Thursday, April 18, 2013

Book Swap Special: Blackwell Wraps it Up.

The last few pages of Blackwell's book are where he gives general tips. As is the general theme throughout the 18th century (and well beyond it) advising against passion is at the centre of this. Not in the sense that you should be stoical and blasé about everything that passes your way. No, not at all.

Rather, Blackwell takes the last few pages of his book to advise against losing your temper or being blinded by overpowering emotions. As Blake would write some decades later: "To be in a passion you good may do/But no good if a passion is in you."

The final three lessons have to do with disarming. Looking back, it's a sensible thing to end a lesson book on fencing with, since you need to be a little more than a novice before you can go around grabbing swords by the blade to get them out of your opponent's grasp.

Though, the matter of disarming your opponent works curiously well with keeping your emotions in check. Ultimately, Blackwell ends with the same lesson that's at the heart of so many martial arts: rule yourself so that your actions may be pure.

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