It is remarkable that, while the bayonet (now rendered almost useless by longrange projectiles) has fairly driven the pike from the ranks of modern infantry, the old knightly weapon, the lance, has reappeared and is held once more in high esteem amongst the cavalry of every European nation. NOTE 75, p. 164.-Shields are not represented in English effigies later than a little after the middle of the 14th century. Targets, however, sometimes were used in more modern warfare; and in Scotland, as is well known, the Highland target was retained in use as late as till "the '45." NOTE 76, p. 166.-The bayonet, which was invented about the year 1650, was adopted in France in its simplest "plug" form about 1675, or about three years after it had been introduced into the English army. It is obvious that, very shortly after this weapon had been brought into use, efforts would be made to discover some means for fixing it firmly to the muzzle of the musket without obstructing the free action of the musket itself. Accordingly, as early as 1689, bayonets were attached by means of two rings to muskets, by Macay in Scotland; and thus, while the bayonet remained fixed, the musket could be fired. This contrivance is said to have been known and adopted on the continent at least eleven years before 1689. The great improvement of the "ringed bayonet" did not secure for it either a general or a ready adoption. The next and the final step was to substitute a socket for the two rings. This was effected at the commencement of the 18th century, when the "socket bayonet," in its general character identical with the weapon in its present method of adjustment, came into general use in the armies of both England and France. (See a valuable illustrated paper in the "Archæologia,” xxxviii., 422. See also British Army," ii., 314.) NOTE 77, p. 167.-The Swiss and German pikemen certainly were excellent and thoroughly efficient soldiers; still, they never were opposed to the archers of England, or, possibly the opinion that those pikemen were "the best European infantry' might have been somewhat qualified. At any rate, in our own times we have the satisfaction to know that a French officer of high rank, and concerning whose competency to form and to express an opinion on such a subject there can be no doubt, has pronounced our own to be "the best European infantry." "The English infantry," said Marshal Bugeaud, "is the most formidable in the world; it is heaven's own mercy that there is not more of it!" NOTE 78, p. 170.-It will be understood that the swords described in the text are French, and-with the exception of the rapier-not English weapons. Swords of foreign make, however, at this period were very commonly imported into England. There are some remarkable rapiers of immense length in the South Kensington Museum. NOTE 79, p. 177.-The gigantic two-handed sword was occasionally in use in England. Every visitor to Westminster Abbey will remember the tremendous weapon, seven feet in length, and weighing 18 lbs., which, as legends tell, was carried before the victorious Edward III. in France. Possibly such swords as this of Edward III. were designed rather for display in processions than for use in battle. The two-handed swords of the Swiss, as I need scarcely add, are famous in history. NOTE 80, p. 178.-From a very early period the productions of the sword cutlers of Spain have deservedly enjoyed the very highest reputation. The blades of Toledo stand first; and, second only to them are those of Zaragoza. Italy, also, has long been famous for swords as well as for armour. The steel of Milan is proverbial for its rare excellence, as the Milanese armourers are for their skill in working it; and again, Florence is another celebrated seat of the most skilled armourers. In England, and more particularly in Scotland, the name of Andrea Ferrara as a swordsmith is second to none. It appears that this famed artificer-concerning whom very little is really known beyond the excellence of the blades that have a just right to bear his name was born in Italy about the year 1550; and, being of a family of hereditary armourers, with his brother Giovanni he seems to have established himself in Spain. By what means the name of Andrea Ferrara became so familiar in Scotland is not known. The fine, highly-tempered, keen-edged blades of Damascus for upwards of a century have ceased to be produced at that long-famous sword-making city. It must be added that the fame of Toledo is in some degree due to the Moors, who, before the first thousand years of the Christian era had passed away, had introduced there, not only their peculiar system of Damascene ornamentation, but also the Damascus mode of tempering the steel. The swords of Cologne were held in high estimation as early as the 13th century. At an early period Bordeaux was celebrated for its swordsmiths. Nor was our own country without its skilled craftsmen, whose weapons were worthily considered to possess the highest qualities; the English swords of the 15th and 16th centuries, indeed, are remarkable for excellence. In the 16th century, also, the German swords of Solingen enjoyed a world-wide reputation; and in the 17th, Nuremberg was remarkable for its sword-hilts. Amongst the many perhaps equally skilled producers of weapons in various countries in our own times, a place of honour must be assigned to the mountaineers who inhabit the range of Kara Dagh, on the shores of the Caspian, who from time immemorial have been famous for their manufacture of both armour and weapons. NOTE 81, p. 179.