Gerbelikewise means the tithe which was formerly paid to the French curates.
FaireGerbede foarre à dieu,Fr.a figurative expression, signifying, that the farmer made up the worst sheaf he could for the parson; filling it principally with straw instead of good ears of corn.
GERMS, small coasting vessels employed by the French, to keep up an intercourse with Egypt.
GESE,Fr.a weapon used in former times.
GesesandMatereswere adopted by the Allobroges (a body of ancient Gauls so called) independently of the broad cut and thrust sword, which the Swiss still wear. These instruments were only one cubit long; half the blade was nearly square, but it terminated in a round point that was exceedingly sharp. Virgil in his Æneid calls this species of blade,alpin, meaning, no doubt, to convey, that it was in general use among the neighboring inhabitants of theAlps. Not only the Romans, but the Greeks received it into their armies. The former retained the full appellation and called itgése, but the latter corrupted it intoysse. This is the only weapon with which those soldiers were armed that escorted malefactors, who were condemned to death, to the place of execution. The termgesewas also applied to a sort of a javelin.
GESSATES, a people of whom Polybius speaks in his history of the ancient Gauls, and who inhabited the countries lying adjacent to the alps, and to the river Rhone. According to some writers, they were so called because they constantly woregeses. The gese is said to have been a dart which the ancient Gauls exclusively used, and which some authors since confounded with thepertuisaneorpartisan, a sort of halbert, called by others ajavelin. This word was used in Provence, as late as the year 1300; for in the inventory which was taken of the goods, furniture, &c. appertaining to the Templars, we findgessusorgesusparticularly specified in the list of weapons and iron instruments, which was understood to meangese, and under that appellation was deposited in the king’s archives at Aix. SeeBoucher,Hist. Prov.Liv. ii. c. 4. p. 82. This same author further asserts, that theGési, and theGessatestook their names from that weapon. He quotes Julius Cæsar’s account of the wordgesiin confirmation of his own opinion. Many authors have mentioned the same term: among others, Justus, Lipsus, Hugo, Cheves, Vossius, &c.
GessateouGesate,Fr.a knight among the ancient Gauls, who took delight in war, and frequently volunteered his services beyond the boundaries of his native country. Whenever a neighboring country made a levy of men, it was usual for the gessates to accompany the troops, from a conviction that it would be dishonorable in them to remain inactive at home. These adventurers, or knights-errant, were called gessates, either on account of the gessus or large dart, which they carried, or, as Polybius imagines, on account of the subsistence which was paid them, and was called by that name.
GESTURE, a motion of the body intended to signify some idea, or passion of the mind. All officers and soldiers who make use of any menacing gesture before a commanding or superior officer, or before a court-martial, are liable to be punished by the laws of war.
GEZE,Fr.a rentrant angle, which is made with slate or lead, and forms a gutter between two roofs. It is likewise callednoue, or pantile.
GHERIAH, a port on the Malabar Mahrattah coast of Hindustan, the capital part of Angria’s dominions, which consisted of an extent of coast, from whence this warlike state was a perpetual source of uneasiness to the trading ships of all the European nations in India. It cost the English East-India company 50,000l.annually to protect their own ships. Eight or ten grabs, and forty or fifty gallivats, crowded with men, generally composed Angria’s principal fleet in 1754, destined to attack ships of force or burthen. The vessel no sooner came in sight of the port or bay where the fleet was lying, than they slipped their cables and put out to sea. If the wind blew, their construction enabled them to sail almost as fast as the wind; and if it was calm, the gallivats rowing towed the grabs: when within cannon shot of the chace, they generally assembled in her wake, and thegrabs attacked her at a distance with their prow guns, firing first only at the masts, and taking aim when the three masts of the vessel just opened all together to their view; by which means the shot would probably strike one or other of the three. As soon as the chase was dismasted, they came nearer, and battered her on all sides until she struck: and if the defence was obstinate, they sent a number of gallivats, with two or three hundred men in each, who boarded sword in hand from all quarters in the same instant.
