The School of Recreation by Robert Howlett (best reads of all time txt) 📖

Page 41 Original numbered as 31 -->one Pound of Powder, eight ounces of Roch-alom, four ounces of live Sulphur, two ounces of Camphire, Linseed-oyl, and that of Petrolum, each an Ounce and half, an ounce of Oyl of Spike, with two ounces of Colophonium bruis'd and well mixed together, and stuff the Ball hard with it, with a Stick pitch or glue it over again, binding it with Marline on Pitch, on that leave two Vents or Port-fires, set it on fire, trundle it on the Water, and it will burn under it. The exactest Military Discipline for the Exercise of Foot and Horse, as in Use at this day, at Home and Abroad, in all the Words of Command, &c.

To be well disciplin'd and train'd up in Military Affairs, has been the study and pride of all Warlike Nations, whereby they have acquired to themselves Fame and Riches, by being able to defend themselves against Invaders, and gain Conquests Abroad; but above all other, for many hundred Years past the English have excelled in this, being much helped by their natural Courage. But since I only at this time intended to write to the Learner, to train him up in his Exercise, by which means his own Industry and Experience may lead him forth to greater matters. I shall not enumerate the many brave Men, who from mean Conditions have rais'd themselves by Arms, to the highest pitch of Honour and Preferment; but shew our Youth what they are to do and observe in their first Training, as to the Words of Command, to order their Arms in their various Postures with Dexterity. And first of Foot Exercise, I shall speak of the Pike, because it is the most Ancient, to Train which, many, who are now great Commanders, have taken it as an Honour.

The Exercise of the Pike, by word of Command, &c.

1. Pikes take: Advance your Pikes.

To do this, as the first thing required, move in a direct Line with your Pike upward, with your Left-hand near your Side, your Right-hand almost as high as you can reach, keeping your Left by a Depression, as low as you can, your Fingers being strait out; and so raise the Pike till the Butt-end come to your Hand, then place it between your Breast and Shoulder, keeping the Butt-end close, that it may be the more steady and upright.

2. To the Front.

To do this, put your Left-hand on your Pike, even with the Top of your Shoulder, keeping your Fingers strait, and bring your Pike right before you with a swift Motion; drawing your Right-heel into your Left-instep, and so keep the Pike strait.

3. Charge.

Here you must fall back with your Right-leg, placing the Heel of your Left foot against the middle of your Right, and bring down your Pike with a quick Motion, support it with your Left-Elbow, and charge Breast high; and upon yielding your Body forward, bend your Left-knee to fix your self firmer, holding the Butt end of your Pike in the Palm of your Right-hand, your Left-Toe pointing in a Line with the Spear of the Pike, your Feet set at a moderate distance: Then bring it down somewhat beneath your Breast, be cautious of clattering, and when it is charged, close it to your Breast.

4. To the Right four times.

Here turn your Left-toe to the Right, then make your Left-heel come up to your Right-instep with a sudden Motion, Recovering your Pike strait before you, and having turn'd, fall back with your Right-leg, and Charge as before.

5. To the Right about.

Now by turning your Left-toe, bring it to the Right about, bringing up your Right-heel; your Pike being recovered, Charge with much swiftness.

6. As you were.

To do this, by turning to the Left about, bring up your Left toe; so bringing your Pike recovered, observe that your Left hand be never higher than your Mouth, your Feet placed in order, and when turn'd, you must fall back with your Right-leg and Charge, bringing your Pike strait up without any clattering.

7. To the Left four times.
8. To the Left about.
9. As you were.
10. Advance your Pike.

These must be done, as has been shewed in the Right, only making your Observation of Eight Left Motions, &c. And the better to do this, bring your Right-heel to your Left-instep; your Pike being before you, fall out with your Right-foot, and so bring your Pike to your Right-Thigh.

11. Shoulder your Pike.

Here extend your Fingers on the Left-hand, and lay it on the Pike level with your Shoulder; make your Right-heel come up even with your Left-instep, your Pike right before you, fall back with your Right-leg, and as far as may be put back your Right-arm, keeping your Pike about half a Foot from your Side, your Eye fixed on the Spear directly to the Rear, your Pike sloped: Then forsake it with your Left-hand, and bring in your Right-leg, laying your Pike on your Right-Shoulder, closing your Elbow to your Body, the Butt of your Pike being about half a Foot from the Ground, in the middle of the distance.

12. Charge to the Front.

In doing this, fall back with your Right-leg, keeping as much as may be your Arm back, and the Spear exactly to the Rear, sloaping the Pike to the same height as Shouldering; then bring with your Left-hand the Butt-end backwards, turning the Head with your Right; so quit it with that Hand, then taking hold on the Butt-end, Charge Breast high, keeping the Palm of your Hand open against the Butt-end, your Left-Elbow under the Pike, and your Left-toe in Line with the Spear; and when you Charge it must be directly forward, your Left-heel being just against the middle of your Right.

