3-065-592 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Early Lessons," by V. W. Bromley, Winter Exhibition of the Society of British Artists, 1874. Engraving of a painting. 'In the "good old times," to which this pleasantly-conceived and cleverly-executed picture, by Mr. Valentine W. Bromley, carries us back, youth were taught some things which have almost dropped out of the modern curriculum of education, physical or mental. Foremost among these was the art of fencing. When every gentleman carried a sword, it was necessary to know how to use it...Be it remembered also that the rapier was the sword in general use - a weapon to be master of which demands long training of eye, and hand, and foot, and a development of the flexor and extensor muscles of the whole frame, so as to command the utmost agility combined with power. The elements of fencing seem simple enough, yet nothing but the severest training will render anyone a master of the subtleties of carte and tierce, feint, and thrust and parry; so, as we see in this picture of the old retainer playfully engaged with his little master, the lessons in this "noble art" had to be commenced early. The little fellow is heir, perhaps, of a great house, and the "early lessons" may be of service on many romantic occasions by-and-by'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.