INUNDATION

(Lat. in, and unde, a wave.) In Agriculture, lands which are overflowed by water from natural causes uncontrolled by art, are said to be inundated: when hi consequence of the exercise of art and skill, the result is termed irrigation. INVALl' DS. (Lat. invalid us, weak.) Those soldiers or sailors who, either on account of wounds or length of service, arc admitted into hospitals, and there maintained at the public expense. The practice of making provision for soldiers worn out or disabled in the public service dates from high antiquity. The liberality of Pis i stratus to the A then i an soldiers is known to every scholar; and the history of ancient Rome is replete with instances of the veterans of the legions being rewarded with grants of land. It must be admitted, however, that in ancient times such recompencos had not their origin in that high philanthropic feeling by which the moderns are actuated in making provision tor military and naval invalids; for they were granted only after victory, and emanated more from individual power or favour than from any general or established principles of uenevole:.ce. In modern times there is no civilized country without institutions for the maintenance of invalids; but the most magnificent are, without question, the Green wich and Chelsea hospitals in England, and in France the H6tel des luvalides. [s. 628]