Memoirs of the life of Prince Potemkin ... comprehending original anecdotes of Catherine the Second, and of the Russian court

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DK

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',A^'7ic^ y^W^^'- ^'^■:f^^/^y'/v^'t/il:^^^.m/7/^^ .'

I «pj Liniimliakikdym'i.iMkrff.Ci'liuin.fiiihcIiirwrr.CiriuiatS'

MEMOIRS

Of

T H JE JL I F E

OF

/

PRINCE POTEMKIN;

fieLd-marshal,

AND

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY;
GRAND ADMIRAL OF THE FLEETS ^

KNIGHT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDERS OF

PRUSSIA, SWEDEN, AND POLAND, AND OF ALL
THE ORDERS OF RUSSIA ;

COMPnEHBirDIKO

ov

CATHARINE THE SECOND.

AND OF

THE RUSSIAN COURT.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

LONDON :
PRIKTED FOR HENRY COLBURK^

ENOUSH AND POKXION F0Bf.I6 UaHJUlT, COVDUIT STREET,

BANOTS& SQUARE.

1812.

■■

• c

Printed by F, V"igurf, 5, Pfirteet Sttvei,
Leicester Ügunre, London,

. • * •

• •

'?' (c- ^S"

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Introduction , , v

CHAP. I.
Birth and education of Potcmktn: his share in the
revolution which dethro?ied Peter III. of Russia
to constitute Catharine IL sole empress . . . . ' 1

CHAP. II.
Potemkin^s first steps on the road to fortune^ and the

causes of his elevation 10

CHAP. III.
Potemkin raised to the situation of a favourite — ac-
quires. uncommon iiifluence over the mind of Catha^

rine 22

CHAP. IV.
Potemkin resigns his situation of favourite .... 30

CHAP. V.
Potemkin assumes the management of state.affairsy and
adds the Crimcea to the provinces of the Russian

empire . * . . ; 36 -^

CHAP. VI.
Potemkin uses ail possible means to bring about a war
»v with the Turks J and to insure its success. He is

^ ' named President of the Council of War .... 60

> CHAP. VII.

T Potemkin effects great changes in the organization of

^ the Russian armt/y and vainf^ opposes the league of

• the Princes of the German empire 70

\^ CHAP. VIII.

rs^ . Potemkin defeats the plots formed against him ^ . . 86

I

t

/

IV

CONTENTS.

rAC^B

CHAP. IX.

Potemkin attends the En^ess on her j&umeif to the
Crimaaj and excites the Turks to war ..... 101

Potemkifiis tqfpointed Commander-in-chief of the Rus~

Stan armifagainst the Twtfts . , 131

CHAP. XI.
While Poieffihin is engaged with the Turks^ Stbeden
declares vmr against Russia . . . . . . •lit

CHAP. XII.
Potemkin takes Oczakof^ places his troops in winter-
fuarters J and returns to Peter shurgh . . . .159

CHAP. XIII.
Potemkin is splendidly, received at St. Petersburgh^
where he passes the winter in festivities and enter^
4mninents, He returns to the army^ to continue

the war against the Turks . 181

CHAP. XIV.
Campaigns against the Turks in 17.89 and 1700. Ismail
is taken ; and Potemkin^ qfter having placed his
troops in winter-quarters y repairs to Yassy ^ • • 201

CHAP. XV.
' Though the Empress is desirous of peace with the
Turks y Potemkin opposes it^ and returns to Peter s-
burghy where he is splendidly receix>ed • . . ,218

CHAP. XVI.
Prince Repnin opens the can^aign ef 1791, by a. vie-,
tory^ and signs preliminaries, of peace ßt Yassy /
whither Potemkin hastens.^ though sick ; and where
he dies 233

CHAP. XVII.

i%e character of Potemkin / , , , , , ,. , . 243

INTRODUCTION

iC

tc

i€

€t

Tiu; portrait drawn of Prince Potemkm by Count
S%ur^ formerly French ambassador at the Court
of St. Petersburgh^ who lived a long time in habits
of intimacy with that extraordinary man^ oiSfers
so .many shad^ of contrajsl;^ 9^ appear alniott
incrediUe to have centered in the samcindividaal.
*^ In his person were combined the most oppo-
site defects and accomplidiments of .every de«-
scripticm. He was avaricious and ostentatious^
despotic iind pc^ular^ inflexible and beneficent»
haughty and obliging, politic and confiding^
'^ licentious and superstitious» bold and timid» am*
*^ bitious and indiscreet: lavish of his bounties to
*' his relotiotiSi his mistresses^ an^ his &vouritesi
*' yet oftentimes obstinately refusing to pay either
'^ his household or his creditors : always attached
'* to some female and always un&ithfuL Nothing
could equal the vi|^r of his mind« or the
ind<4!Pnce of his body« No dangers could appal
*' his eoufiig? t nP difficulties force him to ab^^i^
^^ don hps pn^ectst but die success of an entei^
^^ prise never fiuled to dipappoint him»

4C

U

I

ri INTRODUCTION. .

" He wearied the empire by the number of
his dignities and the extent of his power.
He was fatigued > with' the burden of his
own existence^ envious of every thing that was
not done by him«elly aod disgusted with all
" he did. To him rest was not grateful^ nor occu-
*^ pation pleasing. Every thing with him was
** desultory ; business^ pleasure, temper, ca.triage.
** In company, he looked embarrass^ V his pre-
■* sence was a restraint wherever he went. He
'* was morosie to all that stood in awe of him, and
** affiible to tbose who accosted him with' fami-
^^ liarity,

* ". Ever lavish of promises, seldom performing
'^ them, and never forgetting what he had heard
" or seen. None had read less than he; few
^' were better informed. Kc had conversed with
^^' eminent men in all professions, in every'science,
in every art. None knew better how to draw
forth and to appropriate to himself the know*
'* ledge of others. In conversation, he astonished
^^ alike the scholar, the artist, the mechanrc> and
^^ the divine. His information was not deep, but
^^ extensive. He never dived into any subjects,
^^ but he spoke well on all.

** The inequality of his temper was productive
*^ of an indescribable singularity in his desires,
in his conduct, and in his manner of life. At
one time hef formed the project of becoming

• •

QRIKfOSmVtMr» Til

Di)ke of C^\i|di|;Qd; i>9k>räothec, lie:ttu>tight of
ccuMEerriflg^; ofi himnelf ; thq \ enmxi oi Pofoftd.
He,|reqitejtAly gfkve iAtifpAtiotfs.of ab iatein
tKHi to iniiti^ . hioots^iri a bjshop, or ev^ri a
m0xkl^<. . H.e eilgage4 «ii< bimdiog a superb^
pi^l^oe^ atifi (Jilted to $011 it biefqre it wa9
" finißbed. Oue 4ay he would think of nothing
but fvar ; ^4 only officers^ Tartars and Cos-
sacks -w^i^-ittlinitted to his pree^^npe« The
next day he was busily employed in polities;

f

if

u

«

'^ h&^waplfl pailitipn tfa^ Ottomaii empire, and set
'^.allj^e cabinet;^ of Europe in motioh«; . At other.

a

.« •

a

a.

^^ any n^otlve» \

*^ For whole months together, neglecting alike

.tijja.es he p^yed? thje coujrtifr; dressed; in a
TMgj^^iicegt suit, coyepred with ribbons^ jthe
.gflk pf every pQt^ntjite^ dis^playing diamonds
.9^ cxfyr^ordinary.. magnitude ^nd- brilliancy,
h^ ^as giving sple|)did entertaimoQents. without

CS

business and decorum, he would openly pass his
evenings at the apartments of a young female.
Sometimes shut up in his room for successive

^^ weeks v^ith his nieces and some intimate friends,
he would lounge on a sofa without speaking ;
play at chess or ät cards with his legs bare, his

^^ shirt-collar unbuttoned, wrapped up in a morn-
ing-gown, knitting his eyebrows, and looking
like an unpolished and squalid Coss ac.

These singularities, though they frequently

^ put the EmpMM out of humour^ leiuiered him
'^ y«t more intererting to her. In his yx)«rth he
^ had pleased her by the avdour of his passion^
^ by his Talour^ and Mf his masctiKne beauty :
^ at a more advanced period of life, he oentiiiued
^ to chattn her by flattering lier pride, by calin-
^ ing her apprehensions, by eonfirming her
^ power, by caressing her dreams of Oriental
^ empii«, the c^xpubion of the Barbarians, and
^' Üie restoration of the Grecian republies/* .

Surdy, were e^n the life of sueh a man not
connected with the political and milkary transac-
tions ß( a vast etepive under the despotic sway of
an ambitious Fkincess, it would stiU be caieuhted
to interest those who, thinking that ^ the most
^proper study for mardtind is man,^ ogorly seu«h
for opportunities >of beeoming aequakitdUwith
human nature in its most capricious form.

.i.iJ

THE LIFE

or

W I.E JL ]D' M AM Sff A J4

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

CHAP. I.

.J

Birth and education of Potemkin-^his share in
the Revolution which dethroned Peter III of
Russia to constitute Catharine II sole Em^
press.

GREGORY Alexandrovitch Potemkin was bom
on the 14th of September 1739, on a small estate
near Smolensko, whither his father Alexander
Potemkin had retired, after having served several
years as a captain in one of those regiments of
in&ntry which, in Russia^ are particularly des-
tined to garrison some of the inland towns, and

B

LL

2 THE LIF£ OF

are seldom, if ever, employed on actual service.
Of his two sisters, the eldest was mar^ried to a
Russian oil&cer of the name of Samculoff, and the
youngest to a German nobleman called von
Engelhardt.

The fortune of Potetakin's father was a very
moderate one. His family, though originally
Polish, had long been settled and naturalized in
Russia '; but it did not rank among the first nobi-
lity of the Russian empire. No individual of
the name of Potemkin had ever been entrusted

«

with any of the higher functions of the state^
except one who had been sent embassador to
. England by Peter I ; from which mission^ how«
ever, he derived neither fortune nor honours.

Potemkin received the rudiments of a very
limited education, in the house of his father, and^
as the latter had no fortune to leave him, he was
early destined for the church. At twelve years
' of age he was sent to the university of Moscow,
which was by no means distinguished for the abi-
lity of its professors. He there acquired that
fondness for theological controversies and that
religious disposition which never forsook hiih
during his political and military career. The
classics in particular attracted his attention ; and
his knowledge of Greek and Latin was such, that
he felt uncommon delight in the reading of the
best poets of antiquity. Nor was he less pleased

J

PRINCE POTEMKIN. 3

with the poetical works written in the language
of his country. Although the Russian language
has not yet attained th^t d^ee of perfecticM^
which a brilliant genius may impart to it at some
fixture time, yet it is the richest, the most simple^
wd the most picturesque language of modern
Europe^ and is indisputably that which bears^ the
most striking resemblance to the harmonious
idioms of the ancients. This predilection for
langu^igie^ abounding in images/ melodious to the
6^r^ ai^d bold in their espressions, inspired Po-
temkin with a sort. of aversion for French poetry^
which be used to call symmetric prose. He had
been instructed in French from his childhood^
and spoke it fluently. Ever since the days of
Peter ^the Great the knowledge of French has
formed a conspicuous part of the education of
Russian noblemen. The richness of their native
language» and the inconceivable variety and diSl-
cplty of its pronunciation^ give to the Russians in
general an uncommon facility in the a^qu^sitiim
of di^erent idioins. In wh^t European langiia^
do they meet vfiih difficulties, similar to th^t
which an Englishmap, Frenchman, German,
Spaniard or. Italian has tp encounter when he
learns, to pro^o^nce such a word, for instance, as
PrewasgqtUßfsima (exqellence) ?

Jje^xiMg, however^ had iiQt an attraction iniffi- -
ci^ntly powerful for tlie ardent mind of Potemkin.

