What a treat. I am happy to report that I have recently discovered the long lost art of stick fighting, a kind of martial art for the English gentleman. Judging from the pictures and text below, carrying sticks and being attacked by other people with sticks must have been quite common at the turn of the 19th century. Oh, if you need to contact me I am just popping off to the local stick shop to acquire a suitable stick for my person. You will be able to find me in my garage, practising the various techniques described below.
In Pearson's Magazine in 1901, E.W Barton-Wright, published an article titled 'Self-defence with a Walking-stick: The Different Methods of Defending Oneself with a Walking-Stick or Umbrella when Attacked under Unequal Conditions'.
Barton-Wright assimilated the knowledge of stick-fighting it a system, and he called it 'Bartitsu.' Here are some of my choice sub-headings, related quotes and pictures from the article.
With the proper grip of one's stick, the author says 'In this way blows can be made so formidable that with an ordinary malacca cane it is possible to sever a man's jugular vein through the collar of his overcoat.' Serious stuff, eh!
Heading : Double-handed Stick-play -- Showing the Best Way to Handle with Two Hands a Stick which is too Heavy to Manipulate Quickly with One Hand, when Attacked by a Man Armed with a Light Stick.
Heading : How to Defend Yourself, without Running any Risk of being Hurt, if you are carrying only a Small Switch in your Hand, and are Threatened by a Man with a very Strong Stick.
Heading : Another Way to Defend Yourself when your Adversary is Armed with a Stout Stick, and you are Carrying only an Umbrella or an Unreliable Cane.
Heading : A very Safe Way to Disable a Boxer who Attempts to Rush You when You are Armed with a Stick
Under this heading, '...the man with the stick anticipates the move, and bayonettes the boxer in the heart before the blow can fall. As his stick gives him a longer reach than the boxer's, he runs no danger, and the strong, upward thrust with the stick should completely incapacitate his adversary.' A direct blow to the heart? Jeez, that would sure teach any boxers not to try and rush you again.
Heading : A Safe Way for One Man to Disable Another when both are Equally well Armed with Sticks.
Heading : One of the Safest Plans of Defence for a Tall Man to Adopt, who has not much Confidence in his own. Quickness and Knowledge of Stick-play, when Opposed to a Shorter and more Competent Opponent.
Heading : How to Defend Yourself with a Stick against the most Dangerous Kick of an Expert Kicker.
Heading : One of the Best Ways of Knocking Down a Man in a General Scrimmage, when there is not Room to Swing a Stick Freely.
Heading : The Safest Way to Meet an Attack with a Spiked Staff or Long Stick when you are only Armed with an Ordinary Walking Stick.
Heading : An Effective Way to Defend Oneself with a Hooked Stick when Attacked by a Man Armed with an Ordinary Straight Stick.
Once you have your assailant in a suitable position, 'The assailant is then at the mercy of the man he has attacked, who can choose any part of his body on which to administer punishment.'
Heading : The Best Way to Disable a Man who Tries to Rush You, and get under your Guard, in order to Prevent You Hitting him with a Hooked Stick.
When you have pulled him down sufficiently far to prevent him recovering his balance quickly, let go your stick, and seize him by the shoulders, as shown in photo No. 4, being careful to keep your feet well out of reach of his hands, so as not to give him the opportunity of throwing you backwards. Then, with a sudden jerk, pull him forwards, and simultaneously jumping close into him, strike him with your knee in the face.
It is necessary to be very careful when practising this trick, as the slightest blow with the knee in a person's face is sufficient to break a nose and several teeth.
How to Use a Walking-Stick as a Weapon in a Crowd.
A very Simple Way to Protect Yourself with a Hooked Walking Stick against a Boxer.
After having using your hooked stick to pull at the boxer's ankle 'Having so hooked his foot, pull his legs apart, and bring him to the ground, when you can apply the stick where and how you please.'
Heading : Another Way, when Armed with a Light Cane, to Disarm and Overpower an Opponent who carries a Superior Stick.
Heading : One of the Best Ways to Meet a Direct Attack upon the Head with a very Heavy Stick when Armed with an Ordinary Stick.
In the conclusion the author comments that 'Besides being a most useful and practical accomplishment, this new art of self-defence with a walking-stick is to be recommended as a most exhilarating and graceful exercise.'
