PARISIANA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1926, Page 38

PARISIANA.

(By GEORGE CECIL.) In the pugnacious days of yesteryear many active Parisiennee learned to fence, principally that slights might be avenged. The war putting a stop to thrusting anad guarding, ladies occupied themselves in a more graceful manner, and only now have they again turned their attention to l'escrime. The fencers do not, however, use the foil of the past; the basket-hilted ash-plant (imported from hated England) has taken its place. Mothers (provided their joints, like Father William's, remain supple) and muscular—but not ungraceful—daughters engage in friendly combat. Masked and padded, and well gauntletted, they hammer away at each other.

THE FENCING "PARISIENNE."

In the pugnacious days of yesteryear many active Parisiennes learned to fence, principally that slights might be avenged. The war putting a stop to thrusting anad guarding, ladies occupied themselves in a more graceful manner, and only now have they again turned their attention to l'escrime. The fencers do not, however, use the foil of the past; the basket-hilted ash-plant (imported from hated England) has taken its place. Mothers (provided their joints, like Father William's, remain supple) and muscular—but not ungraceful—daughters engage in friendly combat. Masked and padded, and well gauntletted, they hammer away at each other. No hitting below the waistline is permitted. An awkward opponent may, in changing her ground, slip and present a tempting and boldly-defined target — one upon which a skilful blow is bound to make a lasting impression. A curving thigh also is taboo; a fleshy calf is out of bounds; even the gentlest tap is not permitted. And neglect to -observe these stringent regulations lately resulted in two fencers having a most determined set-to. For Theresc, a lovely and shapely' actress, caught Mimi, a plump and much-sought-after musichall performer, a whack on the funnybone. "Fight fair!" yelled Mimi, writhing in pain. "I did," retaliated Therese. "Now I won't!" And with a dexterous swish the fierce tragedienne got in one on the target of which mention has so delicately been made. The music-hall star, using an expression which your blushing scribe cannot bring himself to pen, and hurling her weapon at the other lady's head, fled to the dressing-room, loudly calling for port wine and soothing ointment. The representative of the higher drama laughed heartlessly. And the result? Both are on the point of being expelled with ignominy from the fencing club—Mimi for her improper language, Therese for having broken a rule, s Meanwhile all Paris flocks to see them at their respective theatres, and with, renewed interest. For details of the rumpus have been bruited abroad. Playgoers are agog with excitement. Paris Sportsman Defends Prince of Wales. The other day, at a meet of the point-to-point riders, a very young gentleman, who had swallowed two large glasses of heartening cherry brandy, observed (in the vernacular) that the Prihce of Wales' seat on a horse was "the limit." An elderly sportsman, who has ridden to hounds with the Prince, reproved the youth, administering a well - deserved rebuke. "His Royal Highness has never fallen off his horse," quoth the aged corrector of youth. "When the mount fails to clear a fence, or pecks on landing, the rider is, more or less, bound to come down, the laws of equilibrium demanding a dissolution of partnerships. Those who, like myself, have seen H.R.H. in the first flight, are well aware that he has a good, workmanlike seat." The subject, has been taken up by the sporting Press, some writers arguing that the Prince keeps his feet too far forward when the horse is about to land, while others consider that he knows what best suits him. But all praise His Royal Highness' pluck. "Flcg the Rascals." When the French Republic was constituted, the powers that be decided that flogging should be done away with. "Corporal punishment, that barbarous relic of the middle ages, is unworthy of a civilised nation!" said a thoughful senator of the period, and everybody — especially those who merited the rod — agreed with the humanitarian. But a recrudescence of crime, especially of robbery with violence,, has set the authorities a problem. For Devil's Island apparently does not frighten the unrighteous, though it must be admitted that, soon after landing there, each convict attempts to escape at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile, the Government, having learned that flogging has rendered the British housebreaker comparatively gentle in his methods, contemplates reviving the cat-o'-nine tails. The "Apaches" and other lawless persons have been all of-a-tremble since reading in the newspaper an article entitled '"Flog the Rascals!" Fear is in each miscreant's eyes, for the writer of the screed, a fiery reformer, even demands the introduction of the birch-rod into schools. He evidently holds Solomon's ! views. The post of Paris flogger will, 'tis ! said, be filled by a retired prize-fighter, - a huge and muscular person, whose left arm has been weakened in a fight. His right arm, however, is as sound as a bell, and at the back of it he has 14 solid stone of weight. "An ideal executioner!" callously remarked the doctor, who has certified his fitness. Paris Cats Greatly Vexed. Innumerable Paris mousera are excessively annoyed at the criminal negligence of the Cat Club authorities in having arranged the annual Cat Show for the wintry month of January, and for having subsequently postponed it to May—when many admirers of grimalkin are enjoying spring days in the umbrageous grounds of sumptuous chateaux. At the traditional eleventh hour it suddenly occurred to the committee of the Federation dcs Societes Felines de France et de Belgique that the cold snap might result in the furry dears contracting a simple catarrh, or pneumonia, that most dreaded complaint and one which has carried off dozens of beautifully - marked tibbies of Persian and Angora origin. "A double bungle," is the caustic (but just) comment of each thinking cat in the town. 6 Some of the dissatisfied creatures go about their business and pleasure in angry mood; sombre is each pussy's expression. A few, having been weU brought up, look resigned; aware that will avail them naught, they sorrowfully bow to the inevitable. Others probably share their owners' regret that the francs expended on cod-liver oil, with which to make coats glossy, should have been spent in vain. Many who had looked forward to bearing away prizes, or at least, certificates, are bitterly disappointed ; the eyes of Minousse,. Minette and Mimi tell the sad tale. And long-haired cats, Who are in. their best "coat" in the Winter, consider that the central heating, of the building at which the exposition usually is held would have met all requirements. Perhaps. > - - -