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General Advice,

given by a very eminent fencer and excellent teacher, cannot fail to be of use:- "Do not put yourself on the position of the guard within the reach of your adversary's thrust, especially at the time of drawing your sword. "If you are much inferior make no long assaults. "Do nothing that is useless; every movement should tend to your advantage. "Let your movements be made as much within the line of your adversary's body as possible. "Endeavour both to discover your adversary's designs, and to conceal your own. "Two skilful men, acting together, fight more with their heads than their hands. "The smaller you can make the movements with your foil, the quicker will your point arrive at your point arrive at your adversary's body. "Do not endeavour to give many thrusts on the longe, thus running the risk of receiving one in the interim. "If your adversary drops his foil by accident, or in colsequence of a smart parade of yours, you should immediately pick it up, and present it to him politely. "Always join blades (if possible) previously to another attack, after a hit is given."