pains, and do more service in an Army than all the rest. After them are your Smiths,
Farriers, Carpenters, Joyners, and such people to be chosen; of which sort it is conveni∣ent
to have good store, because their arts are usefull in an Army upon several occasions: and
'tis a good thing to have Souldiers who have two strings to theri bow, and yield you double
advantage.
Fabritio
I shall speak of the manner of choosing a Militia to form it afterwards into
an Army, because we shall have occasion again of speaking of the election to be made up∣on
the recruiting of an old Army. I say therefore that the fitness of a person to be cho∣sen
for the Wars, is to be known by experience, (in some great atchievment) or by conje∣cture.
This proof and tryal of their courage is not to be found among new raised men, it is
necessary therefore where this experience is not to be had, to have recourse to conjecture,
which is to be deduced from their age, arts, and stature. Of the two first we have spoken
before; it remains that we speak now of the third, and tell you, that some persons (as
Pyrrhus) have been altogether for large and tall men. Others (as Caesar) would have
them strong, well knit, and vigorous, which is to be judged by the composition of their
members, and the quickness of their aspect. Wherefore those who treat of that subject,
have recommended a lively and quick eye, a nervous neck, a large breast, a musculous arm,
a long finger, a small belly, round and firm thighs, and thin feet, this kind of contexture
does always import activity and strength, which in a Souldier are two things principally
to be desired. But above all respect is to be had to their manners and that they be indued
with honesty, and modesty, otherwise you choose an instrument of scandal, and a begin∣ning
of corruption; for no body can expect, that with brutishness and dishonesty, any
laudable virtue should consist. Upon this occasion it seems to me not impertinent (for your
better understanding the importance of this way of election) to let you know the man∣ner
in which the Roman Consuls in the begining of their Magistracy made their elections
for the Roman Legions. In which levies (by reason of their continual Wars) being mix'd
of new and Veteran Souldiers, they could proceed in the Veterans by experience, and by
conjecture in the new. You must know then, these levies were made either for present
service, or to exercise them first, and employ them afterwards as occasion was offered.
And although I have spoken already of what is to be observed in the election of such as
are to be disciplin'd and employed afterwards, yet my intention being to shew how an Ar∣my
may be ordered in a Country where there is no military discipline, and where men are
not to be raised for immediate service, I shall speak of it further. But in those Countries
where it is the custom to raise Forces by the Princes command, there they may have them
always ready for present service, as it was anciently in Rome, and is among the Swizzars at
this day. For if in these kind of levies there be new Souldiers, there are many which are
old and experienced, which mingled with the new, will make a good Army. Notwith∣standing
this, the Emperors (after they began to keep standing Forces and Garisons upon
the Frontiers) appointed Masters for the training and instructing their new men whom
they called Tyrones, as may be seen in the life of Maximus the Emperor. Which custom
was not practised in the Armies whilst Rome enjoyed her liberty, but only in the City in
which those military exercises being much used by the youth, it came to pass, that being
drawn out for the Wars, they were so well versed and experienced in that counterfeit disci∣pline,
that when afterwards they came to it in earnest, they behaved themselves very well.
But when by degrees the Emperors disused or abolished that custom of training, they were
constrained to these ways which I have shewn you before.