The old prince, now and then using abbreviations, wrote in his large elongated hand on blue paper as follows: Have just this moment received by special messenger very joyful news--if it's not false.

Bennigsen seems to have obtained a complete victory over Buonaparte at Eylau.

In Petersburg everyone is rejoicing, and the rewards sent to the army are innumerable.

Though he is a German--I congratulate him! I can't make out what the commander at Korchevo--a certain Khandrikov--is up to; till now the additional men and provisions have not arrived.