frame made with a number of steps, by means of which people may ascend as on a stair to places otherwise inaccessible.

Scaling Ladders, in the military art, are used in scaling when a place is to be taken by surprize. They are made several ways: here we make them of flat planks, so that they may move about their pins, and thus like a parallel ruler, for conveniently carrying them: the French make them of several pieces, so as to be joined together, and to be made of any necessary length: sometimes they are made of single ropes, knotted at proper distances, with iron hooks at each end, one to fasten them upon the wall above, and the other in the ground; and sometimes they are made with two ropes, and slaves between them, to keep the ropes at a proper distance, and to tread upon. When they are used in the action of scaling walls, they ought to be rather too long than too short, and to be given in charge only to the stoutest of the detachment. The soldiers should carry these ladders with the left arm passed through the second loop, taking care to hold them upright close to their sides, and very very short below, to prevent any accident in leaping into the ditch.

The first rank of each division, provided with ladders, should set out with the rest at the signal, marching resolutely with their firelocks flung, to jump into the ditch; when they are arrived, they should apply their ladders against the parapet, observing to place them towards the salient angles rather than the middle of the curtain, because the enemy have less force there. Care must be taken to place the ladders within a foot of each other, and not to give them too much nor too little slope, so that they may not be overturned or broken with the weight of the soldiers mounting upon them.

The ladders being applied, they who have carried them, and they who come after, should mount up, and rush upon the enemy sword-in-hand; if he who goes first, happens to be overturned, the next should take care not to be thrown down by his comrade; but, on the contrary, immediately mount himself, so as not to give the enemy time to load his piece.

As the soldiers who mount first may be easily tumbled over, and their fall may cause the attack to fail, it would perhaps be right to protect their breasts with the fore parts of cuirasses; because, if they can penetrate, the rest may easily follow.

The success of an attack by scaling is infallible, if they mount the four sides at once, and take care to shower a number of grenades amongst the enemy, especially when supported by some grenadiers and picquets, who share the attention and fire of the enemy.