Part 207

HERGATE, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a tribute which was paid in ancient times to the lord of the soil, to enable him to carry on a war.

HERO. This name was given by the ancients to those men who became illustrious in war, and who were stiled Demi-Gods, from a general notion, that their actions entitled them to a place in heaven immediately after their decease.

The heroes of antiquity were divided into two classes, the one of mortal genealogy, the other of heavenly descent, being the offspring of some god or goddess who had connexion with the human species.

Modern authors make a distinction between a hero and a great man; the former appellation being given to one who distinguishes himself by feats of hardihood in military enterprize, and the latter to a person eminent for his virtues and extraordinary talents in civil life.

HEROINE, a term generally applied to women who have given exemplary proofs of courage and virtue.

HERRISON. See HERISSON.

HERSE, in fortification, a grated door formed by strong pieces of wood, jointed cross-ways like a lattice or harrow, and stuck full of iron spikes. It is usually hung by a rope and fastened to a molinett, which is cut in case of a surprise, or when the first gate is forced by surprise or with a petard, to the end that it may fall and stop the passage of a gate or other entrance of a fortress.

These herses are also often laid in the roads, with the points upwards instead of the chevaux-de-frize, to incommode the march of both horse and foot. Common harrows are sometimes made use of in cases of emergency, with their points upwards.

HERSILLON, a strong beam, whose sides are stuck full of spikes, which is thrown across the breach made by an enemy to render it impassable.

HESSIAN, a substitute, a deputy, one employed to do base or dirty work for another.

HESSIANS, troops belonging to the country of Hesse-Cassel in Germany. They have been frequently hired by Great Britain, particularly in the war of American independence, when they were sold at 40l. sterling a head; nine pounds of which was to be repaid if they returned alive. Hesse has been since made subject to France, forming part of the kingdom of Westphalia.

HETMAN, Fr. sometimes called Atteman, a word derived from the German, which signifies the head-man, the chief of a troop. The chief general or grand general in Poland is called Hetman Wielki, and the second general Hetman Polny.

The chief or general of the Cossacks is likewise invested with this title by the sovereigns of Russia.

HEURTEQUINS, Fr. two pieces of iron resembling a knocker, which are placed over the trunnions, or axis of a cannon.

HEXAEDRON, (Hexaedre, Fr.) a solid geometrical figure, consisting of six equal sides.

HEXAGON, a figure of 6 sides and as many angles, capable of being fortified with 6 bastions. If the sides and angles be equal, it is called a regular hexagon. The side of a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, is equal to the radius of that circle; hence a regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle, by setting the radius of 6 times upon the periphery: as 1 to 1.672, so is the square of the side of any regular hexagon to the area therefore, nearly.

Tanned HIDES, are always carried along with an army, especially in the laboratory’s stores, to protect powder or shells from rain; they are also used in batteries and in laboratories.

HIERARCHY, church government.

HIEROGLYPHICKS, (hieroglyphes, Fr.) certain mysterious characters of creatures or letters used among the Ægyptians, by which they explained to one another the principles of their religion and their maxims of philosophy, without divulging them to strangers. Arbitrary signs which represent things: the signs used in almanacs for the planets and other phenomena are hieroglyphicks.

HIGHLANDER, any person from a mountainous country.

HIGHLANDERS, the people of the north of Scotland, who wear a dress peculiar to themselves.

HILT, the handle of a sword.

HINGES, are two iron bands, with a joint, nailed to the doors or lockers of gun carriages to fasten them and move them backwards and forwards.

HINGUET, Fr. See GINGUET.

HIPPODROME, Fr. a French term derived from the Greek, signifying a spot where horses used to run, properly speaking a race-ground. The Hippodrome or course at Constantinople was much celebrated in ancient days. The spot still exists under that name.

HIRCARRAH, or HIRCARRA, an Indian term for a messenger, guide, footman, or spy.

HISTORY, a narration or description of the several transactions, or events of a state, king, or private person, in the order in which they happened.

Military History, a narrative of military transactions, campaigns, battles, sieges, marches, &c. of an army: likewise a relation of the heroic actions of great generals, &c.