CRI

des armes, Fr. a savage custom which is still preserved by the Turks and other uncivilized nations, whenever they go into action. It was formerly practised among the French, Spaniards, and the English, . The national exclamations were Montjoie and St. Dennis for France, St. James for Spain, St. George for England, St. Malo or St. Yves for the Dukes of Britanny, St. Lambert for the principality of Liege, . The war-whoop may likewise be considered in this light. It is still practised among the savages of America. See War-whoop. Every species of noise however is now exploded in Europe. When two armies are upon the point of engaging, a dead silence prevails, the eye and ear of the soldier are rivetted to the word of command; and when he comes into close contact with the enemy, nothing is heard besides the noise of drums, trumpets and cymbals, to which are added the discharge of ordnance and the fire of the musquetry. In making any desperate a ault, or in charging bayonet, or when one battalion is directly opposed to another, or squadron to squadron, the French soldiery frequently use the cri des armes; tué tué ; and the Spaniards vociferate am at . Silence and calmne in the soldier, with steadine and observation in the officer, are neverthele superior to such ungovernable effusions. The former must contribute to regularity, the latter seldom fails to create disorder.