“Exécuter alternativement et sans s’arrêter sur aucun mouvement, le Moulinet à droite et le Moulinet à gauche.” “_À droite et à gauche_ = MOULINET.” 5. “_En arrière Moulinet_ (1 temps, 2 mouvements). À la dernière partie du commandement, qui est MOULINET, élever le bras en arrière à droite de toute sa longueur, la pointe du sabre en l’air, le tranchant à droite, le pouce allongé sur le dos de la poignée, le corps légèrement tourné à droite.” “Décrire un circle en arrière de gauche à droite, le poignet éloigné du corps le plus possible, et se remettre en garde.” “En arrière = MOULINET.” “Les cavaliers, exécutant bien les Moulinets, on leur en fait faire plusieurs de suite, en faisant précéder cet exercice de l’indication; _les Moulinets continueront jusq’au commandement_: EN GARDE. “Les Moulinets ayant pour objet d’assouplir les articulations du bras et du poignet, il faut que les cavaliers y soient exercés comme préparation aux autres mouvements; on commence et on finit donc chaque leçon par des Moulinets exécutés à un degré de vitesse proportionné aux progrès des cavaliers.” [10] In the Regulation sword the “centre of percussion” is about one-third from the point; here there is no vibration, and consequently the Cut exercises its whole force. The “centre of gravity” is in the third nearest the hilt, and the “balance” of the sword results from the relative positions of the two centres. In light swords these points may be farther apart than in heavy blades; they should be closer in straight than in curved swords, and nearer in thrusting than in cutting weapons. [11] The following are the five principal ways of cutting:-- 1. The Chopping or Downright Cut, from the shoulder and fore-arm. This appears to be the instinctive method preserved by Europe; most men who take up a sword for the first time use it in this way. 2. The Sliding Cut, common throughout the East. In this movement the elbow and wrist are held stiff and the blow is given from the strong muscles of the back and shoulder, nearly ten times larger than the muscles of the arm, while the whole force and weight of the body are thrown in. Hence the people of India use small hilts with mere crutch-guards, which confine the hand and prevent the play of the wrist; the larger grip required for the Chopping Cut only lessens the cutting force. The terrible effect of these cuts is well known. 3. The Thrust Cut, with the curved (“Damascus”) blade; a combination of point and edge, the latter being obliquely thrust forward and along the body aimed at. This movement is a favourite on horseback, when speed supplies the necessary force, which can hardly be applied on foot. It must be parried like a Point. 4. The Whip Cut; in which the arm and elbow are kept almost motionless, and the blow is delivered from the wrist. This is the principal Cut allowed in my system; it is capable of sufficient effect upon the opponent whilst it does not uncover the swordsman who uses it.