ositz, Leitmeritz, Melnick; a great fertile Valley, or expanse of
fruitful country, many miles in breadth and length; Elbe, like a silver
stripe, winding grandly through the finest of all his countries, before
ducking himself into the rock-tumults of that Pirna district. The
mountain gorges of Prag and Moldau River, south of Melnick, lie hidden
under the horizon, or visible only as peaks, thirty miles and more to
southeastward; a bright country intervening, sprinkled with steepled
towns. To northwestward, far away, are the Lausitz Mountains, ranked
in loose order, but massive, making a kind of range: and as outposts
to them in their scattered state, Hills of good height and aspect are
scattered all about, and break the uniformity of the Plain. Nowhere in
North Germany could the Prussian battalions have a finer view,--if the
morning were fine, and if views were their object.

The morning, first in October, was not fine; and it was far other than
scenery that the Prussian battalions had in hand!--Friday, 1st October,
1756, Day should have broken: but where is day? At seven in the morning
(and on till eleven), thick mist lay over the plain; thin fog to the
very hill-tops; so that you cannot see a hundred yards ahead. Lobositz
is visible only as through a crape; farther on, nothing but gray sea;
under which, what the Austrians are doing, or whether there are any
Austrians, who can say? Leftward on the Lobosch-Hill side, as we
reconnoitre, some Pandours are noticeable, nestled in the vineyards
there:--that sunward side of the Lobosch is all vineyards, belonging
to the different Lobositzers: scrubby vineyards, all in a brown plucked
state at this season. Vineyards parted by low stone walls, say three or
four feet high (parted by hurdles, or by tiny trenches, in our day, and
the stone walls mere stone facings): there are the Pandours crouched,
and give fire in a kneeling posture when you approach. Lower down, near
Lobositz itself, flickerings as of Horse squadrons, probably Hussar
parties, twinkle dubious in the wavering mist. Problem wrapt in mist;
nothing to be seen; and all depends on judging it with accuracy! Seven
by the clock: Deploy, at any rate; let us cover our post; and be in
readiness for events.

Friedrich's vanguard of itself nearly fills that neck, or space between
the Lobosch and Homolka Hills. He spreads his Infantry and "hundred
field-pieces," in part, rightwards along the Homolka Hill; but chiefly
leftwards