B 2 '

THE LIFE OF *

The scientific knowledge which he acquired at
the university was merely superficial. His viva-
city, or rather the violence of his temper, which
rendered him incapable of continued application,
induced his teachers to pronounce him more fit
for the active and perilous pursuits of war, than
for the grave, solemn and peaceful avocations of
a minister of the gospel. They imparted their
observations to his father, wlio, considering that
the situation of an officer in a military atate may
sometimes lead to a brilliant fortune, readily per-
mitted his son to follow his warlike propensity.
Potemkin left the university of Moscow, and
'after a short stay at his father's house, he was
sent to Petersburgh to receive instructions better
adapted to the new profession which he was going
to embrace.

As he had been strongly recommended to some
persons high in office, it was not long ere he
obtained a cometcy in a regiment of horse-guards.
Destitute of the means of having his duty done for
him, he was obliged to perform it himself, and
did it with strict exactitude : but, satisfied with

•

avoiding censure, he shewed ho particular eager-
ness to distinguish himself. His propensity to
pleasure frequently led him into bad company,
where he contracted that dissoluteness of manners
and depravity of mind of which he could never
complieteiy divest himself afterwards, and which

*,

PRIMCB POTEMKIN. &

1

oonstaudy influenced his conduct during his
extraordinary career«

It was, however, this dissolute way of life which
made Potemkin acquainted with a number of
young fashionable men, some of whom belonged
to powerful families ; a circumstance which gave
hiln patrons and the means of making his fortune.
He soon obtained a lieutenancy, which, in the
horse-guards, confers the rank of major in tb«
army ; and intimately connected himself with the
Orlofis. They were five brothers : Gregory ,
afterwards tbe favourite ; Akxey^ who, in d^e war
agaidst tbe Turks in 1768, commanded the Rus-
sian fleet in the Archipelago ; Vtadimiry who
became a senator, and Feodor and Jvan, who were
'fiiade chamberlains after the revolution. They
were indeed the principal agents in that famous
conspiracy which hurled Peter III from the
throne of Russia, to place the imperial crown on
the brow of Catharine, his spouse, with whom
.Gregory, the eldest of the five brothers, com-
menced a love intrigue when she was only Grand

Duchess.

»

Grc^ry Orlofi* possessed neither the advantages
4>{ birth , nor those of education ; bnt he had
received from nature courage and beauty. He
was an officer in the artillery ; while two of his
brothers, Alexey and Vladimir, were only com-
mon soldiers in the guards. Count Peter Scjhur

8

THE htVE OF

liimself to the plans of the conspirators, with the
simple view of declaring Catharine sole gaardian
of the Grand Duke Paul and regent of the empire
during his minority. But he found that it was
too late to remonstrate against what had been*
done, when a strong enthusiasm in favour of
Catharine was become general and she had been
solemnly and almost unanimously proclaimed
autocratrix or sole sovereign ruler of the empire.

Towards noon, the Empress, dressed in the uni-
Ibrm of the guards and decorated with the insignia
of the order of St. Andrew^ inspected the guards
on horseback, and rode through theranks with prin-
cess Dashkoff^ who was also in uniform. Potem*
kin> perceiving that Catharine had no plume in
her hat, rode up Jto offer her his own*. The
horse on which he was mounted being accus-
tomed to form into the squadroa, was some time
Wfore it could be made to quit thje side of that of
the Empress ; which afforded her the first oppor*

« The Rer. W. Tooke, in the second edition of his Life of
Catharine II, Empress of Russia, »ays that Potemkin was
then but sixteen ; and Couni SSgur^ who relates the anM^ete
differently, stating that Potemkin presented the Empniss with
his cockade as an ornament for her sword, obserres that h^
was but eighteen. But since all accounts agree that he died
in 1791 at the age of 62, he must hare been at least two or
(bree and twenty when the revolution, to which he had con.
tributod, placed C%äiariue on the throne of Russia.

PRIKCE MTEMlGtN. 9

tanity of noticing the grace and agility of the
man who was to gain so great an ascendancy over*
her.

At six in the evening Catharine a second time
mounted her horse« With a drawn sword in her
hiand and a hräneh of oak about her temples^ she
placed herself at the head of the troops that were
already on their march to Peterhoff, an imperial
palace on the banks of the Neva. Potemkin was
one of the numerous courtiers who vied- wüfa each
dther in displaying the greatest ardour to share
her dangers and her triumph. The h^xt day he
attended Gregory Orloff to Oranienbaum, another
imperial palace^ built by Mensikoff, eight versts
iarther, whither the unfortunate Peter had retired^
and whence the perfidious Ismailoffpersuadeu him
to repair to the Empress. Potemkin was charged
to escort the betrayed Emperor^s carriage to Peters
hoff with a sofitcient number of troops. H
was at PeterhofP that Peter wrote and signed hit
resignation^ which was dictated to him by Count
Fanin.

L.«

to rm uns OF

CHAP. II.

» '

Pbtemkiris^rst steps on the r&ad to fortune^ mni
the causes of his elevatum.

Aa soon as Catharine saw hfiCfetf firmly seated
on the throne^ she bestowed magnificeot rewards
on the prineipal aßtor» m the nevolt against her
imshand. Cöimt Panto was made prime min)s^
ter ; tiie Orbffi received the title of Counts ;
Gr^ory Orloff, the &voui*ite, was appointed
Keutmant - getieral, and made a knight of St^
Alexander Newsky, the second order of the em-
pire. Several officers of the guards were pro-
moted. Potemkin was made a colonel, and a
gentleman of the bed-chamber, with an annual
pension of two thousand roubles ; and he was
immediately dispatdied to St^ockholm privately
to inform Count OsteraMmui the Russian ambas-
sador, of the revolution that had taken place at
IVtersburgh •

On his return fromSweden, Potemkin n^lected
|io opportunity of becoming intimately ac-
quainted with those who were more immediately
about the Empress. He possessed an insinuating'
address, and, when he chose, he could be perfect
master of the^art of giüning the affections of those

PRl1>TCE POTBMKIN.

II

r »

whose patrons^e he thought useful to his views»
He contrived to render himself agreeable, and
even necessary, to the courtiers that stood highest
in the favour of Catharine, enlivened their ptea*^
sures, and succeeded at last in being admitted to
the private parties of the Empress, to whom he
was introduced as a most amiable man, particu-
larly calculated to heighten the hilarity of her so-
cial hours.

As nature had endowed him ^ith a masculine
and noble figure, an artful and insinuating dis*
position, and a brilliant imagination, FbtemkitI
met with so flattering a reception from his 80->
vereigri that he thought himself ftuthorized^ to pay
her the most assiduous court.

Catharine was fond of relieving herself from the
cares of the empire in the midst of a private arid
select society, from which, setting aside the majesty
^f the throne, she ba.nif«hed every courtly for-
mality, and in which she caused her superiority^ to
be forgotten by the gracefulness of her manners
and the enchanting gaiety of her conversation.
The perfect freedom which prevailed in iKesft
assemblies allowed a decent jocdlarity. Wit,
talents and politeness were l)le oniy titles to
pre-eminence, and distkxiticm was commensilMte
to amiability. Under the appearance of thinking
only of pleasure in these parties, most c^ tlie
«eourtiers no doubt vrere not !Uittiin<tful of tkd

IS

rm UFA or

ioterqsts of their aisbitioti. Potemkili, among
other», who only aj^ared cheerful, gallant and
agreeable, did not lose sight of his object, and
thought himself doubly fortunate in advancing
towards honour by tibe road of pleasure.

Whether Catharine, struck at first sight with
the noble and commsmding figure of her new
courtier, actually shewed him marked dis*
tinction, or whether- the kindness with which
•be treated him was but the expression of her
wonted afibbility, Potemkin fancied he perceived
in the attention with which she honoured him
809iething particular, which immediately led him
to. form the highest hopes. His e:(cessive vanity
would not allow him to reflect that Catharine was
.endowed with an irresiatible gracefulness that
idiewed itself naturally, without any efibrt, and
promptly gained her the affections even of those
who appro^hed her with a strong prepossession
against her* He was dielighted in thinking that
she used this gift for him alone; he no longer
beheld her as a sovereign, but simply as an ac*
icoopplished female, whose favour it was not impos-
sible to .obtain. From this instant he formed
the d^ign of becoming one day her favourite
and nei'er ceased for a «ingle moment to direct
.his thoughts and actions to the accomplishment
of this prc^t. Whenever he appeared to relinr
qttisb it fw 9 ümß, it was to tiike » circuitous

PRtMB MTKItUK.

13

road, wbieh conducted him more'saföly btck to
his object. His {>rofipect, howevt^r, at tiiis time,
ttiu^t hafve becQ extremely distant. The empire
which gratitude, love, and habit, gave to Orioff
over the heart of tiiie Empress, seemed too firmly
established for any one to struggle against him
with the smallest hope of success. Orkff at this
fieriod harboured designs and formed pretensions
to which it would have been dangerous to run
counter. He flattered hiinself he should obtain the
hand of his sovereign ( and although the Empress
frequently expressed some impatience at the tone
of authority which he assumed, yet she felt nei-
ther the inclination nor the power to hazard
an open rupture with the man wlu^se boldness had
placed her on the throne. •

Potenikin for the moment yielded to obstaclel
which time would infallibly weaken ; but the
natural violence of his temper would not allow
him to keep within the* bounds of a discretion
imperiously commaiided by circumstances. Some
new marks of the kindness of his sovereign having
inflamed his courage and his hopes, he assumed
befe>r^haiid the manners of* a preferred lover^
raised his tone,'and,^ in^short, took liberties whidi
offended the known favourite to such a degree
lliat he resolved not to leave his insolent t^nari^
unpunished.

Potemkin one day called upon Gregory Oloff

V

14 rmß hüFB Of

and found hiai alone wiHi bis brotfai^r Alepcj^y»
TbiE^ haughty manner ^pd ^ir of a^suranc^ with
whidi ha approached the two brothers, inqr^ap^
the pm^rmg ilKwill of the cideßt» wlpo thoij^t
thif a favourable opportunity to 1^ tb# |^<^9iHnp*
taous youth feel the eSbct of hia regenttnent* H^
iirttoiatdl as muob t^ Alex^y by a e^cr^t nud, a|\^
they both purposely irriMted Fptmmkin by gaDfug
obseofrations, which made the latter forget the
respect which he owed to the Orjofis m his
superiors in rank* They rosent^ the insjuilt xx^
the spot by falling both violently upon biiai. Qß
was Obligo to submit to a disgracefiiKtredliiiieiM:
which he durst not revifsnge^ and it was cm -r this
occattion that he is supposed to have Ipst an ey% '
though it is more generally beUeved that it was
strode by a ball in a ttopisr^cour^ and that^ he
put it out himself to fsße it from iJsie blemish
which it dnrived from the acciident.

His adventure with the OrkJ^ was^ howevar^
favourable for him in its consequence. Cathwne
easily discovered the share which she had in the
transaction. Regardihg Potemkin as a victim pf
his admiration for her/ sh^ would willing have
given hftm consoling t^timoniesof her griitltude!;
but as she dared not offend to such a degree
the Orksft/ whom she still feared, she determined
to break off those private parties in which Potem-
kin could no longer appear. '

r.

' The natural lerity of tbeOrloffii aiiide llieiii
soon forget the afikir ; diey gradually resumed
their former intimacy with Fotemkin, who, catt-
tiously dissembling, procrastinated his revenge :
fctft availing himself of the imprudence' of his
enemies, he again approached his sovereign^ and *
iniproved every opportunity of manifesting how
ardently desirous he was of. her favour. Tlie
manner in which he was received by the Empress
strengthened his expectations ; his confidence in
^is success became such, that he was not afraid 4ii
owning his hopes. Catharine, far from being
displeased at the boldness of this presump^on, con-
ferred every day fresh marks of kindness upon her
secret admirer. Potemkin was appointed a cham-
berlain. This office, independent of its giving ti)e
rank of major-general and the title of excellency^
enabled him to have free aceess to his severe^.
But this access inereased his passion, and the invi-
sible obstacles which his all-powerful rival was y«t
opposing to his success^ reduced him to despair.
Fortunately, the war against the Turks, which
began in 1769, and ended in 1774 by the peace
of Rainardji^ was just commencing. Potemkin
obtained leave to repair to the arpoy. The Em-
press particDdarly recommended him by a letter
written with her own hand to General Romanzoff]
the conil»anpderriH-chief ^of the Russian troops,

L.

