Part 293

The mathematics, he observes, effectually exercise, not vainly delude, nor vexatiously torment studious minds with obscure subtleties; but plainly demonstrate every thing within their reach, draw certain conclusions, instruct by profitable rules, and unfold pleasant questions. These disciplines likewise enure and corroborate the mind to constant diligence in study; they wholly deliver us from a credulous simplicity, most strongly fortify us against the vanity of scepticism, effectually restrain us from a rash presumption, most easily incline us to a due assent, perfectly subject us to the government of right reason. While the mind is abstracted and elevated from sensible matter, distinctly views pure forms, conceives the beauty of ideas, and investigates the harmony of proportions; the manners themselves are sensibly corrected and improved, the affections composed and rectified, the fancy calmed and settled, and the understanding raised and excited to nobler contemplations.

MATRAS, Fr. a sort of dart which was anciently used, and which was not sufficiently pointed to occasion any thing more than a bruise.

MATRON, a woman, generally the wife of some well behaved and good soldier, who is employed to assist in the regimental hospital. She is under the direction of the surgeon, by whom she is originally appointed to the situation. See NURSE.

MATROSSES, are properly assistants to the gunner, being soldiers in the British regiments of artillery, and next to them: they assist in loading, firing, and spunging the great guns. They carry firelocks, and march along with the guns and store-waggons, both as a guard, and to give their assistance on every emergency.

MATTER of Deed, in law, denotes something to be proved by witnesses, in contradistinction from matter of record, which may be proved by some process, &c. appearing in any court of record.

MATTER, in a military sense, especially with regard to courts-martial, consists of the specific charges which are brought against a prisoner, and to which the president and members most strictly confine themselves. It has been very properly observed, in a small pamphlet upon martial law, that unacquainted with the serious consequence of a strict attention to the minutiæ of form in criminal proceedings, general courts-martial have looked upon the first swearing in of the court, as a sufficient authority to warrant their proceeding on the trial of a variety of offences; whereas, in propriety, the court should be sworn afresh at the commencement of every new prosecution: for though, as judges, (in the manner of a court of common law) once swearing would be sufficient; yet, as jurors, who are sworn on every different trial, though identically the same men, so are the members of general courts-martial to be considered, when a new criminal and fresh matter are brought before them. Lest, however, an established, and therefore an undisputed practice, should have acquired a force still difficult to be eradicated, we shall endeavor to point out those reasons which induce us to maintain this opinion. In the oath which is taken by each of the several members of a general court-martial, the words matter and prisoner, are cautiously inserted. These words, therefore, being absolutely confined to a single matter, and a single prisoner, and matters and prisoners not being subjected to their jurisdiction, how is it possible that men, with propriety, can proceed upon a trial which they are not warranted by law to decide upon? Were the obligation in the Articles of War decisive as to the trial of all matters, and all persons, and in all cases; or were the court possessed of the authority of extending the meaning of the oath, once swearing would undoubtedly be sufficient; but, as in every respect, the contrary is evident, as the very words of the oath express that “they shall well and truly try and determine according to their evidence, in the matter before them, &c.” How can it be otherwise than an unwarrantable irregularity in them, to proceed upon the trial of offenders, who, in the eye of the law, are not amenable to their authority? For, if the first prisoner to be tried, has a right to challenge an officer, who may be appointed to sit on an investigation of his offence, as a member of a court of enquiry, or who may be liable to any exceptions, why shall not the second and third prisoner be entitled to the same merciful indulgence? See Thoughts on Martial Law, pages 25, 26, 27, 28.

Combustible MATTER, and MATTER of composition. All solids and fluids are so called which are of an inflammable nature themselves, and can communicate fire to other substances.

MATTUCASHLASH, an ancient Scotch weapon, sometimes called armpit dagger, which was worn there, ready to be used on coming to close quarters. This, with a broad sword and shield, completely armed the highlanders. Since the use of fire arms, this weapon has been laid aside.

MATTOCK. An instrument somewhat resembling a pickax, but having two broad sharp edges instead of points.

MATTRESS, a sort of quilted bed of straw, used by officers on service, instead of the feather bed, differing from the paillasse in one particular only; the straw in the latter being loose, whereas that of the mattress is quilted in.

MAUG, Ind. The name of a month which partly agrees with our January and February.

MAUL, a heavy beater or hammer, generally shod with iron, used in driving piles, &c.

MAWANY, Ind. See KISTBUNDY.

MAXIMS, in fortification. See FORTIFICATION.

MEALED, pulverized, or reduced to powder.

MEAN Fortification. See FORTIFICATION.

MEANA, Ind. A machine or vehicle, a species of palankeen, but only used for carrying one person. It is borne by four men, and supported by means of a bamboo extended from the ends; being generally seven feet long, and three wide, with Venetian blinds, which slide and act as doors. Persons in India sometimes travel to a considerable distance in these vehicles; the number of bearers being increased, and successively relieved. It is computed that they will easily go at the rate of six miles in the hour.

MEASURE, in geometry, any quantity assumed as one, to which the ratio of other homogeneous or similar quantities is expressed.

MEASURE of an angle, the length of an arch described from the vertex to any place between its legs: hence angles are distinguished by the ratio of the arches between the legs to the peripheries. See ANGLE.

MEASURE of a figure, is a square, whose side is an inch, foot, yard, or other determinate measure. Hence square measures.

Among geometricians it is usually a square rod, called decempeda, divided into 10 square feet, and those into square digits, and those again into 10 lines, &c.

MEASURE of a line, any right line taken at pleasure, and considered as unity.

MEASURE of the mass or quantity of matter, in mechanics, is its weight: it being apparent that all the matter which coheres with a body, gravitates with it; and it being found by experiment, that the gravities of homogeneal bodies are in proportion to their bulks: hence while the mass continues the same, the absolute weight will be the same, whatever figure it puts on; for as to its specific weight, it varies as the quantity of its surface does.

MEASURE of a number, in arithmetic, such a number as divides another without leaving a fraction: thus 9 is a measure of 27.

MEASURE of a solid, is a cube, whose side is an inch, foot, yard, or other determinate length: in geometry, it is a cubic perch, divided into cubic feet, digits, &c. Hence cubic measure, or measures of capacity.

MEASURE of velocity, in projectiles, and mechanics, the space passed over by a moving body in any given time. The space therefore must be divided into as many equal parts, as the time is conceived to be divided into: the quantity of space answering to such portion of time, is the measure of the velocity.

Measures then are various, according to the different kinds and dimensions of things measured. Hence arise lineal and longitudinal measures for lines or lengths; for square areas; and solid or cubic, for bodies and their capacities: all which again are very different in different countries and ages, and even many of them for different commodities. Hence also arise other divisions, of domestic and foreign, ancient and modern, dry and wet (or liquid) measures, &c.

Long MEASURE. The English standard long measure, or that whereby the quantities of things are ordinarily estimated, is the yard containing three English feet, equal to three Paris feet one inch and ³⁄₁₂ths of an inch, or ⁷⁄₉ths of a Paris ell. Its subdivisions are the foot, span, palm, inch, and barley-corn: its multipliers are the pace, fathom, pole, furlong, and mile.