PROOF, in law and logic, is that degree of evidence which carries conviction to the mind. It differs from demonstration, which is applicable only to those truths of which the contrary is inconceivable. It differs likewise from probability, which produces for the most part nothing more than opinion, while proof produces belief.

PROOF, in printing. See PRINTING. PROOF, in spirituous liquors, is a little white lather which appears on the top of the liquor when poured into a glass. This lather, as it diminishes, forms itself into a circle called by the French the chaplet, and by the English the head or bubble.

PROOF OF ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS, is a trial whether they stand the quantity of powder allotted for that purpose. Government allows eleven bullets of lead in the pound for the proof of muskets, and twenty-nine in two pounds, for service; seventeen in the pound for the proof of carabines, and twenty for service; twenty-eight in the pound for the proof of pistols, and thirtyfour for service. When guns of a new metal, or of lighter construction, are proved, besides the common proof, they are fired 200 or 300 times, as quick as they can be, loaded with the common charge given in actual service. Proof of cannon is made to ascertain their being well cast, their having no cavities in their metal, and, in a word, their being fit to resist the effort of their charge of powder. In making this proof, the piece is laid

upon the ground, supported only by a piece of wood in the middle, of about five or six inches thick, to raise the muzzle a little; and then the piece is fired against a solid butt of earth. The tools used in the proof of cannon are these:The searcher, an iron socket with branches, from four to eight in number, bending outwards a little, with small points at their ends to this socket is fixed a wooden handle, from eight to twelve feet long, and one inch and a half in diameter. This searcher is introduced into the gun after each firing, and turned gently round to discover the cavities within; if any are found they are marked on the outside with chalk; and then the searcher with one point is introduced: about which point a mixture of wax and tallow is put, to take the impression of the holes; and if they are found of one-fourth of an inch deep, or of any considerable length, the gun is rejected as unserviceable. The reliever is an iron ring fixed to a handle, by means of a socket, so as to be at right angles; it serves to disengage the first searcher, when any of its points are retained in a hole, and cannot otherwise be got out.

A curious instrument for finding the principl defects in pieces of artillery was invented by lieutenant-general Desaguliers. This instrument discovers more particularly the defect of the piece not being truly bored; which is a very important one; for, when a gun is not properly bored, the most expert artillerist will not be able to make a good shot.

Every species of ordnance undergoes different kinds of proof before it is received into his majesty's service. They are gauged as to their several dimensions, internal and external, as to the accuracy of the position of the bore, the chamber, the vent, the trunnions, &c. They are fired with a regular charge of powder and shot, and afterwards searched to discover irregularities or holes produced by the firing. By means of engines, an endeavour is made to force water through them. They are examined internally, by means of light reflected from a mirror.

PROOF OF MORTARS AND HOWITZERS is performed by placing them on the ground on wood or bullets, of an elevation of 70°. The mirror is the only instrument to discover their defects. To use it, the sun must shine; the breech must be placed towards the sun, and the glass ove: against the mouth of the piece; it illuminate › the bore and chamber sufficiently to discover the flaws in it.

PROOFS IN ENGRAVING. Proofs of prints were formerly a few impressions taken off in different stages of the engraver's process, that he might ascertain how far his labors had been successful, and when they were complete. The excellence of such impressions, worked with care under the artist's eye, occasioning them to be sought after, and liberally paid for, it has been customary, among our modern printsellers, to take off a number under this name, from every plate of considerable value. On retouching a plate, it has been also usual, among the same conscientious fraternity, to cover the inscription, which was immediately added after the first proofs were obtained, with slips of paper, that a number of secondary proofs might also be created.

Waterland.

Eternal snows the growing mass supply, Till the bright mountains prop th' incumbent sky; As Atlas fixed each hoary pile appears. Pope.

ROPAGATE, v. a. & n. s." Lat. propago. PROP'A 'AGABLE, adj. To continue by PROPAGATION, n. s. generation or PROPAGATOR. production; to diffuse; extend; promote; transport; increase; to have offspring: propagable is, that may be propagated: propagation, the act of continuing or diffusing by successive production: propagator corresponding in sense.

Men have souls rather by creation than propaga

tion.

Hooker.

From hills and dales the cheerful cries rebound. For echo hunts along, and propagates the sound.

Dryden.

Old stakes of olive trees in plants revive; But nobler veins by propagation thrive. Id. Those who seek truth only, and desire to propagate nothing else, freely expose their principles to the Locke. There is not in all nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation, wherein chance hath not the least part. Ray.

test.

Socrates, the greatest propagator of morality, and a martyr for the unity of the Godhead, was so famous for this talent, that he gained the name of the Drole. Addison.

Because dense bodies conserve their heat a long time, and the densest bodies conserve their heat the longest, the vibrations of their parts are of a lasting nature; and therefore may be propagated along solid fibres of uniform dense matter to a great distance, for conveying into the brain the impressions made upon all the organs of sense. Newton.