^^ --■- ■" -^t^^^m^m^^gm^mK^i^^^^mmt^^^^^tmi^mmmmm^^^^^ii ■ ^i »■« ii i i i^

16 THE LITB Of

.who afterwanli obtained the siiraamf of Zadmpua*
iskcH for his brilliant passage of the Dapobe in
. 1779* Potemkin served under him aa adjutant-
:general.

Romanzoff could n<^ help receiving, Potemkin
well; but he never gave him his confidence; nor
ever empk^yed him on any important service; yet,
hke a skilful courti^^ who foresaw the high favour
to which Potenpjcin might arrive at some future ti me,
be avdled himself of his good conduct on several
occasions to give the Empress the most splendid
account of bis zeal and valour. Delighted with
any pretence for exalting the object of her secre^;
partiality, Catharine appointed Potankin a lieu-
tenaht^eneralt This rapid promotion stimulated
him to still grater exertions. He hoped to
derive from intrigue the means of accomplish»
ing what his courage had so happily commenced.

Being «ipiparently reconciled with the Orlpffs,
who were yet all-powerful at court, and knowing
them to be on bad terms with the field-marshal^
Prince Galitzin,, under whom he was serving at
that time, Potemkin, in his private correspondenqs

4

with Gregory Orloff, undervalued the services of
that estimable general, and censured bis operas-
tions: but he did not succeed in having him
removed from his command» Galitzin kept his
situation. Potemkin behaved with caretessness

\

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

17

during the remainder of the campaign, and no
longer sought for opportunities to distinguish
himself It was natural for him suddenly to
pass from extreme activity to extreme indolence^
and it was not always the want of success which
determined such a sudden change.

In the mean time he was informed that the
Empress^ tired at last of a yoke which love no
longer rendered easy, had resolved to get rid of
OrloflF. He immediately used every possible .
means of returning to court with the utmost
speed, and finding Marshal Roman^off pretty
well disposed to grant hinx^ny favour calculated
to remove him from the army, he readily ob-
tained of this general the promise of being sent
to Petersburgh with dispatche* as soon as the
troops gained a success of. sufficient importanoi
to be announced by a general officer. PotemKin
did not know that the Empress hi^d Confessed her
being completely tired of Orloifto Count Panin,
who proposed Vassiltschikoflf to supply the place
of the discarded favourite. This lieutenant of
the guards being young and handsome, was ac-
cepted. The Empress appointed him her cham-
berlain, made him magnificent presents, and
treated liim even in public with a familiarity
that betrayed her satisfaction. OrlofF, in the
' beoinning of 1773. retired from Petersburgh, and

c

1« iWE ttrE OF

srt out upon Ä journey through various patts of
Europe.

The opportunity so ardently desired by Pö-
temkin ofiered itself at last. Romanzoff^ <m trust*
ing him with "his dispatches fot the Etnpress,
requested his patrbnage at «some futute time. But
Potemkin, who was informed that, after his de-
parture, the' Marshal had expressed great satis-
iaction at being fid of an importunate sittendant,
vowed him an irreconcilable hatred which lasted
afs long as his life.

The manner in which he was received by the
Empress would have delighted any one but Po-
temkin, who saw the sitaation to which he aspired
filled by another. The grief of his heart was
equal to the disappointment of his ambition.
Unable to conceal his r^ret, he vented it with
much artfulness. After leaving been at first very
assiduous in his attendance at court, he on a sudden
appeared only very rarely, and with a dejected
countenance, tn absent mind, speaking little, and
in a morose tone ; and when he had reached the
icm^ of despair which he thought capable of
moving his sovereign, he absented himself entirely,
lived in the most profound retreat, and gave it
out that he was determined to shut himself up in
a convent. Surprised and angry at Potemkin's
seclusion, Catharine made some enquiries, and

J^mt^ peiiiaps with more 9ati«fiMctiaa (tbap ßsp^
nkhment, " tbat an unfortunate and violent pa#r
^^ sion ha<i irediiced him to despair^ an^ jihat ^
'^ his sad situation he deemed it prudcggüt tp Sf

tlie object that caused his torment^ since Hp

«igjht could but aggravate Jbis goffffing^, ^hlf^

mete already iutolecableJ

As this account was given to the Empresn hy
* persons who had her confidence and that of Potem-
Iciiii^ she readily beUeved it^ and appeared plewM
with the idea of inspiring a sentiment that wox^
justify the dboice to which her x>.wn judinatioii
impelled her. ^^ I cannot comprehend^ said
Catharine to her confidants^ ^^ what can bave m^
^^ duced him 'to sudi despair, since I ^ever d^Iac^

fi^inet him. J fancied, on the qontcary, that tlie

affiibility of my reception murthav^.^vcQ himtto
^^««denKtand tbatbis homage was not^isfjeaaiog."
This deotanation was faithfully reported to Potew-
kin in his retreat. His friends took ßf^rp to ad^^
that Vassiltschikpff*» high iavour wu mi^xf^y ap-
fvifent^ 9isd 4ecr^M^ing .ey^ry da^ .

Piotemfcin^ hiQ^weyer, steady w hU plw^ T^is^d
to the oonvmit of AleKa^der Newski, ^il^atjcdjit
•one of ti^ie iwtreixiijl^fof St. Ppten^r^, on the
b^ks of the Neva, «poo tbß v«iy .»pot wJlfßve
Alexander I, .^a*- «of Vdodimir, igain«d a gr^jit
vietery over ^ ^edes^ w Jihe il^Hi^e|gnli|^ fgf^
tury, when fee was but priofl^ of N&s^oiQf). iJe

c 2

r

■

20 THE LIFE OF

there took the habit of a monk, and declared his
firm resolve to enter into holy orders. This de-
sign was constantly lurking in the bottom of his
heart, in consequence of his fixst education. He
always mixed practices of a most childish super-
stition with his ministerial occupations, with the
conviviality of entertainments, with the pleasures
of love, and with political intrigues. He delayed
an important journej^, to visit a monastery ; dis-
. missed his mistress, to receive a bishop ; inter-
rupted an essential conference, to have the mitre
of k prelate embroidered with gold and pearls ;
arid was.- laiore frequently tempted to become a
monk thiM an emperor. Had not death so quickly
put an end to his career, it is probable that he,
who wanted to marry the Sovereign of all the
Russias, who was ambitious of ascending the
throne of Poland, and who aimed at the sove-
reignty of Courland, would have terminated his
life in' m cloister.

The farce acted by Potemkin, which the de-
votees considered as a pious return to heaven, and
of which sensible people suspended their judg-
ment, that they might first see how it woirid end,
caused a great sensation both at court and in the
town. The Empress was greatly affected. Where
is the female that does not feel for the pangs oc-
casioned by the passion she inspires ? Catharine
thought that so much love was entitled to her

PRINCE FOTEMKIN. 21

best efforts to snatch from despair him whom it
consumed. She secretly dispatched the countess
of Bruce, one of her confidants, to the sorrowing
Potemkin, with strict orders to see him, to speak
to^him, and, without too much 'committing her
dignity, to bring him back to her feet. Succem
crowned the attempt* Potemkin .cast off the
coWl, to fly with rapture to the arms of his sove-
reign. Vassiltschikoff, after having received ad-
ditional marks of favour, was, at the end of two
and twenty months, ordered to repair to Moscow.
OrloflT, having returned from Revel, and made bis
appearance at court at this very timc^ was tto-
mentarily restored to favour ; and liiough the
Empress secretly cherished in her bre^t a passion
which speedily broke out, she kept for a few^days
upon good terms with a man, who fancied he en-
grossed her whole confidence, while, ingenious in
disguising her true sentiments, she felt no scruple
in deceiving him. Ofloff was a second 4ime dis-
missed, and Potemkin, in 1775, raised to that
eminence which he had so long ardently wished
to attain.

« \

H

•ist tf»E Of

CHAl»;IIL

J^tmkin r^id to the situation of a favouriie,
ic^rds MnööMmon influence over the minfi of
Catharine. '

Nd n66Aef hdd FMemltitt b^eA installed in hid
Ittm tievM^ iittiation, than he considered that
tfM hiärt 6f th^ Eihpf^sid mi^bt prove äs incon^
ftifit fd htfil M it had been fo others. He turned
Btt att^tlUdti to thd meäm of insuring her favour^
is attfih i d^ee At Ida^t^ that if ever the capices
df tovft fthoiild tob hini of h6r heart, they might
mt «rip hiÄ «ithef of thö fortune or of the
f6il*t Which hi d^rited frdm her, and trhtch he
fikt^ hi^hit thail the rest. This bold design
<|em&iMled Mp&ti6t talents, ^eat address, an artful
ttiietüfe 6f t^pittftt ilübmissiön to the orders of
tAi Mtrettfigfi, atid a r^I aseetidaney over her
will« He left no resources unexplored to subdue
her mind, afterhaving captivated her heart ; and so
completely succeeded in the attempt, that Catha-
rine herself frequently expressed her surprise at
the influence which Potemkin retained over her
resolves^ at a time when he had freely resigned
tthe pi>wer which love gavehim oyer her sentiment^;

* •

PRINCB POTEHUN. . 83

Convinced that a con$taDt adoration almost
always becomes btiguiiig, Potearkia studied to
vary bis aianner and bis behaviour towards Ca-
tharine. Skilfully blending attentions with ca-
prices, be sometimes displayed with her the most
refined gallantry, and at others carried his rude-
ness to such an excess, that he did not even vouch-
safe an answer when he was spoken to. He
availed himself of the first moments of her favour
to obtain new dignities, and disguising his ambi^
tion under the mask of love, he made the £m->
press sensible that her glory was interested in in-
suring, by real titles, a brilliant existence to him
who was honoured with her afiection. He first
caused himself to be appointed a general, which
in Russia is the next rank to a field-marshal. This
happening soon afi:er peace had been concluded
with th^ Turks, his commission was worded m
follows :

Lieutenant-General Potemkin, having power-
fully contributed by his advice to accelerate
peace, is appointed General and a Count of tht
Russian empire ; and in consideration of his
'< valour, and of the good and faithful services he
^^ has rendered in the course of the last war, H^
Majesty presents him with a sword set with
diaijnonds, and with her portrait, winch Her
^^ Majesty graciously permits him to wear as a
^^ diatinguished mark pf her fiivopr."

24 THE LiFfe OF

It was, infleed, a very great distinctioh to wear
the portrait of the Empress. No more than four
noblemen ^er obtained that permission, viz.
Gregory, and^ after his death, his brother Alexey
Orloff, Potemkin, and Zuboff.

One of the first cares of the new favourite
was to remofff from about the Empress al) who
had prejudiced him or who might do so at some
future time. He left nothing undone to obtain the
unlimited confidence of his Sovereign, which
fecilitated the disgrace of his rivals. But his"
influence in state affairs was yet limited to the sug-
gestions which he ventured in his private inter-
course with Catharine. Yet his pretensions in
Ais respect offered already a striking contrast
with the unassuming insignificance of his modest
predecessor. Like him he occupied ih the im-
pe^l palace the apartments destined to the fe:
vourite, which had an immediate communicatfori
with those of the Empress by a private stair-
case, "^ut often when surrounded by numerous
<*>urtiers, he abro{)tly quitted them to walk up to
the Empress in his night-gown, leaving his com-
parij^ in the utmost astonishment. The Empress,
on her partj not only tolerated this excessive fa-
miliarity, but frequently came down to the fa-r
vourite in the course of the morning. The effect
which this intimacy was. calculated to produce
ppon the courtiers, and how well the crafty Pq-

PRINCE POTBMKIN. 35^

temkin turned it to his advantage^ majr easily ]^
imagined. He was, indeed, little le^ feared and .
respected than the sovereign. Wha* need had
he to use any managemierit with her fubjects,
when he treated the monarch herself with so little
ceremony ? His anti-chamber was crowded with
a number of individuals whom the 4Mivantages of
birth,« rank and fortune, placed far above him,
who were all eagerly watchii^ the moment of
paying their respects, and who were not every
day admitted to this distinguished favour.