The English trusting to the report of the natives, had until the year 1756, believed Gheriah to be at least as strong as Gibraltar, and like that situated on a mountain which was inaccessible from the sea, for this reason it was resolved to send vessels to reconnoitre it; which service commodore James, in the Protector, with two other ships, performed. He found the enemy’s fleet at anchor in the harbor, notwithstanding which, he approached within cannon shot of the fort, and having attentively considered it, returned at the end of December to Bombay, and described the place, such as it truly was, very strong indeed, but far from being inaccessible or impregnable. This place was taken by the English troops under the command of colonel Clive. There were found in it 200 pieces of cannon, six brass mortars, and a great quantity of ammunition, and military and naval stores of all kinds; the money and effects of other kinds, amounted to 1,200,000l.sterling. All this booty was divided amongst the captors, without any reserve either for the nation, or the company. In less than a month the English, with their allies the Mahrattas got possession of all the territories wrested from the latter by Angria’s predecessors, and which they had for seventy years despaired of ever being able to recover.
GIBERNE,Fr.a sort of bag in which the grenadiers held their hand-grenades. It was worn like a powder flask. They likewise carried, independent of this bag, a cartouch box containing 18 or 20 charges.
GIBRALTAR, a strong fortress of Andalusia, in Spain. Gibraltar was formerly thought to be impregnable; but it was taken by Sir George Rooke in 1704, and has remained in the hands of the English ever since. It has been several times attacked by the Spaniards, who have always been unsuccessful. Their last effort to recover it was made September 13th, 1782, with floating batteries, in which were mounted 212 brass cannon and mortars. The French united with the Spaniards on this memorable occasion; and the brother to the last king of the French, (then Count D’Artois) commanded the camp of St. Roche, from whence the offensive operations were directed. General Elliot, (afterwards called lord Heathfield) had prepared a great number of red-hot balls against the attack; and these so effectually destroyed the floating batteries, that the Spaniards were greatly annoyed, and relinquished the enterprize. For particulars, see Drinkwater’s siege of Gibraltar.
GIN, in military mechanics, is a machine for raising great weights: it is composed of 3 long legs, 2 of which are kept at a proper distance by means of 2 iron bars fixed on one of the legs by a staple passing through a hole at one end: the other end has a hook which enters into a staple fixed into the other leg so as to be taken off or put on at pleasure.
At 3 feet from the bottom is a roller, upon which the cable was wound; and the 3 legs are joined together with an iron bolt, about which they move: to this bolt, is also fixed an iron half-ring to hook on a windlass: when the gin stands upright, so as the legs stand at a proper distance, one end of the cable is fastened to a gun, mortar, or other weight; and the other passes through the pullies and about the roller, which is turned round by means of hand-spikes passing through the holes in the ends of the roller: whilst a man holds the cable tight, the gun is raised to the height required, so that the carriage may be put under it.
GinTriangle—Length of arms of the gin 16 feet 4¹⁄₂ inches. Roller, 6 feet long. Tackle fall, 78 feet of 3 inch white rope. Sling, 6 inch white rope.
The newly constructed gin, by having one half of the roller of a greater diameter than the other, gives a new power, that of elevating or lowering the object in a greater or lesser proportion, according to the end of the cylinder upon which the cable is fixed.
For the different exercises of the gin, see the wordExercise.
GINCE, a place in India, situated 35 miles N. W. of Pondicherry.
GINJAULSorGINGAULS, an East Indian name, signifying large musquets used with a rest, somewhat similar to those invented by Marshal Vauban, for the defence of forts.
GIRANDE,Fr.the chief cluster, or assemblage of an artificial firework, with which a shew or illumination is generally concluded.
Agirandemay be made by uniting several chests or clusters together, and securing with a match of communication, a regular inflammation.
GIRANDOLE,Fr.literally, a chandelier; a cluster of diamonds.
Girandoles,Fr.circles ornamented with fusees. They are used in fireworks. SeeSoleilstournans.
