Military duties recommended to an artillery company

The preface.

IT was the Observation which judicious Capel began a Preface to a good Book with the mention of, Books are more necessary in a State than Arms. Let it pass for a Conveniency among us in this Scythian Desert, That the Gentlemen who handle Arms may be also presented with Books accommodated unto their Instruction and Encouragement. It is reported of an unparalleled Soldier, no less an Hero than Julius Caesar, that being forced to swim for his life in an extremity, he employed one hand to preserve from the damage of the water, certain Books which he had a special value for. Nor is it any Disparagement unto men of a military Disposition or Improvement, that in all ages the most accomplished of them, have been willing sometimes to make Books the entertainment of their vacant hours: Even a mighty Alexander must have a Book under his pillow, or he cannot sleep. Perhaps it is from something ⟨image 4⟩of this Bookish Temper that this poor Sermon preached unto the Artillery of Middlesex, is by some Members of that worthy Company now desired to be printed; that their eyes may dwell upon those things which He who gives favour to them that are not men of Skill made not altogether unacceptable unto their ears. It was a Soldier that found out the happy art of Printing at first; and it seems that Soldiers will now and then press the Press into their Service still.

IT was the Observation which judicious Capel began a Preface to a good Book with the mention of, Books are more necessary in a State than Arms. Let it pass for a Conveniency among us in this Scythian Desart, That the Gentlemen who handle Arms may be also presented with Books accommodated unto their Instruction and Encouragement. It is reported of an unparallel'd Souldier, no less an Hero than Julius Caesar, that being forc'd to swim for his life in an extremity, he employ'd one hand to preserve from the damage of the water, certain Books which he had a special value for. Nor is it any Disparagement unto men of a military Disposition or Improvement, that in all ages the most accomplisht of them, have been willing sometimes to make Books the entertainment of their vacant hours: Even a mighty Alexander must have a Book under his pillow, or he cannot sleep. Perhaps it is from somesomething