Austrians harrassed him as much as possible; but their armies, notwithstanding their great superiority, were not in a condition from their late sufferings to make any decisive attempt upon him, as the frontiers of Saxony abound with situations eafily defended.
The King of Prussia's misfortunes now poured in upon him at once, and from every quarter. The army commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, who continually retired before the French, after they had passed the Weser, came however to a resolution to make a stand at Hastenbeck, where it was judged that the superior numbers of the enemy might be the least prejudicial; but notwithstanding the advantages of the situation, the bravery of the Hanoverians, and the conduct of the D. the allied army was driven from the field of battle, and retreated towards Stade. July 25. By taking this route his Royal Highness was driven into a sort of cul de sac. Unable by his situation to retire, or by his strength to advance, he was compelled to sign the remarkable capitulation of Closter-seven, Sept. 8. by which 38,000 Hanoverians laid down their arms, and were dispersed into different quarters of cantonment. The French army had a little before this changed its commander. Aug. 6. D'Etrees, the favourite of all the military men, was removed from the command, which was conferred on the Duke de Richelieu, who excelled him and all mankind in the profession of a courtier. The Hanoverians were now quite subdued, and all the French force let loose by this treaty, was ready to fall upon the King of Prussia's dominions.
An enterprize was concerted in England against the coast of France, by drawing a part of the French army to the defence of their own country. England proposed to compass another great design, and which she had equally at heart, by this expedition, which was to give an effectual blow to the marine of France. The destination of this armament was kept a profound secret, and whilst it exercised the penetration of all the politicians in Europe, it filled France with the most serious alarms. The English fleet at last appeared before Rochfort. Sept. 21. Sometime was spent before it could be resolved what plan was to be followed in the attack: at last it was resolved to secure the small isle of Aix, from whence some obstruction was apprehended to their landing. The island was soon reduced; but as a good deal of time was consumed in these deliberations and actions, the militia of the country had time to gather, and there was an appearance of two camps on the shore. The commanders now took into consideration the badness of the coast, the danger of landing, the time the enemy had to put the place in such a posture of defence, as might make any sudden attempt, or coup du main, unsuccessful: in consequence of these deliberations, they unanimously resolved to return without making any attempt. Sept. 29. The disappointment of the nation was equal to the sanguine hopes we had conceived; nothing could exceed the general discontent. The military men blamed the plan of the expedition. The ministers, and with them the public voice, exclaimed at the execution. A court of enquiry, of officers of reputation, censured the commander; a court martial, of officers of reputation, ac-
