LEV

liy public authority, released from thetrouble of serving for such a time; or ifthey were npaimed in any part, and soought not to be admitted into the legi-ons; as Suetonius tells us of a fatherwho cut off the thumbs of his two sons,on purpose to keep them out of thearmy (Sueton . August, chap. 24.) andValerius Maximus gives a relation ofthe like nature. (Val.Max. lib. 6, cap. 3.)Hence the Roman phrase po/lice truncisignified cowards or poltroons, havingcut off their thumbs to avoid militaryservice.

Otherwise they were necessitated tosubmit, and in case of a refusal, wereusually punished either with imprison-ment, fine, or stripes, according to thelenity or severity of the consul. Andtherefore it seems strange, that Machia-vel should particularly condemn theRoman discipline, upon account offorcing no one to the wars, when wehave in all parts of history, such largeintimations of a contrary practice. Nay,we read too of the conquisitorcs or im-press-masters, who were commissioned Iupon some occasions, to go about, andcompel men to the sendee of the state.

Valerius Maximus (lib. 6. chap. 3.)gives one example of changing this cus-tom of taking out every particular sol-dier by the tribunes, for that of choos-ing them by lot. And Appianus Alex-andrine (in Iberic.) acquaints us, thatin the Spanish w ar, managed by I.ucul-lus, upon complaint to the senate ofseveral unjust practices in the levies,the fathers thought fit to choose all thesoldiers by lot. Yet the same authorassures us, that within five years timethe old custom returned of making thelevies in the manner already described.

However, upon any extraordinary oc-casion of immediate service, they omit-ted the common formalities, and with-out much distinction, listed such asthey met with, and led them out on anexpedition. These they called MilitesSubitarii. Kennett’s Ant. Page 183.B. 4.

The French followed the example ofthe Romans with regard to the firstprinciples of levying men, vyhich waseffected by a proclamation from thecourt called the dan. This ban was addres-sed to the principal person belonging toa province, who, in pursuance to itsinstructions, assembled his vassals,

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and got them fit and ready for imme-diate service.

In England a similar rotation tootplace; and the balloting for militia-menstill exhibits some remains of that feu-dal system. But when regular armiesbecame necessary in Europe (necessaryonly from the ambition of contiguousand rival nations!) a different systemwas adopted, and the natural strengthof the country was made a secondaryobject. Disposable means of offenceand defence were resorted to by crownedheads; and as war became a science,permanent bodies of armed men werekept on foot to answer the purposes ofprompt and vigorous decision.

Charles VIII . was the first monarchamong the French who dispensed withthe service of his noblemen, in them-selves and vassals; these he replaced byraising regular companies of gendarmes,who were paid out of his privy purse;in process of time cavalry and infantryregiments, with appropriate trains of ar-tillery, &c. were formed into militaryestablishments, which have continuedever since.

During the existence of the old go-vernment in France , it was customaryfor the King to issue orders that a cer-tain bounty should be offered to all re-cruits who would enlist; and when re-giments, in time of war, suffered mate-rially, men w'ere frequently draught*out of the militia, to complete their

istablishment.

With respect to the standing or pernanent army of England, the first tracesif it are to be found dimng the reign olenry VII.; from that period untiliresent time the military establis imenif Great Britain has been progressive-^evies have been made in various way-,ipon various principles, and “ ies I s .tself has, during the last year, assu. more regular form than can be 0n the history of this country. * n E ,

lowever, has so far preserved its a

nent. to a constitutional force, as no have witnessed a coercive diaucom the militia. Levies have euade, and the line has been comprom this nursery; but these levi ■

liiformly answered the e P. . .ueminent, by voluntarily J°i>» 8 not,tandard of invitation. > . ; s

owever, hesitate to repeat, (' ,

tated in the Regimental Con pa ^ >