Though haughty with the great, Potemkiq.
was often condescendingly fauniliar with persoQ& ,
in lower . situations of life. Subaltern function-
aries frequently availed themselves of his indoi
lence to obtain what the most illustrious persons
would not have dared to ask. But sometimes he
made merry at the expence of those who ware
more immediately in his dependauce, that they
might not fancy they had too much empire ov^r
him. His secretary one day laid a wageitbac he
would make hrm sign a large p)le of important
papers to which he had repeatedly ui^ed his sig^* -
nature in vain duriog six months. He accordingly
entered the favourite's room with a hige pc^ket^
book full of writings which had cost him much
labour* At the end of tiiree hours he trium-
phantly returned from bis cabinet and proclaimefl
that he had won bis b^/ But when the writings

«

ü6l the UWE OF

V '

v$me examined, it was found tJbat, instead of his
cmxky Potemkin had sigoed every one of the papers*
with the name of the secretary^ who was reluc-
tantly obl^d to write tbeni all over a second
Hime^ and lost his wagar into the bargain.

By perseverii^ in this capricious conduct»
whtdi was in perfect unison with his temper and
principles» Potemkin maintained his authority
and his sway over every rank of society without
ever &Iltng himself under the yoke of any indivi-'
dual. He wajs sure of the afiection of the Em*
press^ who at this time k>ved him without reserve.
Her munificence was always ready to grant what-
ever his ambition could ask. He had long
eoireted some of the higher offices of the state : but
diey were all filled by men worthy to hold theno.
To soothe his disappdntment Catharine gave him
the rich governorship of Novgorod, which he
afterwards ^signed for more important dignities»
And as she wished to exalt the plgect of her af-
fection as much as she enriched him> she thought
of raising him to Ü^ rank of a prince. Yet» as
she was not acciiMomed to confer this rank her-
i^If» she wrote with her own band to Count Ga-
litztn» her ambassador at Viama» to order him to
prefer her request to the ennperor, Joseph the
Second, pointing out the way in which he was to
go about the business in order to suaceed.

The emperor assured the ambassador that he

PRIIICE Mt&llftlN. 37

had but rtdenüy refudcd thttt dignity to two fet-^
sons pttttonked bf the Empress his m(M;hev : trat
that mshing' to give Catharine the Second a proof
of his regard and sincere friendship, he granted
her reqnest^ and deemed himself happy in be-
stowing the princely title upon an indiridnal so
worthy of it by his merit as Count Potemkin.
The ambassador dispatched an extraordinary
messenger to his court to be the bearer of this
agreeable intelligence, and the diploma by which
it was confirmed reached St. Petersburgh soon
after the messenger. The Empress caused the
new dignity of her favourite to be proclaimed
with much pomp all over the empire.

Shortly before her majesty had decorated him
with the orders of St. Andrew, founded by Peter
I in honour of the Patrone^ Russia, and of St.
Alexander Newsky. He also was presented by
Prussia with the order of the Black Eagle, by
Denmark with that of the Elephant, and by
Sweden with that of the Seraphim. All these
courts eagerly complied with the request of the
Empress to honour her favourite with the most
marked diMinctions of their countries. But Po-
temkin valued things only in proportion to the
difficulty of obtaining them. He anxiously
wished for tiie orders of the Garter, of the Goldlsn
Fleece, and of the Holy Ghost. In vain did the
Empress second his M)licitations for these orders.

\

2S THJä LIFE OF

The two latter could only be given to Roman Ca-
tholics, and the order of the Gaiter is never bte-
stowed but in England. Even during his campaign
against theTurks, Potemkin was still fondly hoping
for the order of the Golden Fleece. Among the
diamonds which he displayed on his table by way
of aniusemfent, in the presence of the Prince de
Ligne, there was a magnificent -fleece worth one
hundred Üiousand roubles.

About this time Potemkin also succeeded in
obtaining the dignity of a l^dy of the palace for
his mother, and that of maids of honour to the
Empress for his three nieces, the Misses, von
Engelhardt. These situations were considered
as extremely honourable. The former gave the
right of wearing the portrait of the Empress set
with diamonds^ which remained in the possession
of the heirs of the lady of the palace. The por-
trait only was returned in case of death. The
maids of honour, by way of distinction, wore the
initial letter of the Empress's name, set and
crowned vs^ith diamonds. To all these marks of:
favour the Empress added presents of considerable
landed estates^ and of large sums of money.

Potemkin was the first of Catharine's favourites
timt had a settled monthly pension of twelve
thousand roubles. On every first day of the
month he found that sum upon his dressing-table.
Independent of the imn^ense incofue which he

PRIKCE POTIM&IN.

26

enjoyedj his household expences were entirely
paid by the Empress. One hundred thousand
roubles were annually set doyn in the expenditure
of the court for his table, without reckoning his
wine^ which he received likewise oat of the
imperial cellars. The coaches and livery servants
of the court were also at his orders, and yet his
expences were so excessive, and his income so
badly administered, that he was constantly in-
volved in debts. Whenever the ]oad of th«m
proved too oppressive, he used to apply to the
Empress, who sometimes expressed her displea-
sure at the insatiable prodigality of her favourite,
but always ended by paying his debts.

90 '. ^«B um er

CHAP. IV.

r

Potemkin resigns his situaüon of favourite.

For the shart spftce oikvm years Poteoaktn had
«njojredi thk powerful toAttenee overthe heart aiid
«Hnd «of the ÜBipreas, when he thoiigfai: be oii^
fciigndie «ituadion of -fieiFourite nifehottt losiag auf
cif the important adraaaiges aMaiched te it^ «id
ivliile he «eased to te her lomr^ eootifrae to bethe '
friend, thexK!>iifiden»t, or indeed alaiGBt the iNikr ^
his sovereign. He tocdc hie mtaaums^aeeordin^f^
and prepared for this change with a facility that

*

confirmed what had generally been supposed^
that he had taken the situation as he quitted it^
ntmely, from motives of self-interest or from his
own free choice. It required, however, more
address and talents to relinquish the title of lover,
and yet to keep the prerogatives attached to the
situation, than to maintain bis post. A happy rival,
preferred on the score of pleasure, particularly if he
should be possessed of "boldness and ambition,
must always be a formidable competitor. Yet, in
spite of this risk, Potemkin completely succeeded
in the attempt.

The Empress had recently taken two young
secretaries for her private correspondence, Berbo-

f.

PRINCE

31

rodko atxi Zavadowski. The former afterwards

'

acted a oonspicaous part in politics. The latter

was die soQ of a dergyman in the Ukraine, and
sufficiently handsooie to attract the iK>tiee of Ca-
tharine. He was, besides, a young man devoid
of firmness and of energy, better adapted to be
the instrument of the passions of others, than to
a<^ for himself; rather ieamed than witty or
amiable, and no waiys forxnidable to Potemkin,
who, pevceiviaig the dawning partfality of tJie .
Empress, had carefully observed him, and fotnid
him perfecdy proper to aioswer his end. Fnmi .
äiat moweikt Potemkin resolved to ur^ Zava*-
dowski on, to «enooorage bim, and to use every
exertkm to iumUm for hk successor.

it was about thh time that the Empness made
a journey to Mobcow to eelebrate äie peace, and
to eKtingoish the yet remaining embers of tbqf
troubles excited hy the rebellion of Pugatchef.
On this excumion, she was of course attended hy
Potemkin ; but on the mad the latter oompkined .
cf an indisposition which znust obviously render
him less agreeable to Catharine. After tfaear re*
tmrn to Fetersbui^, his complaint of bad faealtk
continued ; but his attachmx^nt to his sovereign^
fais zeal, his devotodness to her service, seemed
to augment in the same ratio with his infirdiities, ;>
and the more he became useless for her pleasures,
tjie imofe he rendered himself of essential servioe

32 the; LIFE OF

to her aifiairs. He ^t length solicited an interval
of rest to recover hiis fh^alth, giving her majesty
to understand at the same time that it would be'
for a short period^ at the end of which he hoped
to be reinstated in all his rights, which he was
more than ever disposed to assert.

He was, however, perfectly aware of the con-
sequences of this step; it was indeed his deter-
mination to rest for ever, and not to commit the
imprudence of resuming functions, which are
never so securely performed when they have been
once abandoned. Catharine, who had for some
time struggled between love and gratitude, still
felt the ascendancy which a favourite, as commen-
dable for his beauty as for the amiability of his
mind, had gs^ined over her. Though ever so dis-
posed to make a new choice, she could not de-
termine to declare it formally. She was afraid of
afflicting Potemkin, and yet she was already ill
love with Zavadowski. This young man com-
bined, with a vigorous constitution, a charming
figure and blooming health. A kind of simplicity
I and ignorance of court etiquette, lent him new
charms in the eyes of the Empress. The contrast
of his ingenuity with the studied manners of her
courtiers, became so powerfully attractive, that
she had no longer strength to combat her incli-
nation.' She secretly wished that Potemkin might
not oppose this new sentiment, but be contented

'\'

'^X

PRINCS POTEMKIN.

13

with her confidence and friendship, while he was
losing her affection. This secret desire . was the
precise point to which Potemkin wished to bring
his sovereign,

Whea he was sure of having attained his end,
he did not cease acting his part ; but expressed
so much sorrow, that Catharine fancied she should
never be able to console him in his misfortmie.
Her bounty showered new favours upon him ; and
when Zavadowski took possession of the apart-
ments destined for the favourite, Potemkin had
an9ther suite of rooms prepared for him in the
imperial palace. But to submit in some degree
to the custom established with respect to the dis-.
carded favourites of Catharine, he left Peters-
burgh for a short time, and inspected his govern-
ment with the greatest attention.

On his return to Petersburgh, the Empress
presented Potemkin with the palace of Anitchkoff,
which she purposely bought for him. Instead of
expressing his gratitude for such a magnificent*
gift, Potemkin appeared dissatisfied with th6 fur-
niture. Catharine, always obliging and generous,
gave him eighty thousand rubles but of her pri-
vate purse, to furnish it an6w according to his.
taste. He took the money, but did not devote it
to the purpose for which it was given. He con-
' firiued to reside for some time in the imperial

palace, and 'rerrioved at last: to an hotel near the

» . * - . •' . ■ ' •

• '• ' JJ ...it V. *

'^^

34 THE LIFE OF

Hermitage. By means of a covered gallery which
communicated with tHe Hermitage, ne cöutÄ visit
his sovereign at any liour wittiout attracting ttlp
attention of the public, and also receive tier pri-
vately. The Eriiprc^s indeed frequently availed
herself of this convenience, to consult him as her
adviser on the most important alfairs ; and she.
still felt for him a predilection, resultihg no doubt
from the siinilarity of their characters arid the
greatness of their views. '

PotemKin having now assumied the part of* a
friend and confi((ant, Öatharine in a short tiiiic
confessed to him, without disguise, that sheliegan
to be tired of Zavadowski, and wished to give
his place to a more amiable object. He proposed
the ihajor of a regiment of hussars, named
Zoritch; who was immediately accepted. Ca-
tharine, satisfied with the appearance, the under-
standing, and the männers of her new lover, tcs-
tified her gratitude to Potemkin by a present of
one hundred thousand roubles ; and Zoritch, on

• . > ./ \

being installed in his new functions, presented
him with a similar sum : and this kind of fee to

***.'

Potemkin for his recommendation was ever after
given to him on such occasions, as a matter of
course. Even those favourites who were chosen
without his knowledge, were anxious to offer the
bribe for the sak^e of insuring his benevolence.
To all these extraordinary, emoluments, which

PRINCE <POTBftfKIK. AS

soon raised Potemkiii's fortune much higher thaa
that of many sovereign princes, must be added the
coasiderabie donations #hich Catharine used to
make him at certain fixed periods ; such as his
saint's or itts btrtib's day. These presents were sei«
*.dom belovf oite hundred thousand roufbles : fuid Po-
temkin; always audacious and imperious/ 1k> well
knew how to convert these gratifications into dues
to'whidi h6 laid'anghtfttl claim^ that, when once^
ftt the anniversary of his birth, the £a]|)re9s^
'bmng dissittisfied with him, sent him only a tooth-
^fiick^^ease set wiöi diamonds, wdrth thirty thou-
MBdroilftte, iosteadofa present of one hoadred
«Aoiisand roubles #bich isbe had ^given hifn the
^receduig years, Potemkin broke out into the
W09t veheaieirt ccrmplaittes; and Catharine, to
i^eeoneMe titattef », pres^ted him w4th the hundred
thousand roaUesin addition to the trinket: so that
the reseiltmeiit whleh she bad wished to «bew^
iM>rt heir 'Majesty tbirC)r thousand roubles above
«(4)at she bad been med toigife on thdse Mqa-

d8

36 THS LIFE OV

CHAP. V.

