- . 



COUNTKR8CABP. 



GOUTY conn's. 



proper epitrooboid. TJ* other weight i* kt the end of a lew pro- 

 jecting horizontally, from the lower extremity of the telescope, when 

 the Utter it in a vertical position ; and then, consequently, it aoU with 

 the grat*t power ; iu action diminish*., by the lever bang elevated 

 or depressed, a* UM telssoope decline, from UM Tertioal toward* UM 

 north of K>uth. 



COrXTKKSCAUP. U that aide of the ditch, abouta fortress, uln, 1, 

 U opposite to the rampart*. The part which U in front of the salient 

 angle of a work U In UM form (on the plan) of a circular arc having 

 the vertex of that angle a* a centre ; and, if the ditch be that of an 

 outwork, the direction of the counterscarp U generally parallel to the 

 rampart ; the countencarp of the main ditch U in the direction of a 

 lino which U a tangent drawn to the arc from the ahoulder of the 

 collateral barton. [See the linen above ro, OK, fg. \. BABTIOM.] 

 This U intended, since the length f the flank u greater than the 

 breadth of the ditch at the mid angle, to allow the whole fire of the 

 Bank to be directed along the main ditch ; and Cormontaingna suggests 

 that the tangent shouldbe drawn from the interior aide of the parapet 

 at the ahoulder angle, in order thnt the fire of the man stationed there 

 may more accurately graze the wall of the countencarp. 



In meet system* of fortification the counterscarp U retained by a 

 vertical wall of masonry, similar to that of the escarp [ESCARP], in 

 order to render the descent of the enemy into the ditch a difficult 

 operation, requiring mining or other aeration to destroy the wall, 

 and thereby entailing delay : the defence of the covered way is 

 also thereby prolonged, since the enemy who may have entered it 

 at one place is unable to spread along it on account of the traverse* 

 which are constructed across it Carnot, however, recommends that 

 the counterscarp aide of the ditch should be formed in a gentle 

 slope rising from the bottom to the level of the natural ground, 

 in order that the garrison may with facility make those great 

 sorties which he consider* as one of the most powerful means of 

 defence. 



COUXTKHVALLATION, a chain of redoubts executed about a 

 fortress in order to prevent the sorties of the garrison : the works are 

 generally unconnected with each other, but sometimes they are united 

 by a continuous line of parapet. It has happened, during the con- 

 tinuance of a aiege or blockade, that the investing corps has been 

 menaced by an army coming up to relieve the fortress ; in which case, 

 when it is intended to act on the defensive without abandoning the 

 siege, a chain of redoubts is constructed to strengthen that corps on 

 the exterior : this U called a circumvallation ; and originally, like the 

 interior chain, it entirely surrounded the fortress. 



According to Thucydides, the town of Platsca, when besieged by the 

 Lacedaemonians, was surrounded by a line of palisades to prevent the 

 egress of the garrison ; and subsequently a circumvallation was added. 

 At the siege of Alesia, the countervallation executed by C;caar con- 

 sisted of a rampart of earth, 12 feet high, which was surmounted by a 

 parapet, probably of stakes, and by turrets, at the distance of 80 feet 

 from each other. A triple ditch was formed between this line and the 

 town. The Roman army was encamped beyond the line, and 

 by a circumv.illation of similar form; the latter was 14 miles in 

 circumference. It is related in the continuation of the history written 

 l>y William of Tyre, that, at the siege of Acre by Richard I. of 

 Kngland, the defenden made a sortie, and having forced the agger, 

 began to plunder the camp ; and it is MUM, that Saladin, being in the 

 neighbourhood with an army, made a night attack on the lines : these 

 circumstances sufficiently indicate that both countervallations and 

 circumvallationi were then in use. 



The long duration of ancient sieges rendered such works indis|>en- 

 sable ; but the use of artillery having greatly abridged the time to 

 which the defence of a fortified place can be extended, they have 

 become of less importance, and, in fact, it is only when the garrison is 

 strong and the quarters of the besieging army are separated by the 

 obstacles of the ground, that any works are considered necessary ; and, 

 in this case, instead of continuous lines of palisades and high towers of 

 wood, a few simple redoubts and breast-works of earth ore constructed 

 at intervals. In general, the besiegers are protected by an army of 

 observation in the field, when nny effort on the part of the enemy to 

 raise the siege is apprehended. 



The siege of Sebantopol may seem at first sight to contradict the 

 statement of works of circumvallation being little used in modem 

 sieges, for there numerous and -powerful works were thrown up to 

 protect the besiegers' army from the attacks of the besieged, and 

 indeed the want of them was felt at Inkermann; but it must lie 

 remembered that this could hardly be termed a siege in the strict 

 nee of the word, but rather the attempt of one army to dislodge 

 another equally powerful oii'l, at times, more numerous opponent, 

 from a strongly fortified position with supplies and mnlSriel < < 

 description clone at hand. In consequence of which, am) i>f the mm 

 investment of the place, while the whole disposable force of the allies 

 was occupied in carrying nn the attack, works were necessary to 

 protect their flanks and rear from the sudden sorties of the disposable 

 Russian forces on any weak and unguarded points. 

 ri.rxTV. [SMIRK.] 

 rurvi'Y CoI'IiTS. The whole jurisdiction in civil causes of the 

 old tdtyremntr, or County Court, has been transferred to the new 

 County Court*, lint established for the recovery of claims not exceed 



ng SO/, in amount, in 1846, but whose jurisdiction has aince been 



considerably extended. 



j 



were intended, not only to bring justice to every 

 man's door, but also to supply the place of a great variety of inferior 

 courts, established in different localities by as many different AoU of 

 Parliament, obtained for that purpose. Then CourU of Request*, or 

 Court* of Conscience, a* they were called, were intended solely for the 

 recovery of small debts, and were consequently aboliahed when the 

 new County CourU were established. 



