Chapter D: Caldwell, (36)

LINES _that are close and open_, (_lignes tant pleines que vuides_, _Fr._) When troops are drawn up in order of battle with intervals between the battalions and squadrons, the lines are said to be _close and open_.

LINE, _or camp courts-martial_. These courts-martial are frequently resorted to, and differ from regimental ones, in as much as they are composed of the officers belonging to different corps, and the ratification of the sentence is vested in the general or commanding officer of the camp. So that no time is lost in waiting for the commander in chief’s approbation, when he is delegated by him; nor has the colonel or commanding officer of the regiment to which the offender may belong, any power to interfere. The sentences of line or camp, field, and garrison courts-martial, are confined to corporeal punishments, but they can neither affect life, nor occasion the loss of a limb. The proceedings are read by the adjutant of the day; the surgeon is from the regiment to which the prisoner belongs, and the punishment is inflicted in front of the piquet by the drummers of the different corps under the direction of the drum-major, who is from the regiment to which the adjutant of the day belongs. Field and drum-head courts-martial, may be considered in the same light, when an army is on its march; with this difference, that the prisoner is tried either by officers belonging to his own corps, or by a mixed roster. A circle is formed at a short distance from the men under arms, and the sentence is written upon a drum-head; whence the appellation of drum-head courts-martial is derived. When there are several regiments present, the same forms are attended to in punishing prisoners as are observed in line or camp courts-martial; and when there is only one regiment, the examination and the punishment of the prisoner or prisoners take place within itself.

LINES, in fortification, bear several names and significations; such as,

{_defence_ }
{_defence fichant_ }
{_defence razant_ }
LINE _of_{_circumvallation_ }See FORTIFICATION.
{_countervallation_ }
{_counter-approach_ }
{_defence prolonged_}
LINE, _Capital_ }

LINE _of communication_. (_Ligne de communication_, _Fr._) That space of ground in a fortified place which joins the citadel to the town.

LINES _of communication_, are trenches that unite one work to another, so that men may pass between them without being exposed to the enemy’s fire: thence the whole intrenchment round any place is sometimes called a _line of communication_, because it leads to all the works.

_Inside_ LINES, are a kind of ditches towards the place, to prevent sallies, &c.

_Outside_ LINES, are a kind of ditches towards the field, to hinder relief, &c.

_Capital_ LINE _of the half moon_. (_Ligne capitale de la demi-lune_, _Fr._) That which is drawn from the flanked angle of a half moon, to the rentrant angle of the counterscarp on which it is constructed.

LINE _of counter approach_. (_Ligne de contre-approche_, _Fr._) A sort of trench which the besieged make, and push forward from the glacis, for the purpose of counteracting the enemy’s works. See APPROACHES.

LINE _of defence_. (_Ligne de dèfense_, _Fr._) See FORTIFICATION.

LIGNE _magistrale_, _Fr._ See _Capital line_ in FORTIFICATION.

LINE _of circumvallation_. (_Ligne de circonvallation_, _Fr._) See FORTIFICATION.

LINE _of direction_ in gunnery, is a line formerly marked upon guns, by a short point upon the muzzle, and a cavity on the base ring, to direct the eye in pointing the gun.

LINE _of distance_, the interval between two things, either in regard to time, place, or quantity.

LINE _of gravitation_, of any heavy body, is a line drawn through its centre of gravity, and according to which it tends downwards.

LINE _of swiftest descent_, of a heavy body, is the cycloid. See CYCLOID.

LINE _of projectile_. See PROJECTILES.

LINE _of the least resistance_, (_ligne de moindre resistance_, _Fr._) that line, which being drawn from the centre of the furnace or the chamber of a mine, takes a perpendicular direction towards the nearest superficial exterior.

LINE _of fire_, (_ligne de feu_, _Fr._) in fortification. This term admits of two distinct acceptations; first, when it is found necessary to give an idea of the manner in which a rampart, or an entrenchment overwhelms and crosses any space of ground by the discharge of ordnance or musquetry, lines must be drawn to express the distances which have been traversed by the shot, &c. These lines are called lines of fire, being an abbreviation of those lines of direction which have been given to the shot.

In order to convey a more just and accurate conception of this species of line of fire, it is recommended to give a profile, which shall not only shew the curves of the trajectories, but likewise point out the intersections and impressions which have been made by such fire upon a rampart, entrenchment, ground, or fortification of any description.

In the second place, all that extent of a rampart or entrenchment, from whence the shot of ordnance or musquetry is discharged, is understood to be a line of fire.

If, for instance, it were to be said that a reserve or oblique direction was taken against a long extent of rampart or entrenchment, by means of a _jettée_ or any great work thrown up, so as to out-flank or take it in the rear, it might be concluded that those points would be supplied with a long line of fire.

LINE _of direction_, (_Ligne de direction_, _Fr._) In mechanics any straight line down which a heavy body descends. There are likewise lines of direction which relate to powers; they are then straight lines by means of which a power draws or urges on a weight for the purpose of supporting or moving it.

_Capital_ LINE _of the bastion_, (_Ligne capital du bastion_, _Fr._) a line which is drawn from the centre angle of a bastion to its flanked angle. In regular fortification this line cuts the bastion in two equal parts.

