S T A ( 854 ) S T A

and men in a more general and compre-hensive maimer. The word state is like-wise used to express the condition ofevery thing belonging to the equipmentof a regiment; as, state of arms, accou-trements, &c.

STATEMENT, (expose , Fr.) a plain,explanatory, or comprehensive exposi lionof any thing.

STATES, nobility ; also the governingpower in a country; as the states-generalof Holland and the states of Venice were,before the French usurpation

STATESMAN, (homme d'etat, Fr.) apolitician; one versed in the arts of go-vernment.

STATHOLDER , (Stathouder , Fr.)from the Teutonic Stadthaller. Ac-cording to Bailey, this word signifies agovernor of a province, chiefly that ofHolland . The author of the Diction-naive Militairc , says, on this subject,thatStatholder was, some time back, (al-luding to the period before the French invasion,) the name of the head of theDutch Republic . This title, or dignity,had rank with that of sovereign princes,although the person invested with it wassubordinate to the United States , in thesame manner as the Doge of Veniceacted under the Senate. The French writer further adds; the orthography ofthis word is not right, although 1 havefollowed the Dictiounuire dc C AcademicFrangaise. It must both be written andpronounced Statholder—Stadthouder.

STATIIOUDERAT, Fr. the dignityof the Statholder , when such was ac-knowledged in Holland . At present itis absorbed in the title of King of theNetherlands.

STATICS, (statique , Fr.) a branch ofmathematics which considers weight orgravity, and the motions of bodies arisingtherefrom. Those who define mechanicsto be the science of motion make staticsa member thereof, viz. That part whichconsiders the motions of bodies arisingfrom gravity. Others again say, thatstatics should be the doctrine or theoryof motion, and mechanics the applicationthereof to machines.

Hydro- Statics, (hydrostat'ique , Fr.) ascience which treats of the gravity offluids, or of the weight of solid bodiesthat are immersed in any liquid, or thatfloat upon its service.

STATION, in geometry, a placepitched upon to make an observation, totake an angle, or tlie like.

Station, a standing place; also post*condition, rank.

Mi/itun/ Station, a place calculatedfor the rendezvous of troops, or for thedistribution of them; also a spot wellcalculated for offensive or defensivePleasures.

Statio x-staff] a mathematical instru-ment used by surveyors.

Station Orders. See Orders.

Mortar Station, any particular spot,selected for the placing of mortars, orbattering pieces, during a siege, &.c.

Docket Station, a spot chosen for thecoincidence of the officer who has themanagement of the rockets.

STATIONAR1US, a sentinel^, a gar-rison soldier.

STATIONERY, paper, sealing-wax,pens, tkc. for which an allowance ismade to officers on the staff.

STATIRII Militcs, stationary soldiers,or soldiers in garrison.

STATISTICS. According to the au-thor of a late work, statistics are thatcomprehensive part of municipal philo-sophy, which states and defines thesituation, strength, and resources of anation. They constitute a kind of poli-tical abstract, by which the statesmanmay be enabled to caluculatehis finances,as well as guide the economy of hisgovernment; and they are equally usefulin ascertaining the military resources ofa country.

STATIVA Castra , standing camps.The ancient Romans accustomed theirtroops to remain occasionally under can-vass, both in winter and summer; butthese encampments were of short dura-tion. At first, they were only for a singlenight, and they were then named lodg-ments : but if they lasted several nightsthey were called Stativa.

The winter camps were always bettersupplied with provisions and warlikestores than the summer ones. WhilstRome was governed by Emperors , theirarmies were constantly in the field, orencamped upon the frontiers of the em-pire, both in peace and war. They werecertainly less considerable in the firstthan in the latter instance, and they al-ways remained in the camp during thewinter, as well as the summer months.Particular care was taken to have thesecamps w'ell fortified, and abundantlyprovided with stores and provisions.—-This precaution was the more necessary,because, in those days, there were not