SECTION M. MILITARY OATHS. IN Greece, we are told that the Athenian youth were compelled to take an oath that they would bear arms for their country whenever their services were needed; and that the oath, when they were enrolled, was to this effect," That they would not disgrace their arms, nor desert their ranks, nor injure their country, but would defend it to their power, and would, whether alone or with their fellows, fight for their religion and the state: that they would hand down their country to those who came after them, not less than they received it, of whatever magnitude, but greater and better. That they would obey the magistrates, and observe the laws already in force, or afterwards to be constitutionally enacted; nor would they allow any one to destroy or disobey them: finally, that they would be faithful to the religion of their country*." The oath closes with "Be the Gods my witnesses in this." In Rome there was a distinction generally recognised between the earlier military oath called Sacramentum, and the oath Jusjurandum, by Stobæus, XLI. which the soldiers were afterwards bound*. As far as I have ever been able to ascertain the point, the first military oath was voluntary, and bound them to obey their officers, and execute their commands to the utmost of their power: and when the camp was formed they swore not to appropriate to themselves any of the spoil, or any property belonging to the camp. Afterwards, a great variety of oaths were administered, as the circumstances of the time seemed to require. They appear to have been multiplied in number, and to have embraced a much more comprehensive promise under the emperors than during the republic. your The military oath under the Cæsars bears a very close resemblance to that sworn by Knights of the Bath. The Roman warrior was sworn to "value the safety of Cæsar above all things." The English knight was thus bound†,-" You shall love sovereign above all earthly creatures, and for your sovereign and your sovereign's rights and dignity live and die." Caligula compelled his soldiers to add, "I hold neither myself nor my children dearer to me than Caius and his sisters." The soldiers of Julian took an oath, their swords held to their throats, that they would endure every thing for * See Polybius, vi. 21, and Livy, xxii. 38. Suetonius, Cal. xv. him, even till they shed their blood, should necessity require it*. Christian soldiers took the military oath, swearing, as Vegetius tells us, by God and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and by the majesty of the emperor, which, next to God, is to be loved and reverenced by the human racet. The same passage which acquaints us with that fact, mentions a circumstance, which, I am induced to think, has been misunderstood. He says, the enrolled soldiers, after figures had been drawn with the point of a needle in their skin, took the oath. Potter and Harwood understand this to have been nothing less than the branded mark stamped on runaways. I have little evidence to support my own opinion, though there is more than enough to overthrow theirs; and I offer mine merely as a conjecture. I cannot help thinking that the pictures which these Christian soldiers wore in their skin were representations of the Crucifixion, or at least of some person or thing which reminded them that though they were enlisted to fight the battles of an earthly king, yet that they were the sworn soldiers of Christ. We know that the crucifix is very commonly seen now on the arms and breasts of our own soldiers and sailors. The oath given at the creation of Knights of the * Ammianus Marcellinus, xxi., c. 5. † Veget., ii. c. 5. Bath*, to every new knight, is curious in itself and in its circumstances. Of course it savours of a military, rather than a civil oath: "The Officers of Arms brought them up (the new knights) six at a time, the seniors first, and, having made three reverences†, Garter read the ensuing oath or admonition; and Norroy held the book and gave it them to kiss." Right dear Brethren! Great worship be this noble order unto every of you. You shall love and You shall be stedfast dread God above all things. in the faith of Christ. You shall love the king your sovereign lord, and him and his right defend to your power. You shall defend widows, maydens, and orphans in their right. You shall suffer no extortion as far as you may, nor sit in a place where any wrongful judgment shall be given, to your knowledge. And of as great honour be this order unto you as ever it was to any of your kinne, progenitors, or others." After the knighthood was conferred, the knights being put in order, the youngest foremost, between his esquire and his page behind him, they proceeded to the chapel, and there entered, two and two, making reverences; but because the chapel was not capacious enough, they all stood before their stalls, * Anstis, 1725. To the altar.-Srow's Annals. and, after solemn service and anthems, the six eldest were brought by the heralds, and offered their swords; the Bishop of London, Dean of the Chapel, receiving them; and laying them on the altar, then gave the knights this admonition. "By the oath which you have taken this day, I exhort and admonish you to use these swords to the glory of God and defence of the Gospel, to the maintenance of your sovereign's right and honour, and to the upholding of justice and equity to your power, so help you God!" Which done they redeemed their swords with an angel of gold, and returned before their stalls, and stayed till all of them had done the same. At the chapel-door, the King's Master Cook, with a white apron, and chopping-knife in his hand, having a little table before him covered with a linen cloth, as they passed by, said thus unto them:"Gentlemen, you know what a great oath you have taken, which is to defend the Gospel, succour the widows and fatherless, right the wronged, &c., which if you perform and keep, it will be to your great honour; but if you break it, I must hack off your spurs from your heels, as unworthy of this dignity, which will be a great dishonour to you, which God forbid !" Oaths of office have, I think, had very considerable importance attached to them, in all places wherever they have been required. In many |