accession of Austria the grand alliance had now gained a manifest superiority, as well in regard to the number of troops as to the geographical advantages of the theatre of war and resources.  After the renewal of hostilities Napoleon still seemed determined to pursue his plan of advancing beyond the Oder.  The allies were not to be deceived by these demonstrations, but unexpectedly took post with their main force in Bohemia, along the Saxon frontier, leaving in Silesia and Brandenburg, where the crown-prince of Sweden had by this time arrived with his gallant troops, armies strong enough to keep him in check by a vigorous defensive system.  The great Bohemian army was destined for offensive operations.  This plan was equally grand and judicious.  Silesia, and all Saxony, to the Elbe, could not fail, in consequence, to be lost to Napoleon.  That river, while he had only Prussia and Russia to encounter, was a sure support in his rear; but no sooner had Austria declared herself than it was no longer of any military consequence.  Dresden was the central point for the French army.  There were organized all the military bureaus, and all the branches of administration for the economy of the army.  The allies opened the campaign with a hasty advance upon that important city.  If the enterprise proved successful, its consequences would be incalculable; if it miscarried, nothing would be lost for the grand object; and at any rate the expedition would be a diversion, which would immediately draw the French out of Silesia.  Napoleon now saw how egregiously he was deceived in his reckoning.  He hastened precipitately to save the Saxon capital.  The army arrived breathless.  The allies were already assaulting the suburbs; and, had Napoleon come one hour later, Dresden would have been in their power.  Owing to the unexpected appearance of so prodigious a force, and still more to physical accidents, the grand enterprise of the allies miscarried.  The battle of Dresden terminated to their disadvantage, but their primary object was attained.  Napoleon’s force was divided into three great armies.  Should any of them sustain a defeat, all Saxony to the right of the Elbe would be lost to him.  The engagements of Jauer, Grossbeeren, and Dennewitz, proved disastrous to the French generals, and Lusatia and the right bank of the Elbe were soon in the hands of the allies.  All the attempts to penetrate to Prague and Berlin ended in the discomfiture and annihilation of whole French corps.  Oudinot, Ney, Regnier, Bertrand, and the terrible Vandamme, were in succession so totally defeated, that it was not possible even for the French reporters, with all their address, to cloak their disasters.  The allies every where acted offensively.  Saxony, surrounded by Silesia, Bohemia, and Brandenburg, was now, from its situation, likely to become, earlier or later, the grave of the French armies:  the allies had every where the choice of their operations; they were neither to be turned nor broken through.