hich so developed the
power and advanced the civilization of the country, as in the course of
a few subsequent reigns had the effect of bringing Russia into the
foremost rank among the nations of Europe. The progress which these
changes introduced continues to go on to the present time, and will,
perhaps, go on unimpeded for centuries to come.

[1] 1858.

CHAPTER X.

THE BATTLE OF NARVA.

1700-1701

Origin of the war with Sweden--Peace with the Turks--Charles XII--Siege
of Narva--The frontier--Plan of the campaign--Indignation of the King
of Sweden--Remonstrances of Holland and England--The King of Sweden at
Riga--the Czar a subordinate--General Croy--His plans--Operations of
the king--Surprise and defeat of the Russians--Terrible
slaughter--Whimsical plan for disposing of the prisoners--Effect upon
the Czar--New plans and arrangements

The reader will perhaps recollect how desirous Peter had long been to
extend his dominions toward the west, so as to have a sea-port under
his control on the Baltic Sea; for, at the time when he succeeded to
the throne, the eastern shores of the Baltic belonged to Poland and to
Sweden, so that the Russians were confined, in a great measure, in
their naval operations to the waters of the Black and Caspian Seas, and
to the rivers flowing into them. You will also recollect that when, at
the commencement of his tour, he arrived at the town of Riga, which
stands at the head of the Gulf of Riga, a sort of branch of the Baltic,
he had been much offended at the refusal of the governor of the place,
acting under the orders of the King of Sweden, to allow him to view the
fortifications there. He then resolved that Riga, and the whole
province of which it was the capital, should one day be his. The year
after he returned from his travels--that is, in 1699, the country being
by that time restored to its ordinary state of repose after the
suppression of the rebellion--he concluded that the time had arrived
for carrying his resolution into effect.

So he set a train of negotiations on foot for making a long truce with
the Turks, not wishing to have two wars on his hands at the same time.
When he had accomplished this object, he formed a league with the
kingdoms of Poland and Denmark to make war upon Sweden. So exactly
were all his plans laid, that the war with Sweden was declared on the
very next day after the truce of the Turks was concluded.

The King of Sweden at this ti