GIROUETTES,Fr.Weathercocks, vanes. They are seldom or ever used on shore, except as weathercocks on tops of church-steeples, &c.
Girouettein the singular number, likewise means figuratively light, inconstant, not to be depended upon. Asce jeune officier est aussi girouette que ce coutume. This young officer is as light as usual.
GISTES, pieces of wood which are made use of in the construction of platforms to batteries, and upon which the madriers or broad planks are placed.
GLACIS. SeeFortification.
Glacisd’une corniche,Fr.a waterfall, or insensible slope which is made upon thecymatium(a member of architecture, whereof one half is convex, and the other concave) of a cornish.
GLADIATOR,GLADIATEUR,Fr.a sword player, a prize fighter. The old Romans were accustomed to make their slaves fight with one another at their public festivals, and the only weapon they used, was a gladine or sword. This barbarous usage was abolished by the emperor Theodoric in the year of Christ 500; but it prevailed among the ancient Britons, and in England to a much later date.
GLAISmilitaire,Fr.a military compliment which was paid to the remains of a deceased general. It consisted in a discharge of ordnance. In a civil sense, it means the chiming of bells at the death of a parish priest.
GLAISE,Fr.clay, or potter’s earth.
GLAISER,Fr.to do over with potter’s earth, or clay.
GLAIVE, a broad sword, or falchion, anciently so called.
LeGlaivede la justice, the sword of justice.
GLAIZE, a kind of halbert, so called by the Saxons.
GLAS,Fr.knell.
GLIBact, a very ancient act of parliament which directed that the Irish nobility and gentry who were of English or Norman extraction, should forfeit the privileges of their original country, if they did not shave the upper lip. This act took place when Ireland was first conquered, and its object was to distinguish the descendants of the invaders; from the old Irish nobility that traced its origin to Milesius, who wore their hair and their beards very long; hence glib, means loose, flowing.
GLIPHEouGLYPHE,Fr.signifies generally every species of canal, or hollow, which constitutes any part of ornamental architecture.
Globesou ballons d’artifices,Fr.globes or balloons, which are filled with artificial fire. They are used to set fire to an enemy’s town or works, &c.
Globesde feu,Fr.a cartouch made of mashed paper, which is laid upon a wooden bowl and made perfectly round. It is afterward perforated in several places, and filled with the inflammable composition that is used in the making up oflances à feu. The instant it catches, a very bright and lively fire issues out of the several holes.
GLOBE. SeeGeography.
GLOIRE,Fr.an artificial fire-work, which resembles a large sun. It is made by means of an iron wheel containing four circles, each circle diminishing towards the centre, and kept at equal distances from one another. Forty eightjets de feu, or fire spouts, are tied to these circles; each jet is twenty French inches long, and there are twelve of them fixed to each of the four circles. The gloire or soleil is placed in the middle of the principal fire-work.
MilitaryGLORY, honor, reputation and fame, acquired by military atchievements. That precarious splendor, which plays round the brows of a warrior, and has been collected by hard service, extraordinary genius, and unblemished integrity; but which may desert the greatest hero through one unfortunate failure.
GO. The verbto gois variously used in a military sense, as to march in a hostile, or warlike manner.
ToGooff, implies to depart from any post.
ToGoon, to make an attack.
ToGoover, to revolt.
ToGoout, to go upon any expedition, &c.
ToGooutis likewise frequently used to signify the act of fighting a duel, ashe went out with a brother officer, and was slightly wounded.
GOA, a strong town on the Malabar coast, belonging to the Portuguese. The chief trade is in arrack. This fort was taken by the English April 2d, 1756.
GOLADARorGOLDAR, an East Indian term, signifying a store-keeper, or store-house-keeper.
GOLANDAAZEE, the Indian term for an artillery man.
GOLCONDA, a province in India, formerly comprehending the nabobships of Arcot, Canoul, Cudapa, Rajamandry, and Chicacole.