The County Court may entertain suiU for the recovery of all debts, 

 damage*, and demands, lugaciea, and balance* of partnership aocounU, 

 where the nun sued for doe* not exceed 5W. If the parties consent in 

 writing, claim* to any amount may be determined ; but the court has 

 no jurisdiction (unles* the parties consent in writing) in any action in 

 which the title to real property or in which the raliilily of any bequect 

 under a will or settlement, may come in question ; nor in any action 

 For a malicious prosecution, for libel or slander, or seduction. 



The crown may sue in this court for duties and penalties not ex- 

 ceeding one hundred pounds, the judgment in such cases being final. 

 An action again may be brought in it against a custom-house officer, 

 in respect of any illegal seizure of vessels or good*, where the damage* 

 do not exceed fifty pounds ; but in this case there is an appeal, as in 

 an ordinary action (16 & 17 Viet c. 107). Questions between the 

 crown and any party liable for Succession Duties (not exceeding fifty 

 pounds) may also be determined in this court; the decision of the 

 judge in such cases also being final (16 & 17 Viet. c. 51). 



The County CourU are essentially local courts, for to give jurisdic- 

 tion the defendant must reside within the district of the court, at th, 

 time of the action being brought By leave of the court an 

 may be brought where the cause thereof arose within it* .i -m, t. in 

 cases in which the defendant has dwelt or carried on business in such 

 district within six month*. The court has also jurisdiction to give a 

 landlord possession of premises of which the rent does not exec. 

 and no fine haa been paid, where the tenant's term has determined, or 

 he has received notice to quit, orwhere the rent is half a year in arrear. 



Its jurisdiction in testamentary matters is explained elsev 

 [PROBATE.] The County Court has an exclusive jurisdiction in detvr- 

 mining the claims and disputes of the members and officers of Friendly 

 Societies, Industrial and Provident Societies, and of Liternn 

 Scientific Institutions (18 A 19 Viet. c. 63, s. 41 ; 15 & 16 Viet c. 31, 

 s. 8, the Literary and Scientific Institutions Act, 1854), and in Hie, 

 appointment of trustees to, and the regulation of, all charities within 

 the district of the court, of which the gross annual revenue does not 

 exceed 80J. [CiiAitrriK*. j 



A suit is begun by the entry of a plaint at the office of the court, 

 which sets out the names of the plaintiff and defendant, and the nature 

 of the action. Thereupon a summons is issued, a copy of which is 

 served on the defendant by one of the bailiffs of the court, requiring 

 the defendant to appear ; which he must do at the court to which he 

 is summoned, or have judgment given against him. If defence is 

 made, the matter in dispute is, on the trial, inquired into, and disposed 

 of summarily by the judge ; who is to decide all questions, as well of 

 fact as of law, unless one or other of the parties has demanded a jury 

 for the trial of matters of fact : for in actions for sums above 67., a 

 jury of five may be obtained as of right; hi this case the facts are to 

 be tried by the jury. 



In actions for more than 2<V., an appeal lies to either of the superior 

 courts of law at Westminster, against the decision of the judge in 

 matter of law, or in the reception or rejection of evidence. No appeal 

 lies against his decision in matters of fact. 



The court, which is held once a month, is a court of record. <>n 

 its judgment execution may be issued against the goods of the unsuc- 

 cessful party. If he has no goods, but has the means of payiiu 

 refuses to do so, he may be punished, after inquiry into hi* circum- 

 stanced, by imprisonment for a period not exceeding forty d.-n 

 the judgment (if for more than 20/.) may be removed into one of t!..- 

 superior courts, and enforced there by the ordinary process of exe- 

 cution. 



To encourage suitors to resort to this court, the plaintiff in the 

 superior courts (in suits in which they have concurrent juris<Ii< 

 does not in general obtain costs in actions of ennlrart where he recoven 

 less than 20/., and in actions of tort where he recoven no more t.li.-ui 

 HI., iinlem the judge who tries the cause certifies for costs, or it appears 

 that there was sufficient reason for bringing the action in the HIM 

 court. 



Previously to the establishment of the County Courts, the Courts of 

 Bankruptcy had, under the ' Protection Acts,' jurisdiction to grant to 

 any person who was a trader owing less than 300/. in all, or who was 

 wot a Irndtr within the bankrupt laws, protection from all process. 

 Thin jurisdiction was, by the statute 10 ft 11 Viet. c. 102, vi-.-t 

 the County Court, and tlie Court for the Kelief of Insolvent I >, 

 in London. [PROTECTION ACTS.] In the ( 'oimty < 'ourt, also, nrn 

 be tried all actions of replevin. [RKPLKVIX.] The judge has also 

 power to grant a warrant for the arrest of an absconding dclit 

 by statute 17 & 18 Viet c. 104, to direct a vessel which has 

 injury by collision or otherwise to another vessel to !>< detained until 

 satisfaction is made for the injury, or security given to abide th> 

 of legal proceeding*. 



