Part 494

English glazed Pan-TILES, are in general not so good as the Dutch ones under that denomination; but the process is nearly the same.

Dutch TILES, for chimnies, are of a kind very different from all the rest. They are made of a whitish earth, glazed and painted with various figures, such as birds, flowers, or landscapes, in blue or purple color; and sometimes quite white: they are about 6.5 inches each way, and three quarters or an inch thick. They are seldom used at present.

Gutter-TILES, are made of the same earth as the common pan-tiles, and only differ from them in shape; but it is adviseable that particular care be taken in tempering and working the earth for these, for none are more liable to accidents. The edges of these tiles are turned up at the larger ends for about 4 inches. They are seldom used where lead is to be had.

Hip or Corner-TILES, are at first made flat like pan-tiles of a quadrangular figure, whose two sides are right lines, and the ends arches of circles; the upper end concave, and the lower convex; the latter being about 7 times as broad as the other: they are about 10.5 inches long; but before they are burnt are bent upon a mould in the form of a ridge-tile, having a hole at the narrow end, to nail them on the hip corner of the roof.

Ridge-TILES are used to cover the ridges of houses, and are made in the form of a semi-cylindrical surface, about 13 inches in length, and of the same thickness as plain-tiles; their breadth at the outside measures about 16 inches.

TILLAC, Fr. The same as pont, which signifies the deck of a ship.

Franc-TILLAC, Fr. The lower deck.

TILT, a thrust, or fight with rapiers; also an old military game. See TOURNAMENT.

TILTER, one who fights or contests in a tournament.

TIMBALE, Fr. A brass kettle-drum, such as is used by European cavalry. French soldiers say figuratively, Faire bouillir la timbale; to make the pot boil.

TIMARIOT, a Turkish soldier who has a certain allowance made him, for which he is not only obliged to arm, clothe, and accoutre himself, but he must likewise provide a certain number of militia-men. The allowance is called Timar.

The Timariots are under the immediate command of the Sangiack or Bey, according to their particular distribution. When the Timariots belonging to Natolia, do not join the standard, they forfeit a whole year’s allowance, which is deposited in a chest or stock-purse called mankafat. But the Timariots in Europe or Turkey, are not liable to this fine. When they refuse to serve, they are suspended for two years. The income of a Timariot amounts to five thousand aspres, and the Timariots of Hungary have six thousand. When an Hungarian Timariot dies, the Bashaw of Buda has the power of dividing his property into two parts, which is placed to the account of the Ottoman government, and enables it to pay two soldiers.

There are different classes among the Timariots. Some are called Ikmalers, some Isels, and others Bernobets.

The Ikmalers are in possession of that species of Timar which cannot be divided for the benefit of government after the decease of the individual.

The Isels are subject to a division of property among two or three persons, at the will of the Porte.

The Bernobets are in possession of that kind of Timar which may become the property of three or four individuals who serve together, or relieve each other alternately, on condition that the one who takes the field enjoys the whole benefit of the Timar during his stay with the army. There are many of this kind in Natolia. Every thing which appertains to the Turkish cavalry, known by the name of Topachly, and which is regularly clothed, armed, accoutred, and paid by certain officers, belonging to the Ottoman empire, out of revenues called maly-mukata, may be ascertained and known under the several appellations of Timariots, Zaims, Begliers, and Beglierbeys.

TIMARS, certain revenues, in Turkey, growing out of lands which originally belonged to Christian clergy and nobility, and which the sultans seized, when they conquered the countries they inhabited.

By means of these Timars and Ziamets the Grand Signor is enabled to support the greatest part of his cavalry.

The Timars differ in value. The richest, however, do not exceed twenty thousand aspres annually, which may be considered as equal to about three hundred and fifty dollars; and the Ziamets receive full as much. Those who are entitled to Timars, are called Timariots, and those who have Ziamets are named Zaims.

TIMBER, in military architecture, includes all kinds of felled and seasoned wood used in the several parts of building, &c.

Oak, of all the different kinds of timber known for building, is preferred by the European nations; because, when well seasoned and dry, it is very tough and hard: it does not split so easy as other timber, and bears a much greater weight than any other. When it is used under cover, it never perishes, no more than in water; on the contrary, the older it grows the harder it becomes; and when it is exposed to the weather, it exceeds all other timbers for durability. English oak is said to be the best, American the next, then Norway, and lastly Germany. But there are various kinds of American oaks.

Elm, if felled between November and February, is all spine, or heart, and no sap, and is of singular use in places where it is always wet or dry. It is very tough and pliable; it is easily worked, and does not readily split: it bears driving of bolts and nails into it better than any other wood; for which reason it is prepared for artillery uses.

Beech is likewise a very useful wood; it is very tough and white when young, and of great strength, but liable to warp very much when exposed to the weather, and to be worm eaten when used within doors. It is frequently used for axle-trees, fellies, and all kinds of wheelwright work: but where it is kept constantly wet, and free from air, it will outlast oak.

Ash. Its use is almost universal. It serves in buildings, or for any other uses where it is skreened from the weather: hand-spikes and oars are chiefly made of it; and indeed it is the wood that is most fit for this, or any other purpose, which requires toughness and pliability.

Fir, commonly known by the name of pine is much used in building, especially within doors. It wants but little seasoning, and is much stronger while the resinous particles are not exhausted, than when it is very dry: it will last long under water.

Chesnut-tree, especially wild chesnut, is by many esteemed to be as good as oak.

But the best of all timber for shipbuilding is the Teak of Asia; it endures water four times as long as oak, is much more easily wrought; iron spikes drove into it do not rust.

There are many other kinds of wood, used in military works, not mentioned here.