Lacy's retreat, I hear, was ingeniously done, with a minimum of
disorder in the circumstances: but certainly it was with a velocity
as if his head had been on fire; and, indeed, they say he escaped
annihilation by being off in time. He put up finally, not at
Thirsty Sweetheart, still less at Thirsty Fox, successive Hamlets
and Public Houses in the sandy Wilderness which lies to north of
Elbe, and is called DRESDEN HEATH; but farther on, in the same
Tract, at Weisse Hirsch (WHITE HART); which looks close over upon
Dresden, within two miles or so; and is a kind of Height, and
military post of advantage. Next morning, July 10th, he crosses
Dresden Bridge, comes streaming through the City; and takes shelter
with the Reichsfolk near there:--towards Plauen Chasm; the
strongest ground in the world; hardly strong enough, it appears, in
the present emergency.

Friedrich's first string, therefore, has snapt in two; but, on the
instant, he has a second fitted on:--may that prove luckier!



Chapter II.

FRIEDRICH BESIEGES DRESDEN.

From and after the Evening of Wednesday, July 9th, it is upon a
Siege of Dresden that Friedrich goes;--turning the whole war-
theatre topsy-turvy; throwing Daun, Loudon, Lacy, everybody OUT, in
this strange and sudden manner. One of the finest military feats
ever done, thinks Tempelhof. Undoubtedly a notable result so far,