SIR GEORGE RODNEY, 1782 VI.

LORD HOOD, 1783 ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS INTRODUCTORY Although, as we have seen, the 'Fighting Instructions' of 1691 continued in force with no material alteration till the end of the next century, it must not be assumed that no advance in tactics was made.

From time to time important changes were introduced, but instead of a fresh set of 'Fighting Instructions' being drawn up according to the earlier practice, the new ideas were embodied in what were called 'Additional Fighting Instructions.' They did not supersede the old standing form, but were intended to be read with and be subsidiary to it.

It is to these 'Additional Instructions,' therefore, that we have to look for the progress of tactics during the eighteenth century.

By one of those strange chances, however, which are the despair of historians in almost every branch and period of their subject, these Additional Instructions have almost entirely disappeared.