In four days he had done that exploit in 1744; but now, to the world's disappointment, in as many weeks he cannot.

Nothing was omitted on his part: he seized all egresses from Prag, rapidly enough; had beset them with batteries, on the very night or morrow of the Battle; every egress beset, cannon and ruin forbidding any issue there.

On the 9th of May, cannonading began; proper siege-cannon and ammunition, coming up from Dresden, were completely come May 19th; after which the place is industriously battered, bombarded with red-hot balls; but except by hunger, it will not do.

Prag as a fortress is weak, but as a breastwork for 50,000 men it is strong.

The Austrians tried sallies; but these availed nothing,--very ill-conducted, say some.