Golconda, formerly a city and the capital of the province. It stood at the foot of the rock and fortress of the same name; but the city has long since been deserted; and its inhabitants removed to Hyderabad: nevertheless its name is still frequently used in Indostan, when in reality the city of Hyderabad is meant.
GOLDENRock, a spot near Tritchinopoly in East India, which has been renowned by the victory that was gained by the British troops over the French and their allies in 1753.
GONDECAMA,Gondegama, a river in India, which makes the northern boundary of the province of Arcot; Condavir extends between this and the river Kristna.
GONDOLA,Gondole,Fr.this word may be taken in two senses, viz. to signify a cup; or a small barge which is flat and long in its construction, and isonly moved, or worked by oars. Gondolas are much used upon the canals in Venice; they are extremely remarkable for their shape, and the great swiftness with which they glide through the water. The middle sized ones are about thirty feet long, and are only four feet broad across the middle, gradually tapering towards each end, and rising in two sharp and narrow points to the ordinary height of a man. Upon the prow is fixed an iron of uncommon length, which does not exceed half a finger’s breadth in thickness; but which is four fingers broad, and is so disposed as to cut the air. The upper part of this iron which is flatter than the rest, stretches out in the shape of a large hatchet a full foot in length: so that when the gondola is on her way, it seems to menace every thing before it, and to force its passage.
GONDOLIERS,Gondoliers,Fr.the men who have the management of the gondolas at Venice, are so called. The equipment of a gondola seldom exceeds two persons, even on board of those barges that belong to the foreign ambassadors.
It sometimes happens that there are four, when persons of distinction go to their country houses. The gondoliers never sit down but row the barge standing upright and push forward. One man always plies in the fore part of the gondola, and the other is at the poop.
GONFALON,-GONFANON,
an ensign or standard.
GONG, the Persian word for a village.
GONG WALLAS, villagers, the militia in India so called; fromgong, a village, andwallas, a man.
GORGE. SeeFortification.
Gorge,Fr.likewise means any hollow between a chain of mountains, that affords a passage into an open country.
Gorge,Fr.a sort of concave moulding belonging to ornamental architecture.
GORGERIN,Fr.in ancient times, that part of the armor which covered the neck of a man. Hence our wordgorget.
GORGONS, in military antiquity, a warlike female nation of Libya, in Africa, who had frequent quarrels with another nation of the same sex, calledAmazons.
GOTHIC, (GothiqueFr.) any thing constructed after the manner of the Goths. Various works and buildings that appear to have been constructed without any particular regard to the rules of art, are so called. All the old cathedrals are in the Gothic taste.
Monsieur de Fenelon has said, that gothic architecture can support an immense vault upon the slightest pillars. The elevation of it is so wonderful, that although it seems ready to tumble, is perforated and full of windows in every part, and stands as it were suspended in the skies, it nevertheless lasts out centuries, and almost always proves more durable than the most regular buildings.
FrontonGOTHIQUE,Fr.a gothic pediment. In modern architecture, all circular or triangular gable ends are so called, when they are sculptured, or three leaved.
GOUDRONouGOUDRAN,Fr.pitch and tar.
GOUDRONS,Fr.small fascines, or faggots which are well steeped in wax, pitch, and glue, and then are lighted for the purpose of setting fire to beams, planks, traverses, galleries, pontoons, &c. They are likewise used in various shapes and ways, to convey light into the ditches, or upon the ramparts.
GOVERNORof a fortification, is, or should be, a person of great military knowlege; and is a very considerable officer, whose authority extends not only over the inhabitants and garrison, but over all troops that may be there in winter quarters, cantonments, or quarters of refreshment.
Duty of aGovernorin time of peace, is to order the guards, the rounds, and the patroles; to give the parole and countersign every night after the gates are shut; to visit the posts, to see that both officers and soldiers do their duty, and that every thing goes on regularly and in good order.