LINES _of entrenchment_, (_Lignes retrenchées_, _Fr._) all lines which are drawn in front of a camp, &c. to secure it from insult or surprize are so called. Whenever an army is not sufficiently strong to run the hazard of being attacked, the general who commands it, must have the precaution to dig a ditch in front measuring three toises at least in breadth and two in depth. He must likewise throw up a parapet with redans, or have it flanked at intermediate distances by small bastions two toises thick, made of strong close earth, and get it covered and supported by fascines, with a banquette behind sufficiently high to cover the soldiers tents. If water can be got into the ditch from a neighboring stream or rivulet, an additional advantage will be derived from that accession. When the _lines_ are constructed for any space of time, it will then be proper to make a covert-way in the usual manner.

Other _lines_ are likewise constructed for the purpose of communicating with different quarters; great care must be taken lest any of them be exposed to the enemy’s enfilade. To prevent this they must be supported by redoubts, or by works belonging to the neighboring forts; for the enemy might otherwise make good his ground within them, and use them as a trench.

If an army is so weak as to be within _lines_, you take care to have communications between the villages, and small parties of light horse patroling towards the enemy, and to have videttes and sentries posted so near one another, that you may have intelligence of all their transactions.

LINE _in fencing_, that part of the body opposite to the enemy, wherein the shoulders, the right arm, and the sword, should always be found; and wherein are also to be placed the two feet at the distance of 18 inches from each other. In which sense, a man is said to be in his line, or to go out of his line, &c.

LINE, also denotes a French measure, containing ¹⁄₁₂th part of an inch. It is of late frequently made use of in calculations.

LINE OF SCIENCE, is substituted for the old and awkward oblique step; movements to a flank oblique are now by _half_ or _quarter facing_, that is, the whole who are to move in the required direction are faced on a line midway between a front and full faced position; so that _quarter faced_ to the right, the right shoulder of the second man is behind the left shoulder of the right file; and so on each along each rank have their right shoulders behind the man on their right: so if the movement is to be oblique to the left, they are quarter faced to the left, and the files will stand successively with their left shoulders in the rear of the right of those who stood on their left.

_To_ LINE, from the French _aligner_, is to dress any given body of men, so that every individual part shall be so disposed as to form collectively a straight continuity of points from centre to flanks.

_To_ LINE _men_. Officers, and non-commissioned officers, are said to line the men belonging to their several battalions, divisions, or companies, when they arrive at their dressing points, and receive the word _dress_ from the commander of the whole.

When a single battalion halts, it is dressed or lined on its right centre company, and must of course be in a straight line. When several battalions dress from the centre of each on its next colors, the general line will be straight, provided all the colors have halted regularly in a line. On these occasions every thing will depend upon the two centre guides of each battalion.

_To_ LINE _a Coast_. To line a coast well under the immediate pressure of invasion, requires not only great ability and exertion in the commanding officer of the particular district against which an insult may be offered, but it is moreover necessary, that every individual officer in the different corps should minutely attend to the particular spot on which he may be stationed. The English coast, especially where there are bays, is almost always intersected by narrow passes through the rocks or sandhills. On this account, when any body of men receives orders to line a specified extent of ground, the officers who are entrusted with the several parts of a battalion or brigade, should take care to make the most of their men, and to extend their files in such a manner, as not only to present an imposing front from the crown of the hill, but to be able, at a moment’s warning, to carry their whole strength to prevent the enemy from getting upon the flanks by suddenly rushing up the gap. Much coolness is required on these occasions.

_To_ LINE _hedges_, &c. to plant troops, artillery, or small arms, along them under their cover, to fire upon an enemy that advances openly, or to defend them from the horse, &c.

_To_ LINE _a street or road_, is to draw up any number of men on each side of the street or road, and to face them inwards. This is frequently practised on days of ceremony, when some distinguished person is received with military honors on his way through places where troops are stationed.

This is the usage also in funerals, when the corps under arms form a lane, by the ranks being faced to the _right and left inward_; and the party _rests on arms reversed_.

_To_ LINE, in a fortification, is nothing more than to environ a rampart, parapet, or ditch, &c. with a wall of masonry or earth.

LINCE, _et chaussure du soldat_, _Fr._ necessaries belonging to a soldier. During the monarchy of France, a sol or one English half-penny per day, was added to the pay of each serjeant, and about six deniers or three English farthings to that of each corporal, anspessade or lance-corporal, grenadier, private soldier, and drummer, to enable them to keep up a certain list of necessaries. On any deficiency being discovered it was in the power of the commanding officer of the regiment to reduce the soldier’s subsistence to four sols or two-pence English per day, until the full complement was made up.

LINGERER, one who pretends to be indisposed, in order to avoid his tour of duty--a skulker. Hence the term malingerer, or a soldier who avoids duty in a disreputable manner.

_To_ LINK _together_, to tie together. Cavalry horses are frequently linked together when it is found necessary for the men to dismount. When the word of command _link your horses_ is given, the right hand files are to move up into the intervals, slip their bridoons and dress by the right, standing in front of their own horses’ heads; the left files slipping the bridoons in their hands at the same time, and stepping to the front of their horses’ heads. As soon as up and dressed, the whole advance their left feet by a motion from the right, and by another motion from the right, the whole go to the left about together, and link; as soon as done linking, the left hand man of each rank falls back, two paces from his horse, and the whole dress well to him, with the carabine in the trailing position. But before they do this they must put their belts and plates in order.

