Vote of Thanks. It has been customary in all civilized countries for the legislature to pay a public tribute of applause to those warriors who have fought their country’s battles with success, and have otherwise distinguished themselves by particular feats of gallantry and good conduct. The French, during the progress of their revolution, have had frequent recourse to this mode of adding new zeal and fresh courage to their armies, and of expressing national gratitude.
THEATRE of war. Any extent of country in which war is carried on may be so called. The French say Théatre de la guerre. It signifies the same with us as seat of war. According to Turpin, page 21, in his essay on the Art of War, there are but three sorts of countries which may become the theatre of war; an open country divided by rivers, a woody, or a mountainous one. The dispositions for a march must of course be varied as the situation of places differ.
THEODOLITE. A mathematical instrument useful to engineers and artillerists, in taking heights and distances.
THEOREM, (Théoreme, Fr.) In mathematics, a proposition which is purely speculative and tends to the discovery of some hidden truth.
An universal Theorem, in mathematics, is one that extends universally to any quantity without restriction; as that the rectangle of the sum, and difference of any two quantities, is equal to the difference of their squares.
A particular Theorem is when it extends only to a particular quantity.
A negative Theorem is one that demonstrates the impossibilities of an assertion, as that the sum of two biquadrate numbers cannot make a square.
A local Theorem. That which relates to surface; as the triangles of the same base and altitude are equal.
THEORETICAL, (Théorique, Fr.) What appertains to theory.
THEORY, (Théorie, Fr.) The speculative part of any particular science, in which truths are demonstrated without being practically followed. Or more distinctly; a theory is an opinion formed in the mind, that certain effects must arise from certain combinations of matters or circumstances; the matters or circumstances being known, the result or consequence not yet demonstrated by experiment.