HOSPODAR, a dignitary title which is given to the prince of Walachia, who is tributary to the Grand Seignor, and from whom he receives the investure.
HOST, an army; any large body of men assembled together in arms.
HOSTAGE, in the art of war, a person given up to an enemy, as a security for the performance of the articles of a treaty. When two enemies enter into a treaty or capitulation, it is common for them mutually to give hostages as a security for their reciprocally performing the engagement they have entered into. An hostage becomes either an accessary, or principal according to the state of things. Thus, for example, he is accessary when a prince promises fidelity to another prince, and gives either his son or some great lord, as a security for his performance, without any further capitulation; for then these hostages are only an additional engagement of the prince; and if he violates his word, they are not in any manner responsible. An hostage becomes a principal when it is stipulated that he shall be answerable for the event of things. For instance, if a city promise to surrender within a certain time, in case it is not succoured, and, for the security of this article, give hostages (which are in the same nature as bail given to a creditor to secure a debt); so that if the succour arrives in time, the promise becomes void, and the hostages are discharged; but if the succours do not arrive, and the city is guilty of a breach of faith by refusing to surrender, then the hostages become principal, and may be punished for a breach of faith.
HOSTILE, inimical; suitable to an enemy.
HOSTILITES, Fr. See [Hostilities].
HOSTILITIES, in a military sense, may imply a rupture between the inhabitants of the same country, town, or place, and the first outrage that is committed by either party, as in general matters of warfare, is considered to be the first commencement of hostilities. Between nations, the first act of hostility is taken as a declaration of war. There are, however, certain established laws and regulations by which acts of hostility formerly were governed; without the intervention of these restrictions, war is conducted upon the most brutal and ferocious principles. Every wise and good general will exert his influence and authority to soften the fury of his victorious men, let the contest be ever so obstinate and bloody. Self-preservation, indeed, suggests this natural precaution; for if soldiers were permitted to ill-treat their prisoners, the sanguinary system of retaliation must prevail.
HOSTILITY, denotes a state of war or enmity between two nations. During a truce all acts of hostility are to cease on both sides.
HOSTING. An obsolete term, formerly signifying the mustering of men in arms.
HOTEL des invalides, Fr. a spacious building which was erected by Louis XIV. in Paris, at the extremity of the Fauxbourgh, St. Germain, upon the river Seine, as a public monument of his charity and magnificence. All disabled, infirm, and wounded officers and soldiers were received, lodged, and subsisted, during the remainder of their lives within its walls. The established number upon the foundation was 4000, including officers and soldiers. All exceeding that number, and who were less incapable of bearing arms, were distributed among the different garrison towns upon the frontiers of the kingdom, in detached and separate companies.
During the old government of France, a particular staff was appointed to superintend the duty at the Invalides, and a guard was regularly mounted every morning. Officers and soldiers, entitled to this charity, were first received in 1670. M. de Louvois, minister and secretary at war, was the first director and administrator general, and M. Dormoy was the first governor commandant.