It ought to be recollected, that when the right hand files come up, they must take care not to bring their horses past the others; and in order to dress with the left files they must slip the bridoon to the left hand, leaving the horse in his place in the rank.

When dragoons are ordered to dismount, and are to mount again immediately, without moving from their horses, the word of command _unlink your horses_ is made use of; in which case the dragoon drops his carabine, which is then in a trailing position, on his left arm, and unlinks: as soon as that is done, he takes his carabine in his left hand, the horse in the right, by the right bridoon rein, waiting for the word _prepare to mount_.

LINKS, in the art of war, are distinct reins, or thongs of leather used by the cavalry to link their horses together, when they dismount, that they may not disperse. Every tenth man is generally left to take care of them.

LINS-_pins_. See LINCHPINS.

LINSTOCK. (_Boute-feu_, _Fr._) In gunnery, a short staff of wood, about three feet long, having at one end a piece of iron divided into two branches, each of which has a notch to hold a lighted match, and a screw to fasten it there, the other end being shod with iron to stick into the ground.

LIS, _Fr._ A warlike machine was formerly so called: it consisted of a piece of wood or stake, about the size of the human body, which was made smaller at the top than at the bottom, and resembled a lilly not yet blown. Several of these were tied together with ozier or willow twigs, and were used for the security of a camp. They were not unlike the palisades of the present day.

_Fleur de_ LIS, _Luce_, _Fr._ A flower borne in the ancient arms of France, and adopted by the English kings until the French insisted on its abandonment, which was done on the consummation of the union with Ireland. The electoral cap, as emblematic of Hanover, and the shamrock for Ireland, have been substituted in their stead.

FLEUR-_de-Lis_, during the French monarchy signified also a mark of infamy, which was made with a hot iron, upon the back of a malefactor.

LISSE, _Fr._ Any smooth and unornamented piece in architecture is so called by the French.

LISSOIRE, _Fr._ from _lisser_ to smooth. This word was particularly applied in France to an operation which gunpowder went through in order to make coarse grains smooth and round. This was effected by tying several barrels together and by means of a mill, turning them round, so as to occasion considerable friction within.

LISTS, in a military sense, a place inclosed, in which combats are fought.

_To enter the_ LISTS, is to contend with a person.

_To_ LIST _soldiers_, _To inlist_, to retain and enroll soldiers, either as volunteers, or by a kind of compulsion.

LISTING. Persons listed, are to be carried before the next justice of peace or magistrate of any city or town and sworn.

Persons, owning before the proper magistrate, that they voluntarily listed themselves, are obliged to take the oath, or suffer confinement by the officer who listed them, till they do take it.

The magistrate is obliged in both cases, to certify, that such persons are duly listed; setting forth their birth, age, and calling, if known; and that they had taken the oath.

Persons receiving inlisting money from any officer, knowing him to be such, and afterwards absconding, and refusing to go before a magistrate to declare their assent or dissent, are deemed to be inlisted to all intents and purposes, and may be proceeded against as if they had taken the oath. See ATTESTATION.

LIT _de_ CAMP, _Fr._ A camp bed, which takes to pieces, and is portable. The French frequently call it _lit brisé_, or a bed which may be taken to pieces. The Turks never use these beds; they always carry mattrasses, which they spread upon sophas when they halt at night.

LITTER, a sort of hurdle-bed, on which wounded officers or men are carried off the field.

LITTLE _fortification_. The first division of the first system of M. de Vauban, and is so called when the exterior side of a fortification does not exceed 175 toises, or 350 yards. It is used in the construction of citadels, small forts, horn and crown-works.

LIVRE. An old French money of account, consisting of 20 sols, about 18_d._ English: each sol containing 12 deniers. The livre is of two kinds, Tournois and Parisis.

LIVRE _Tournois_ contains 20 sols Tournois, and each sol 12 deniers Tournois.

LIVRE _Parisis_, is 12 sols Parisis, being worth 12 deniers Parisis, or 15 deniers Tournois; so that a livre Parisis is worth 25 sols Tournois. The word Parisis is used in opposition to Tournois, because of the rate of money, which was one-fourth higher at Paris than at Tours.

LIVRER _bataille_, _Fr._ To deliver, give or join battle.

LIVRER _assaut_, _Fr._ To storm.

LIVRER, _une ville au pillage_, _Fr._ to give a town up to plunder.

LOAD, a word of command given, when men are to charge their guns or musquets.

LOAD. Artillery carriages, or waggons, are frequently loaded with 14 cwt. for 3 horses, and 20 cwt. for 4 horses. This, however it may answer on an English road, is a great deal too much for general service. No doubt a carriage of one construction will travel easier than of another, with the same weight; and where the mechanical advantage thus gained is greatest, the heaviest weight may be put, with the same number of horses; but in the carriages usually made for the service of artillery, 4 cwt. per horse, beside the weight of the carriage, is the utmost they ought to be allowed to draw.

The French ammunition waggons, which are drawn by 4 horses, are always charged with 1200 pounds only.

The regulations for British home service in 1798 state the load for a bread waggon at 2400 lbs. and for a cart of entrenching tools at 400 lbs. Men used to bear loads, such as porters, will carry from 150 to 250 pounds.

A horse will carry about 300 lbs. and a mule about 250 lbs. See also the word HORSES.

