was
perfectly well acquainted with the interior of the place, that such an
attack could not be hazarded with any prospect of success. The ships of
war, indeed, might have silenced the batteries of the lower town,
but they could not affect the upper works, from which they must have
sustained considerable damage. When we consider the situation of this
place, and the fortifications with which it was secured; the natural
strength of the country; the great number of vessels and floating
batteries they had provided for the defence of the river; the skill,
valour, superior force, and uncommon vigilance of the enemy; their
numerous bodies of savages continually hovering about the posts of the
English, to surprise parties, and harass detachments; we must own that
there was such a combination of difficulties as might have discouraged
and perplexed the most resolute and intelligent commander.

THE TROOPS LAND AT THE HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM.

In consequence of the resolution taken to quit the camp at Montmorenci,
the troops and artillery were re-embarked, and landed at Point Levi:
they afterwards passed up the river in transports, while admiral Holmes
made a movement with his ships to amuse the enemy posted on the north
shore; and the men being much crowded on board, the general ordered
one-half of them to be landed for refreshment on the other side of the
river. As no possibility appeared of annoying the enemy above the town,
the scheme of operations was totally changed. A plan was formed for
conveying the troops farther down in boats, and landing them in the
night within a league of Cape Diamond, in hopes of ascending the heights
of Abraham, which rise abruptly with a steep ascent from the banks of
the river, that they might take possession of the ground on the back
of the city, where it was but indifferently fortified. The dangers and
difficulties attending the execution of this design were so peculiarly
discouraging, that one would imagine it could not have been embraced but
by a spirit of enterprise that bordered on desperation. The stream was
rapid; the shore shelving; the bank of the river lined with sentinels;
the landing place so narrow as to be easily missed in the dark; and the
ground so difficult as hardly to be surmounted in the day-time, had no
opposition been expected. If the enemy had received the least intimation
from spy or deserter, or even suspected the scheme; had the embarkation
been disordered in consequenc