A bibliography of English military books up to 1642 and of ...

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volumes of trash on the subjeft of pyrotechnics ; one copying the absurdities
of the other, they gave prescriptions for compounding fireworks of all sorts
of apothecary's drugs, verdigris, vitriol, etc., and, as reaching the height of
the ridiculous, he instances the dire6lions for the composition of an extraordinary
ball, of which the pestiferous smoke is to poison a whole army in the
field, while it is to serve also for the amusement of people in cities. But so
manifestly were these extravagances the fruit of ignorance, that their propagators,
including the plagiarist Norton, were to be pitied, not blamed.
The third part is on geometry as applied to fortification, while the fourth
part is on fortification. The printer has given the author's name wrongly j
it should be "Francis." A MS. note in the copy examined runs: " Le
Sieur Malthus ; Gentil-homme Anglois, Commissaire general des Feaux &
artifices de I'artillerie de France, Capitaine general des sappes et mines d'icelle
& Ingenieur ^s armies du Roi." It was Malthus who, about the year 1634,
introduced the mortar into the French service. Under his guidance a series
of experiments was carried out in the presence of French officers, which
ended in the adoption of that piece.—Boutell's "Arms and Armour."
Brunet makes no mention of this
writer, who was the author of another
work, written in French, but not translated, entitled " La Pratique de la
Guerre" (Paris, 1650, 4°, and 1668, 12° 3 a 3rd ed. is mentioned by Douce,
MS. 266 Bod. Lib.
119. Sixteen-twenty-nine. Bernard, Richard.
Bible-Battells Or The Sacred Art Military.
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warre
such
The
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the rightly wageing of
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Compiled for the vse of all
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For
according to Holy Writ.
valiant Worthies, and ver-
tuously Valerous Souldiers, as vp- on all iust occasions be
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ready to af-
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front the Enemies of God, our King, and
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Country. By Ric. Bernard Redor of Batcombe Somerset-
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shire.
I
. . . Printedfor Edward Blackmore, and are
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to be sold
by lames Boler at the Signe of the \
Flowre de Luce in Paules
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Church-yard.
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1629.
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Duodecimo.
Collation. Ded. to Charles L, 1[2-4.—Pref., IF42-9.—Cts., IFio-12.
Err., M5.—R.H.: "The Bible-battells."—Sigs. in 12% IT, A-M6 j M6,
blank.
Copies. B.M.
Contents. A religious treatise written on the occasion of the expedition
in aid of Rochelle, with the purpose of " bringing into the camp the use of
piety."
94