They wear a badge or cognizance on their right arms, called in their language efaru; which is put on with great ceremony, like the badges of our orders of knighthood, by the kings themselves.

Fencing is divided into two parts, simple and compound.

Simple is that performed directly and nimbly, on the same line; and is either offensive or defensive.—The principal object of the first, is whatever may be attempted, in pushing or making passes, from this or that point, to the most uncovered part of the enemy. The second consists in parrying and repelling the thrusts aimed by the enemy.

The compound includes all the possible arts and inventions to deceive the enemy, and make him leave that part we have a design on bare and unguarded, upon finding we cannot come at it by force, nor by the agility of the simple play. The principal means hereof are, on the offensive side, feints, appeals, clashings, and entanglements of swords, half-thrusts, &c.; and, on the defensive, to push in parrying. Of all which a detail would be here useless, as they are only to be understood and acquired from personal instructions conjoined with practice.