History of Fencing question

[Josh_Brown]

I would consider Hope's 'new method' to be more a short format of instruction for using the weapon, suitable primarily to persons already versed in English or Scottish broadsword (and not interested in learning a new system). For a more orthodox approach, his earlier work The Scots Fencing Master might be better instruction. An English writer, Henry Blackwell, also wrote a very similar work in 1702.
Another (possibly superior) contemporary source for smallsword is de Liancour (French, also available translated into English).

Regarding Italian rapier, treatises by Francesco Antonio Marcelli and Bondi di Mazo are contemporary (if you can read Italian). For Spanish rapier, Francisco Lorenz de Rada and Nicolas D. Tamariz are resources (if you can read Spanish).

Regarding cutting weapons, Thomas Page discusses the broadsword fight in Highland fashion. (It was written slightly later in 1746, but is likely contemporary in terms of practice). Also of interest is Henry Angelo's 1788 illustrated collection of military saber and broadsword techniques.