-With the sword, a smaller weapon of its own class has been universally worn and used from the earliest times. This weapon, the dagger, is specified by name as a misericorde, in France, in a charter of Philip Augustus, AD. 1194; and, in England, in the statute of Winchester, A.D. 1285. From about the middle of the first half of the 14th century the misericorde is constantly represented in English effigies, whether sculptured or engraven; and, like the sword itself, it is shown to have been sometimes secured to the person of the wearer by a chain fixed to the hilt. Amongst the varieties of weapons of the dagger class, M. Lacombe has not included one, well known in Italy, in the design and construction of which a murderous ingenuity is carried to the highest pitch of refinement. This poignard has an expanding blade. When the blow is struck, the blade is thin, keen as a razor in both its edges, and acutely pointed; but, after the stab has been inflicted, a concealed mechanism causes the blade to open-that is, smaller blades spring forth which instantly change the first minute puncture into an internal gash of ghastly extent. A specimen may be seen in the South Kensington Museum; and in the collection of Lord Boston is a German misericorde, about 1540, which has the blade perforated with two channels on each side for poison. NOTE 82, p. 180.-The Scottish usage of carrying a knife or knives in the sheath of the dirk, or attached to the leggings, is well known As an example, I may specify a beautiful dagger, now the property of Mr. Kerslake, that appears to have been worn by King Charles I. when he was Prince of Wales. The hilt has the plume of three ostrich feathers, and a knife and fork are inserted in the sheath. NOTE 83, p. 182.-The "Hussars" mentioned in the text are singularly suggestive prototypes of the "Zouaves" of the present day. NOTE 84, p. 213.-In his treatment of the comprehensive and copious subject of "Modern Arms," the plan and extent of his book required that M. Lacombe should write in a concise manner, and as briefly as possible. The few "Notes" that I propose to add to this portion of the present volume, for the same reasons also must necessarily be both concise and brief. "Artillery," says Sir Sibbald Scott ("British Army," ii., 166), a word derived from the old French artiller (to fortify'; from the Latin ars), in its general signification denotes all kinds of missile weapons, with the engines used in propelling them. In the modern acceptation of the term it is appropriated to the larger sorts of fire-arms; in mediæval times it naturally referred more generally to bows and arrows and their appurtenances." Sir Sibbald then proceeds to quote from Stowe's "Annals," that writer's definition of "artillery," to the following effect:-it is the "ars telorum mittendorum-the art of shooting in long-bows, cross-bows, stone-bows, scorpions, rams, catapults, as also (and especially in this age) in cannons, baselisks, culverings, sakers, faulcons, minnions, fowlers, chambers, muskets, harquebusses, calivers, petronils, dags, and such like; for this is the artillery which is now in most use and estimation." The earliest engines for discharging projectiles-in all probability the projectiles were stones of great weight-were invented early in the world's history. One thousand years before the Christian era it is recorded of Uzziah, King of Judah (2 Chron. xxvi., 15), that "he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks to shoot arrows and great stones withal." These engines were the balista, originally designed to throw stones, and the catapulta, arrows; the espringal, trebuchet, mangonel, &c., all having one purpose, but each one distinguished by some peculiarity either in its construction or operation. Then names of animals were given to these pieces of ancient artillery, under the idea that such names would denote the possession by the engines of certain qualities peculiar to the animals so called; thus, the scorpion discharged small envenomed darts; and the onager, a machine for hurling stones, had its name from the wild ass of the desert, which, on being hunted, was said to fling up stones with its heels at its pursuers. As the middle ages advanced efforts were made to improve the various military engines, but without any great success, until at length gunpowder was universally admitted to be the one supreme propellant The use of gunpowder in Europe, however, "did not prove so decisive for those who first availed themselves of it as to mark distinctly in history the precise time when its practice first took place." (Colonel Chesney on FireArms.") The first mention of cannon in England is in June, 1338. The first allusion to cannon by Froissart occurs in 1340, and then he appears to take it for granted that they were well known. Edward III. certainly had cannon in 1346; and it may be assumed as certain that he used them at Crécy in that same year. (See "Archæological Journal," xix., 68.) In 1378, Richard II. had 400 pieces of artillery at St. Malo. From the commencement of the 15th to the middle of the 16th century, the use of artillery is mentioned in various sieges for defence as well as for attack; and the besieging