Lobkowitz, unable to exist in the black circuit, has retired beyond
it, and taken the eastern side of the Moldau, as the least ruined;
leaving the Tolpatchery, under one Festititz, to caracole round the
black horizon on the west. Farther, as the Moldau is rolling ice,
and Lobkowitz is afraid of his pontoons, he drags them out high and
dry: 'Can be replaced in a day, when wanted.' In a day; yes, thinks
Belleisle, but not in less than a day;--and proceeds now to the
consummation. Detailed accounts exist, Belleisle's own Account
(rapid, exact, loftily modest); here, compressing to the utmost,
let us snatch hastily the main features.

"On the 15th December, 1742, Prag Gates are all shut: Enter if you
like; but no outgate. Monseigneur le Marechal intends to have a
grand foraging to-morrow, on the southwestern side of Prag.
Lobkowitz heard of it, in spite of the shut gates; for all Prag is
against Belleisle, and does spy-work for Lobkowitz. 'Let him
forage,' thought Lobkowitz; 'he will not grow rich by what he
gathers;' and sat still, leaving his pontoons high and dry. So that
Belleisle, on the afternoon of December 16th,--between 12 and
14,000 men, near 4,000 of them cavalry, with cannon, with
provision-wagons, baggage-wagons, goods and chattels in mass,--has
issued through the two Southwestern Gates; and finds himself fairly
out of Prag. On the Pilsen road; about nightfall of the short
winter day: earth all snow and 'VERGLAS,' iron glazed; huge olive-
colored curtains of the Dusk going down upon the Mountains ahead of
him; shutting in a scene wholly grim for Belleisle.
Brigadier Chevert, a distinguished and determined man, with some
4,000 sick, convalescent and half able, is left in Prag to man the
works; the Marechal has taken hostages, twenty Notabilities of
Prag; and neglected no precaution. He means towards Eger; has, at