The magnanimous King of Prussia now began to fight with his enemies upon more equal terms. He attacked them every where, was attended for the most part with remarkable success, and rarely met with any considerable disadvantage. He carried on the campaign throughout the winter, escaped many dangers, was exhausted by no fatigues, nor terrified by any numbers.
England is so happily situated, that she has little need to concern herself with the disturbances on the Continent. Yet the people in general at this time seemed in a disposition to encourage and assist the German subjects of their King.
At the meeting of the Parliament, the reasonableness of engaging in a war upon the Continent was taken into consideration, and admitted. Liberal supplies were granted, to enable the army, now collected in the King's Hanoverian dominions, to act with vigour, in conjunction with the King of Prussia. Supplies were also granted to his Prussian Majesty.
A spirit of enterprise now seemed to animate all ranks of people. A body of British forces was sent into Germany, under the command of the Duke of Marlborough, to assist Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick and the Hanoverians; and who afterwards behaved with great bravery.
The English fleet in the mean time invaded France, and burnt the French shipping at St. Malo's. It then moved towards Cherburgh
, but was obliged by the weather to return home.
On the 1st of August, 1758, the fleet under Commodore Howe, with the transports, again set sail for Cherburgh. They landed with little opposition from the French, and entered the town. Immense sums had been there laid out upon the fortifications, and the harbour was one of the strongest in Europe. The work of all this labour and expence
[sic]
was now totally destroyed by the English, who found more difficulty in demolishing than in conquering the place. All the ships in the harbour were burnt, and a contribution raised upon the town.
On the 16th of August, the British fleet and army having remained in France unmolested for ten days, set sail for Cherburgh, and carried off all the brass cannon and mortars taken there.