batteries consisted of bombards of both large and small calibre, the latter being designed to sustain an uninterrupted fire during the intervals required for reloading and discharging the former. From the middle of the 16th century for a considerable time the improvements in artillery chiefly consisted in rendering the guns more easily and expeditiously movable. In 1500, Louis XII. was able to move his artillery from Pisa to Rome, 240 miles, in five days; and his light pieces were taken rapidly from one point to another in a battle. Francis I. had 74 pieces of ordnance in Italy in 1515. And in 1556 the Emperor Ferdinand marched against the Turks with 42 heavy and 127 light pieces of artillery. Such is a glance at the early progress of this powerful arm, which, in the early part of the 17th century became of greatly increased importance under Henry IV. of France, Maurice of Nassau, and Gustavus Adolphus. "Although retaining too many calibres," says Col. Chesney, "the artillery of Gustavus Adolphus was admirably organised, embracing as it did limbers, carrying canister shot and other kinds of ammunition ready for action; and, what was no less important, having the allotment of a proportion of reserve artillery, in addition to that destined to accompany the troops during their movements in action. Moreover, this distinguished commander was the first who fully appreciated the importance of causing the artillery to act in concentrated masses, and who well understood the saving of life consequent on taking into the field a due proportion of this arm. Gunpowder may be traced up to a very early period-certainly to the 7th century before our era-in China; and it is probable that the knowledge of it was brought to Europe from the Chinese through the Arabs, or perhaps direct by the Venetians. Or, brought by the same means, it might have come to our quarter of the world from India, where a noisy propellant powder was known as early as the time of Alexander the Great-this is recorded by Philostratus. Ctesias and Ælian both speak of Indian combustibles; but a distinction must always be observed between the ancient inflammable compounds (such as might be used in peace for fireworks, or for causing conflagration in war) and those which have a propellant and explosive power. In China, jingals, or small cannon, were in use three centuries before Christ, and probably much earlier. In some of the northern parts of China very ancient breech-loading jingals, with movable chambers for the charge and projectile, may still be seen. There is an authentic record of the use of cannon in China, A.D. 757; and again A.D. 1232. the year of our era 1200, cannon-balls were employed in warfare in India; and cannon were certainly known and used in the peninsula of Hindostan in great numbers long before they were known in Europe. Sulphur and nitre are found in great abundance in both China and India; in the Sanscrit, gunpowder is aigmaster-"weapon of fire;" but, though the true propellant compound was certainly known in very ancient times in Hindostan, there exists in that country no positive historical record of the invention of it. In In the manufacture of gunpowder the proportion of the ingredients has varied considerably at different periods. At first the three ingredients appear to have been mixed in equal parts. In 1410 the proportions were-nitre, 3 parts; sulphur, 2; and charcoal, 2. In 1520-nitre, 4 parts; sulphur, 1; and charcoal, 1. And now, in England, the proportion for military gunpowder is in 100 parts-75 nitre, 10 charcoal, and 15 sulphur. It is remarkable that all the ancient and early cannon, whether in the East or in Europe, were breech-loaders; they were composed of two distinct pieces, the "chamber," and the "chase" or barrel. As the cannon gradually became larger, it was necessary to strengthen or reinforce them; and then they were formed of longitudinal bars, arranged like the staves of a cask, and hooped over, the whole being of wrought-iron. Several most characteristic examples of these early guns were recovered in 1836 from the "Mary Rose," which sunk at Spithead in 1545; she was found to have been armed with large brass 32-pounders, 18-pounders, together with ancient bar and hoop guns. In the Rotunda at Woolwich there is an excellent example of a gun of the 15th century, the calibre 4 inches. The Woolwich and the Tower collections also contain many early guns of different periods, calibres, and styles. In 1439, James II. of Scotland was killed by the bursting of one of his guns at the siege of Roxburgh Castle. The great Scottish bombard, known as "Mons Meg," now at Edinburgh Castle, 16 feet long, and made of hooped staves, was used in the sieges of Dumbarton and Norham in 1489 and 1497. The first discharge with “a peck of powder and a granite ball nearly as heavy as a Galloway cow," is said to have carried off the hand of Margaret Douglas, the "Fair Maid of Galloway," as she sat at table with her lord in Threane Castle, and then the ball went through the castle! (See "Archæological Journal," x., 25.) At Mont St. Michel, in Normandy, are two bombards, left there by the English in 1423, of which the larger now weighs about 5 tons, and it would throw a granite ball 19 inches in diameter, and weighing about 300 lbs. The remarkable gun at Dover Castle, known as "Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol," and which is popularly supposed to be able to "send a ball to Calais Green," was cast at Utrecht, A.D. 1544, and was presented to Henry VIII. by the Emperor Charles V.; it is 24 feet 6 inches in length, and the calibre is only 4 inches. The two pieces of ordnance now standing on the parade-ground in the rear of the Horse Guards, in London, consist of a French 13-inch mortar, brought from Cadiz, and of a Turkish gun, 16 feet long (originally it was 20 feet) taken at the battle of Alexandria; this gun was placed in its present position March 21, 1802. See Col. Chesney's "Observations on the Past and Present State of Fire-Arms;" and Sir Sibbald Scott's "British Army," ii., 161-257. See also" Archæologia," xxviii., 373, for a notice of some ancient guns found in 1839 in Lancashire. NOTE 85, p. 229.