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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
that the Prussians are not contented with outworks which seemed, under the 
Prencli regime, rather a tardy recognition of a new era in artillery than the 
key to the position on which the safety of one of their largest fortresses 
depended. In position, St. Quentin appears to be to Metz what Port 
Alexander is to Coblentz, and it seems probable that at no very distant 
period the visitor to Metz may find an outer line of defence, which will alter 
the now prevalent belief that the progress of the science of fortification is 
comparatively slow, and render no longer true the remarks of some authors 
on this subject.* 
Should this outline sketch possess any interest to the readers of it, some 
may feel inclined to visit the same ground, to inspect more carefully than I 
had either time or opportunity for doing, and note more fully the result of 
their observations; and should the “ jottings ” they make call up as pleasant 
reminiscences to them as mine did to me, they will have no cause to regret 
a visit which gives them some knowledge of the Rhine fortresses and German 
soldiers. 
Shoeeuryness, 
October 17, 1871. 
* “D’immenses progres ont ete realises dans toutes les branches de l’art de la guerre; la fortifi¬ 
cation seule est restee a peu pres immobile.”—Etudes sur la Defense des Etats, par M. le Major 
Brialmont. 