Potemkin assumes th^ management of state
(tffkirsy and adds the Crimoda to tfie provinces of
the Russian Empire.

The address with which Potemkin contrived
to rid himself of the slavish functions of a im-
vourite, and yet to retain all his influence over
the mind of his mistress, evinced at once the
energy of an ambitious man who boldly- rushes
onwards to the object of his wiishes, and the
pliancy of a courtier who neglects no resources of
craft and intrigue to further his designs. When
he found his fortune and his power firnily estab-
lished^ and saw that he had acquired the con-
sideration which he wanted for his ulterior de-
signs, he applied himself to state afikirs, from
which he had hitherto generally kept at a dis-
tance ; and^ always of an original turn of mind
and enterprising, he distinguished his new career
by a system of a^randisement, of fame and glory,
that shed equal brilliancy upon his person and
upon the empire. From this period, his history
becomes involved in that of his country. But;
it is due to historical truth to acknowledge that
his politics tended more to render Russia conspi-

PRI)9CE POTEMKIN.

37

cuous than happy ; and that, under the influence
of his private passions, he either devoted himself
to public business with undue activity, or ne-
glected it altogether with culpable indolence, ac-
cordingly as it stood in more or less direct rela-«
tion to his own interests. In short, Potemkili as
a statesman was great and surprising, but he was
tainted with the vice most prejudicial to soci^—
a vice which shows that a man may be possessed,
of a vigorous mind, and yet be devoid of mag-
nanimity ; his ambition was selfish.

. It was about this time (1 777) that Potetifikin
inspired Catharine with the gigantic project of
driving the Turks from Europe. The forces
and resources c£ Russia, if well directed, were
indeed sufficient for tbe execution of this
arduous enterprise ; and the imbecility, igno-
rance, and improvidence of the Ottoman go-
vernment, warranted the most sanguine hope»^
q£ success. But the capricious temper of the
man who planned the undertaking, opposed
the most formidable obstacles to its execution:
not that his means were ill devised, but,
when the time for action arrived, his indolenw
always caused the best contrived plans to mis-
carry. Any pleasure that offered would take
him off from the most serious a&ir ; the details
of his preparations were left to subalterns; his
fnoveoieDts were usnecessanly postponed, asd th?

Sh: TUB BiPE OS^

t

fiükmirabk oppwtttnity> mifisf^. J(n t^ermidsjb of
his delays, he dissipated the sums» he hsuiol^jtaiuedf
for the necessary preparations ; ohstacles' were
multiplied^ the eiabarrassmentfi of tboi impariali
finance» increased^ and. government saiv itaelf
under the cruel necessity of overburthening the
nation with excessive imposte^ whiah^ after aH^
were still found insiuffifcient. Ikufiiiii wsaa evem
forced to fly to tiie ruinous resouree of Cflea1»ng
a^ paper-money ; aind ifOuiaetise pnojecto ended m
comparatively trifling. conqiiesliSy which magi
however enable the successors» of CadfiaciaQ to
fbllow up her plans; w^ith better sueeessw

With the view to fiirce the Turks to a new war^
'tile Ru^skn ^vernment londered itself gouty o£
many infmctions of the last tceaty of peace»
Several cities were buill ki the government a£
Ai^f ; among others^ Ekathariooslanf oi;i tine
frontiers^ o9 the Crii!n8ea> Cfeerson on tlie Bhdk
Skea, and IManhipo) ; wh(i«h were fturtified^ and im
which all sorts of ammwnition and wa« imf>ie-
menus vi^re collected in targe dep6t». The Gredbs.
^nd the Armenians of iAie Crimaea were openly
instigated to emigrate. Numbers^oj^ them came
t6' setäb in t^e new towns ; and mety opper..
tmtky of ifiofesttng tihe Turks Diyas eagerly im-
fjroved.

Buf when the Ottoman Porte hadi b^n pro-
teked^ to a pife^ whieh rendtred war abeehitfely

*.^i

PRKJ^E ^paSV*-

%

^lffl?f mw^ %B^io^8 tp. pi!?sf"ff p?»c«> «'^

8>* 1^?^ hiöfsel^ of if^ «a^^tion pf tbe^
"^^ T!*^^¥X 5 V^ w|iic.t| cppcetstons i^ere mad«

l^ya^i^ ^ad ^yiyed th^ q\d. pretemions of th^
qourt of Yiei^Q^ to t;ha|: ^le<^orate ; and Frederic

the (fv^\p if,\i^^ Qi fmf^> ^a<l marpl»?!«} »H ^T
of ^o bvi^flred thous^n^ tja^n ^n^o ^ohenaia, ^
Qppo$e these pii^^^^iyfl?, ^o^e^nkin t|u«»ienej *
^ustqs^ ^h^ ^I^S R|»?8,f >> trpcjps \»nder princ^
^B«m «houM join ths Prufs^W «niiy. A con- ^

gC^9 i^ef at T^^phe«»' ft ?^(»l9b ft^P^'9. '^
ptf^a^ ii» tl^e »a^i^? 9f th^ Cnapress pa^liarine,

afli p^airt ^ Brei^M jl in the n^fi^e ^S l9m ^VI
W»? signed q? the 13^^» p^ I^ay, 1^79. :^o^ ^

^i^f^ Qf ^rli« ^fl^ ^^ 9f yif°s* PPw b^
cai|ie sjn^oft? to ^f;qi fn aflfen^ye a^^ 4ef<en»iyf

!|lU§noe wjth Ö)? ^«»PW« G?t^ann? $be %con4 }

91»^ jBacjbi pf t))Sip p«rw^e<> t|i^t, jft pfrjjer tp \mi

f py pbwicp of {iycfiegu, Pi^9>)cin v^m \>^ \>f9^^

pyer tQ it§ ii»tpH?8t Tbfi flifficMlJy J"^ *»o'^ t»
^c^ thi?. The dggTfie of ppwey, iwf Jtb, «»d
ll(»po»W, to wWpli l)§ iKfp «criirffl, q«$me4 (o pr».

s.

o.^.^

I^M^^^

a^^^ZSXur

40 ^HE LIFE Ol

dude all possibility of dazzling hito by any pro-
posal. It is however supposed that prince'
Kaunitz, in the name' of the Empress Maria
Thereil «f Germany, ventured to offer him a
considerable sum. Frederick, being of a niore
parsimonious disposition, had recourse to a dif-
ferent bribe. He had secretly been informed
that Potemkin had some views upon the duchy
of 'Conrland : accordingly he offered him his
intercession with the court of Warsaw, to put
him in possession of that country, and to indem-
nify the duke with some estates in Silesia. Po-
temkin at first was tempted by the magnitude of
tJie bribe ; but he had projects of his own that
were more flattering, and aimed at creating an*
independent sovereignty for himself in Greece.
He repented, however, having rejectied the offer
of the king of Prussia, when he considered that,
if he had accepted the duchy of Coiirland, it
would have been easy for him, with the help of
the troopsiand money of Russia, to have formed
ä considerable principality for himself at the ex-
pence of Poland, that was ^lickly declining to a
state of absolute imbecility: Potemkin is riEJ-
ported to have rejpeatedly said to one of his most
intimate friends : " Had I accejÄed the duchy of
** Gourland,' it would not have been difficult for
^ me to obtain the crown of Poland,, since the

PRINCE POTEMKIK. AI

^* Empress might have prevailed tvith the king
" to abdicate in my favour, and he would no ;
** doubt have been inclined to do so."

In the mean time, Catharine grevf^illd of
\ Major ZoritcH, her favourite ; and, vrith Potem-- *
kin's approbation, she gave his situation to Kor-* *

zakotF, the most ostentatious of her lovers, vehom
she loaded with diamonds and presents of all
kinds.

But these love intrigues did not prevent Ca-
thiarine's attending to the political concerns t)f
Eurojpe. At the very moment when Englan/i
expcfbted the assistance of -Russia against her
enemies during the American war, - Catharine
declared her adherence to the famous plan of the
armed neutrality, to which almost all the states
of Europe successively acceded. Sir James
Harris (afterwards Lord Malmesbury), who wa?
then English ambassador at the court of St. Pe-'
tersbur^h, zealously exerted himself with prince
Potemkin to induce him to determine the Em-
press to alter her purpose : but his exertions were-
baffled by a singular stratagem. He bad given a
long memorial to Potemkin, who pmmisedto 2

hand it to the Empress, and back it with hi» >
recommendation. However, a young female <^
the name of Guibald, who was about the ni^eet
of prince Potemkin, and lived on a very femi|i«r
footing with him^ took the paper by stealth out of

^ )

^ßi

vfßt km Of,

marginal not^ which \iptppofi^ <WO|pd, 4I
^\s \Vffivi^Dp^ oi ibff. £,nglish ijoiai^t^ ; i|nd the
vrjfl^g \^. thfi^, witl?.Q^t d^<»yer)r li^t^irn^ tq
% p^pe ijifhencp i^ \ia^ ^e^n taj^n. Jh^ ^-

P)!f«^ 9n ije^ingth^aVPWprH «w,tw;«\\\y. ^Uppps^
tl»« i^()e» b^ hfea a«l|ded V)^ P^jtpnpk^^» j ^hiiph
confirmed ,her deterniinatioa to maintain the.
^JfO/e^ p^utrality.
Pft^wJ^"\ »U ^W% whije ^a» at ^he ^vvwH o!f

^v«¥?- E.Y^i^y day SPW? 9P>«f BTPS«>\^ ^o^W thfl
«Wfreigo it^rfftse^t h^ io^n^ifiUüe. ric^^^ ; ev^iy,
d^ fPWe n^w hqpopc v\f?8 ^ddf^ to, tlj« ^
I»(rt of l«s ^igoit^^. T|ip (jpftrt, tliie «|f my, tl»?
myy, W«r? »^ SHlpnnittf4 to his, c^trpj. ^^
^^KVi«te4 ^e mffiistf ?8. ^ gew»^b> t^^ ^TOM"
«jlfW, «vd ff roft¥q4 ^h.e>« %t \^is plfasMi« ; apji^
hAt|i Ipkis bf!wv9^R9e ;iq4 Ij^si in^^fqiie^nt Vfet^
dif^fe^ ^ijjj his caprice.
With all the <uitv«^d ^ppftriHtf» of ^ co^ig^

v)d fteqpeatly brwtel fVfti^«f^> Pqt^ml^ip i«^

«iF^^Vjr »rtfoi. Wiih %i» 9h9o}nte 8wy «rer

tbe wiU «Qtf the Sntprate» he prptfgd^il to &i^
m\y to «en» hw Mufsty ; »ftd vhUi^ b? h^hiK$4
with in«ol«piof! p aU ti»^ grp»t piintoffag^ Qf t)^
«mfiire whom be tfiooght M oonlfl <#m( f<^
iniwiikyj bQ iieB«ry«ii| hi» »A^biU^ fiitr t)|0|fi
vhan h« kiiefir to ft^w» ipiiit 911 cimpipf <

Among those vAo. wen m b» c oafito ioe al
that tiiae, the natofious Englkh major^ Semph
stood very high. By hh advioe, fbtemkia ii»-
troduoed' seveml nsw veguhAian» ia thp armjT'S
and; hadi it not been for some olrtfae Minor's owa
ways aodi niMiia to obtain money, snch as weiting
threatening letters to the Duchess« oi Kingstok^
there h no donbt but he would ka«e been soon
raised to the rank of a general ofl^^ce? , or ap^
pointed eonsut at whatever plaoe he'ofaose. Bn-
temlrvn u«natty rewarded hia fiMrourite eoaosdfera
with plaeing them as consols in foreign commep-
^1 t^>wns. At one time^ he had not kes tiian
two hundred in diffevent parts of Turk^, tlie
I^vantj the i^limd» of the Arebipelago, 4&c. An
Irish oftcer of the name of Newton, who waa
albepwapds gniltotine^ at Fi^s, enjoyed lil^wis^
a ecmsidepahle share ol Potemkin's covifidence«

Oi those who would not bomble themsehrea
before him, there was no pne whom he hated
More ^n Maiabdl Homfunsseli*: be dreaded his
inflexibility as muoh as be envied hf^ glory. Hn
aversion extended even to Countess Bruce, \m
aister, one of tke most intimate c(»i$dants of
Cathatine. Potamkin anxioiisly watched for an
oppevtuni^ to destroy her inftuenee ; and it was
not Icmg before chance threw one in his iray.
The Countess, had taken a fancy to Koraakof ^ the
^gB4% fovonrite of her mistrassjl Pötemki«

,.^

I i

44 ^ THB LIFE OF

. prooored her secret interviews with Korzakiiff,
not caring to sacrifice his friend, proyidied the
sister of Rotnanzoff were involved in hi^ fall.