There are other secondary ways of the propagation of it, as lying in the same bed. Wiseman. Superstitious notions, propagated in fancy, are hardly ever totally eradicated. Clarissa.

The same disposition she endeavoured to diffuse among all those whom nature or fortune gave her any influence, and indeed succeeded too well in her design; but could not always propagate her effrontery with her cruelty.

Johnson.

PROPEL', v. a. Lat. propello. To drive forward.

Avicen witnesses the blood to be frothy, that is propelled out of a vein of the breast. Harvey.

This motion, in some human creatures, may be weak in respect to the viscidity of what is taken, so as not to be able to propel it.

Arbuthnot on Aliments. That overplus of motion would be too feeble and languid to propel so vast and ponderous a body, with that prodigious velocity.

PROPEND', v. n.

Bentley. Lat. propendeo, to

PROPEN'DENCY. n. s. hang forwards. }

To

incline to any part; be disposed in favor of any thing. Not used.

My sprightly brethren, I propend to you, In resolution to keep Helen still. Shakspeare. An act above the animal actings, which are transient, and admit not of all that attention, and propendency of actions.

PROPENSE', adj. PROPEN'SION, N. S. PROPEN'SITY.

Hale.

Lat. propensus. Inclined; disposed; used both of good and bad:

propensity is tendency; particularly moral disposition; natural tendency.

Women, propense and inclinable to holiness, be edified in good things, rather than carried away as captives.

Hooker.

Some miscarriages might escape, rather through necessities of state, than any propensity of myself to injuriousness. King Charles. Bodies, that of themselves have no propensions to any determinate place, do nevertheless move constantly and perpetually one way. Digby.

I have brought scandal
In feeble hearts, propense enough before
To waver, or fall off, and join with idols.

Milton.

The natural propension, and the inevitable occasions of complaint, accidents of fortune. Temple. It requires a critical nicety to find out the genius or the propensions of a child." L'Estrange.

Let there be but propensity, and bent of will to religion, and there will be sedulity and indefatigable industry. South.

So forcible are our propensions to mutiny, that we equally take occasions from benefits or injuries. Government of the Tongue.

He assists us with a measure of grace, sufficient to over-balance the corrupt propensity of the will.

Rogers. This great attrition must produce a great propensity to the putrescent alkaline condition of the fluids. Arbuthnot.

It is, however, not to be omitted, that he appears always propense towards the side of mercy. Johnson. Fr. propre; Lat. proprius. Peculiar; (natural; fit; adapt

PROP'ER, adj. PROPERLY, adv. PROP'ERNESS, n. s. PROPERTY, n. s. & v. a. ed; belonging to an individual; one's own; literal; mere; pure; pretty or beautiful; and, in a low sense, tall; stout; the adverb and noun substantive corresponding property is,peculiar quality; disposition, or right; possession held in one's own right; any thing promised; an appendage; any thing peculiarly new or adapted: to property is, to seize or retain as a right; to invest with qualities or possessions; but neither sense is now in use.

In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All proper to the spring, and sprightly May.

For numerous blessings yearly show'r'd,
And property with plenty crowned,
Accept our pious praise.

Id.

Id.

Id.

The purple garments raise the lawyer's fees, High pomp and state are useful properties. A proper goodly fox was carrying to execution. L'Estrange.

Outward objects, that are extrinsecal to the mind and its own operations, proceeding from powers intrinsecal and proper to itself, which become also obknowledge. jects of its contemplation, are the original of all Locke.

Property, whose original is from the right a man has to use any of the inferior creatures, for subsistence and comfort, is for the sole advantage of the proprietor, so that he may even destroy the very thing that he has property in.

Id.

They professed themselves servants of Jehovah, their God, in a relation and respect peculiar and proNelson. per to themselves.

divided, they signified by dark names, which we have Those parts of nature, into which the chaos was expressed in their plain and proper terms.

Burnet's Theory of the Earth. There is a sense in which the works of every man, good as well as bad, are properly his own.

Rogers.

In debility, from great loss of blood, wine, and all aliment that is easily assimilated or turned into blood, are proper; for blood is required to make blood. Arbuthnot.

Greenfield was the name of the property man in that time, who furnished implements for the actors. Pope.

The miseries of life are not properly owing to the unequal distribution of things.

Swift.

No wonder such men are true to a government, where liberty runs so high, where property is so well secured. Id.

A proper name may become common, when given to several beings of the same kind; as Cæsar. Watts.

A secondary essential mode is any attribute of a thing, which is not of primary consideration, and is called a property. Id.

