CHAPTER XIV.

MILITARY TACTICS.

BESIDES Professor Landmann's work, and Mr. James's military dictionary, there have been published two or three pamphlets containing the rules and regu lations of the new royal military college: these, however, have been omitted; first, as not being proper subjects of literary criticism; and secondly, because we understand that considerable alterations have taken place, so as to render the re. gulations in question no longer a fair représentation of the discipline of the

institution.

ART. I. The Field Engineer's Vade Mecum. By J. LANDMANN, Professor of Fortifia cation and Artillery to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. 8vo. pp. 123. and 3 plates.

cable to the tracing out of field works, or permanent fortifications, together with the method of taking heights and distances, and of surveying, without any other instruments than the chain, cord, and staves. To this succeeds an introduction to reconnoitring, which is too brief to be of any very considerable utility.

THIS little treatise is a convenient introduction to that most important division of military science, the art of the field engineer. It is, however, merely an introduction, and by no means super sedes the necessity of more copious publications. The first part contains 58 problems of practical geometry, appli ART. II. A new and enlarged Military Dictionary, or alphabetical Explanation of technical Terms: containing, among other Matter, a succinct Account of the different Systems of Fortifi cation, Tactics, &c. also the various French Phrases and Words that have an immediate or relative Connexion with the British Service; or may tend to give general Information on Military Subjects in either Language. By CHARLES JAMES, Author of the Regimental Companion, Comprehensive View, &c. Thick 8vo.

WE have looked through this work, (for it will scarcely be demanded of a reviewer actually to read every article in such a publication) in order to gain a general idea of its contents, and have perused with attention some of the leading articles, the result of which is, upon the whole, a very favourable opinion both of the manner and matter. Not only are the technical terms of each language carefully explained, but a number of interesting and important details, practical as well as historical, are inserted, which this work, from the modesty of its title, would hardly be expected to contain. The Memoirs of Marshal Saxe, the Dictionnaire Militaire, and other respectable French authorities,

have been consulted, together with all the scattered documents, and acts of parliament, illustrative of the changes that the British service has undergone to the conclusion of the late war.

The article MARCH is particularly excellent; and displays, in a striking manner, the author's good sense and professional knowledge. BATTERY 19 another practical article, of which we shall quote a part by way of speci men.

"BATTERY, in military affairs, implies any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, either to attack the forces of the enemy, or to batter a fortification; hence batteries have various names, agreeable to the purposes they are designed for.

ordered to march, and the piquet moved out without a moment's delay.

"Add to this, that whenever it was found necessary to make a sortie, the loss of men did not fall upon one company, but was divided among the whole battalion.

"A general rendezvous, or parade, was fixed for all the regiments who were to do duty in the trenches; they assembled in that quarter, and were drawn up in line, with all the grenadiers on the right, and the whole of the piquets upon the same alignment. At the hour appointed the latter began to file off, and each regiment followed according to its seniority. The lieutenant-general, whose tour of command was in the trenches, placed himself at the head of those troops who were to attack upon the right; the major-general at the head of those belonging to the left, and the brigadier-general took the centre; the oldest regiment headed the right, the next in seniority stood in front of the left, and a third preceded the center.

'As soon as the troops reached the tail of the trench, the men marched by Indian files, or rank entire, and each one took his post. Sentries were stationed, and the necessary detachments were made. The colours were planted upon the parapet of the trench. At night the adjutants of corps went to the head-quarters, to receive instructions relative to the projected attack, and got the parole and countersign from the general. The senior adjutant communicated his orders to the rest, who conveyed the same, first to their several colonels, and afterwards to the serjeants of each regiment.

"When on duty in the trenches, soldiers must not, on any account, quit their firearms; and the instant the least noise is heard, it is their duty to throw themselves upon the back of the trench, and there remain till the order is given to march. When an attack is directed to be made, the execution of it is always entrusted to the grenadiers. These are supported by the different piquets, and the main body of the corps follows with the colours.

