f the gun; one end is rove and clinched, and the other is
passed through the ring-bolt in the ship's side, and seized back. The
breeching is of sufficient length to let the muzzle of the cannon come
within the ship's side to be charged, or to be housed and lashed.
Clinch-shackles have superseded the ring-bolts, so that guns may be
instantly unshackled and shifted.

BREECHING-BOLT. Applies to the above.

BREECH-LOADER. A gun, large or small, charged at the breech. The method
is a very old one revived, but with such scientific modifications as to
have enormously increased the effectiveness of small-arms; with cannon
its successful practical application to the larger natures has not yet
been arrived at, but with field-guns it has added largely to accuracy of
practice and facility of loading.

BREECH OF A CANNON. The after-end, next the vent or touch-hole. It is
the most massive part of a gun; strictly speaking, it is all the solid
metal behind the bottom of the bore. Also, the outside angle formed by
the knee-timber, the inside of which is the throat.

BREECH-SIGHT. The notch cut on the base ring of a gun.

BREEZE. This word is widely understood as a pleasant zephyr; but among
seamen it is usually applied as synonymous with wind in general, whether
weak or strong.

BREEZE, SEA OR LAND. A shifting wind blowing from sea and land
alternately at certain hours, and sensibly only near the coasts; they
are occasioned by the action of the sun raising the temperature of the
land so as to draw an aerial current from sea-ward by day, which is
returned as the earth cools at night.

BREEZE, TO KICK UP A. To excite disturbance, and promote a quarrelsome
row.

BREEZING UP. The gale freshening.

BREEZO. A toast given by the presiding person at a mess-table; derived
from _brisee generale_.

BREVET. A rank in the army higher than the regimental commission held by
an officer, affording him a precedence in garrison and brigade duties.
Something approaching this has been attempted afloat, under the term
"staff."

BREWING. The appearance of a collection of black and tempestuous clouds,
rising gradually from a particular part of the hemisphere, as the
forerunner of a storm.

BRICKLAYER'S CLERK. A contemptuous expression for lubberly pretenders to
having seen "better days," but who were forced to betake themselves to
sea-life.

BRIDGE. A narrow gangway between two hatchways, sometimes termed a
bridge. Military bridges to afford