Paolo Bertelli, fencing instructor of the University of Bologna, published this treatise in 1800. As such, it represents a rare glimpse into Italian fencing of its time, as there is a relative paucity of such works of the 18th century. This edition represents its first English translation. Bertelli provides general advice to instructors and students, and general theory, in Part One, followed by specific technical instruction on a wide variety of actions in Part Two. Despite its title, the work is overwhelmingly focused on the use of the thrusting sword (whether for play or earnest combat), briefly addressing the use of the sabre in its final two chapters.