ART. XIV. The Report of the Evidence, and other Proceedings in Parliament respecting the Invention of the Life-Boat. Also several other authentic Documents, illustrating the Origin, Principles, and Construction of the Life-Boat, and its perfec Security in the most turbulent Sea. With practical Directions for the Management of Life-Boats. By HENRY GREATHEAD, of South Shields. 8vo. pp. 71. 1804. THIS little pamphlet is not a subject for the exercise of literary criticism: it contains nothing of any consequence which has not already been laid before the public; and if we were to transcribe the account of the life-boat, its origin, principles, and construction, few but nautical men could understand it, and even they perhaps but imperfectly, without the assistance of a plate. Let it not be understood, however, that we are by any means indifferent concerning the circulation of this pamphlet. Often has the mischievous ingenuity of man been tortured in the invention of instruments for the more certain, rapid, and multiform murder of his fellow-creatures: and we are truly happy to see concentrated in a few pages the various documents which relate to an invention which has already saved the lives of several hundreds of our countrymen, of that class of our countrymen too to whom, in this sea-encircled land, we are particularly indebted for our personal safety against the threatening vengeance of a proud and haughty foe. The benefits of the life-boat have already been extended to different parts of the world. We see that in the year 1803 Mr. Greathead built one for the Prussian merchants, to be stationed off Piliace; another for his majesty the king of Prussia: one for the prince royal of Denmark; and one for his im perial majesty the emperor of Russia, who has graciously been pleased to transmit to Mr. Greathead a diamond ring. Mr. Greathead received a remuneration from parliament of 12001. for his invention: we should be sorry to throw any unfounded suspicion on Mr. Greathead's title to that reward, but at the same time we should be equally sorry to let slip the opportunity of giving publicity to the name of an individual, to whom, in the estimation of some ship-builders in South Shields, the merit of the invention is due. A committee of the house of commons may possibly be de ceived, and with the very best intentions in the world distribute its honours and rewards injudiciously. That it has done so in the present case, we do not assert; but from several communications, which appeared some time ago in a periodical journal (one particularly from Mr. Hailes of Newcastle), Mr. Greathead's merit as the inventor of the life-boat is rendered questionable. That merit is given to an eccentric character, a man of genius, Mr. WOULD HAVE, of South Shields. We shall not enter into the question here, but refer those who may be disposed to do so to the Monthly Magazine, vol. xiii. p. 547, and to vol. xiv. p. 98. 103. 319. CHAPTER XIII. MILITARY TACTICS. THE peculiar circumstances of the country have created a large demand for elementary works on the military art; and, by directing the attention of many who have not been regularly brought up to the service to military topics, have produced many crude and indigested projects, among which, however, the expe rienced officer may occasionally meet with hints for real improvements. Major Cuningham, lieutentant-colonel Macdonald, serjeant Wedderburne, and an anonymous member of the Trinity-house Volunteers, have employed themselves respectably and usefully in the composition of elementary works. Major Alding. ton has suggested a new application of light artillery; and by those who are fond of military anecdotes, the Military Mentor and Mr. Thompson's Military Memoirs will be gladly received. ART. I. The Tactic of the British Army reduced to detail; with Reflections on the Science and Principles of War; uniting in one View the Evolutions of the Battalion, Brigade, and Line, and pointing out their Combinations with each other, and Uses on actual Ser vice. Illustrated with 59 Copperplates. By JAMES CUNINGHAM, Major of Infamy in the Service of the East India Company, pp. 103. THE study of military tactics has, within the last year or two, become more interesting and more general. The commanders of volunteer corps find it necessary to obtain that information from books, which others have learned by experience. The demand for books of instruction for volunteers has therefore been very large, and we believe the supply has fully kept pace with the demand. The author of the present work has endeavoured to reduce the tactic of the line to detail, and to unite in one view the evolutions of the battalion, brigade, and line. His plan is thus stated in the preface. Eighteen manœuvres are laid down for the discipline of the single battalion; upon examining these manoeuvres it will be found, that every thing contained in the tactic of the line may be exemplified under the head of one or other of them. The compiler of this work, therefore, takes a brigade of three battalions, and makes this brigade perform every one of the eighteen evolutions upon the principles of the tactic of large bodies, and exemplifies under one or other of them, every thing essential to the latter; thus bringing together, under the same heads, the discipline of the battalion, the brigade, and the line, and at once pointing out how they mutually combine with each other. To each evolution is fixed figures shewing the single brigade performing the manceurre; with remarks pointing out how the second next an army of two lines performing it; line gains its relative position in each, agreeable to the data contained in his majesty's regulations; the purpose to which each evolution is applied on actual service, is also pointed out; and the whole finishes with extracts on the leading principles in the science of war." explained, and the plates exemplify the The eighteen manœuvres are as fully several evolutions, as distinctly as any other work of the same kind. But the want of such a book is not very apparent to us. It can seldom be of any farther utility to a volunteer officer as a book of directions, than sir David Dundas's regulations, since it seldom falls to any but a regular officer to command has been accustomed to manœuvre one a brigade; besides that an officer who regiment, will find no difficulty in commanding a brigade of three, or more, since the movements of a line are on the same principles as those of a single battalion. We mean not by this observa tion to detract from