484 
SYNOPTICAL CHARTS. 
however perhaps be put back another 50 years to coincide with the 
equilibrium that Major Murdoch speaks of. 
As to the statement about the introduction of “ system ” by Vauban 
in 1690, it would no doubt be better to' ante-date this somewhat. That 
remark was intended to refer to the whole of Vauban’s active life. The 
remark might perhaps be more appropriately placed opposite the date 
1669, when he wrote his “ Memoire pour servir destruction dans la 
conduite des Sieges/' 
With regard to his establishing the superiority of Attack over De¬ 
fence, which I think he did, he did it not only as an engineer in the 
attack but as an artilleryman. Vauban, according to Villenoisy, was 
not only the greatest engineer but also the greatest artilleryman of his 
time. 
With regard to the entry under 1826, “ Shell fire from guns,” I think 
it is an excellent suggestion that the words ‘ by ships of war ” should 
be added, because undoubtedly, shell fire from howitzers is nearly the 
same thing as from guns and the former is shown on the chart as early 
as 1695. I think in any new edition we might vey properly add those 
words, and a note as to the introduction of Congreve’s rockets in 1813 
might well be inserted under the heading “ Artillery inventions.” I 
have to thank Major Murdoch for his suggestion. 
The CHAIRMAN : —Ladies and gentlemen, it now only remains, I 
think, for me to thank the lecturer on behalf of everybody for the very 
interesting and pleasant lecture which he has given us to-night. I do 
not feel equal myself to discussing the affair, as never having had any¬ 
thing to do with teaching, and it being so long ago since I was taught. 
I really do not remember much about it, therefore I will simply convey 
on your behalf our thanks to the lecturer for his very able lecture (loud 
applause). 
