\ 4 
314 ovation of Lomonofsoff. Oct. 30. 
nured to war. Although difsension took place among 
our commanders, and a cunning spy communicated 
to the enemy all the circi.mstances of our camp ; and 
although Charles xii. by an unexpected attack, pre- 
vented our army from being put in order of battle ; 
however on retreating, the buldnefs of the enemy 
was so far checked as to disable them to continue 
the action and pursue the victory. The Rufsian 
guards and no smail part of the other troops remain- 
ed in good order ; and it was only for want of their 
leaders, whom Charles having called to treat of 
peace, had detained prisoners, that they were with- 
held from falling on the enemy. The guards there- 
fore and the rest of the army withtheir arms and 
baggage, colours flying and drums beating, return- 
ed into Rufsia. That this defeat proceeded more 
from these unfortunate circumstances, than from 
wart of fkill in the troops of Rufsia ; and that the 
army of Peter even in its infancy was able ‘to beat 
the veteran troops of his enemies, wes fully proved 
the following summer, by many signal victories*, 
To be continued, 
} The Orator goes here farther than Peter himself is known to have 
done, ‘or it is well known that great man used to console himself after’ 
a defeat by observing that there was no reason to be discouraged, for 
that by every defeat they acquired additional military fkill, so -that 
by perseverance their enemies in time would teach the Rufsians to 
beat themselves; and this in fact he effected, ° 
- 
