The Arm

As a motive power for offense of defense, it would be a mere waste of our time as well as that of our readers, were we to expatiate upon the propriety of the heading to these pages. The arm is literally the principal motive power physically given to man for offense and defense. This is self evident. Who, possessing the ordinary instinct of pugnacity common to humanity, ever received a blow that did not at once acknowledge the favor by 'hitting out' straight from the shoulder? Who that is about to receive one, does not instinctively place himself as rapidly as possible in the best natural position to ward it off?

Whether a man is of an extremely bellicose disposition or othewise, the disposition to return or parry a blow is instinctive and cannot be wanting in his normal condition.

With or without a weapon, it may be considered invaluable. To the honor of the Anglo-Saxon blood, let it be said that the tendency to use a weapon is rarely evinced, either by the American or Englishman, save the cause of quarrel be one which blood alone can wipe out, or there is such a manifest disparity in age or physical strength between the parties as to render such a trial of the question between them in its results, a prejudged certainty.

Let me then indicate to my readers the best manner in which they can employ the original weapons of defense which they inherit from their primary progenitor, Old Adam.

To administer a blow with sharp and telling effect, it is absolutely necessary that you should be precise and clean in your delivery; otherwise, instead of injuring your opponent, you are liable to disable yourself. This must, as a necessary consequence, render you liable to defeat, even though you may be infinitely stronger than your adversary. To avoid this, your first attention should be given to the position of your arms. They should invariably be disposed in an easy attitude, (which, because it is easy, is certain to be graceful,) as ready to repel an attack efficiently, as to retaliate upon, by assailing, your adversary.

The position of the arms, will, however, have to be varied according to your own capabilities. No specific or invariable rule can be given which is applicable to every kind of figure, disposition, or weight.

There are perhaps in the world no two pugilists whose position is precisely alike when they spar or right. As no two poets treating the same subject would deliver themselves of the same numbers-as no two painters when embodying the same subject could treat it in perfectly the same manner, and as no two men possess exactly the same lineaments-so it is almost an impossibility for two pugilists to take exactly the same attitude, however nearly the physical conformation of one man may approach the other. However, while we state this, there are rules without the observance of which neither the poet nor painter can do anything worth looking at. So there are rules for the position of the arms, which you would do well to attend to, if you intend covering yourself or punishing your opponent. Should there by any chance or ignorance be unobserved, the unavoidable certainty would be that your frontispiece would be so elaborately ornamented by your assailant, or at all events your body would be so cruelly punished, that you might find it extremely unpleasant to be visible to your friends for the ensuing two or three weeks. Under these circumstances you may in all probability find it as well as not to attend to them.

In the first place, the hand should be properly closed, or, as the phrase is, the fist should be properly made up. This is a matter of much importance and will require practice. The fingers should be clenched (not too tightly,) and the thumb so doubled down outside of them that when the arm is in proper position for

In the next place your left arm should be extended at about two thirds of its whole length and the extremity of the arm should range just below the level of your shoulder. The back of the hand should be turned downward, but at the same time the hand should be slightly turned upward from the wrist. By this postition the back of your knuckles will be thrown exactly upon a line with the face of your opponent.

The advantage of this position of the left arm, is self evident, and nothing could well be easier or less fatiguing, and while its powerful propelling muscle is scarcely in full tension, it is capable of complete and prompt exertion at any monent for offense or defense.

Secondly, your right arm should be extended across your body, your finger knuckles touching the nipple of the left breast. This must necessarily bring the knuckles of the back of your hand immediately towards your adversary's face.

This position is even easier than that of the left arm while its advantages are precisely the same. In each of them your elbows should be evenly squared, so that when either arm is put in motion, it will just clear the body either in drawing back or advancing.

Thirdly, when you are sparring you deliver or push out each arm alternately, throwing out the one arm, as you recover or draw back the other, so that when the one arm is out from the body, ready to repel or attach, the other is quietly at rest, prompt to seize upon a chance for any mischief which may court attention.

In laying down these for the position of the arms, we have expressed ourselves in the simplest manner possible. Brevity is said to be the soul of wit. Whether it is or not, this we do know, that while teaching the science of sparring, we have invariably found that brevity of explanation and immediate practical exemplification were the surest means of giving the pupil an accurate idea of that which is absolutely necessary. Here, of course, practical exemplifaction (sometimes it must be owned practically unpleasant to the pupil) is impossible, but by a reference to the figures given with the above rules, it will however be almost as easy for the wililng learner to acquire thoroughly the elementary principles of the right position of the arms, when they are intended to be employed, either as a means of attack, or as a mode of defense.

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