"When the chamade was beat by the besieged, with a view to capitulate, it was a rule among the French, that the battalions which were posted in the trenches might refuse to be relieved, and could remain at their station until the garrison marched out. When the capitulation was signed, it fell to the oldest regiment belonging to the besieg ing army to take possession of the gate that was delivered up, and that corps remained in the town until a governor was named, and a regular garrison appointed."

Of the historical articles, INFANTRY is a fair specimen, from which we select the following quotation:

"Until the reign of Charles VII. the French infantry were extremely defective; so much so, that Brantome says, in one part of

his works, the infantry could not be con sidered as essentially useful to the security of the state. For it consisted in those days, of marauts, belistres mal armés, mal complexionnés, fenéans, pillards et mangeurs du peuple which may be thus rendered in plain English: lads, rascals and vagabonds, scoundrels ill-equipped, and ill-looking; filchers, plunderers, and devourers of the people.

Europe, however, is unquestionably indebted to the Swiss for a total change in the military system, particularly so with regard to foot soldiers.

"Dr. Robertson, in the first volume of his history of Charles V. p. 105, observes, that the system of employing the Swiss in the Italian wars, was the occasion of introducing a total innovation in the military custom. The arms and discipline of the Swiss were different from those of other European nations. During their long and violent struggles in defence of their liberties against the house of Austria, whose armies, like those of other considerable princes, consisted chiefly of heavy-armed cavalry, the Swiss found that their poverty, and the small number of gentlemen residing in their country, at that time barren and ill-cultivated, put it out of their power to bring into the field any body of horse capable of facing the enemy. Necessity compelled them to place all their confidence in infantry; and, in order to render it capable of withstanding the shock of cavalry, they gave the soldiers breast-plates and helmets, as defensive armour, together with long spears, halberts, and heavy swords, as weapons of offence. They formed them into large battalions, ranged in deep and close array, so that they could present on every side a formidable front to the enemy. (See Machiaval's Art of War, b. ii. chap. ii, p. 451.) The inen at arms could make no impression on the solid strength of such a body. It repulsed the Austrians in all their attempts to conquer Switzerland. It broke the Burgundian gendarmerie, which was scarcely inferior to that of France, either in number or reputation; and when first called to act in Italy, it bore down, by its irresistible force, every one that attempted to oppose it. These repeated proofs of the decisive effect of infantry, exhibited on such conspicuous occa sions, restored that service to reputation, and gradually re-established the opinion which had been long exploded, of its superior importance in the operations of war. But the glory the Swiss had acquired, having inspired them with such high ideas of their own prowess and consequence, as frequently made them mutinous and insolent, the princes who employed them became weary of depending on the caprice of foreign mercenaries, and began, to turn their attention towards the improvement of their national infantry.

The German powers, having the command of men, whom nature has endowed with that steady courage and persevering strength which form them to be soldiers, soon modelled their troops in such a manner, that they vied with the Swiss, both in discipline and valour.

"The French monarchs, though more slowly, and with great difficulty, accustomed the impetuous spirit of their people to subordination and discipline; and were at such pains to render their national infantry respectable, that as early as the reign of Louis XII. several gentlemen of high rank had so far abandoned their ancient ideas, as to condescend to enter into their service.

"The Spaniards, whose situation made it difficult to employ any other than their national troops in the southern parts of Italy, which was the chief scene of their operations in that country, not only adopted the Swiss discipline, but improved upon it, by mingling a proper number of soldiers, armed with heavy muskets, in their battalions; and thus formed that famous body of infantry, which, during a century and a half, was the admiration and terror of all Europe. The Italian states gradually diminished the number of their cavalry, and, in imitation of their more powerful neighbours, brought the strength of their armies to consist in foot soldiers. From this period, the nations of Europe have carried on war with forces more adapted to every species of service, more capable of acting in every country, and better fitted both for conquests, and for preserving them. See Robertson's View of the State of Europe, b. i. p. 105 and 107.

Infanterie, aventuriere, ft. a species of French infantry, which succeeded to the Jegions that were established under Francis I. in imitation of the Roman legions. This infantry was kept up as late as during the reign of Henry IV. when the whole of the foot establishment was reduced into regiments.

"Heavy-armed INFANTRY, among the ancients, were such as wore a complete suit of armour, and engaged with broad shields and long spears. They were the flower and strength of the Grecian armies, and had the highest rank of military honour.

