xxviii the translator’seffects on the most stupid as well as on the mostenlightened minds. His general condemnationof light, short guns is deduced from the fairestof all principles : the only true criterion tojudge of the efficacy of field artillery, is theirrelative effects when compared with mufquets;whenever the fire of artillery can only producean effect a little greater than a few files of mustqueteers can, no man who considers impartiallythe advantages and disadvantages attending theuse of each fire-arm will hesitate to declare,that the artillery should be disused. In sayingthis, there is no reason to dread that artil-lery will lose any of its credit; professionalmen will ever know how to estimate its conse-quence ; it is only by bringing forward guns,that cannot produce the effect expected fromthem, that the service of artillery can bebrought into disrepute. The infantry formthe soul of an army; it is to support andstrengthen their disposition, that guns arebrought into the field. Each arm has its par-ticular attribute : to the infantry, belong solidityand firmness; to the cavalry, velocity and weightof charge; and to the artillery, length of rangeand irresistible force. As well would a squa-dron of cavalry, whose utmost velocity couldpot exceed the quick inarch of infantry, answer