* The Empress one day surprised the lovers to-
gether in her own room; she instantly com*-
mand^ KorzakofF to tVavel abroad, and sent.
the Countess to iMoscow.

But the ^ind of Potemkin was not entirely
engrossed by th^se court intrigues: he vdie«*
mently desired to. . have Catharine crowned at
Constantinople; and, as ^ preparatory step to
this grand design, he determined to begin by
taking possession of the Crim^ea. To insijire bU
success, it was necessary to act in concfsrt with
the Emperor of Germany. . Catharine, wishing

, for a conference with Joseph, the Second, re*
qm^ted.'hiin to come and join her in Poland;
and ^he soon after set out for Mohilef, where
the had an interview with him pn the 30th of

May, 1780- ,.,..

. The two monarchs agreed to attack the Turks
in concert ; to share the spoils between them ;
tad to rer^stablish th^ ancient republics of Greece«
But Joseph's counsel was to delay the dedaratioa
of war^ and he supported his opinion with aigu-
noents soconvincing, that Catharine and Potankin^
notwithstanding, th^r impatience to proceed to
Uows^ were compelled j to yield tOsthe solidity of
bis reasons. Catharine invited the JQmperor to

» «

I

I

PRINCE fOTSH&lN.

visit Russia ; and that laonsirdi, alit^ys fond of «
.travelling, and eä^r in pursuit of infornoiitlido,
took the Toi^ tor «MoscovT:;^ While Q9tlisii^itie> re-
turned ta^. Pdrersburgh, where ^Q^j^tnpeyor
arrived some time : after/ and vv:||€iPe.^^tt^ stiputt^
tions of theifr: conference at lA^flef '^wnb coa-
firmed by afojrinal treaty.' . y;,;

.Not ll^mg after the' d^aHji^e of Jo^fih the
ScMiid from Pelersbui^hy;B%^erick the Great^af
Prussia, in order to cokiiit^rbaknee the influenoe
vH>ich he süipplsit^ted ||i^^ to have aecliUred

during his stay a^|p^i|Mi«t df €>iithdrine, iseot his
nephew the erowiü^iirineöt of Pü'ussia (who reigned
after him by thee n Jüoae of Predwck WiVhatn tte
Second)/ to ,pay his respects to the Empresi.
Entertaii^nients as nuBterous and as liiagnificent
as had been given to the Emperor, were givad to
the prince : but from something pairticular' in tbe
attritions shown to the former, it was ^asy to
perceive what a different interest was attaefaed
to the frienckhip of the two courts^

]>uring the visits <^ these two iüustfriöas stran^
gers, the influence; of. Fotemkin over the J^-
pfesfi appeM^d somewhat diiliipisfa^d ; Catha*
>ine gave the situation of favoiijrite. Vacant by
the dismissal of the faithless^ R^rzakoflf/to Larii-
kali, one of the ChevaUe^rguards/ without edi-
suiting Potemkin, Lanskoi wai» 6f a very suieieiit
{««»ily in Fo^ndd. öri|jin»lly called lUpsky^ *wl

h^^MiM^H^tfflüaiMaMiflk

«6

nX *UFK 0F

löfUie iiRitt be^flitifai «nd ititetcrtiog ügtfre «Hat
imn^fisitiiMi ifrftn ptttit* The Chefvafier^a^wds in
ftussik xbtisist of siacty tsH and Itaifyisoihe toen^
yi*0ffi<!^r»^ lutdtbldirig tUe Tirtfc of oftptaim in
#«^ farmy. Poteinkm^ their commander^ iBoragiMi
^ (vi^fattt 4ife 'Chitted) the yreg i nq p tion of Lamkoi
to have accepted of his nixm 'sitaatibn wikheMt Mb
^d^^ftst, eontintred d«af «6 hn «polo^e», and
'csoiftd iiot be -pveMiM upon to listen to a rtcoa«
idHiirtkai but by iMim of tvro faiiiidred thoraand
hmibl^, tiMeh the trieiidaxS Lanricc^'^advisäd hjm
to iMi^riflee, to WaNI <lff Üiedat^geroas enmity of
las 'sapertw officer. At this pro^^ PoteMdn
idüMenCM 'to 4efi«e «Hb %iflbdsoiis df his scrireireigh
«itdKftiiA)ed ; and isnAy tb^ were de^fy* en-
ifgn^. Of ^ Ihe 4over8 of Catharine, Laaskot
Was the tid^n whom »he Idved the most/ aad Hvho
^test die)i^!jhrM ^er 'löMe.

fn tibecöuite'Ofthe ntf^öcidtioffs Withrtheo(Mart
'^Of ^'ctenisi, te%(J3d!fflg die )ii!lertd^ attaek ifpon
the Ottoman 'Iffffph^, the fiinperdr faavhigbedn
-hffbf medlAat'the'f^d^iduicef^ül ^Pttimiteh was
gdhig io ^ritAt fwc^ €6üritries, •hiVttod th^ youag
pt\tic^ to t^d his t^i!^ Iiy thelliwtrtftntHy»^
«hd upptted toPoem]fcm«o'seeo(id Im requast tritii

thef^inp^. CMtharinfe f^flily)cMiM<^. 'In
tife niorith'Of #£(pteiiAiT, 1781^1, the )gitttid-d«te
'ttid tii6 gfafhtl« diH!te^ W^iit throa^ ¥^öl&(«d to
Vi^aa, and Af^ü<ss to'Kl^r, Fniif0e,^d iHk^lliMd,

WHentie ttie^ ritarti^ 'to St. Pde^i>^r§h, moÜ^
tJermany. . *Däriftg 'tHeIr j6drrie?y, Vidftihi^ tKii£
liapp^ed t6 tttem wks unktioWto ifhe 'Env^n'eisi!.
A courier, t^giihrfy dispitcheA eveVy day, tfi-
förmeä Her where ihdy were, and how *£Hey >p^Ök
einploy^H.

ft Wis eitreitieTy natural %v the tnttöfte^s *ta
Vish, in fheir tiirh, to be itifbrihea'orwhät ivks
passing at Petersburgh. Oti l^kVhig hdme, 4lhe
^ränff-äuke had 'requested prince Äli^hder
feourakin, his most cöfiifidöntial ^Menti, WHd'i4c-
compahied Kiih oh his trävefe, to engage ibihe
person on whose Äeäl ärid^Veräcity he could röly,
to iriaihtain a minute cörrespöiiäence with tilth.
iCoui^kiii applied ^to the chiamberläih, 'Bibik6f,
whom he knew to be sincerely attached to the
grand- d uke. They both were pef fectly sife'sib^le
that the regular cbnveyiance of (heir letters %y
the post would not be safe, since not Ötily private
letters, but also those laddreji3ed to foreign embas-
sadors, were frequently bperled at the post-öÄice*
They therefore agreed that Bibikof should send
his dispatches to the grähid-cluke 'by riieans of
private thessterigers ; äs "they could hot suppose
"that the respect due to the hieir of the throne
would süffer them to be stopped on the road.
They had hot yet foriiied correct notions of the
^boldness of l^btemkih. The very first 'messenger
Was intercepted at Riga; and^the letters, oiF'which

4
f

L

r

48 THB LIFE OF

b$ was the bearer, were taken from bim. The
toa-qonfid^t Bibikof had freely spoken of every
thing without reuerve, and particularly of Potem-
kin hifpsi^f. Incensed at this presumption, Po-
temkia did not hesitate to have Bibikof arrested

>nd brought before commissioners whom he him-
self appointed to be his judges. Their verdict
was easily foretold: but as the delinquency of

. which they pronounced Bibikof guilty, was not,
such as deserved a very severe punishment, tjiey

^banished him to Astracan; where he died some

itime after. The despotic Potemkin thought this
example sufficient to deter others who might
have been'tempted to fall, into a similar indiscre-
tion ; and it is highly probable that the grand-

, duke did not meet with a single person^ who
had courage to fill the place of the correspondent
of whom be was thus deprived.

The mind of Potemkin was about this time
occupied with the thoughts of a journey, the
*' issue of which might prove^. of considerable im-
portance to the interests of the empire. In the
councils of Catharine, the qi^estion was frequently
agitated, to devise means of peopling the pro-
vinces which the Turks had ceded to Russia by
the treaty of Kainardji. Great sums had already
been placed at the disposition of Potemkin for
this purpose, but his negligence had always pro*
crastinated the^ applicatioa of the means with

PRINCE POTBimiK. 4$

which he hid hew supplied/ and his prodigAll|]r.
constantly ended in exhausting thosMaaebns fruits
^lessly. • At length, in 1782, he resumed tiiis prot.
ject with that ardour which always nmrked his
pursuit of any design the first moment it strode
his imagination. He removed to the government
of Azof about one Jhundred families, attracted from
divers parts of Germany, and Livonia, the most
populous and most flourishing province of the.
Rassian empire. He even sent thither an English
farmer, whom the Russian ministatr at the court of
St. James's engaged for him, to make agricultural
experiments in those distant countries. TheseGer-
man, Livonian, and English families, were accoonr
modated with materials for building; cattfe for their
husbandry and private consumption ; com, iroa^
implements, and whatever was judged necessary to
establijsh such colonies and the manufactures most
requisite for their wants. Potemkin spared neither
'pains nor money to render these new provinces
flourishing. If the hopes of the colonists .were
frequently disappointed ; if the brilliant promises
with which they had been allured, were often left
unperformed, it was the fault of his agents, and
not of Potemkin. To convince himself that his
orders had been executed, apd to.examine at the
same time the situation of countries which ber*.
dei^d onTurkey, (and, for that very rfßascmi

. r

-*- -'■'-

«»

titft tütE.Olf

iig to Hit ukfts y/MQh dimi ooettfnM fA^ cal»iti€^t
0f 6t PMtfibufgh, were to extraitiely idijpottntil,)
pMerakili requested add 6btiiia6<i leave of the
Ittpreis to visit them hiffiseif, and tt> retäde for
«6bui tittle. at Gherson, which was then buiidiiigy
Md the works of which he accelerated with incre^
diUe activity« Catharine, with her w(mtcd gft-
neimity^ gmnted him three hundred thousand
nrables for this journey ; whith he began iü the
mozith 1^ Sqiteitiber^ 1782.
4 No »onmr waa Jh>teaikin arrived at Cbersoti^
limn he forwarded with uncommon ardour the
Mgodaftiötis which were alresuiy on foot with the
scfcral cfaiefe of the htmlt» of the Tartars 6f the^
QimaM and the Kuban. It was the object of
these laegociatiofis to eagage the Khans of those
eoumr» to ^aöe thsmselves of their own aceord
«nder the pfntcetic» of Russk^ wboae {mwer was
afa«iify m formidable to them, that it watt iii>^
gveat eiMcesiion <m thtir ^rt to adtnewkdge the
Smprees iMr soveiwigti. Tbeae considerations,
added to mettaees, ^rbmiies> bribes, and tn the
«tri vmi «f 9Mt^eM» teinforcementi of tmnps redly
to «efpoft the deasiaiidi of ftuiaia under the order
of BetomUfi) atod to ^^ them a mir weighti
gt kigtfa dvtermmid tli» Akih of th« Tutar
bMdes. 1%ef pMmmd obedieiiee to Catharine ^
a«d fioMmkm lecurMd to PkM)ribur|h> with die
satinfia^ctipn of having obtained;» without bloodshed,