LOCHABER-AXE, a tremendous Scotch weapon, now used by none but the town guard of Edinburgh; one of which is to be seen among the small armory in the tower of London.

LOCKS, in gunnery, are of various sorts; common for lockers in travelling carriages, or for boxes containing shot, powder, or cartridges. Also locks for fire arms, being that part of the musquet, by which fire is struck and the powder inflamed.

LOCK-STEP. This step was first introduced into the British service by the Elliot Lord Heathfield, when he commanded the garrison at Gibraltar; and is the same that general Saldern (from whose works all the British regulations have been almost literally selected) calls the _deploy step_. This step consists in the heel of one man being brought nearly in contact with the joint of the great toe of another, so that when men step off together they constantly preserve the same distance. The lock or deploy step was always practised when a battalion marched in file or close column; and the great advantage to be derived from it was, that the last file gained ground at the same time that the front advanced. It is now exploded, and very properly, as an excessive absurdity.

_To_ LOCK, is to fasten one or more of the wheels of a carriage from going round, in going down a hill, &c.

_To_ LOCK _up_, to take the closest possible order inline or in file. The expression is derived from the lock-step.

LOCK _up!_ a word of command which is frequently used in the British service, to direct soldiers to take or preserve the closest possible order, especially in _file-marching_.

LOCKER _hinges_, serve to fasten the cover of the lockers in travelling carriages.

LOCKING _plates_, in artillery, are thin flat pieces of iron nailed on the sides of a held carriage, where the wheels touch it in turning, to prevent the wearing the wood in those places. See CARRIAGE.

LOCKSPIT, in field fortification, a small cut or trench made with a spade, about a foot wide, to mark out the first lines of a work.

_To_ LODGE ARMS. A word of command which is used on guards and pickets. When a guard has closed its ranks, and the men are to place their arms in front of the guard-house or quarter-guard, according to circumstances, the commanding officer gives the words _port arms_, _to the right or right about_, (as the case may be) _face_. _Lodge Arms._

LODGMENT, in military business, is a work made by the besiegers in some part of a fortification, after the besieged have been driven out, for the purpose of maintaining it, and to be covered from the enemy’s fire. It also means possession of an enemy’s works.

When a _lodgment_ is to be made on the glacis, covert way, or in a breach, there must be a great provision made of fascines, sand bags, gabions, wool packs, &c. in the trenches; and during the action, the pioneers (under the direction of an engineer) with fascines, sand bags, &c. should be making the lodgment, in order to form a covering, while the grenadiers are storming the covert way, &c.

LOGARITHMS, the indexes of the ratios of numbers, one to another; of which the following is a concise account.

_Of arithmetical progression._--By arithmetical progression is meant a series of terms, each of which exceeds, or is exceeded by, that which precedes it by the same given number.

For instance, the series 1 . 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 is in arithmetical progression, since each of the terms exceeds that which precedes it by the same number, which is 2. The series 11 . 9 . 7 . 5 . 3 . 1 is also in arithmetical progression, since each of the terms is exceeded by that which precedes it, and by the same number.

_Of geometrical progression._--Geometrical progression is that in which each term of a series contains the preceding term, or is itself contained in it, the same number of times throughout.

For instance, the series 1 . 3 . 9 . 27 . 81 . 243, &c. is in geometrical progression, since each term contains that which precedes it the same number of times, which is 3.

The series 243 . 81 . 27 . 9 . 3 . 1 is also in geometrical progression, each of the terms being contained by the preceding the same number of times.

_Of the formation of logarithms._--Logarithms are numbers in arithmetical progression, corresponding, term by term, with a similar series of numbers in geometrical progression. If, for instance, we have a geometrical series and an arithmetical series as follows,

1 . 3 . 9 . 27 . 81 . 243
1 . 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11

we shall call each term of the lower series the logarithm of the corresponding term in the upper series.

Any given quantity may therefore have an infinite number of different logarithms, since the same geometrical progression may be made to correspond with an infinite diversity of series in arithmetical progression.

In the formation, however, of tables of logarithms, it has been found convenient to adopt a ten-fold progression, as the geometrical progression, and the series of natural numbers as the arithmetical progression. It will be remarked, that, in respect to the latter, the ratio, or common measure of increase, is always unity, while the former has the advantage of being adapted to the mode of notation which is in universal use. The following, therefore, are the progressions chosen:

1 . 10 . 100 . 1000 . 10000 . 100000 . 1000000
0 . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

It follows from the nature and correspondence of these progressions, that, as often as the ratio of the former may have been used as a factor in the formation of any one of the terms of that progression, so often will the ratio of the second progression have been added to form the corresponding term of this identical second progression. For instance, in the term 10000, the ratio 10 is 4 times a factor, and in the term 4 the ratio is added 4 times.

If any two terms of the geometrical progression be intermultiplied, and if the corresponding terms of the arithmetical progression be added, the product and the sum will be two terms which will correspond with each other in the same progressions.

Upon this principle it is, that, by the simple addition of any two or more terms of the arithmetical progression, we can ascertain the product of the corresponding terms of the geometrical progression.

For instance, by adding the terms 2 and 3 which answers to 100 and 1000, I have 5, which answers to 100000; whence I conclude that the product of 100 by 1000 is 100000, which in fact it is.