the merit of the work, which is certainly well drawn up. The remarks on the different mancuvres, and the general observations at the end of the volume, will be found the most useful part of the work to the young officer. ART. II. An Essay on the Construction and Advantages of Light Artillery acting with Infantry, and a Description of the Loaded Spear, recommended for the Use of the Rear Rank, Sc. By Major JOHN ALDINGTON. pp. 60. THE improvements which have been made in the construction and use of ar tillery within a very few years, go far to verify the opinion of marshal Turenne, that the fate of all field engagements would one day be decided by them." When we recollect with what difficulty and labour our guns were till very lately managed, the delay with which they were brought into action, and observe the wonderful quickness and precision with which they are now brought to bear upon any given point, we are inclined to adopt the opinion of the celebrated officer quoted above. The great advantages which the French gained during the last war, by means of their horse artillery, suggested to our government the idea of adopting a similar system in this country, which has been also followed by most of the European powers. Major Aldington, from his experience of the advantage and importance of artillery, has recommended a new species of it, which he terms infantry artillery. The weight of the guns to be light three or four pounders, which should be loaded with grape shot or musket bullets, and should be employed "in that ardu. ous part which generally belongs to the infantry alone in deciding the fate of engagements." The guns would be stationed in the intervals of companies, and would be worked by six men. Major Aldington then calculates that ten guns, thus worked, would discharge more than 5000 balls in a minute, and certainly with much greater effect than the same number of balls fired by a battalion, since experience has proved that not more than one bullet in 200 takes effect. We are decidedly of opinion that the plan, which it is the object of this tract to recommend, ought to be tried: if not to a large extent, it might be adopted on a limited scale, since there can be little doubt of its importance and utility. Major Aldington says, and we think with truth, that "The many great advantages which an army, thus equipped, would have over troops according to our present appointment, must be sufficiently obvious. At the longest distance, you have a fire from these portable pieces, equal, if not superior, to an incessant fire of small arms at twenty paces only. It would be difficult to suppose a situation, either of attack or resistance, in which troops thus appointed could be placed, where their efforts would not be completely successful." The observations on the present mode of performing the platoon exercise well deserve attention, and it were much to be wished that the commander in chief would pay a little attention to this most essential and important part of the exercise, as the method of performing it either in quick or slow time is very defective in the most material points. On this subject our author thus remarks: "The only necessary part of the manual exercise with the musket is loading and firing. This is so universally allowed by all, from the drill serjeant up to the commanding officer, that it is matter of astonishment why it is the only one least attended to. As long as we attach consequence to the fire of musketry, it is unpardonable to slur the motions over by which only it can be acquired; from the opening the pan, lifting (which is never done but in real firing) the flap of the cartouch box, &c. to the drawing the trigger, should be attended to throughout with the with the loading with cartridge. Above all greatest care, and made to correspond exactly things, officers commanding companies or divisions, in real or imitative firing, should particularly attend to the levelling as a most essential duty-the muzzle a little lower than a horizontal direction. Any other failure had better be excused than this; for, in all probability, if this part of a soldier's duty had all the attention paid that it deserves, these simple motions, by a long and continual use, would become so habitual, that men in a considerable degree of hurry and trepidation, would go through them almost mechanically." We cannot entirely agree with major Aldington in his observations on the use of riflemen, when he says, "All that they ever have or can do, amounts to no more than mere vexation, without contributing to the general issue of an engagement." When we recollect how the American riflemen distressed and annoyed our army by picking out their officers, and cutting off the centries and foragers with such dreadful certainty, we cannot but consider them as essentially serviceable. The advantages of riflemen are numerous. Their dress and the distance at which they can kill their object gives them a manifest superiority over every other species of light troops. Against an invading army, that force which can best annoy and harass will be found the most useful, and in this country, intersected with hedges and trees, rifiemen must act with great certainty and success. We are not so completely convinced as major Aldington seems to be, of the efficacy of another of his plans: viz. that ofarming the rear rank with pikes or loaded spears" of sufficient length to fall three feet beyond the charged bayonet of the front rank, supposing the line formed three deep.". Our objection to this weapon is its great length, weight, and consequent unwieldiness. In order to project as far as major Aldington wishes, the spear must be ten or twelve feet long, and to prevent its being too heavy at the point, a considerable weight must be fastened to the but. The incumbrances of such a weapon would take much from its utility. This spear is proposed to weigh 14 pounds: this it would do at to all least without any weight at the but, except the shaft was made so slender as almost to bend with its own weight, when it certainly would not be very efficacious in repelling a charge of cavalry. The men thus armed would be entirely de fenceless as individuals, as they would possess no other weapon besides this unwieldy spear. For these reasons we must beg leave to differ in opinion from our author as to the efficacy of the pike. The concluding address to the volunteers of Great Britain is appropriate.With a short extract from it we shall con clude our review of this important little tract. "I would wish to impress this truth on the minds of my gallant countrymen, w?) and arduous character of soldiers for the de have voluntarily conie forward in the bras fence of their country, as well as on the truly respectable militia throughout the kingdom, that the only way to insure succes is to come to close quarters with the enemy as soon as possibic. The preparation requir little knowledge either in theory or practi What ought to be particularly attended is, a strict observance of order, to ad:: with resolution at the word of command. throw in the reserved fire, and to folior instantly with the bayonet. This is the "dier's creed, which if relied on will not fail him.”