«^ *

#'-*^'* «^

4P

4€

ä conqit^ of tile uAitiofll ttapoTtence Ibr dte focvl*
tity and future prosperity of the RuMan enqpirtr.
Nöüiiag M»aitied but to take le^ p o sa ti ri eft
ef these provmeei, and fib ra&der tlie t>eo{)ietiitt
Mbahtted thein^ as well * aa the fett lif Bttiepe,
»aitatbte of the peremptory tiMrttves wbieli had
prompted tbit extraotditiary tneatüre. This w4i
done by a manifesto^ iti the eempeshidn irf ttUidh
Potemkiii bad the gmrteit ibere. It attitid^ liiat,
^ ThekitwafragibilttliifOltdiiiatieit^
'' bee» i^etulea trith the iii^t ffi^l Mcei^s^ the
Etnpresii bed eertiifily ae^^iiMl the rig^ df
etiitmg to her ettiplfe theCiteiäit^ ef which
ilia pfM m poi^esilett: flüi^ h^memt^ she
^ heiitated tiet 10 saerfflc« «feM ifid mAhf eiber
coiK)üe«t»i to her ardeftt desire of fil-estilniAitfg
the ^hht tfiao^ariUiey^ tni of ^Bftrwb^ the
good ttudefrttaiidiiig and fHef»dihip^ hMWeeii
^ her and tbeOttoMan ¥ofte. Thai tl^ teetive
^ indeead her to M^^diete the ftMdötti and itf-
<^ dependence ef tile TsManr^ wtNm site InSI re-
'^ dttced hy het atme;! hiaipia^ tm wiMm Aht ever
'' hy thta meam eferf eattee ef ^«etisföii^ and
'' eirett of coi^esa, hetv^eeap ItuMia and tlie Sub-
^ Haie Furfe^^ wlfkli was too efta« eipoflied to
^ the^e nieo^tefiienees by the feiw of gcwern-
^ meiit that tiien stibsirted amot>g ti^e TiMars.
^ That she had been o^ligad to iaferfere witb
<* tier tfoepi^ ti i|aell several in^urreetioiia and

ad

L .^ -^ ,

■ilftMAwAa

62

THE UFB or

'^ revolts, &c. &c. That, the Tiirkß having Hilt
•^ cootinued to consider the Tartars as subjects of
^f the Porte, &c. &c., to put an end once for all
^^ to .the troubles in the Crimaea, the £nri press
" unites to her empire the peninsula of the Cri-
*' maea, the island of Tainan, and all the Kuban^
*^ as a just indemnification for the losses si^
^^ tained.and the expences incurred. That, in
f* declaring to the inhabitants of those coun-
*' tries, by the present naanifesto, that such
^ is her imperial pleasure, she promises theoiP,
." for her and her successors on the imperiai
" throne ^of Russia, that they shall be treated
upon an equality with her ancient subjects^
^^ and that, in taking them under her high pro-
tection, she will defend ttheir persons, theit
property, their temples, and the religion th^
profess,: that they shall enjoy the most absplute
liberty of conscience in tlje public exercise of
their worship and rel^ious cereiponies ; and
that not jonly th% nation in general, but 'also
each individual im particular, shall participate
in all the advaiptages, enjoyed by her ancient
subjects. But the Empress also expects from
the gratitude of her new subjects, that, toucheu
with these favours, they will be sensible of the
value of this fortunate revolution, which re-
nf)oves them, from a convulsed state of dis-.
f' turbances and dissepsipns, to one of jentire

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PRINCE POTEMKIN. 53

'* security and perfect tranquillity, under the
" protection of the laws; and that, striving to
"imitate the ^submission, zeal, and fidelity of
^* those who long have had the happiness of
" living under her government, they will render
*^ themselves worthy of her imperial favouf,
** benefipence, and protection."

This manifesto was published at Petersburgh,
on the 8th of April, 1783, on the same day when
Potemkin, desirous of achieving his work, set bul
for the army, after a short stay in the capital.
At his arrival at Cherson, he received the homage
of the Khan Schaghin-Gheray, the same whom
the protection of Russia had caused to be chosen
some years before, and who had then sold a
sovereignty which did not belong t^ him/ He
was promised a pension of two hundred thousand
roubles a year, which he did not loftg enj6y.
This unfortunate descendant of Gerigis Khan
retired to Moldavia, where he was seized by
order of the Sublime Porte,' ^nveyed to Rhodes,
and strangled. ^* *

Being assured of the principal Khan and of
most of the other chiefs, Potemkin proclaimed
the will of his sovereign, and endeavoured to
periäuade the inhabitants of these countries, by
means of tiis emissaries, to subject theniselve»
fireely to the domiikiön of Russia^ Meanwhile
his troops penctoitedinto the Crimaea^ along with

V

d.

THE hÜTE OF

his agents, rmidy to sapport their pres^itg «crfi^
citations^ and to achieve by force what tbeir
seductive Awns could »ot accomplish, Such
means, indeed, mutt alfiray« ptove ini^Hible.
The inhabitantB of the CrimfE^a took the oath of
allegiance to the £i»pi«ss ; and the fertuntte
Potemkin hastened to inform ht$ 90vere%n that
a fmt and spontaneoua d«teraiinatiofi bad brtmglit
to her feet hotdes hitherto nnsiibdued, and hail
made her qooea of Tannda.

it is I« faet aatonisbiag, (diat no Sufopeaa
ponrar opposed this easy etmtineitt Catharine
thaalied Joseph the Second in partiottlar for lim
indiftrenee vvith nrfakdi hiEi witnessed the taue«)
actMii; nor had she lese fea9esi to be 8atiifi0d
whih tbt f vendi goveramtnL Her MiQerty ae^
oevdingly ^presented Mr« do fit. Priest, amhaa^
sador of JPbmoe at€aM:anltnef>}e, irif^ tfia onkr
of St. Andrew ; the" star ef whieh was evicb^
with mai^ifteent diamonds.

Sttt altfaoogh h« pbms of nsurpation had so Sir
prospered beyond his wishes, the flattering eom»,
ifiKmevts widi adiich Potemkin had oane^sed the
Sanfweai, were mifortainately confiidicted hy dm
events that foifownd. M »on as tho Knssiaii
troops were par% wididrawn Srom the eonnlTy,
aevaval .of the aufaahem chij^ of «he Ihrtars^ who
had «u>t shared the bribes of die psineipal Khans,
and who waae hid^aant at fleemg duNwdi^M

/

1

«odflr di9 49MMH0II of Russia, feagoed tß^g^ihf^r^
and «gretd to Ankn of t|ie yoke, and rather to
fliU nod^r t^ «way of t)ir Tarbt^af Uftd^r that
^ RupHHanf «{id Chnitisucif. An iosuitectign
^Ic? ^ in tj^ Crif$9^ ; but Pptemkin was no|
tlie mill wbp would thus i^linquiih bis wprk to
lb« dis^relioA of a few rebels. It vv^s not )oi^
|llfi9ffa bß Immt, at Pet^rilmrgh, what was going
{»rwaiyl. H« imiqsedidtaly If rote to General Pa«l

.aatwi^r, wd vig^umu« re^l h^ wuld dtpendy
to wM«« thf Tamara* He g^ve him fall
ppwim 1» aßt M b^ likpd, a^d plfced nuni«it
nm^mofß at bit dj^jKNiitipu. The CkneraUo*
quin«! hwnffiif ^f b?s copami$si<;m as well »s hi|
cowtu b4d fofwaen ; and but too w^ll it the eyw
^lii»iBa»itir« if #?ipry tbii^ that has been report^
^iit t^ia ^ped^tion qA|j||bf ^editedf He dnh
p^rped th« rebels, to9k bilt^ of thw^ priapneri,
and caused as^^Mt mm^r of Tart^arp pf aU ranin
aad agw to be 4^e^ii^« T^ e^M^pe l^e ^ßvtai»
pHMabmoiA «1Mb i^ait«d tbem» tbpuia»da 4^
lbs pisiuiti)?. XbiM tfrriblf maawt^s (wnsol)^
dated ite ^ ommm «f t^ Cniiipe» in tJM bwd«
of the RussiMs^ but thpy reigned o¥»r amr^«^
hitf of ^ ]io|tt^rtk>fi wlmh ^^ pminwi^ «w^

«aiud bflfoaa llw nP9i0it.

11m waa, no degbt, a deplMn^Q »nd l^ght^^
cffi»ct of amUtion a bat the moralist, mjbii «it«- in

i$ THE U^B or •

• • ~ •

judgmeht over the actions of statesmen, rarely
Witnesses any other. Yet, if we lobk to the fur-
ther consequences, and carry our views into futu-
rity, to try, by a more extensive scale and in its
most distant bearings, the service which Potemkiii
fendered to bis country by the conquest of the
Crimaea, we shall be forced to agree, that never
3id any subject deserve better of his sovereign,
or an^ individual of his countrymen. If hence-
forwards Russia be safe against any attacks in the
East and South ; if her finest provinces may
securely cultivate in peace the precious gHlls whieh
nature has lavished upon them ; if populatioa,
manufactures, and commerce, may th^re floufiih
in safety ; if the shores of the Black Sea behoHl
her flag triumphantly ruling the waves ; if Con-
sts^ntinople, trembling before her, be sooner or
later doomed to acknowledge her laws; if the
delicious continent of Asia, the fertile Georgia,
the still more beautiful, more varied, and more
wealthy Persia, ever become her tributaries or
her provinces, Russia will be indebted for thaae
itnmehse adv^ntdges to Potemkin, who, fay the
annexation of the Crimaeä^ secured her agaioat
the inroads of the Tartars ; and while he deli-
vered her from her greatest plague and her moat
formidable enemy, gave her a position singukrty
favourable to extend alike her power and her
nävigatkm. •

PRiineE- nmMKiN.

n

Much Ims been said of the nttkMiereB and c^«>-
cuädos frhich he caused to tdte |>lace in thm
Cfimaea, in order to subdue the Tartars, wfaa
coulc^not be reconciled to their new yoke: hvA
the accounts of these barbarities have, no doubt. .
been very much magnified. When we set a man
so despotic, so violen»t, Mxid so arbitrary, and who
h^d so extensive a power as P<^emkin, einpk)ying
gentle, artrul, and conciliating means to effect the
changes which he meditated ; that circumstanct
alone proves that he was not fond of shedding
Uood. It rested with him to shod it: if he
spared it on that occasion, why should he have
lavished it, or permitted it to be lavished, afters-
wards } Is. it not more than probaUe, . that lie
eaused that blood <mly to How, which^ uafortu^
nately, was absolutely, necessary to the preservar
tion of l»s conquest ?

