Montcalm and Wolfe . d Queensbatteries on the strand, where the dwellings andwarehouses of the lower town clustered beneaththe cliff. Full in sight lay the far-extended camp of Mont-calm, stretching from the St. Charles, beneath thecity walls, to the chasm and cataract of the Mont-morenci. From the cataract to the river of Beauport,its front was covered by earthworks along the brinkof abrupt and lofty heights; and from the river ofBeauport to the St. Charles, by broad flats of mudswept by the fire of redoubts, intrenchments, a float-ing battery, and the city itself. Above the Diamond
Montcalm and Wolfe . d Queensbatteries on the strand, where the dwellings andwarehouses of the lower town clustered beneaththe cliff. Full in sight lay the far-extended camp of Mont-calm, stretching from the St. Charles, beneath thecity walls, to the chasm and cataract of the Mont-morenci. From the cataract to the river of Beauport,its front was covered by earthworks along the brinkof abrupt and lofty heights; and from the river ofBeauport to the St. Charles, by broad flats of mudswept by the fire of redoubts, intrenchments, a float-ing battery, and the city itself. Above the Diamond hid the view; but could Wolfe havelooked beyond it, he would have beheld a prospectstill more disheartening. Here, mile after mile, theSt. Lawrence was walled by a range of steeps, ofteninaccessible, and always so difficult that a few menat the top could hold an army in check; while atCap-Rouge, about eight miles distant, the highplateau was cleft by the channel of a stream which Falls of Montmorenci. \4VV^\UW\U rr-. 1759.] STRENGTH OF THE FORTRESS. 51 formed a line of defence as strong as that of theMontmorenci. Quebec was a natural fortress. Bou-gainville had long before examined the position, andreported that by the help of intrenchments, easilyand quickly made, and defended by three or fourthousand men, I think the city would be safe. I donot believe that the English will make any attemptagainst it; but they may have the madness to do so,and it is well to be prepared against surprise. Not four thousand men, but four times four thou-sand, now stood in its defence; and their chiefswisely resolved not to throw away the advantages oftheir position. Nothing more was heard of Vaudreuilsbold plan of attacking the invaders at their landing;and Montcalm had declared that he would play thepart, not of Hannibal, but of Fabius. His plan wasto avoid a general battle, run no risks, and protractthe defence till the resources of the enemy wereexhausted, or till approaching winter forced t
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