military matters, a detachment from the main-guard, of an officer or a non-commissioned officer and six men, who go round the rampart of a garrison, to listen if anything be stirring without the place, and to see that the sentinels be diligent upon their duty, and all in order. In strict garrisons the rounds go every half-hour. The sentinels are challenged at a distance, and to rest their arms as the rounds pass. All guards turn out, challenge, exchange the parole, and rest their arms, &c.

Rounds are ordinary and extraordinary. The ordinary rounds are three; the town-major's round, the grand-round, and the visiting-round.

Manner of going the Rounds. When the town-major goes his round, he comes to the main-guard, and demands a sergeant and four or six men to escort him to the next guard; and when it is dark, one of the men is to carry a light.

As soon as the sentry at the guard perceives the round coming, he shall give notice to the guard, that they may be ready to turn out when ordered; and when the round is advanced within about 20 or 30 paces of the guard, he is to challenge briskly; and when he is answered by the sergeant who attends the round, Town-major's round, he is to say, Stand round! and rest his arms; after which he is to call out immediately, Sergeant, turn out the guard, town-major's round.

Upon the sentry calling, the sergeant is to turn out the guard immediately, drawing up the men in good order with shouldered arms, the officer placing himself at the head of it, with his arms in his hand. He then orders the sergeant and four or six men to advance toward the round, and challenge; the sergeant of the round is to answer, Town-major's round; upon which the sergeant of the guard replies, Advance, sergeant, with the parole; at the same time ordering his men to rest their arms. The sergeant of the round advances alone, and gives the sergeant of the guard the parole in his ear, that none else may hear it; during which period the sergeant of the guard holds the spear of his halbert at the other's breast. The sergeant of the round then returns to his post, whilst the sergeant of the guard leaving his men to keep the round from advancing, gives the parole to his officer. This being found right, the officer orders his sergeant to return to his men; says, Advance, town-major's round! and orders the guard to rest their arms; upon which the sergeant of the guard orders his men to wheel back from the centre, and form a lane, through which the town-major is to pass (the escort remaining where they were), and go up to the officer and give him the parole, laying his mouth to his ear. The officer holds the spear of his esponton at the town-major's breast while he gives him the parole.

The design of rounds is not only to visit the guards, and keep the sentinels alert; but likewise to discover what passes in the outworks, and beyond them.