REPORTS ON THE BELGIAN ARTILLERY. 
223 
A railway with a gauge of about 40 ft. is laid down for a length of about Practice at 
800 yds. On this, by an ingenious system, is moved by a fixed capstan and column of 
chains a target representing two sections of infantry of about 20 files each, lnfafttr y* 
at open column, painted to look like troops under arms. The railway runs 
over undulating ground. A battery trots up to the practice ground from its 
stables, and halts. Presently, at an unknown range, appears a small column 
of infantry moving directly towards, or obliquely towards, or from the battery, 
which comes into action against the column, on the heads of the imaginary 
troops emerging from a hollow, and continues in action till they have, at an 
increased pace, sought and found shelter. 
Or a battery comes into action against targets which, after a round or two Practice at 
has burst close by them, imitate, the movement of troops by lying down; whoHe 
and the battery has to continue its practice against an enemy unseen, though <!°J nunder 
known to be present. 
3STo range-finder is in use, either for garrison or field artillery. Some have Range 
been tried—Gauthier's for garrison guns, Nolan's and Boulenge's for the observing 
field; but none has been adopted, and probably none will be, as many 
officers avow their opinion that no instrument is equal to a shell with per¬ 
cussion fuze watched by a trained eye. Much attention is paid to the 
training in finding the range by practice. 
It is recognised that only some men can lay a gun well, and that even ® e y s s t t i ® m t ^ 
among good aimers each man has his own personal equation of error. The P ow?r g of 
Prussian instruction sight is used for testing a man's aiming power. This J? cor ” 
sight has slides carrying the eye-piece, moving vertically and horizontally, and 
each furnished with a vernier. The soldier lays the gun, the instructor notes 
the readings of the verniers, which the man does not see, and throws both 
slides out of gear. The soldier lays again, by replacing the slides, not by 
moving the gun. The verniers are again read, and again thrown out of line; 
and this operation is repeated a third time. If a man lays three times exactly 
alike, he is considered to have a great power of aiming, though he may not 
have laid perfectly truly on the object, owing to his personal constant error 
of vision. 
All practice is watched in the battery by an officer of the Staff of the System of 
Poly gone, trained to observe and judge accurately. Such an officer is also on thepracS 
the range party. The officer commanding the battery firing makes his own forMXuo- 
practice table, judging the effect of his shots; and after the practice his tion - 
table is compared with that of the range party and the notes of the Staff 
Officer in the battery, and an instructor points out the errors made, explains 
their causes, and gives practical hints and suggestions. 
No careless practice is allowed. Prizes are given for good shooting, both Prizes for 
in the form of distinguishing badges on the arm for marksmen, and money f°° d shoot ’ 
prizes for the battery. 
Thus every encouragement is given to the artillery, both field and siege. Practical 
to learn this most important part of their profession; and the whole object of Xruction, 
the instruction seems to be to prevent useless expenditure of ammunition, 
and to teach men to make thoroughly good practice under conditions as 
nearly representing those .of war as it is possible to obtain in time of peace. 
