in Gunnery, the quantity of powder and ball wherewith a gun is loaded for execution.

The rules for charging large pieces in war are, That the piece be first cleaned or scoured within-side: that the proper quantity of powder be next driven in and rammed down; care, however, being taken, that the powder, in ramming, be not bruised, because that weakens its effect: that a little quantity of paper, hay, lint, or the like, be rammed over it: and that the ball or shot be intraded. If the ball be red hot, a tampion, or trencher of green wood, is to be driven in before it. The common allowance for a charge of powder of a piece of ordnance, is half the weight of the ball. In the British navy, the allowance for 32 pounders is but seven sixteenths of the weight of the bullet. But a late author is of opinion, that if the powder in all ship-cannon whatever was reduced to one-third weight of the ball, or even less, it would be of considerable advantage, not only by saving ammunition, but by keeping the guns cooler and quieter, and at the same time more effectually injuring the vessels of the enemy.

With the present allowance of powder the guns are heated, and their tackle and furniture strained; and this only to render the bullets less efficacious: for a bullet which can but just pass through a piece of timber, and loses almost all its motion thereby, has a much better chance of rending and fracturing it, than if it passes through with a much greater velocity.

in Heraldry, is applied to the figures represented on the escutcheon, by which the bearers are distinguished from one another; and it is to be observed, that too many charges are not so honourable as fewer.

CHARGE of Lead, denotes a quantity of 36 pigs. See Pig.

To CHARGE, in the military language, is to attack the enemy either with horse or foot.

in Law, denotes the instructions given to the grand jury, with respect to the articles of their inquiry, by the judge who presides on the bench.

in Law, also signifies a thing done that bindeth him who doth it; and Discharge is the removal of that charge. Lands may be charged in various ways; as, by grant of rent out of it, by statutes, judgements, conditions, warranties, &c.

CHARGE of Horning, in Scots Law. See Horning.

CHARGE to enter Heir, in Scots Law, a writing passing under the signet, obtained at the instance of a creditor, either against the heir of his debtor, for fixing upon him the debt as representing the debtor, which is called a general charge; or, against the debtor himself, or his heir, for the purpose of vesting him in the right of an heritable subject to which he has made up no title, in order the creditor may attach that subject for payment of his debt, in the same manner as if his debtor or his heir were legally vested in it by service or otherwise. This last kind is called a special charge.

or rather Overcharge, in Painting, is an exaggerated representation of any person; wherein the likeness is preferred, but at the same time ridiculed.

Few painters have the genius necessary to succeed in these charges: the method is, to select and heighten something already amiss in the face, whether by way of defect, or redundancy: thus, e.g., if Nature hath given a man a nose a little larger than ordinary, the painter falls in with her, and makes the nose extravagantly long: or if the nose be naturally too short, in the painting it will be a mere stump; and thus of the other parts.