military officer, whereof there are several kinds, according to their commands.

Captain of a Troop or Company, an inferior officer who commands a troop of horse or a company of foot, under a colonel. The duty of this officer is to be careful to keep his company full of able-bodied soldiers; to visit their tents and lodgings, to see what is wanting; to pay them well; to cause them to keep themselves neat and clean in their clothes, and their arms bright. He has power in his own company of making sergeants, corporals, and lancepates.

In the horse and foot guards, the captains have the rank of colonels.

Captain General, he who commands in chief.

Captain Lieutenant, he who with the rank of captain, but the pay of lieutenant, commands a troop or company in the name and place of some other person who is dispensed with, on account of his quality, from performing the functions of his post.

Thus the colonel being usually captain of the first company of his regiment, that company is commanded by his deputy under the title of Captain-lieutenant.

So in England, as well as in France, the king, queen, dauphin, princes, &c., have usually the title of captain of the guards, gens d'armes, &c., the real duty of which offices is performed by captain-lieutenants.

Captain Reformed, one who, upon the reduction of the forces, has his commission and company suppressed; yet is continued captain, either as second to another, or without any post or command at all.