It is always easy to ascertain the logarithm of unity followed by any given number of ciphers; for such logarithm will invariably be expressed by as many units as there may be ciphers in the given number. In order to extend this practice to the formation of intermediate logarithms, it may be conceived, that, although any given number, for instance 3, may not apparently form any part of the geometrical progression 1 . 10 . 100, yet if we were to insert a great number of geometrical means, suppose 1,000,000, between the two first terms, we should either find the number 3 itself, as one of such means, or a number of very near approximation to it. The intermediate terms between 10 . 100 and between 100 . 1000 might be found in like manner, as well as a corresponding number of intermediate terms, in arithmetical proportion, between 0 and 1, and between 1 and 2, 2 and 3, &c. The whole of the geometrical terms being then arranged upon the same line, and the whole of the arithmetical terms upon another line, under the former, it is obvious that the lower series would contain units, or decimal fractions, corresponding with the numbers in the upper series, or, in other words, the logarithmic relation of the two series would be complete and exactly similar to that of the fundamental progressions.

It is thus, that, in the tables most in use, the number of decimal places in the logarithmic quantities is 7, than which, however, many more are used by men of science with a view to the attainment of a corresponding degree of precision. Nevertheless, in certain tables which were made a few years ago for the use of accompting houses, the number of decimal places is reduced to 5, and the rather, as a greater degree of precision is not necessary in those calculations of business which do not require more than approximate results.

It should be remarked, in respect to the tables of logarithms, that the first figure to the left of each logarithm is called _the characteristic_; since it is that figure which denotes the class of the geometrical progression which comprises the number to which the logarithm relates. For instance, if the characteristic of a number be 2, I know that it relates to the second class, or the hundreds, the logarithm of 100 being 2; and, as that of 1000 is 3, every number from 100 to 999 inclusively, cannot have any other logarithm than 2 and a decimal fraction.

Thus, the characteristic of a logarithm is a number corresponding to the natural numbers, namely, 1 to 10, 2 to 100, 3 to 1000, 4 to 10000, &c. &c. The characteristic of the logarithm of any number under 10 is 0.

It happens by this progressive correspondence, that a number being 10 times, 100 times, or 1000 times greater than another number, has the same logarithm as the lesser number, as far as relates to the decimal fractions of each. The characteristic alone is susceptible of variation, as will be seen by the logarithms of the following numbers:

Numbers Logarithms
3 0,47712
30 1,47712
300 2,47712
3000 3,47712

the characteristics of which are separated by a comma, being 0, 1, 2, 3.

It is this property by which the extraction of logarithms is facilitated, since, if we know the logarithm of the number 30, and are desirous of finding that of 300, of 3000, or of 3, it is requisite merely to add to the characteristic of 30, or to deduct from it, as many units as there may be more or less ciphers in the number whose logarithm is sought.

LOGEMENT, _Fr._ means generally any place occupied by military men, for the time being, whether they be quartered upon the inhabitants of a town, or be distributed in barracks. When applied to soldiers that have taken the field, it is comprehended under the several heads of huts, tents, &c.

LOGIS, _Fr._ Quarters.

_Marquer les_ LOGIS, _Fr._ To mark the officer’s rooms according to their respective ranks.

LOGEMENT _d’une attaque_, _Fr._ See _Lodgment_ in FORTIFICATION.

LONG BOAT, the largest boat belonging to a ship: it serves to bring goods, provisions, &c. to or from the ship, to land men, to weigh the anchor, &c.

_Le long de la Côte_, _Fr._ Along the coast.

_Tout du long de l’année_, _Fr._ All the year round.

_Long à la guerre_, _Fr._ An expression used in the French service.

_Faire long-bois_ signifies to leave a considerable opening between the ranks.

_Prendre le plus long_, _Fr._ To go the furthest way about, as _L’armée fut obligee de prendre le plus long pour éviter les défilés_, the army was under the necessity of going the furthest way about in order to avoid the defiles.

LONGER, _Fr._ A French military phrase. _Longer la riviere._ To move up or down the river. It is frequently found necessary to attack an enemy’s post, in order to have a free passage on the river, _pour longer la riviere_.

_Longer le bois_, _Fr._ To march by the side of a wood.

_Faire une_ LONGUE _marche_, _Fr._ To make a long march.

_Epee de longueur_, _Fr._ A sword of a proper length to serve as a weapon of defence. This term is used to distinguish it from the short swords, which are worn for mere dress or parade.

_Longs-costes_, _Fr._ Those sides are so called, which belong to places that are irregularly fortified, and contain indiscriminately eighty toises and upwards. In which cases they are usually strengthened by a flat bastion in the centre, or by several flat bastions, which are constructed, according to the extent of the sides, at intermediate distances.

LONGIMETRY, (_Longimetrie_, _Fr._) The art of measuring lands and distances, whether the extent or space be accessible as in a road, or inaccessible as in a river, or branch of the sea.

LONGITUDE _of the earth_, denotes its extent from west to east, according to the direction of the equator.

LONGITUDE _of a place_, in _geography_, its distance from some first meridian, or an arch of the equator intercepted between the meridian of the place, and the first meridian. See GEOGRAPHY.

LONGITUDE _of motion_, according to some philosophers, is the distance which the centre of any moving body runs through, as it moves on in a right line. See MOTION.

