ENVELOPE

In Fortification, a mound of earth, raised to cover some weak part of the works. Envelopes are sometimes raised in the ditch of the place, sometimes beyond it; and are in the form of a single parapet, or a small parapet bordered by another. ENVOYS, ORDINARY and EXTRAORDINARY, belong to the second order of diplomatic ministers. They are inferior in rank to amba adors, properly so called; the chief difference between them being that the latter are held to represent the interests of their sovereign as agents, the former his person. See Amba ador. [s. 416]