na. What were the barricades,
the palisades, and ambushes, by which the camp was surrounded, to this
enemy? This foe was in the camp, not outside of it--he had no need to
climb the barricades--he came hither flying through the air, breathing,
like a gloomy bird of death, his horrible cries of woe. This enemy was
hunger--enervating, discouraging, demoralizing hunger!

The fourteen days had expired, and in the camp of Pirna languished
seventeen thousand men! The bread rations became smaller and smaller;
but the third part of the usual meat ration was given; the horses' food
also was considerably shortened. Sorrow and starvation reigned in
the camp. Why should this distress Count Bruhl? He lived in his usual
luxurious splendor, with the king. Looking out from his handsome
apartments upon the valley lying at his feet, he saw on a little meadow
by which the Elbe was flowing, herds of cows and calves, sheep and
beeves, which were there to die like the Saxon soldiers, for their king.
These herds were for the royal table; there was, therefore, no danger
that the enemy visiting the army should find its way to the fortress.
It was also forbidden, upon pain of death, to force one of these animals
intended for the royal table, from their noble calling, and to satisfy
therewith the hungry soldiers. Count Bruhl could therefore wait
patiently the arrival of the Austrian army, which was already in motion,
under the command of General Brown.

While the King of Poland was living gay and joyous in the fortress of
Konigstein, the queen with the princes of the royal house had remained
in Dresden; and though she knew her husband's irresolute character, and
knew that the King of Prussia, counting upon this, was corresponding
with him, endeavoring to persuade him to neutrality, still she had no
fears of her husband succumbing to his entreaties. For was not Count
Bruhl, the bitter, irreconcilable enemy of Prussia, at his side?--and
had not the king said to her, in a solemn manner, before leaving:
"Better that every misfortune come upon us than to take the part of our
enemies!" The queen, therefore, felt perfectly safe upon this point.
She remained in Dresden for two reasons: first, to watch the King of
Prussia, and then to guard the archives--those archives which contained
the most precious treasures of Saxon diplomacy--the most important
secrets of their allies. These papers were prized more highly by the
queen than all the crown jewels now l