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CHAP. XVI.
A General is to invent of himself, and not follow altogether the practiecs of his Predecessors.
BUt perhaps you would desire to know what parts and qualifications there ought to be in a General; and I will satisfie you in short, for I cannot make choice of a properer man, than he who understands all those things which I have recommended this day; and yet that would not be sufficient, unless he had abilities to invent some thing of his own; for never any man was Master of a Trade, who had no invention of his own; and if invention be honourable in any thing, it is most certainly in this: This is manifest in all Authors who have constantly applauded all sorts of inventions, how slight and inconsiderable soever, as appears by the great Character they bestowed on Alexander the great, for his wisdom in appointing a Cap to be put upon the top of a Launce as a signal for the dislodging of his Army, rather than to do it by sound of Trumpet as for∣merly, because it imported him much that they should remove privately. He was com∣mended likewise for ordering his Soldiers upon a charge to fall down upon their left knee, as an expedient that would make them receive the charge with the more strength and firmness, which invention got him the Victory, and occasioned him so much honour, that all Statues erected afterwards in his honour, were erected in that posture. But because it is time to conclude our discourse, I will leave where I began, to avoid the reproach which is incident to such persons as when once straggled know not how to return.