LONGRINES, _Fr._ Pieces of wood or branches which are laid along the extent of a sluice, and make part of its grating.

_To_ LOOK, a word frequently used in the British service to express the good or bad appearance of a corps, &c. viz. such a regiment looks well or ill under arms.

_To_ LOOK _at_. To go down the front of a regiment, &c. without requiring that the troops should be put through the different evolutions. A general officer frequently looks at a regiment in this manner. Sometimes indeed the expression bears a more extensive meaning: it is usual, for instance, to say--It would be ridiculous to think of looking at a strong place for the purpose of attacking it, without having sufficient force to carry its works.

_To be_ LOOKED _at_, in a military sense to be distantly observed by an enemy who has a design of attacking you; or to be seen by a general officer, whose duty is to enforce any established system. The latter must be considered as a mere cursory inspection. It is common to say--We are to be seen or looked at, but not regularly reviewed.

LOOP, in a _ship-carriage_, made of iron, fastened one on the front of a fore axle-tree, and two on each side, through which the ropes or tackle pass, whereby the guns are moved backwards and forwards on board of ships.

LOOP, a small iron ring or staple, by which the barrel of a gun is affixed to the stock.

LOOP is likewise used to signify an ornamental part of a regimental hat.--Every officer in the British service, when dressed in his uniform, is directed to wear a hat, the loop of which is made of scaled silver or gold, if in the cavalry; and of gold lace if in the infantry. General officers wear the scaled loop.

LOOP-_holes_, (_Crénaux_, _Fr._) In fortification, are small holes in the walls of a castle or fort, through which the garrison may fire. In field fortification, loop-holes are frequently resorted to.

_To_ LOOSEN, to separate, to make less coherent. In a military sense it implies to open ranks or files from close order. In marching by files, the officers and non-commissioned officers should be particularly attentive to their men, especially when any particular manœuvre requires a compact and solid movement. To loosen is, in fact, to lose that firm continuity of line or perpendicular adherence, which constitutes the true basis of military operations. The lock step was introduced for the purpose of counteracting the mischievous effects of loose marching, but it produced a greater inconvenience, and has therefore been laid aside; and the equal pace and marked time corrects both.

LOOT. Indian term for plunder or pillage.

LOOTIES or LOOTEES, _Ind._ A term in India to express a body of irregular horsemen, who plunder and lay waste the country, and harass the enemy in their march. They may be compared to the Hulans of Europe, and other free-booters.

LOOTYWALLOW, _Ind._ A term Of the same import as Looties.

_To_ LOT _for men_, a phrase peculiar to military arrangements. When recruits join they should be lotted for with the strictest impartiality. If some troops or companies should be less effective than others, they must be first completed to the strength of other troops or companies, and then the whole must lot equally.

LOUIS, _or Knight of St. Louis_, the name of a military order in France, instituted by Louis XIV. in 1693. Their collars were of a flame color, and passed from left to right: the king was always grand master.

LOUIS d’OR. A French coin first struck in the reign of Louis XIII. in 1640; but laid aside since the revolution.

LOUP, _Fr._ literally signifies a wolf.

LOUP _des anciens_ was an iron instrument, made in the shape of a tenaille, by means of which they grappled the battering rams and broke them in the middle. See CROWS-FEET.

LOYAL. By a misapplication of terms has been perverted from its true signification, a person faithful to the _law_, _loi_, is _loyal_; it is made to signify, a person who, whether he regarded the _law_ or not, was called loyal if he supported a king. Hence during the revolutionary war a regiment was formed, called _Loyal American_.

LOYALISTS. During the American war several Americans who betrayed their country, served in the British army; and at the conclusion of it many went over to England and received compensations for their perfidy to their country. The allowances made on this occasion were not, however, confined to those that had served; several families had their cases taken into consideration, and were provided for by the British government. These compensations did not however give any right to a military man to avail himself of the allowance on the score of half-pay; many of these persons have been since used as spies.

LUMIERE, _Fr._ Vent, touch-hole, aperture.

LUMIERE _des pieces d’artillerie, des armes à feu, et de la plûpart des artifices_, _Fr._ the vent or aperture through which fire is communicated to cannon, fire-arms, and to almost every species of artificial fireworks. In the making of cannon, it is of the utmost consequence to pay minute attention to the vent or touch-hole. It is in this part that pieces of ordnance are generally found defective, from the vent being too much widened by repeated firing, and the explosion of the gunpowder being necessarily weakened.

LUNETTE _d’approche_, _Fr._ a telescope. The French sometimes call them _Lunettes de Galilèe_, from the perspective glass or telescope having been invented by Galileo.

LUNETTE _à facettes_, _Fr._ a multiplying glass.

LUNETTE _polyèdre_. _Fr._ a magnifying glass.

LUNETTE _à puce_, _Fr._ a microscope.

LUNETTES, in _fortification_, are works made on both sides of the ravelin: one of their faces is perpendicular to half or two thirds of the faces of the ravelin; and the other nearly so to those of the bastions.

LUNETTES, are also works made beyond the second ditch, opposite to the place of arms: they differ from the ravelins only in their situation. See FORTIFICATION.

LUNETTONS, are a smaller sort of _lunettes_.

LUNGER-CONNA. A poor-house or hospital is so called in India.

LUNT. The matchcord with which cannon, &c. are fired.