13. Shoulder as you were.

Here raise your Pike with both Hands, so quit it with the Right, and with the Left turn the Head backwards, the Spear even with the Rear; so with your Right-hand seize it again as high as you can reach with little straining, and stand with it from your Body aslope; bring up your Right-leg, and then forsake your Pike with your Left-hand, and lay it on your Shoulder, ever keeping the Spear in a direct Point to the Rear, not crossing your Fellows.

14. Charge to the Right.

In this Case fall back with your Right-Arm and Leg, the Spear being kept in the Rear sloping at the height of Shouldering; then turn your Left-Toe to the Right, suffering the Right to fall behind the Left-foot; so that the middle of your Right-foot may be over against your Left-heel; then bring up your Pike in this Action, and turn backwards the Butt-end by your Right-side; then pressing it in your Right palm, Charge.

15. Shoulder as you were.

Make your Left-toe come to the Left, and the middle of your Right-foot come also against your Left-heel, with your Pike up; and then turn the Head to the Right, (that is) directly to the Rear, doing it at one Motion: So take hold of your Pike with your Right-hand, and keep it sloped with both Hands a little distance from your Body; as in Shouldering, at what time bring up your Right-leg, and lay your Pike on your Shoulder.

16. Charge to the Right about.

In this Case give back with your Hand and Leg, then stand with your Pike a little distant from your Side, and turning your Left-toe to the Right about, bring the Butt end of your Pike to the Right-side, falling back with your Right-leg and Charge, keeping the Spear all the while to the Rear a Shouldering height; and when you are to Face to the Right about, level your Pike and Charge.

17. As you were.

In this, turn your Left-toe to the Left about, advancing your Right-foot a moderate Step, that the middle of it may stand against your Left-heel; then with your Left-hand bring the Butt-end by your Left-side, taking notice the Spear be exactly with the Rear a Shouldering height; then lay on your Right-hand as high as you can easily reach, and stand with it in Form; after which, bring up your Right-leg, and Shoulder.

18. Charge to the Left.

Here fall back with your Left-arm and Leg, as in the former Chargings: Turn the Left-toe and the Butt-end of your Pike with your Left-hand to the Right, after which, bring up your Left-leg, and Charge.

19. As you were.

Raise the Spear with both your Hands, turn the Left-toe to the Right, and so fall back with your Left-leg and Arm, keeping your Pike from your Side, the Spear to the Rear; then bring up your Left-leg, and Shoulder.

20. Charge to the Left about.

Here fall with your Arm and Leg back, bringing the Pike over your Head with both your Hands, the Spear directly to the Rear at a Shouldering height: Turn your Left-toe to the Left about, then bring up your Right-toe, that the middle may come with your Left-heel, and Charge.

21. Port.

Observe here, as in Charging in the Front; being wary that you sink not the Spear of your Pike, rest it between the Thumb and Fore-finger, keeping your Elbow close to your side.

22. Comport.

As far as may be bring your Left-hand backward, at the same time stretching out the Right, make thereupon a step forward with the Right-foot, grasping fast the Pike as high as you can reach with the Right-hand, not tossing the Spear too high; then forsake it with your Left-hand, and bring back your Right-leg even with your Left; then close it to your Side, keeping the Spear the height of your Head.

23. Charge to the front.

Here extend your Right-arm, advancing at the same time your Right-leg, drawing back your Left-hand as far as may be; and bringing your Pike forward, give a step back with your Right-leg, and take hold of the Butt with your Right-hand; then Charge; and in all Chargings observe it be done Breast high.

24. Fire.

Herein face to the Right about, suffering the Spear of your Pike to fall behind, you; after which, quit your Right-hand from the Butt-end, without any motion of the Left, and be cautious not to strike upon the Spear.

25. Charge as you were.

Here turn to the Left about, place the Butt-end in the Palm of your Right-hand, and Charge, the Spear being kept an even height.

26. Advance your Pike.

In this Exercise bring your Right-heel to your Left-Instep, your Pike directly before you to the Recovery; and so fall out with your Right-foot that it may come even with your Left, and so bring the Pike to your Right thigh.

27. Order your Pikes.

Raise your Left-hand, so that it may come even with the upper part of your Shoulder, place it on your Pike, stretching out your Fingers; then sinking your Left-hand, raise your Right; and then raise the Pike, that when the Butt-end your Right-hand may be against your Eye; keep the Pike near your Head by clapping the Butt-end to the Latchet of your Shoe; and here all the Butt-ends of as many as are exercised must fall to the Ground at one and the same time.

28. Pikes to you Inside Order.

Place the Butt-end on the Inside your Right-foot to the middle, not moving your foot, but only your Pike.

29. Lay down your Pikes.

As many as exercise in this case, must step altogether with their Right-legs; stoop together with a very Quick Motion, and Lay their Pikes down very strait with their Right-hands.

30. Quit your Pikes.

Fall back with your Left-leg, bringing it even with your Right: Then quit your Pike absolutely, and rise up with a quick Motion.

31. Handle your Pikes.

Here you must step forward in a