Apologies...I had not read the archive before I posted my questions
in my previous post. It is rather time consuming on 19kbps with
regular disconnections (I write from a small Scottish island where
winter storms are rattling the telegraph poles.)

Firstly, before I forget...uniforms...in my humble opinion some form
of belt is not optional, the ranking or colour is totally irrelevant
but it is essential as a spinal/waist support, although a sash is
slightly better for this purpose. There are further esoteric reasons
for belts to do with ki and the lower abdominal evergy centre
(hara). Shoes are also recommended for training in non-tropical
countries, as chills and other hazards may pass into the feet from
the floor.

Coats of arms...Victorians had a more clearly defined usage of these
things than we do today, I would guess that BW would have shied away
from such a device unless he was entitled to one himself. Is there
any detailed family or biographical material on BW? On a more
helpful note there is one very rare Victorian 'Arts and Crafts'
typeface designed by William Morris which is held by professionals
in this field to be one of the greatest ever designed, it is called
Morris 'Golden'...and it would make a truely magnificent typeface
for websites, publicity...even 'Bartitsu Society' t-shirts.

Lastly, curriculum...I agree that 'the canon of 40' should be
adopted and preserved in its entirety by all present day eccentric
folllowers of Mr. Barton-Wright. However, I do not think that simply
because BW drew his inspiration from sources particular to his time
and place, that therefore a rigid and exclusive definition should be
formulated that is based on these sources alone. There was much that
was simply not available to 'foreign devils' in those days.
Regards,
J.

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