"Light-armed INFANTRY, amongst the ancients, were designed for skirmishes, and for fighting at a distance. Their weapons were arrows, darts, or slings.

# Light INFANTRY have only been in use

since the year 1656. They have no camp equipage to carry, and their arins and accoutrements are much lighter than the common infantry, or battalion men. Whereever there is light cavalry, there should be light infantry to act in conjunction.

Foreign INFANTRY (Infanterie étrangère, fr.) Foreign troops were taken into pay, during the old monarchy of France, at a very early period. In the reign of Phillip, sur named le Bel, or handsome, treaties and agreements were severally entered into, for this purpose, with John Baileul, King of Scotland, Eric King of Norway, Albert Duke of Austria, and many other German princes, and with Humbert Duke of Vienhois.

"Phillip of Valois likewise made use of foreign troops, and under Louis XI. the Swiss were taken into French pay; since that period, and until the revolution which was accomplished on the 10th August, 1792, everal regiments were maintained under the diferent denominations of Swiss, German, Italian, Catalonian, Scotch and Irish corps or brigades. During the present war the same system has been more or less adopted by the British government. Independent of foreiga subsidies, it has been judged expedient o admit foreigners of rank, and, we presume, of military merit, within those native Imits from whence heretofore every stranger vas jealously excluded. A reference to the oficial army list will readily point out the corps hat come under this description. With respet to the 6th or Loyal American, it is necessary to observe, that the original principles upon which those battalions were established, have been totally altered. One battalion in particular, instead of being American, slould be named German. For the colonel isa German by birth and education, and the najority of the corps are from that country."

Among so much worthy of praise, we were sorr to observe many short articles taken from Orme's History of Hindostan, wich are wholly unconnected with nilitary affairs, and only serve to swel the volume, such as

Ganges, Geriah Goa, Golconda, Lama of Tibet, &c. A similar objection may be made to geography, geometry, gothic architect re, hierarchy, magna charta, and many others.

CHAPTER XV.

RURAL ECONOMY

AND

GARDENING.

THE only agricultural work of any importance, that has appeared in the time which our plan comprehends, is the volume of communications published by the Board of Agriculture, on the best methods of converting pasturage into tillage, and returning the land to its forme state. These enquiries were instituted, as our readers will remember, in consequence of the defective harvest of the year 1800, and the ensuing scarcity. The Board, by their active exertions, have collected, and made public, mich important practical information upon the subject of their enquiries, but ought, by all means, to have printed it in a cheaper form, if their intention was to suggest improvements to the only persons capable of ascertaining their practical value. The science of Horticulture has received an extremely valuabk addition in Mr. Forsyth's book on the training and management of fruit tree, which, however it may contradict some ingenious theories on vegetable physidogy, appears to rest on the firm basis of well sub stantiated facts.

ART 1. Essays on Agricultue; with a Plan for the speedy and general Improvement of Land in Great-Britain. ly BENJAMIN BELL, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, &c. &c. &c. 8vo. pp 549.

IT may appear a little singular, that the two first of a serie of essays on agriculture should be slely occupied, one on the taxation of income, and the other on the national lebt, the funds, and the sale of the landtax. In explanation, Mr. Bell tells us that, "his chief object is to endea our to place the importance of agriculure in that view to his countrymen whch it appears to merit but as it is hi opinion that the agriculture of no kingdom can thrive if the taxes that the peope pay are proportionably higher than those of other countries, and as thi is evidently the case in Britain, it was part of his plan, from the first, to prefx these and some other essays on the revenue of the king

dom to those that relate more imme diately to agriculture."

Mr. Bell is of opinion that the quick reduction of the national debt is a matter of indispensable necessity to the improvement of agriculture, and the consequent prosperity of the kingdom; and he conceives that nothing can furnish funds for the liquidation of any part of that debt but some well-regu lated tax on income.

This essay was written during the existence of the income-tax, which, however, from its partial pressure, could not meet with the approbation of our au thor, who suggested some modifications, which he thinks might render it palatable and useful. But it has been execrated