LUNULÆ. (_Lunules_, _Fr._) In geometry a half moon or crescent, which is made by the arcs of two intersecting circles. If you inscribe a triangle-rectangle within a half circle, the diameter of which becomes the hypothenuse; and if upon each side that compresses the right angle, as its diameter, you describe a half circle, the space in shape of a half moon, closed in by the circumference of each of these two circles, and by a part of the circumference of the great half circle, will form the figure called Lunula.

LUTTE, _Fr._ Struggle. An exercise of the body, which consists in a full exertion of all its muscular powers to overcome another body, that resists with equal force and pertinacity. This sort of exercise was much encouraged among the ancients. The wrestlers or _lutteurs_, were distinguished by the name of athletics.

LUXHEBAR. The Indian name for Thursday.

LUZERNE, _Fr._ Spanish trefoil, called likewise in English _Lucerne_. A species of hay, which is cultivated for the subsistence of horses. It bears a violet colored flower.

LYCANIANS, (_Lycaniens_, _Fr._) A militia that was formerly raised in Sclavonia, the troops of which resemble the _Pandours_ and _Warasdins_. It derives its name from being quartered in the neighborhood of the lordship of _Lyka_.

LYING, to be actually stationed or quartered in a given place.

_In_-LYING. This term is peculiarly applicable to pickets. A picket is said to be an _In-lying picket_ when it is confined within the immediate lines of entrenchments belonging to a camp, or within the walls of a garrisoned town.

_Out_-LYING _picket_, is that which does duty without the limits of a camp or garrisoned town; that is, beyond the immediate sentries belonging to either. Those pickets are likewise called _In-line_ and _Out-line_ pickets.

_Out_-LYERS, the same as faggots in the line, or among the regulars. The term out-lyers was a term, however, peculiarly understood among the guards; and consisted of a certain number of men from each company, who were permitted to work, on condition that the whole of their pay was left in the hands of the captain, for the time they were so employed. This sum the officer appropriated to his own use, and was thereby enabled not only to increase his pay, but to keep a handsome table whenever he mounted guard. During the winter months the money arising from out-lyers amounted to a considerable sum. This was allowed as a sort of compensation for the expence the captain incurred by the dinner he gave to his subalterns; and for his contribution to the support of a regimental hospital. The custom is now abolished, as a table is kept by the king, and copiously paid for out of the civil list. The following anecdote, which is related to have occurred in the company that once belonged to the British general Gansell, (whom Junius notices in his letters) will shew the absurdity of the old custom, and the wisdom of its abolition:--A general muster being ordered, it was remarked that a soldier dressed in new regimentals, and perfectly unknown to every man in the company, stood to have his name called over: on being asked to whose company he belonged, he replied, to general Gansell’s: (it must be here observed, that the general had quitted the guards for some time.) Who is the present captain? was the next question, or who are the other officers? To which he briefly replied, I only know the pay-serjeant. The fact was, that he had been some years in the guards, and had constantly been an out-lyer.

It was a common practice and continues to be, though not to so great an extent as formerly, to place the names on the muster rolls of the children of officers, often their illegitimate children, and instances have occurred of girls, receiving men’s pay as _out-lyers_.

M.

MAALER, _Ind._ A certificate, which is attested by the principal inhabitants of a town or village.

MACE. A heavy blunt weapon, having a metal head: a club.

MACHICOULIS, or _Masse-coulis_, _Fr._ In ancient, and sometimes in modern fortification, that upper part of the wall which is sustained by brackets or corbels, jets out and overlooks the gate or ditch.

When a place is besieged, detached parties of the garrison may be posted in the several machicoulises. Through the intervals of the corbels, or supporting brackets, they may easily observe every thing that passes at the foot of the wall; and if the besiegers should be hardy enough to penetrate as far, they may easily overwhelm them by throwing down large stones, combustible materials, hand-grenades or bombs. These brackets or supporters, which in ancient fortification were of a slight construction, might be made of solid materials. The machicoulis, in fact, is susceptible of great improvement; and in many instances might be adopted in order to defend the lower parts of angular forts or turrets.

MACHINES. _Machines_, _Fr._

MACHINES _used in war by the ancients_. Every species of instrument or machine, which was employed before the invention of fire-arms, for the purpose of demolishing the fortifications of an enemy, or of rendering them accessible to the besieger, came under the denomination of machine. For a full and elaborate explanation of the different machines that were adopted by the ancients, we refer our military readers to the second volume of the _Recueil Alphabetique_, page 73.

MACHINES _Infernales_, _Fr._ Infernal machines. Although the first idea of these machines has been attributed to France, the invention, nevertheless, is by no means new. Frederic Jambelli, an Italian engineer, was the first that used them, when Alexander, of Parma, besieged Antwerp. The prince of Orange likewise had recourse to the destructive effects of an infernal machine, in order to bombard Havre-de-Grace, and to set it on fire. The Dutch and English, in conjunction, attempted to destroy St. Malo by the same means. The first instance, however, upon record, in which the French made use of this machine, was when Louis the XIVth ordered a vessel, carrying an enormous shell, full of every species of combustible matter, to be dispatched to Algiers, for the purpose of demolishing its harbor. This, the English say, suggested to other nations the adoption of fire-ships, and other destructive machines, which have frequently been used against maritime places, although they had been in use a century before.

