o cut me off from Budin, then? From my
ammunition-stores, from my very bread-cupboard!" And he marches that
same midnight, silently, in good order, back to Budin. He is not much
ruined; nay the Prussian loss is numerically greater: "3,308 killed and
wounded, on the Prussian side; on the Austrian, 2,984, with three cannon
taken and two standards." Not ruined at all; but foiled, frustrated; and
has to devise earnestly, "What next?" Once rearranged, he may still try.

The Battle lasted seven hours; the last four of it very hot, till
Lobositz was won and lost. It was about 5 P.M. when Browne fired his
retreat-cannon:--cannon happened to be loaded (say the Anecdote-Books,
mythically given now and then); Friedrich, wearied enough, had flung
himself into his carriage for a moment's rest, or thankful reflection;
and of all places, the ball of the retreat-cannon lighted THERE. Between
Friedrich's feet, as he lay reclining,--say the Anecdote-Books, whom
nobody is bound to believe.

On the strength of those two Prussian charges, which had retired from
case-shot on their flank, and had not wings, for getting over sedge and
ooze, Austria pretended to claim the victory. "Two charges repelled by
our gallant horse; Lobositz, indeed, was got on fire, and we had nothing
for it but to withdraw; but we took a new position, and only left
that for want of water;"--with the like excuses. "Essentially a clear
victory," said the Austrians; and sang TE-DEUM about it;--but profited
nothing by that piece of melody. The fact, considerable or not, was,
from the first, too undeniable: Browne beaten from the field. And beaten
from his attempt too (the Saxons not relievable by this method); and
lies quiet in Budin again,--with his water sure to him; but what other
advantages gained?

Here are two Letters, brief both, which we may as well read:--

1. FRIEDRICH TO WILHELMINA (at Baireuth).

"LOBOSITZ, 4th October, 1756.

"MY DEAR SISTER,--Your will is accomplished. Tired out by these
Saxon delays, I put myself at the head of my Army of Bohemia [Keith's
hitherto]; and marched from Aussig to--a Name which seemed to me of good
augury, being yours,--to the Village of Welmina [Battle was called OF
WELMINA, by the Prussians at first]. I found the Austrians here, near
Lobositz; and, after a Fight of seven hours, forced them to run. Nobody
of your acquaintance is killed, except Generals Luderitz and OErzen [who
are not of ours].

"I return you a thousand