the breaches made in their walls by the shock of such enormous stones. After such a relation, we cannot be surprised to find that not only the movable towers, but catapults of various descriptions, were retained in use. The extreme awkwardness visible in the construction of cannon, and the great cost of gunpowder, adding to the difficulty of procuring it, account for the preference which was still given to the old engines for discharging stones. Henry v. in the fourth year of his reign, employed the tripget, which shows that cannon had not then superseded the old Artillery." Under Henry III. of France, the use and practice of Artillery was not advanced beyond its infancy. D'Etrees, who occupied the post of Master-General of the Ordnance, in 1558, at the siege of Calais by Francis, duke of Guise, and who eminently contributed to its capture, was the first person among the French who made any considerable progress in the construction of batteries. Anterior to D'Etrees, continual accidents took place from the bursting of cannon; and it was customary to cool them with vinegar, in order to prevent misfortunes, Armies were then but slenderly provided with Artillery, which was considered as more requisite for sieges, than indispensable for the operations of the field. In England, however, the science of Artillery had occupied attention at a more early period; and lord Herbert observes, that in 1544, king Henry VIII. had himself invented small pieces of Artillery to defend his wagons. The length and diameter of cannon were by degrees u Strutt's Manners and Customs, vol. ii. p. 32. much diminished, and of course their weight; and practice and experience in time discovered how much might be reduced with propriety from their magnitude, without hurting the grand effects which it was necessary on some occasions they should produce. war. V Dr. Smith observes, that the great change introduced into the art of war by the invention of fire-arms, has enhanced still farther both the expense of exercising and disciplining any particular number of soldiers in time of peace, and that of employing them in time of Both their arms and their ammunition have become more expensive. A musket is a more expensive machine than a javelin, or a bow and arrows; a cannon or a mortar, than a balista or a catapulta. The powder which is spent in a moderate review is lost irrecoverably, and occasions a very considerable expense. The javelins and arrows which were thrown or shot in an ancient one, could easily be picked up again, and were besides of very little value. The cannon and the mortar are not only much dearer, but much heavier machines than the balista or catapulta, and require a greater expense, not only to prepare them for the field, but to carry them to it. As the superiority of the modern artillery too, over that of the ancients, is very great, it has become much more difficult, and consequently, much more expensive, to fortify a town so as to resist, even for a few weeks, the attack of that superior Artillery. In modern times, many different causes contribute to render the defence of society more expensive. The unavoidable effects of the natural progress of improvement have, in this respect, been a good deal enhanced - Wealth of Nations, vol. iii p. 70. by a great revolution in the art of war, to which a mere accident, the invention of gunpowder, seems to have given occasion.-REES'S CYCLOPÆDIA. PRAYER. WHAT various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy-seat! Yet, who that knows the worth of Prayer, Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Restraining Prayer we cease to fight, The weakest saint upon his knees. While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Have you no words! Ah! think again, Were half the breath thus vainly spent, COWPER. S Scripture Illustration. " W down AND Jonathan gave his Artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, "Go, carry them to the city." Thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.* Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host, shields, and spears, and. helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And 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.y For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, "Hew ye trees, and cast a mount (marg. reading, Pour out the Engine of shot) against Jerusalem."z Behold the mounts, (marg. reading, Engines of shot) they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence.a He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, (marg. reading, Pour out the Engine of shot) and lift up the buckler against thee. And he shall set Engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.b And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me w 1 Sam. xx. 40. z Jer, vi. 6, * Deut. xx. 20. a Jer. xxxii. 24. 72 Chron. xxvi. 14, 15. b Ezek. xxvi. 8. 9. go, for the day breaketh.” And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" And he said, "Jacob." And he said, "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." c All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in Prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.e Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Continuing instant in Prayer. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.-Praying always with all Prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. In every thing by Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Continue in Prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Pray without ceasing. The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.m e Gen. xxxii. 24-28. f Rom. viii. 26. i Phil. iv. 6. k |
