The compleat body of the art military in three books : I. The postures of the pike and musket ..., II. Twelve exercises ..., III. The drawing up and exercising of regiments after the manner of private companies ... : also, the duties of all souldiers and officers ... / by Richard Elton ... ; to which is added a supplement comprehending these particulars, I. the duties and qualifications of all officers belonging to an army .., formerly written by Capt. Tho. Rudd ...

CHAP. LVIII. Of Firings, either for delight or service.

THe chiefest thing required of the Muskettiers next their Postures, by which they are taught how to handle their Arms with delight both marching or skirmishing, is Firing; which to speak the truth, is the full accomplishment of all the rest; for unless they be really performed, the rest are of no great ad∣vantage. For to what end is it for any man to Prime, Lade or Cock, if he Pre∣sent not answerably? therefore Firings are the execution of all the former; in so much as my advice shall be to all Commanders, that they be careful and diligent to have all their Muskettiers often practised with false Firing; whch is, Firing in the Pan only, and falling off, as hereafter followeth, to the end that in

time of need they may not spend their Powder and Bullets in vain. And that they may likewise know where to fall off, that others may do the like, and where to place themselves securest from danger; yet so as they may be still aiding the one unto the other: I shall therefore for the good of my Country, and for the bene∣fit of all such as are herein concerned, collect forth some Firings, which shall be every one differing from the other in one kind or other, either in the execution or reducing, whereby the ingenious Souldier may cull forth such as he best likes to make use of, what he shall think to be most fit and pertinent to his intended purpose, be it either for delight or service; briefly therefore thus. Firings re∣ally considered, can be performed but five ways, that is to say, to the Front, Reer, right or left Flank, Oblique or Angular; but there is so much variety to be expres∣sed in the performance of each of these, that it makes them seem so many seve∣ral Firings, as by the following discourse shall be fully demonstrated.