Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/836

 8o8 1 -7 '^1 't^ Ife-'^^rl WOMAN'S RECREATIONS I aa nnda a n fl— aJ This section of Every Woman's Encyclopedia gives instruction and practical information on every kind of recreation. 7'Ae Chief Authorities on all such subjects have been consulted, and will contribute exhaustive articles every fortnight, so that when the Encyclopedia is completed, the section will form a standard reference library on woman's recreation. Sports Hobbies Pastimes Golf Photography Card Games Iaiwh Tennis Chip Carving Palmistry Hunting Bent Iron Work Fortune Telling by Cards Winter Sports Painting on Satin Holidays Hasket Ball Painting on Pottery Caravanning Archery Poker Work Campin9 Motoring Fretxvork Travelling Rowing, etc. Cane Basket Work, etc. | Cycling, etc., etc. FEMCING FOR. WOMEM An Enjoyable and Healthy Recreation, not too difficult to acquire— Beneficial Effects of Fencing— The Necessary Equipment — How to Hold the Foil Qf late years fencing for women has been steadily growing in popularity, and for those who have time to practise the art, few more suitable exercises could be recommended. To become an expert in the use of the foils the expenditure of a great deal of time is necessary ; but very fair proficiency may be gained, quite suf- ficient to make the exercise most enjoy- able, and plenty of phy-sical training ac- quired by giving to foil plav no more of one's leisure than would be devoted to some other recreation. The training is par- ticularly beneficial if the fencer learns to use her left arm equally with the right. To this latter it is a pity that many fencers do not devote more at- tention, for the ex- clusive use of the right arm is liable to bring about an inequality of development, which does not make for the highest expression of womanly grace and beauty of figure. Correct position A special equipment is necessary, and in no circumstances should fencing practice take place, even in fun, without this equip- ment being donned. Although this will generally be available at the school of arms or gymnasium, the fencer may desire to have it as her own property. The necessary costume will, of course, be her own. This con- sists of a closely-fitting shirt or upper garment, knickerbockers, fasten- ing below the knee (fencing in long skirts is an impossibility), with a short, light skirt above, stockings and shoes. If the last have felt soles they will be improved. Their cost would be abouthalf-a-sovereign. The equipment is a little expensive, but its wear will extend over a lengthy period. A wire mask is impera- tive, to save the face from all fear of injury, the eyes in particular. When purchasing, test the soundness of the wire meshing for possible flaws or for the "Salute" ~^"V and General Illus. Co. I!