Lanterna Rally

Author: Ernest Marsh Lloyd

Publisher: Theclassics.Us

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9781230280424

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... ENGINEER STUDIES. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. Any one who compares an old castle with a modern fortress, who turns, say, from the eastern to the western heights of Dover, must be struck not only by the many points of difference between them, but also by the singular course of development which these differences indicate. The new works are neither so imposing nor so elaborate as the old, and instead of advancing steadily upon one line, the art of defence seems to have changed direction, and in some respects to have gone backward. The reason is that fortification is peculiarly dependent upon other arts. It is the making of armour to protect men from the weapons of others while allowing them to use their own, and must adapt itself therefore to all the changes of weapons, instead of taking its own course. Corresponding to the broad division of missiles and hand-weapons, the main elements of all fortification are cover and obstacle. Down to the fifteenth century, handweapons played the principal part in war; missiles were B an accessory, largely neutralized by body-armour; and the great aim of military architects was to increase and multiply the passive obstacles which hindered besiegers from coming to close quarters with the besieged. But the enormous development of missile force which has followed on the adoption of gunpowder has thrown hand-weapons into the background. Fortification has had to take a new departure, and the skilful adaptation of cover, so as to combine the utmost effectiveness of the fire of the defence with the utmost immunity from the fire of the attack, has become more and more definitely! the problem of the engineer. The character of mediaeval fortification, and the methods of attack and defence, have been described with...