XV. DEPARTMENT: 



MACHETECHNICS. 



IN the department of Machetechnics, we include the Arts of War ; 

 or the management of belligerent operations, both by land and by 

 sea. The name is derived from the Greek, ^xn-> a battle, or engage- 

 ment ; and T 1 *;^, an art : this being the most appropriate term that 

 we can propose ; having regard to brevity, euphony, and symmetry 

 of the nomenclature. War is often termed a science ; and, indeed, 

 it involves many scientific principles, some of which are peculiar to 

 itself. But it is also termed an art : and as its essence consists in 

 action, we regard it as still more closely connected with the arts, 

 than with the sciences ; and have located it accordingly. It depends 

 especially on Mathematics, Mechanics, Chemistry, and the Arts of 

 Construction ; requiring also, in the field, a practical knowledge of 

 the Geography or Topography of the region which is the seat of war- 

 like operations. A military, or naval officer, therefore, should have an 

 extensive and liberal education ; and should possess an active, inven- 

 tive mind, with a strong physical constitution. 



The Art of War, has occupied so prominent a place, in the records 

 of the past, that a general acquaintance with its operations may be 

 deemed essential to the understanding of History ; whether we re- 

 gard the facts alone, or their causes and consequences. The fate of 

 nations, and the civilization of the world, have more than once hung 

 upon the result of a siege, or a battle ; in which, the fall of a com- 

 mander, or even of the horse which bore him, might turn the scale 

 of victory. Such contingencies should remind us that the battle is 

 not always for the strong ; though they afford no argument against 

 the advantage of strength devoted to a good cause. But, if such be 

 the influence of an able commander, so far as human agency is con- 

 cerned ; the art and science, aside from the energy and courage, by 

 which that influence is maintained, are surely worthy of being studied, 

 by the statesman and philosopher. 



Much has been written on the use, and the abuse of the Arts of 

 War. We think that they have done much good, as well as harm, 

 in the world ; the evil passions of men having been made subservient 

 by their means, to higher and divine purposes. Thus, the Arabian 

 conquests in Spain, brought the oriental arts and sciences into Eu- 

 rope ; and the British empire in India, however wrongfully obtained, 

 will, we trust, be the means of rescuing that wide region from the 

 most abject thraldom of superstition and vice. Often, too, have de- 

 fensive wars been the safeguards of nations ; protecting their liberty, 

 or even their existence, from barbarous or ambitious foes. Such 



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