some officers have spoken of as altogether. superior to open encampments-while others have thought them too likely to afford material advantages to an invading enemy, who might get possession of them, and retain them as strong holds. But I here beg leave to adduce the opinion of Sir JOHN SINCLAIR on this interesting subject:

19.

"An intrenched and regular camp," say he," is in every respect superior to an open one. The men are more under com

mand, they can be more easily prevented from wandering about and plundering the neighbourhood; the ditches will drain the camp, while the earthen mound around it. not only prevents the tents from being blown. down, but also shelters the troops even in the most boisterous weather. Intrenched camps, in the neighbourhood of London,. might, perhaps, be so situated as to contribute to the defence of the metropolis, without the possibility of their being made. of any service to the enemy. Intrenched camps might be formed, which it would be difficult for an enemy to take, and which might be of little use to them, if they got them into their possession. If the properest

places were fixed upon for such camps, Government might save considerably, by having huts or timber tents erected. It is calculated, that a timber tent for an officer might be made for only 10l. or 157. which in canvass costs Government 187.; besides, the former would last for many years, and are greatly superior in point of comfort. And here it is to be observed, that unless it is really necessary, the subjecting troops to hardships, ought as much as possible to be avoided, as it must ultimately be attended with great loss to the public, without the possibility of advantage. Every thing that can contribute to their accommodation cannot be too carefully attended to; for the life of a well-trained soldier, particularly in these times, is a loss not so easily repaired as people may imagine. The rearing of each individual is supposed to cost the community from 607, to 100l. and the additional expense for training a man to be a soldier, must be considerable. Besides, when a war is prolonged, it becomes extremely difficult to get them at all."

I leave the question of policy and military tactics to be decided by others, my business

being only that of suggesting what may be useful towards the preservation of health.

20. Much has been written among medical authors on the causes and prevention of diseases in barracks and camps, &c. I decline, however, at present advancing any thing further on those topics, as it is my design to treat of them in a distinct section. But, I cannot quit the. subject of cleanliness, without amplifying a little, and shewing my readers how important it is regarded by the British Government; as appears obvious, from most of the instructions which have been issued from the War-office relative to temporary hospitals and for the regulation of troops embarked in transports. My next section will, therefore, be on cleanliness, not so much as a source of personal comfort as of salubrity to the men.

4. OF CLEANLINESS.

1. ATTENTION to cleanliness is of the utmost importance to the health of military men. It is observed both in the navy and

army, that those men who are most negligent of their persons, are the first who are infected. by diseases. By negligence in this article, infectious disorders are often spread rapidly among a whole army, and even prove more fatal than the sword.

2. The clothes of encamped soldiers, by being usually kept crammed together in the knapsack, are apt to acquire a musty unpleasant smell, unquestionably injurious to health to obviate which, they should be obliged to expose the whole of their clothes daily to the influence of the sun and air.

3. The copious, perspirations, occasioned by military exercises, and the dust that (in. dry weather) accompanies the movements of an army, must tend to accumulate filth and sordes upon the skin: these should be removed at every convenient opportunity. After a long march men should never neglect to wash their face, hands, and feet, and indeed the whole of their body, as clean as possible. The comfort and health resulting from this practice, would soon be found an adequate reward for their trouble. They should, however, be careful on such occasions not to

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chill themselves by imprudent exposure to the cold, during a free perspiration.

4. Whenever the neighbourhood of a river, or especially of the sea, permits them, the men should be encouraged to bathe frequently: swimming was formerly an essential part of military education; and besides the healthiness of the practice, many occasions occur where a soldier might find it a very useful acquirement. Bathing should be practised in the morning, if the weather be mild, previously to taking a full meal, or using strong exercise. A non-commissioned officer might always be present, to see that no accident or improper behaviour takes place on those occasions.

5. No complaint proves more troublesome in a camp, or is more difficult to eradicate, than the itch: it spreads so easily by contact with the diseased person or his clothes, that one foul man soon infects his comrades. It is only to be prevented, by secluding the patient entirely from all association with others till he is well; and by carefully washing with soap, and fumigating with sulphur, every part of his apparel, before he resumes his former station. (See the subject of DISEASES,)