BASTILLE, Fr. any place fortified with towers.
Bastille, a state prison which stood near the Temple in Paris, and was deservedly destroyed by the inhabitants of that capital on the 14th of July, 1789.
BASTINADO, a punishment among the Turkish soldiers, which is performed by beating them with a cane or flat of a sword on the soles of their feet.
BASTION. See [Fortification].
BASSE-Enceinte. See [Fausse-Braye].
BASSINET, Fr. the pan of a musquet.
BASSON or BASSOON, a wind instrument blown with a reed, performing the base to all martial music, one or two of which are attached to each regimental band.
BAT de Mulet, a pack-saddle used on service when mules are employed to carry stores, &c.
BATAGE, Fr. the time employed in reducing gun-powder to its proper consistency. The French usually consumed 24 hours in pounding the materials to make good gun-powder; supposing the mortar to contain 16 pounds of composition, it would require the application of the pestle 3500 times each hour. The labour required in this process is less in summer than in winter, because the water is softer.
BATAILLE, Fr. a battle.