Duty of aGovernorin time of war. He should consider the place in such a manner, as if the enemy were going to besiege him, not omitting the least thing that may contribute to a long and obstinate defence; he should therefore take particular care to keep the fortifications in good repair; clearing the country round of all hedges, ditches, trees, hollow roads, caverns, and rising grounds, within the reach of cannon shot; not suffering any houses to be built within that distance, nor in general any thing to be done that may favor the approach of an enemy.
He should consider well with himself every minute circumstance that may be of advantage to him during the siege: he should thoroughly examine the several works, and canvas all the different stratagems that may be used, either to defend them, or to give way upon occasion, when overpowered, with an intent to return and dislodge the enemy, after he has got possession of them; in short, how to defend the place entrusted to his care, inch by inch, with the best advantage.
He should consider how, and in what manner, the works defend each other; whether their communications are safe, or liable to be interrupted by the besiegers; how to incommode the enemy when he is at a distance, or to dislodge him when near; whether the ground be proper for mines, and where they should be made; whether any part of the country may not be laid under water, by means of dykes or sluices: if there are any already made, how to keep them in constant repair, or to make new ones if they are wanted;taking care to construct them so that the enemy may not have it in his power to destroy them, either with his cannon or mortars.
If the governor be not sufficiently skilled in the systems of attack and defence, he should frequently converse with the officers of engineers and artillery who understand them; examine the works together, see what may be done to render the defence of the place as long as the circumstances and nature of the works will admit of; and to make it familiar to himself, he should set down a project of defence on paper, and have it canvassed by the most skilful officers of artillery and engineers about him. This must be done in private; that spies or deserters may not discover the weak parts to the enemy. In short, nothing should be neglected on the part of the governor.
He should see that the place be well supplied with ammunition, and wholesome provisions; that the hospitals are in good order, and provided with able physicians and surgeons, as likewise with every thing wholesome and necessary, that the sick and wounded may be well taken care of.
The powder magazines above all things, require his most special care: for though they are built bomb-proof, yet, when a great number of shells fall upon them, they seldom resist their shock; for which reason they should be covered 8 or 10 feet thick with earth, and a layer of fascines, dung and strong planks, laid over them.
GOUJAT,Fr.A soldier’s boy. It likewise signifies an ignorant good-for-nothing fellow.
GOUINE, a woman of infamous character.
GOURDIN,Fr.a flat stick, two fingers in breadth, which was used by the french to punish galley slaves.
GOURGANDINE,Fr.a strumpet of the lowest species, a soldier’s trull.
GOUVERNAIL,Fr.a rudder.
GOUVERNEMENT,Fr.anciently meant a certain specific allotment of provinces, towns, &c. under the superintendence and government of one person who received his powers from the king, and had subordinate officers under him. There were twelve governments in France, at the first institution of monarchy, calledgrands gouvernemens généraux, which were specifically noticed in all the general sittings of the kingdom. They were first formed by Hugues Capet, in 987. Previous to the revolution in 1789, they were subdivided into 39 general provincial governments with inferior officers, subject to their jurisdiction; such as governors of towns, and commandants of fortified places. Each governor general was entitled to a guard of cavalry, a certain number of halberdiers and armed men on foot.
GOUVERNEURd’une place de guerre,Fr.the governor of a fortified town or place. Seegovernor of aFortification.
GOWA. A witness is so called in India.
GRABS. Vessels peculiar to the Malabar coast. They have rarely more than two masts, although some have three; those of three are about 300 tons burthen; but the others are not more than 150 tons; they are built to draw very little water, being very broad in proportion to their length, narrowing from the middle to the end, where instead of bows they have a prow, projecting like that of a Mediterranean galley, and covered with a strong deck level with the main deck of the vessel, from which, however, it is separated by a bulk head, which terminates the forecastle. As this construction subjects the grab to pitch violently when sailing against a head sea; the deck of the prow is not enclosed with sides as the rest of the vessel is, but remains bare, that the water which dashes upon it may pass off without interruption. On the main deck under the forecastle are mounted two pieces of cannon nine or twelve pounders, which point forwards through the port holes cut in the bulk head, and fire over the prow; the cannon of the broadside are from six to nine pounders.