-The subsequent introduction of trunnion shoulders was an improvement of very great importance, which enabled the gun to be placed firmly and steadily on the carriage, while at the same time it could move freely upon the axis formed by the trunnions themselves. It has been reserved for an English officer of our own time, Captain Moncrieff, to convert the recoil of a heavy gun from being a dangerous and sometimes a destructive condition incidental to the use of artillery, into a powerful agent for protecting both gun and gunners while in action, and also at the same time for increasing in a truly remarkable manner the efficiency of the gun itself. Captain Moncrieff s system provides that the cannon to be used should then only be raised above the level of the parapet of a battery, when it is in the act of being discharged. The recoil, by a beautifully simple and thoroughly effective contrivance, causes the gun to sink down out of sight behind the parapet, and in so doing the gun elevatesa counterpoise; and, in its turn, this counterpoise raises the gun when, after it has been loaded and laid (and by means of the Moncrieff reflecting sight, it can be laid while below the parapet), it is again ready to resume its firing position. This is accomplished almost without any strain-certainly without any serious strain-to the gun-carriage, or to the foundations of the works which constitute the standing and working place of the gun in the fort or battery. It will be observed that a gun worked on this admirable system is laid and fired, not through the opening of an embrasure, but above the upper line of the parapet-that is, in technical phrase, it is laid and fired en barbette. Thus, embrasures are dispensed with, and the line of a parapet may be unbroken; and, more important still, by this means the greatest possible extent of lateral range is obtained. But the advantages of the Moncrieff system extend far beyond even these most important points. It actually enables heavy artillery to be employed without any fort or battery whatever, by simply placing the guns in pits dug in the ground, so that the natural surface of the ground itself becomes the crest of a parapet. This would not have been possible, had the necessity for solid foundations for the gun-platform still remained. Captain Moncrieff does not require solid foundations. In one of his gun-pits a heavy gun can be worked, easily and in safety, with very simple appliances. When down in the pit in the loading position, not only is the gun out of sight with all its detachment, but there is no visible mark of any kind for the aim of an enemy. For a few moments the gun must be raised into the firing position and fired; but even then not a man needs to be exposed, and at the very instant of firing the gun spontaneously disappears below the surface. Thus the recoil, no longer a shock but changed into a power, is absorbed by the counterpoise; and in the counterpoise it lies latent until it is permitted quietly to put forth its strength that it may perform its appointed duty. Like the fly-wheel of a steam engine, this is indeed a triumph of combined science and skill. At present it would be altogether premature to anticipate what results may be effected by Captain Moncrieff's invention; thus much, however, is certain, that this admirable system marks the commencement of a new era in the history of heavy artillery, and that it places The hydraulic buffer, to check recoil in heavy ord- NOTE 86, p. 235.-Benjamin Robins, the eminent scientific English artillerist, whose researches and experiments, conducted with such remarkable ability, skill, and perseverance, effected so much, and led the way for the introduction of the more recent improvements in gunnery, died in the year 1742. His able works continue to be regarded as possessing the highest authority. And, as if in anticipation of his name, at the siege of Caerlaverock by Edward I., in 1300, a propellant engine called a Robinet-" quod dicitur Robinettus "-the peculiarity and special use of which are unknown, is recorded to have played its part amongst the other pieces of early "artillery" that were employed on that memorable occasion. (See Note 20.) NOTE 87, p. 238.-The text is a faithful translation of the French. It is scarcely necessary to remark that this French estimate of the Armstrong" is very far from being accurate; or to state that "Armstrongs" are made of every calibre, and that they are no less distinguished for ease and rapidity of movement than for range and power. NOTE 88, p. 240.-The representation of the Sparrish C |