The bombardier, and pocket gunner
Ralph Willett AdyeA man must appear somewhat vain, who declares that he has
been obliged to reject much useful information, for fear of
increasing too much the size of his work: and yet manages to
find room for a few pages of his own, by way of Preface: but lest the
objects which the compiler of this little work has had in view should
be mistaken, he finds it absolutely necessary to say a few words in
explanation of them. This small collection of military memorandums
was originally intended only for the compiler’s own pocket; to assist
him in the execution of his duty: but it occurred to him, that many of
his military friends stood in equal need of such an aid, and would
willingly give a few shillings for what they would not be at the trouble
of collecting. The compiler has seen young men, on their first entry
into the regiment of artillery, give a guinea for manuscripts, which
contained a very small part of the information offered in this little
book. From a persuasion that a very principal part of its merit is
derived from its portability, every endeavor has been used to press
much into a little compass; and it is hoped, that this power has not
been so far exerted, as to make the whole unintelligible: but, it must
be understood, that the compiler does not propose to convey
instruction to the untaught, but only to make a few memorandums of
reference to facts; which those already versed in the military
profession are supposed to have the knowledge to apply. The totally
ignorant of these matters, he has, therefore, nothing to say to; they
must consult more voluminous works. An alphabetical arrangement is
merely adopted as the best calculated for this purpose; and as
nothing like a military dictionary is intended, all terms are omitted, not
within the compiler’s plan. All reference to plates has, likewise been
avoided; as they not only very much increase the cost, but the bulk of
a book. The principal difficulty which the compiler has had in making
this little
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