GRAFF. SeeDitchorMoat.
GRAIN,Fr.A word used in the repairing of damaged cannon.
Mettre unGraina une piece, to fill up the touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, the heating it in such a manner, that the metal which is poured in may assimilate and mix. When it becomes cold, a fresh aperture is made or bored.
GRAIS,Fr.large stones resembling Scotch pebbles. They are used to pave the high-roads, and streets.
GRAM, the grey peas are called by this name in Hindustan, and is the common food of horses, for which purpose it is previously steept in water.
GRAMEN, grass, in botany.
GRAMINE,couronne gramine,Fr.a grass or gramineous crown, which was made among the Romans. SeeObsidional.
GRANADE. False orthography. SeeGrenade.
GRANADIER, false orthography. SeeGrenadier.
GRAND. This word is frequently used both in French and English as a word of title or distinction; it means great. In French it also means large.
Granddivision. The battalion being told off by two companies to each division, is said to be told off in grand divisions; hence grand division firing is, when the battalion fires by 2 companies at the same time, and is commanded by 1 officer only.
Grandmaitre d’artillerie,Fr.grand master of the ordnance, &c. &c. &c.
Grandsoleil brillant,Fr.a sun exhibited in artificial fireworks. SeeGloire.
GrandVizir. SeeVizir.
GRANITE, (granit,Fr.) a sort of hard stone which is variegated by spots and streaks, and is rather encrusted. It is very common in Egypt. There is a species of granite, that is of a white and violet color; and another which is green mixed with white. The most ordinary kind has grey and green spots scattered over a greyish white.
Columns 40 feet high have been seen in Egypt which consisted wholly of one piece of granite. The Egyptian Pyramids are made of that marble; such indeed is the quantity said to exist about the country, that some authors imagine the whole extent of its foundation to be a solid rock of granite. The French distinguish this sort of stone by calling itmarbre granitandmarbre granitelle. In natural history it is generally calledgranita, being a distinct genus of stones composed of separate and very large concretions rudely compacted together, of great hardness and capable of receiving a very fine and beautiful polish.
GRANOIR,Fr.a term used in the French artillery, to signify a sort of sieve, in which there are small round holes for moist powder to be passed through, in order to make the grains perfectly round.
GRAPEshot. SeeShot.
GRAPHOMETER, (graphometre,Fr.) among surveyors, an instrument for taking angles, and generally called a semi-circle. In mathematics it serves to measure heights and elevations, to raise plans, &c.
GRAPPLING. The French call it grapin, herisson, risson, or harpeau; it is a sort of small anchor, with four or five flukes or arms, commonly used to ride a boat.
Grappling-irons, in the art of war, are composed of 4, 5, or 6 branches, bent round and pointed, with a ring at the root, to which is fastened a rope to hold by, when the grapple is thrown at any thing, in order to bring it near, so as to lay hold of it.
FireGrappling, an instrument which nearly resembles the above, only that it is fitted with strong barbs instead of flukes, and is fixed at the yard arms of a fire-ship to grapple her adversary, and set her on fire. The French call this instrumentgrapin de brulôt.
GRAS-bois,Fr.in carpentry, a term to signify any piece of wood which is too large to fit the place it was intended to fill, and which must necessarily be diminished. Hence the expressiondêmaigrir, to thin.
GRASS, (gramen,) in botany a general name for most of the herbaceous plants used in feeding cattle.
Grassplats, green walks which for the most part are made by laying turfs or green sods.
GRATICULER,Fr.to divide with a pencil on a sheet of paper, any design or drawing into small equal squares, in order to reduce the original sketch or picture, or to enlarge it by the same process. This word is derived from the Italian,graticola, a gridiron.
