defence of the capital, he would maintain it to the
last extremity. Batteries were immediately raised against the town on
both sides of the Elbe; and the poor inhabitants subjected to a dreadful
visitation, that their calamities might either drive them to despair, or
move the heart of the governor to embrace articles of capitulation;
but these expedients proved ineffectual. Though the suburbs towards the
Pirna gate were attacked and carried, this advantage made no impression
on general Macguire, who made several vigorous sallies, and took every
necessary precaution for the defence of the city; encouraged moreover by
the vicinity of Lascy's body, and the army of the empire, encamped in an
advantageous position near Gross Seydlitz; and confident that count Daun
would hasten to his relief. In this hope he was not disappointed. The
Austrian general, finding himself duped by the stratagem of the Prussian
monarch, and being made acquainted with his enterprise against Dresden,
instantly wheeled about, and marched back with such rapidity, that on
the nineteenth day of the month he reached the neighbourhood of the
capital of Saxony. In consequence of his approach, the king of Prussia,
whose heavy artillery was now arrived, redoubled his efforts against
the city, so as to reduce to ashes the cathedral church, the new
square, several noble streets, some palaces, together with the curious
manufactory of porcelain. His vengeance must have been levelled against
the citizens; for it affected neither the fortifications, nor the
Austrian garrison, which count Daun found means to reinforce with
sixteen battalions. This supply, and the neighbourhood of three hostile
armies, rendered it altogether impossible to prosecute the siege with
any prospect of success; the king therefore abandoned the undertaking,
withdrew his troops and artillery, and endeavoured to bring Daun to a
battle, which that general cautiously avoided.

The fate of this prince seemed now at its crisis. Notwithstanding
all the efforts of his brother prince Henry, the Russians were fast
advancing to join Laudohn, who had already blocked up Schweidnitz and
Neifs, and their junction seemed to threaten the loss of all Silesia.
The king had nothing to oppose to superior numbers but superior
activity, of which he determined to avail himself without delay. Instead
of making a feint towards Silesia, he resolved to march thither in
earnest; and for that purpose, crossing the Elbe, e