VII. Vocabulaire des termes de Marine, Anglois et François — i.e. A Vocabulary of Words and Terms of Art used at Sea; in English and French; in two Parts, adorned with Cuts, and accompanied with an Explication of them, and Definitions of certain Sea-terms, especially those used in Ship-rigging: By M. Lescallier. 4to. Paris. 1777. The confusion occasioned by the difference of the sea-terms among different nations, is often attended with the most disagreable consequences; and, as far as relates to the English and French, the Reader will find an excellent preservative against this confusion, in the work before us. It is a strong presumption in favour of this work, that its author has been long in the sea-service, has been frequently in England, Russia, and Sweden, and has drawn up this vocabulary under the auspicious protection of Monsr. de Sartine, one of the ablest ministers in France. He acknowledges the succours he has derived from Mr. Falconer's Dictionary, and has returned this favour by supplying several defects and correcting many errors in that valuable work. The repeated voyages he has undertaken on board French and English ships, in order to acquire a compleat knowledge of all that relates to construction, fitting out, manoeuvres, mooring, navigation, rigging, piloting, the management of arsenals and dock-yards, &c. in the two nations, as also of the different employments and degrees of rank and preferment in the sea-service of England and France have contributed to give an high degree of accuracy and perfection to this useful work. In the first part the Author give, in French, and in an alphabetical order, and explication of all the English sea-terms, together with the phrases that are necessary to indicate their various significations: and in the second part he gives, in the same manner, in English, an explication of all the French terms. The plates, which are thirty-one in number, are well engraved by Le Gouas, and in the explications, which accompany them, M. Lescallier has enlarged more on the article of rigging, than that of construction, as the latter has been often ably treated, and the former seldom, if ever treated at all. Our Author's account of the galleys of the Ancients, is learned and curious.


The Monthly Review; or, Literary Journal. Vol. LVI.
R. Griffiths, London, 1777. pp 556-557.


Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.


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