A military dictionary

by William Duane

The same mortar gives a difference, from one degree to another, of 60 feet, provided there be two pounds and a half of the same powder in its chamber, and it gives 2700 feet, for its greatest flight.

It finally gives 72 feet difference from one degree to another, if the charge consists of three pounds of mealed gunpowder, and the elevation be taken at 45 degrees, which in the opinion of bombardiers, is the greatest flight, taking a range of 3240 feet.

Among the French bombardiers there are tables put out according to this calculation, which may be found in Blondel or St. Remi. These tables are adapted to mortars of 12 inches calibre, which weight we have taken for example.

Jet, among the French is likewise applied to the range taken by a fusee, as jet de la fusee, the flight of a fusee.

In cannon founderies it is further used to express the different pipes or hollows which are made of clay or wax, in order to convey the liquid metals into their moulds. In this sense it means cast, so that jet may be properly called a vent or aperture which is made at the extreme end of the mould and through which the metal is poured.

Un beau Jet, Fr. a fine cast.

JETTER, Fr. to pour metal into a mould.

JETTEE, Fr. a pier. It usually consists of a projection, made with stone, brick or wood at the extreme ends of a harbor, for the purpose of resisting the impetuosity of the waves.

JEU de hazard, Fr. chance play. It was our intention to have entered fully into this subject, as far as it concerns the military system, under the head hazard; but as the matter has been more particularly adverted to in a French author, we judge it best to quote from that authority, and to shew, that, corrupt as the old government of France most unquestionably was, the character of its army was not neglected. Every species of chance play was strictly forbidden in the French camps and garrisons, and throughout their armies. The prohibitions on this head bear the most ancient dates. On the 24th of July, 1534, Francis I. issued an order, which was again confirmed by Henry II. on the 22d of May, 1557, that no comrade should, under any pretext whatever, obtain money from a brother soldier by play. It was further ordained, that in case of foul play, the persons who should be discovered were, for the first offence, to be publicly flogged, and for the second to be punished in the like manner, to have their ears cut off, and to be banished for ten years. The delinquents were committed to the charge and custody of the provost, who was authorized to confiscate every farthing that was played for. Dice and cards were rigorously forbidden under the same penalties, as well as all sorts of games which might create animosities and dissentions among individuals.

On the 15th of January, 1691, Louis XIV. issued an order from the privy council, by which he expressly forbade not only the officers belonging to his army, but likewise all other persons of whatever sex or denomination to play at Hoca, Pharoah, Barbacole, Basset, and Pour et Contre. The penalties for every infraction or breach of this order were as follows. Those persons who played were fined 1000 livres or 200 dollars, and the master or mistress of the house where games of the above description were allowed, stood fined in 6000 livres, or 1200 dollars for each offence. One third of these penalties was applied to his majesty’s use, one third to the relief of the poor of the place where the offence was committed, and the other third was paid to the informer. It was further ordained, that in case the persons so discovered were unable to pay the fines, their persons should be taken into custody. Those subjected to the penalty of 1000 livres were imprisoned four months, and those who incurred the fine of 6000 livres, without having the means to pay it, were imprisoned one year. The intendants, or lord-lieutenants of the provinces and armies, the police magistrates, and the military provosts, were all and severally directed to see this edict put into execution; and by a circular letter, which in 1712, was written, in the king’s name, by M. Voisin, to the different governors and lords-lieutenants of provinces, the prohibitions were extended to the lansquenet, or private soldier.