Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/105

 Adolphus the great fought the battle of Lutzen. Success hung quivering over each army for a considerable time; at last the Duke was killed, and his death was followed by the total defeat of his whole army. This great victory was hardly gained when Peter was informed that his ally, the King of France, had recovered his late disgrace by gaining a signal victory over the Electors of Hanover and Bavaria, who, with fifty thousand men, had taken arms in defense of the empire.

Frederick's affairs were now fast advancing to ruin; the Russians on one side and the French on the other, pressed him so hard, that he determined, with a strong garrison and plenty of provisions, to shut himself up in Vienna, one of the strongest cities in Europe. He sent Ambassadors to George VI. to implore his protection, and after seeing