The author of _Oeuvres Militaires_, tom. xxii. page 222, speaking of the infernal machines, observes, that if he were to be in a situation which required the use of so dreadful an explosion, especially to destroy a bridge, he would prefer having the machine made simply with different strong pieces of wood joined together, so as to be in the shape of an egg, or of a cone reversed. The whole must then be made compact with cords twisted round it. This method, in his opinion, is not only the best, but can be executed in the most easy and expeditious manner. He further adds, that in order to burn and blow up wooden bridges, and even to destroy such as are constructed upon arches, several sorts of barges or boats might be used, which should be filled with fireworks, bombs, petards, &c. It would likewise be extremely easy to construct these machines upon floating rafters, carrying several thousand pounds weight of gunpowder, which might be confined within strong pieces of wood, put together in the manner already described.

These machines should be piled one above the other, and long iron bars must be thrown across the floats, or be fixed like masts, so that when the whole of the combustible materials is beneath the centre of the bridge, the rafters may be stopped. Great care must be taken to dispose the matches in such a manner that no fire may be communicated to the gunpowder before the machine reaches the exact spot which is to be destroyed.

MACHINE, in _general_, whatever hath force sufficient to raise or stop the motion of a heavy body.

MACHINES are either simple or compound: the simple ones are the seven mechanical powers, viz. lever, balance, pully, axis, and wheel, screw, and inclined plane. See MECHANICAL POWERS.

If the given power is not able to overcome the given resistance when directly applied, that is, when the power applied is less than the weight or resonance given; then the thing is to be performed by the help of a _machine_, made with levers, wheels, pullies, screws, &c. so adjusted, that when the weight and power are put in motion on the _machine_, the velocity of the power may be at least so much greater than that of the weight, as the weight and friction of the _machine_, taken together, is greater than the power; for on this principle depends the mechanism or contrivance of all mechanical engines used to draw or raise heavy bodies, or overcome any other force; the whole design of these being to give such a velocity to the power, in respect of the weight, as that the momentum of the power may exceed the momentum of the weight: for if _machines_ are so contrived, that the velocity of the agent and resistant are reciprocally as their forces, the agent will just sustain the resistant, but with a greater degree of velocity will overcome it. So that if the excess of motion or velocity in the power is so great as to overcome all that resistance which commonly arises from the friction or attraction of contiguous bodies, as they slide by one another, or from the cohesion of bodies that are to be separated, or from the weights of bodies that are to be raised: the excess of the force remaining, after all these resistances are overcome, will produce an acceleration of motion thereto, as well in the parts of the _machine_, as in the resisting body.

_Compound_ MACHINES, are formed by various combinations, and serve for different purposes; in all which the same general law takes place, viz. that the power and weight sustain each other, when they are in the inverse proportion of the velocities they would have in the directions wherein they act, if they were put in motion. Now, to apply this law to any compound _machine_, there are four things to be considered: 1. The moving power, or the force that puts the _machine_ in motion; which may be either men or other animals, weights, springs, the wind, a stream of water, &c. 2. The velocity of this power, or the space it moves over in a given time. 3. The resistance, or quantity of weight to be removed. 4. The velocity of this weight, or the space it moves over in the same given time.

The two first of these quantities are always in the reciprocal proportion of the two last; that is, the product of the first two must always be equal to that of the last; hence, three of these quantities being given, it is easy to find the fourth; for example, if the quantity of the power be 4, its velocity 15, and the velocity of the weight 2, then the resistance, or quantity of the weight, will be equal to

4 × 15 60
------ = -- = 30.
2 2

The following rules will direct the mechanic how he may contrive his _machine_, that it may answer the intended purpose, to the best advantage.

1. Having assigned the proportion of your power, and the weight to be raised, the next thing is to consider how to combine levers, wheels, pullies, &c. so that working together they may be able to give a velocity to the power, which shall be to that of the weight something greater than in the proportion of the weight to the power. This done, you must estimate your quantity of friction; and if the velocity of the power be to that of the weight still in a greater proportion than the weight and friction taken together are to the power; then your _machine_ will be able to raise the weight. And note, this proportion must be so much greater, as you would have your engine work faster.

2. But the proportion of the velocity of the power and weight must not be made too great: for it is a fault to give a _machine_ too much power, as well as too little; for if the power can raise the weight and overcome the resistance, and the engine perform its proper effect in a convenient time and work well, it is sufficient for the end proposed; and it is in vain to make additions to the engine to increase the power any farther; for that would not only be a needless expence, but the engine would lose time in working.

3. As to the power applied to work the engine, it may either be a living power, as men, horses, &c. or an artificial power, as a spring, &c. or a natural power, as wind, water, fire, weights, &c.

When the quantity of the power is known, it matters not, as to the effect, what kind of power it is; for the same quantity of any sort will produce the same effect; and different sorts of powers may be applied in an equal quantity a great variety of ways.

The most easy power applied to a _machine_ is weight, if it be capable of effecting the thing designed. If not, then wind, water, &c. if that can be conveniently had, and without much expence.

A spring is also a convenient moving power for several _machines_: but it never acts equally as the weight does; but is stronger when much bent, than when but a little bent, and that in proportion to the bending, or the distance it is forced to; but springs grow weaker by often bending or remaining long bent: yet they recover part of their strength by lying unbent.