The whole of this edict may be seen, page 206, in the 3d volume, Des Elémens Militaires.
The French emperor Bonaparte has instituted an order of nobility called the legion of honor, the political influence of which appears to be greater than any order ever established, even than that of the Jesuits. He has also adopted the ancient military title of duke; which he has hitherto conferred only on men who have merited renown by their military greatness. The title of count is also established, and all the members of the legion of honor hold a rank corresponding with the knights of feudal institution. Private soldiers and tradesmen, for acts of public virtue, have been created members of the legion of honor.
NOEUD de l’artificier, Fr. a particular knot which artificers or fireworkers make use of to bind fusees together.
Noeud de charrue, Fr. a particular knot or stress, which is used in the artillery when ropes are passed under carriages, for the purpose of raising any piece of ordnance that has been overturned. For the various knots used in military service, see the Am. Mil. Library, Art. Artillery.
NOMADES, a tribe of wandering Arabs, so called in Asia.
NOMINAL, by name. Hence
Nominal Call which corresponds with the French appel nominatif; and, in a military sense, with our roll call.
NOURRICE, Fr. a nurse. A female who attends the sick. This word is likewise used by the French to express the means of subsistence, &c. which are supplied by the agricultural part of a kingdom. Hence une province est la nourrice d’une ville; the town is fed by the country round it. La Sicile est la nourrice de Rome. Sicily is the nurse of Rome; meaning thereby that the latter was supplied with corn, &c. by the former.
NOURRIR. To feed. The French say familiarly, la soupe nourrit le soldat; broth feeds the soldier.
NOYAU, Fr. in English mandril, a long piece of iron, which is placed in the middle of a cannon mould, in order that the liquid metal may be poured round it, and the piece obtain an equal thickness on all sides.