GRATIFICATION,Fr.In a general acceptation of the term, this word meant, among the French, certain rewards which generals gave to the troops, after a severe engagement, in testimony of their valor and good conduct. These rewards were distributed according to rank. This custom was prevalent in the most ancient times. According to Vegetius, all monies distributed by the Romans, as military gratifications or rewards, were deposited in the ensign or standard-bearer’s hands, to be occasionally given to the soldiers. Sometimes the generals gave directions, that a certain proportion should be sequestered or put apart. By degree, a fund was collected; and the temptations to desert lost their influence in the superior attachment which every soldier felt to his standard, whose bearer was the trustee of his little property, and to whom he was consequently bound by one of the most powerful ties of the human heart—self interest.
Bygratificationwas likewise meant the accumulation of a certain sum, which was deposited for the specific purpose of burying a deceased soldier.
Gratificationsignified, among the French, in a more extended sense of the word, a public reward given to a body of soldiers on the recommendation of a general, for some signal act of bravery in the day of battle. When this happened the soldiers had a certain sum of money distributed amongst them, and the officers received annual pensions.
Gratificationlikewise means a certain allowance in money which is made to prisoners of war. The British officers in France have been allowed 6d.per day, and the non-commissioned and soldiers 1¹⁄₂d.the officers have also 1s.6d.in lieu of rations.
GRATTERun Vaisseau,Fr.to clean or careen a ship.
Gratteren maconnerie,Fr.to restore the original appearance of a wall or building by grating the superficies with a trowel, or any other iron instrument.
GRAVEURS,Fr.Persons employed and paid by the founders of cannon for repairing damaged pieces of artillery. Some individual, however, was distinguished by the name ofGraveur de l’Artillerie, Engraver to the Artillery, and was permitted, by the Grand Master of the Ordnance, to exhibit over his shop-door the arms of the royal artillery.
GRAVITY.—Table of the Specific gravity of several Solid and Fluid bodies.
The several sorts of wood are supposed dry.
This table also contains the weight of a cubic foot of each body in avoirdupois ounces; from whence results the following rules:
1.To find the magnitude of any body from its Weight.
As the tabular specific gravity of the body,
Is to its weight in avoirdupois ounces.
So is one cubic foot, or 1728 cubic inches,
To its contents in feet or inches respectively.
2.To find the weight of a body from its magnitude.
As one cubic foot, or 1728 cubic inches,
Is to the content of the body,
So is the tabular specific gravity
To the weight of the body.
GRAVOIS,Fr.rubbish.
GREATfortification. One of the divisions of the first system of M. de Vauban.—It consists in a fortification whose exterior side is from 185 to 260 toises, or from 370 to 520 yards, and is seldom adopted but towards a river or a marsh.
Greatradius. The whole oblique radius. SeeFortification.
GRECIANfire,feu Gregeois,Fr.a sort of artificial fire, which insinuates itself beyond the surface of the sea, and which burns with increased violence when it mixes with that element. Its directions are contrary to the course of natural fire; for the flames will spread themselves downwards, to the right or left, agreeably to the movement that is given. It is composed or made up of naphtha, sulphur, bitumen, gum and pitch; and it can only be extinguished by vinegar mixed with urine and sand, or with undressed leather or green hides. Some writers assert, that it was invented by an engineer (belonging to Heliopolis, a town in Syria,) whose name was Gallinicus, and who used it with so much skill and effect during a naval engagement, that he destroyed a whole fleet belonging to the enemy, upon which were embarked 30,000 men. This combustible matter has retained the name of Grecian fire, because the Greeks first practised the invention. It is asserted indeed, that the secret of making Grecian fire, which should be unextinguishable, has been long since lost;we say unextinguishable, because the ancients did nor know, as we do, how to repress or put out the flame.
According to the author ofOeuvres Militaires, a powerful composition, which could only be extinguished by strong vinegar (a secret unknown to the ancients) might be made of the following combustible materials: viz. pitch, rosin, tallow, camphor, turpentine, salt of nitre, liquid varnish, oil of sulphur, linseed, rock oil, flax, charcoal finely pulverized; the whole of which being boiled together, and before it grows cold, mixed with quick lime: a consistence is formed that will be susceptible of the most subtle and destructive fire.