WRE ( 999 ) WRI
term is not always applicable to thetransports in which our brave troops arefrequently stowed.
iW/sf-WoRTHY, fit to be trusted,having the genuine principles of honourand hdiesty.
To WOUND, to make or cause awound.
A Wound, the breaking of the con-tinuity of the parts of the body.
A simple Wound, that which onlyopens the flesh, and does not affect thebones or sinews. The French say, bles-sure ext'trieure.
A complicated Wound, (blessure com-pliquee , Fr.) a wound which is accom-panied with bad symptoms, as fluxes ofblood, &c.
A dangerous Wound, (blessure ouplaiedangeieitse , Fr.) a wound by which thenobler parts are affected; as when anartery is pricked, &c.
A mortal Wound, (blessure on plaiemorteHc , Fr.) a wound which must un-avoidably end in dissolution.
Fresh Wound in a horse. As soon asa horse has received a wound, apply oilof turpentine, and it will prevent badconsequences; or if oil of turpentinecannot be easily procured, let the partbe washed with warm water and brandy,or with common spirits and warm water.
The WOUNDED. Under this termare comprehended all the individuals be-longing to an army, who may have beenmaimed or otherwise hurt in battle, &cIt forms part of the general return whichis made on service, viz. killed , wounded ,missing, and taken prisoners . The careof the sick and wounded is one of theprimary duties of a commander inchief.
To this list might be added deserted tothe enemy; but desertion of this kind,though not unusual in other services, isso uncommon among British sailors andsoldiers, that we think the mention ofthe term superfluous.
To WREAK, to discharge, to vent;as to wreak one’s vengeance , or malice , ondefenceless prisoners. A species of ven-geance which no state policy can justify,not even in the Machiavelian system.
WREATH of victory , the garland orchaplet of triumph. See Triumph.
\v reathed columns , in architecture.According to M. Le Clerc , these columns,though commonly made very rich, oughtnever to be used except in places of dis-tinction, as in altars, tombs, saloons, and
other places where magnificence is re~quired. Wreathed columns should neverbe used to support either wails or vaults,or any other considerable burthen, onaccount of their weakness; nor shouldany thing be laid upon them beyond aplain, slight, and delicate entablature:for although they appear by their circum-volutions to have less delicacy than thecommon columns, yet, in effect, theyhave less solidity.
WRESTLER, one who contends inwrestling.
WRESTLING , a contest for supe-riority of bodily strength; as when twowrestlers attempt to throw each otherdown. It was in great vogue among theOlympic games; and is yet to be metwith in many parts of England.
WRIST, the part of the arm joiningto the hand. The bridle-wrist is thewrist of the horseman’s left hand.
A horseman’s wrist and his elbowshould be equally raised, and the wristshould be two or three fingers above thepommel of the saddle.
WRIT, a legal instrument; a slenderpiece of parchment which is issued outof the Sheriff’s office, and to which thestoutest officer must yield. The onlymode of avoiding this hovering enemyto personal freedom, is to decline unne-cessary expense, and to keep out of debt.The latter mode is, however, scarcelyfeasible under the circumscribed limitsof British pay, and the high price ofevery necessary of life. By the Arti-cles of War, no soldier can be sued unlessfor a veal debt of 20i. of course no writcan be served upon him. Art. War,page 126, Art. lxxii.
Writ (f Rebellion. A writ when aman (after proclamation issued out ofthe Court of Chancery or Exchequer,and made by the Sheriffs , to presenthimself to the court under pain of hisallegiance, by a certain day) does notappear.
Precis WRITER. See Precis.
Military Writers, persons who treatof military subjects. Some of the firstancient and modern generals have beenpre-eminent in this sort of writing; whichso far from not forming a material branchin polite and useful literature (as someauthors have asserted) constitutes animportant and classical portion of it.—Caesar and Xenophon were militarywriters.
Hackney Writers, men who write