CHAP. V.
Of the Provisions that are necessary for an Army.
YOU must know, a Prince is to keep his Army as free, and as fit for expedition as possible, and to rid it of all encumbrances that may make his enterprizes difficult. The first difficulty to be removed, is want of provisions, and therefore he is to take parti∣cular care that they be furnished with bread and wine. The ancients did not think of pro∣viding of wine, for when they wanted wine, they made use of water with a little vinegar to give it a taste, so that among the provisions for the Army, vinegar was provided, but not wine. Their bread was not baked ready to their hands, as in the Towns, but every Souldier had his proportion of meal, which he ordered as he pleased, with a certain quan∣tity of Bacon, and Seam, which gave their bread a gust, and rendred them strong. So that the provision for the Souldiers was meal, vinegar, bacon, and suet or seam, and barley for the horses. They had commonly heards of Cattel great and small which followed the Armies, which being driven, and not carried, were no great encumbrance. By reason of this order, of old, an Army marched many days journey thorow difficult and solitary places without want of provisions, because they lived upon such things as might easily be carried with them. But in our Armies now a-days we find it quite contrary; for the Souldiers cannot subsist without wine and bisket, as when they are at home, of which, provision cannot be made for any considerable time, insomuch as they are many times famished; or if provision be made, it is with much trouble, and vast expence. I would endeavour therefore that my Army might not be supplyed at that rate; nor would I have them have any bread but what they make themselves. As to wine, I would not hinder their drinking it, nor pro∣hibit