esources
which he found in his own genius and presence of mind, employed also a
new invention against the enemy, and placed in his front some pieces
of artillery, the first that had yet been made use of on any remarkable
occasion in Europe. This is the epoch of one of the most singular
discoveries that has been made among men; a discovery which changed by
degrees the whole art of war, and by consequence many circumstances in
the political government of Europe. But the ignorance of that age in the
mechanical arts, rendered the progress of this new invention very
slow. The artillery first framed were so clumsy, and of such difficult
management, that men were not immediately sensible of their use
and efficacy and even to the present times improvements have been
continually making on this furious engine, which, though it seemed
contrived for the destruction of mankind, and the overthrow of empires,
has in the issue rendered battles less bloody, and has given greater
stability to civil societies. Nations, by its means, have been brought
more to a level: conquests have become less frequent and rapid: success
in war has been reduced nearly to be a matter of calculation: and any
nation, overmatched by its enemies, either yields to their demands or
secures itself by alliances against their violence and invasion.

The invention of artillery was at this time known in France as well
as in England;[**] but Philip, in his hurry to overtake the enemy, had
probably left his cannon behind him, which he regarded as a useless
encumbrance. All his other movements discovered the same imprudence and
precipitation. Impelled by anger, a dangerous counsellor, and trusting
to the great superiority of his numbers, he thought that all depended on
forcing an engagement with the English; and that if he could once reach
the enemy in their retreat, the victory on his side was certain and
inevitable. He made a hasty march, in some confusion, from Abbeville;
but after he had advanced above two leagues, some gentlemen, whom he had
sent before to take a view of the enemy, returned to him, and brought
him intelligence that they had seen the English drawn up in Bombarda
great order, and awaiting his arrival.

* Jean Villani, lib. xii. cap. 66.

** Du Cange, Glass, in verb.

They therefore devised him to defer the combat till the ensuing day,
when his army would have recovered from their fatigue, and might be
disposed into better order than the