—p. 53. ART. III. The experienced Officer; or Instructions by General WIMPFFEN to his Sons, young Men intended for the Military Profesion, &c. with an Introduction, 23 Lieut. Col. MACDONALD, of the first Batalion of Cinque Port Volunteers. pp. 20. THIS work has been for some time in high and deserved repute on the continent. The professional character of general Wimpffen ranks so high, that a publication which contains the result of his military experience, cannot fail of being highly interesting. To Lieut. Col. Macdonald the public is indebted for the present translation. He has prefixed an introduction to it, which we could very well have dispensed with. it makes an addition of 50 pages to the book, but from the great variety of subjects discussed, any person would suppose it contained more than ten times that number. Col. Macdonald has the faculty of transporting his readers in a few sentences through the most distant ages, climes, and nations. In the space of three pages mention is made of Julius Cesar, the present pope, Bossuet, the duke of Parma, Fenelon, Toussa", 54, when the government of England at that period is described. We shall extract the passage. "The allies in the war for the Spanish succession, about one hundred years ago, advanced only thirty miles from the Austrian frontier, as far as Landrecy; and a slight defeat forced prince Eugene to raise the siege of that place, and to abandon all his conquests. Never was the fallibility of offensive war more forcibly exemplified than in the slow progress of the great Marlborough, who after ten years of continued signal victories, found himself only thirty miles within the north frontier of France. Julius Cæsar, under a pretence that the Britons had assisted the Gauls, embarked with a fair wind in the year 54, and in nine hours landed on the bank of the river Storn, near Sandwich, in Kent, a little to the north of Dover. The twenty-eight petty states (subdivided into clans) governed by kings, and druids who were priests, prophets, and kings, were not calculated to act with co-operation, against a large and warlike nation accustomed to victories and triumphs, arising from discipline constantly improved, during a period of seven hundred years." p. 27. The 29th page brings us to Darius and Alexander; but in "the twinkling of an eye" Scipio, Sempronius, Flaminius, Terentius Varro, Hannibal, Fabius, Montmorenci, and Washington, together with the battles of Poictiers, Agincourt, and Cressy, are introduced. The efficacy of the volunteer system is then discussed, a transition is happily made to the propriety of emancipating the Irish Roman Catholics, and the question of the coronation oath determined. The designs of France against India are then described, and a system of defence for that empire recommended. With the greatest facility we are transported to Holland; and the manner and amount of the French taxation there described. The introduction finishes with a scheme for paying off our national debt, and a plan for disposing of all the waste lands in the kingdom by lottery! The only objections," says colonel Macdonald," in the way of this salutary proposal, will be found to ke in narrow and interested feelings, dead to every sense of public utility." After having given Col. Macdonald our share of attention, we proceed to Gen. Wimpffen. That officer thus addresses his sons: The leisure afforded me by a disengagement from professional avocations, has made as desirous of communicating to you the knowledge I have acquired in the course of fourteen active campaigns, and in a great number of memorable battles, of which I bear the marks. If my sons study this compendious work, and if they possess zeal and talents for the profession of arms, they will have over me the great advantage of obtaining information, and learning rules for conducting war, which are the result of my long experience." p. 57. The general begins with the duty of vedettes and advanced guards, which he explains with great clearness and accuracy. He then describes the different sorts of detachments. The duty of an officer commanding a reconnoitring party is thus described: "An officer detached for purposes of reconnoitring the country of the enemy ought to be intelligent, active, and brave. The troopers who accompany him must be well mounted: he must carry with him a minute geographical or topographical map of the country, a parchment pocket-book to take sketches in, and provisions to last several days. He is to procure information from the country people with respect to defiles, morasses, thickets and underwoods, rivers, bridges, fords, mills, clevated grounds, and mountains which comunand the plains. He is to note down all the remarks he makes, for the information of his commandant." p. 18. Chapter ix. treats of encampments, and the most eligible situations for camps. A camp is said to be judiciously situated, when its flanks are well supported, and its rear well covered, when it has within it wood and water, and when by a small movement the enemy is obliged to make a considerable one. Chapter xii. shews how to attack a hollow square with advantage; which order of battle is proved to be weak and defective. The three following chapters treat of the attack of lines, of passing and defending defiles, and of surprising a town or camp. In chapter xvii. the several duties of the commander in chief, the general of division, the chief of the staff, and the adjutant general are described; with the various wants and requisites of a large ar my. The following chapters contain the movements of a great army. The different kinds of marches, and the advantages or inconveniences of offensive and defensive war are explained. The concluding chapter treats of "the great battles, which alone decide the fate of empires." The following is an extract from it: "As one single battle fought by the two |