PROPERTIUS (Sextus Aurelius), a celebrated Latin poet, born at Mevania, a city of Umbria. He went to Rome after the death of his father, a Roman knight, who had been put to death by order of Augustus, for having followed Antony's party. Propertius acquired great reputation by his abilities, and was patronised by Mæcenas and Cornelius Gallus. He had also Ovid, Tibullus, and other literati of his time, for his friends. He died in Rome 19 B. C. His four books of elegies are printed with almost all the editions of Tibullus and Catullus; the best is the separate edition by J. Brouckhusius at Amsterdam, 1702 and 1714, 4to.

PROPERTY. See LAW. PROPHECY, n. s. PROPHET,

PROPHESY, V. a. & v. n. PROPHETESS, n. s.

PROPHETIC, adj. PROPHET'ICAL, PROPHET'ICALLY, adv.

would be all voted axioms.

Glanville's Scepsis.

Court the age

With somewhat of your proper rage.

Fr. prophete; Ital. profeta; Span. Port. and Lat. propheta; Gr. προφητης. One who predicts or foretels future events; one who teaches or preaches: a prophecy

The counsel of a wise and then prophetical friend was forgotten.

Wotton.

That it is consonant to the word of God, so in singing to answer, the practice of Miriam the prophetess, when she answered the men in her song, will approve. Peacham.

It buildeth her faith and religion upon the sacred and canonical scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles, as upon her main and prime foundation. White. Nature else hath conference With profound sleep, and so doth warning send By prophetizing dreams. Daniel's Civil War.

This great success among Jews and Gentiles, part of it historically true at the compiling of these articles, and part of it prophetically true then, and fulfilled afterward, was a most effectual argument to give authority to this faith.

O prophet of glad tidings! finisher

Of utmost hope!

Till old experience do attain

To something like prophetic strain.

Poets may boast

Hammond.

Their work shall with the world remain
Both bound together, live or die,
The verses and the prophesy

Milton.

;

Id.

Waller.

Some famous prophetic pictures represent the fate of England by a mole, a creature blind and busy, smooth and deceitful, continually working under ground, but now and then to be discerned in the surface. Stilling fleet.

He loved so fast,

It was attested by the visible centering of all the old prophecies in the person of Christ, and by the completion of these prophecies since, which he himself Atterbury.

uttered.

Received by thee, I prophesy, my rhimes, Mixed with thy works, their life no bounds shall see. Tickel.

Pleasure is deaf when told of future pain, And sounds prophetic are too rough to suit Ears long accustomed to the pleasing lute.

Cowper. False prophetess! the day of change was come; Behind the shadow of eternity, He saw his visions set of earthly fame, For ever set.

Pollok.

II.

PROPHECY. The prophecies in the Scriptures, upon which, if room permitted, we might enlarge, atord the most decisive evidence of the truth of Christianity, being in fact a kind of standing miracles, that have existed for ages, and still exist, in proof of the veracity of Scripture. We may specify, I. The prophecy of Noah (Gen. ix. 25, 26), respecting the degraded and enslaved state of the posterity of Ham; fulfilled, first by the Jews in the slavery of the Canaanites; afterwards by the Greeks in the destruction of Tyre, and by the Romans in that of Carthage; and, in modern times, in the oppression of their posterity by the Saracens and Turks, and even to the present age by the slave trade. The prophecy of the innumerable posterity of Abraham; but more particularly of the wild, predatory, free, and independent state of his posterity by Ishmael (Gen. xvi. 10—12.), fulfilled in all ages, as well as in the present, by the unconquered state of the Arabs. III. The remarkable prophecy of Moses (Deut. xxviii. 64-66) and of Hosea (iii. 4) against the Jews, which have been so literally fulfilled for upwards of 1800 years past; notwithstanding which, while they have been scattered among all the nations on the globe, they continue still a distinct people, firmly and .rrevocably attached to their peculiar customs, though persecuted every where on that account. This is a phenomenon unparalleled in the history of mankind, and totally unaccountable upon the ordinary principles of human action; and therefore only accountable upon the principle of their being still preserved a distinct people, till the period when they shall fulfil the remaining part of Hosea's prediction (iii. 26). IV. To these remarkable prophecies, we might add those of Daniel, respecting the four universal monarchies; and those of St. Paul and St. John, which so clearly foretel the various fortunes of the Christian church; with its progress from the age of apostolic purity, to that state of universal corruption under which it sunk for about 1000 years, together with its gradual restoration to purity. But, for further information on all these subjects, we must refer the reader to bishop Newton's Dissertations on the Prophecies; bishop Chandler's Vindication of Christianity, bishop Hurd's Warburtonian Lecture; bishop Sherlock's Discourses on Prophecy, &c. See THEOLOGY.

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PROPHETS, among the Jews, were persons commissioned and inspired by God to declare his will and purposes to that people. to the existence of that nation, there were other inspired prophets, particularly Enoch, Lamech,