Smalt, also a good sort of blue, and may be used for the same purposes.
Ultramarine, is an impalpable powder, and of a very delicate sky-blue. It is a color of high price.
Umber, is a yellowish brown color in powder: when it is mixed with gum-water, it serves to color dry ditches, sand, and all kinds of earth. By mixing a little red ink with it, it will make a wood color.
If some tobacco-leaves be steeped in clear water for several hours, and filtered through a woollen cloth, or brown paper, with a little red ink mixed with it, it will make the best earth or wood color, as lying smoother than any other.
Gum-water, is best when it is made some time before it is used; for which purpose take some gum arabic and steep it in clear water for some hours, ’till it is dissolved; then strain it through a woollen cloth or brown paper, and preserve it in phials, well stopped, ’till wanted.
COLUMN, in the art of war, a long, deep file of troops or baggage. The advantages and disadvantages of columns are so numerous, that we shall only mention, that columns ought to be able to form near the enemy; and in such a position, as not to suffer much from the artillery; that their motions be quick, so as not to suffer much during the operation; and that the divisions, in short, which compose each column, be so arranged as to afford each other a mutual defence and assistance, in case they should be attacked. Such are the principles that should guide, in forming of columns judiciously, and of freeing them from that multiplicity of inconveniencies which make them liable to the most melancholy accidents. The chevalier Folard has written a treatise on the disposition of the column as the best order of battle; after his death the theory sunk into disregard; but the French revolution has revived and realized all the advantages, held forth by Folard.
Close-Column, a compact, solid column, with very little space between the divisions of which it is composed.
Open-Column, a column with intervals between the divisions equal to their respective fronts.
COMBAT, a battle or duel. Anciently it was not uncommon for contending powers to adjust their disputes by single combat, when each party chose for itself a champion who contested the point in presence of both armies.
COME-in, soldiers are said to come in, as volunteers, recruits, &c. when invited to join any particular standard.