The emigration of the Tartars has likewisf
hfmk .greatly exaggerate. Some inconstant/
mmamfj and superstitioqs hordes, ahvajrs ready tp
wander, fearing to he. molested in their religum»
fled at fi»rt, it is tfue^ in. conuderable numbers,
fiK«n their Gomtitry. Bnt.will such a desertion
beisr any comparison with the emigration of
jBa^ishmen, Germans, or Frenchmen r It re»
qMsiiM cruel persfcutions to make a proprietor, a
cultivator of the tgil, or a tradesman, the memher
rf.a civUiatd cünnmitity/ and acciMtomfd to

at . VOL wiB. n

mjßfr iti tvtite» h»m hit Imne ; wbik a ttMiPg
«ncasinetfty s little waufiMWi «id düigiot, wäl
tttddenly drife a Tayfair a tfaoBswd miks from hi»
kabitetioo* Envc^ beiides wm atnuik with tht
«fnignittoD fmiD the Crtmsa^ btemve it tofA
phee in a nam; and no ati«»tioa hfti ham pai4
to ibe incasiant return of number» of Sum6e$9
wkio, Mting that their oounlrjr was 6r fifom havinf
batn doooiad to miaery, ciwp dad btofc to itoM
aller the other«

Attempts hme ako heen made to rsohcide Ifaa
fiffst foundattom of the toimt and eolonies ortidht
lifhad by PotetnUn in iSkm govcfnments of Am!
and in the Crim«i. Bat thoogh it weea hna^
that, in their origin, these ertaMiehments weea as
iaisigiHtfcattt as tbe;^ ha^e heen described; is il
psissthle, on soch oeeasiens^ to do 'mrmy thing at
once ? nay more, is it possiUo to do any lhia|^
Ml thia way with rapidtty r Thorn is smt an en^-
l ight e n e d and considerate ipiüvidual hnt who
hnows the e ontr a ry t yet snoh ostoUishaeoto ne
pot «he ksi ontithid to our admiralioQ. Urn
leede of phmls open, hud^ andgvew Tosy difemsl
frem what tinqr wese whac^ csassnitted to thn
gfound : oM is not our gratitude elitt dte to the
iMud by whinAi <hey were sown i Time, hesidas,
has jnsttftod jonr oheaivations. üsten asri^ to.thn
tioMHers who hewe seen Cheemn and Odeme,
and partlonfavly «he ipMertowiH tmoea Anto4i

nmmfmmim»^ sa

4istii^««ilied sKmt» wb^ ht» ckosen. Bum» Iht
hn mii9f^ wmWy^ km kmn Mtowt^ witii tfat

F^foiiiw:bfiti .liimm himt^lf m a light vitay
dilfemit fram wlmt hq t^ppeared ia ike fint pmod
0f Ittf Ulk It if titw tfaat^it iRiiuntti»! bebg^
a öPinpcmod of 89 wmuy nimble qnalitiea and
pmt wß$f ^m fompow, prodtgul^ vdm, 4o$pf^^
iiisolmit ; tkat he . spared no one^ not evea his
sovefeign ; Üiat he gvfe himself up to exoesset^
whtch^ owifig to tihe i^rmgth of his constitution^
^became as it were his habitual way of life ; that
he sometimes neglected important state a&ita,
to abandon himself to t£e most culpable indo-
lence: but what an elevation of soul, what
aasffgjr» what a eosapftis of ideia, wluit an arti^nty
did lie disfÜaf iriaen tfame ims scMEiwithiiig gnaitd
to be achtemd! Horn ardently; he lowdbkh
mywre^ga, whik her glory was so dear to him !
hem siDcmdy ho ms sjttocfcad todbis ewmlxyy^
wiaeh he sliwe to WBdw ilkialnmis and iaam*
isMe I T^tmsMn was boM for an exaliad stalkuK.
He wwited t» ben, vaster ^ and the mofcnent h»
bismne so, he p^ibnned giHNit tlwiga ; his mind-
^qinariMd stiB greater phn&i aad it is ficrhi^
owiag mmvte haiMNlaisatiap mi to the vietstfif hia
ftiuairy, jthqifetfli-fcft i jfwf actkaoa ^Jak ciMracter

1

»

do

Ttttt UJtt W

Md Mderttiiuiifig, that he w%8 prevented exe-
Cttting them» His g^nias pieal^ed Gathariner and
vms in every respect confarmabte to the genius of
that ftttonishing PrtficaBS. This was the source
of bis constant influence over her : we must not
look for it in the intrigues which Potßmkin con-
trived and conducted, merely as accessary means
or as pastimes, and which had their origin rather
in the whimsicality of his humour, than in the
belief that they might? prove useful to his fortune.

CHAP. Vl.

PQtemkin uses aU possible means to bring about
n war with the Turks, and to insure its success.
^f^He is named Prmdent of the €imnmlcf ffkr.

♦ t

Aware that the taking possession of the Crimsea
by means as illc^l as those which had been em-
pbyed, could not fail to determine the Turks to
war, Potemkin thonght it bif^ time to resume,
with a renovated aetivity, ihe negociations widi
the 9ourt of Vienna that had been suspended,
and to cmiclude at length the treaty kä an ofiin-
sive and defensive aUianoe, . wiiMsh» wbtte it

iQsiiTsed, the exeotttioa of the proj#ci of liriirMig
the Turks from Europe, was aUo to ip»im to the
two acting powers an imcBiente afasu^e of tliat
magnificent prize. ' Russia, to determine Joseph
the Second^ did not hesitate to promise that she
would favour with all her m%ht his projected
exchange with Bavaria, and assist d^ etetcion of
his nephew to the dignity of king.of the Rommis«
At this price, the alliance was s#on formed and
the treaty signed, to the sati3faction of both par-
ties. The news of this alliance was made public
in a manner calculated to mislead the Sublime
Porte ; which must, however, easily have guessed
that it was much concerned in the treaty.

At the moment when Russia was preparing
for a war which would employ all her forces,
it was important for her to be safe. against an ^
en^my less formidable by his power, than by ht^
proximity, his courage, and his pretensions. Po-^
temkin^ who foresaw what she had to fear from*"
the king of Sweden, and from an invasion which
would thr^suten the eapital itself, wrote itova the
army to the Empress, to leave nothing undone
to insute the tranquillity of that aoibitious and
enterprising n^ghbour.

Catharine, who felt the truth of this advice,
thought that an interview with the king of Sweden
would be the heal means of keeping^ on godd
terims with (hi^ mooarcb. She wrdte to him^

$2 ■tm httB &p

Ifait, «s ^hd i{it6fid«d to tiiit iMr pmtfMxfOf Ptfr-
iiiicl^ 6h« ivüHrfd with pkdftiiim pttsh iier jonrtM^y
tO'the ftt>Miei% 0f Bwe^n ; and requeited him to
meet her there, to treait directly with h«r abcrnt
th^ir mutual al^rs. She fixed upon Frederick-
»ham as the place most proper for an interview.

The Empress appears to have been ignorant
that she had been anticipated in that quarter by
the Sttbhme Porte, which not only had, made
GMtavua semible of the interest he might harre
in crossing the enterprises and preventing 1^
aggrandisement of Russia, but had also reminded
him at the st^sidtes he received from France oH'
the express condition of assisting that power or
its allies in ease of a war with Russia.

€fttstavus I II. did not want thede eodsidütationff,
lo behold with r^ret the aoibitioua pr^ects of his
fimnidaUe neighbour ; and if be could liol db»
struct^ he had at least no inclination tx> ftvour
them. Kot to be solidied hi a manner oppMte
toiHa secret seniiments^ he endeavoured to elude
die fnvitatbn of Csitbarine, und^r the very plaus-
9>le pretence of a rather serious accident whi^ he
had just met with« Hie had indeed broken one
of his arms, and informed the£mpt«s«^ tlittC biritig
unaM« to move, he was ao^ry t^ beutilir the
^ecedgfty of deeMiiing bcff ttmtatioOi Tkiswwdd
liot satisfy Catharine t the obnaclet i^idk Chi«-
Itras bid in tfa» way oC fin hrterview wiflt her^,

iifittted \mwaxi^ to dfect it. Ski wrote to
the Swedish iMourch^ that^ Mftce ho oouU not
dome 10 FrederickfthAm» she would go to tie him
at StOGkhoIoi. This offer left no altematitre to
the king. To toceive th^ Empress in the capital
of Sweden^ would teste led him to an expetiee
ten times mote Goosiderable than that of a jottr-^ '
nof to meet her. He hastened to Fredertdinham
with his arm in a sling. Three days^ passed in
nnititernipted confetenees, were sufficient for
Catharine to make Gustavus fiyrget alike the re*
presentations of the Ottoman Porte and his en-*
gagements with the court of France ; though the
hitter were backed by subsidies. He promised to
comply with the wishes of the Empress, and to
obser^re an estact neutrality during any war she
mi^t be enge^ed in^ with any power whateirer.

In the meau time, Potemkin, confident that ""
the Empress would succeed in her negoeiation,
pK>V(^ed the Turks by demanding of the Otto*
man ministers the definitive conclusion^ of t||k
Treaty of Commerce^ whicb had been menfioaed
ii^ 1779. In the present situation of itfatn, and
after the invasion of the OimsHi, it could not be
expected that üie Sublime Porte should be dis-
posed to concede new adtantages to the B«n
skns : this dem%nd was tbetefbre eridently no«
thing but a pretence to sound the Divan, and dts*'-
cov^ its iiitMtiom. The Turks^ howev^^ made

64

7HB LIFE .Of

nm «f ü^-inadteration wbi^h "was absolutcfly; uiic(x*
pected, and, .actuated ett^her by fe^r, weakness,
or. fideiify^to their ea^gements, they con^ent^
to the treaty. ' '^ .

This commercial treaty, as may easily, be supi-
posed, was entirely to the advantage ^of Russia.
The ignorance of the Turks in commercial mat-
ters made them leave thesettling of the articles.
of this treaty to strangers, whom the.; sum«
I»vished^by Pot^mkin rendered cortipletely sub-
servient to his views. Of eighty^one articles^
every one ..almost was favourable to Russia, and
prgu(j[icial to the Turks, who, in regard to the
trade s|nd siavigation of the Black Sea and the
Archipelago, conceded to their rivals the same
privileges which they granted to their most an-
cient friends and allies. Russia thus acquired
new weapons for the aggressions and provocations
which shf was seriously determined to continue
against the Turks, and which were finally to lead
to an open rupture.

The zeal of Potemkin to increase every day
die dominion and influence of his country, suf-
fered no abatement. It has been said, that while
he apparently exerted himself so z^lously for
Russia^ it was in {act for himself that he acted,
and that he timed at esjtablishin^ an independent
soverei^ty for hin^oelf, which was to extend
fr(M(n the Crimsea to the foot of the Caucasus. This

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

6ö

dreuimtence may welt be doul^ted. Sapposmg
even that such a project had once crossed hift
ttiottghts^ no ostensible and positive step in bis
whol^ \i& can be quoted that had the stnaliest
tendency to realize his design. But be this as it
may, he spared nothing to remove the limits of
the Russian empire as far as that famous chain of
mountains, the extent and inaccessible heights
0f which were to strengthen jt with a natural
boundary ; and he partly succeeded im the at-
tempt. He was ^ure of most of the nations that
dwell between the Caspian and the Black Seas.
The Lesghis alone^ a d^eitful and siwage people,
that could not be ind«ceS to enter Äitö tey «e-
gociatton, opposed a serious obs£ftcte, . H# re»
solved to reduce them by famine. This project
' was, no doubt, cruel, but of easy execution. It
was also necessary that he should gain over the
inhabitants of the Imiretto, of KartaSinia, and
some others. He had recourse to the. most briU
Uant promises and most magnificent presents to
mduce them to submit. He set forth' the tran«
quillity which they would enjoy, particulariy on
account of the conformity of their religion ; aa
these nattoos are all, like the Russians, of d^
Greek church. However, he met with complete
auccess oiily with HeraQRus,'Prince'f>f Kartalinia,
who, after a long Resistance, consented to dQ
homage to Russia. It was (jieneraj PaiiiPot^opi«^

'>%-.

/

]fw niho, uncfer ffbe diractien of bis^ccAism^ teiGc*
«linsiled this iaapi^taiit dShiv^ The Ebiprest
ifeoelved liie deed of the subinissiün^ of thk: TiUPlao»
(ihief as a ff e«h inark of gaUantiy on tbe p^t of
. Frince Potenakin ; aod^ she sent to Heraelkas the
deoiradrions of the order of Su Andmvr^ set with
magmficeistt «iUamaiida. Uadef Alexasider äüsr
First, those dtfbvent priticipalities^ and the wkofe
oiGeorgia^ men fai^oiid theCaueastts^ weve mtiteA
i«iih the Bussk« empiie^ aad aßsimilated toi ihe
t9&t cS the provinces.

- Ekreiy dbty Fbtemkin wassending kis emissafies
to a gneatefdirtaBce He evert .«rried his in-
iFigues as £ir a& Egypt, vebither he dispat^ched
commissaries with, orders to scatley äboinfe monejr
aod prooiiaes, and t«»ne^ect no m^uaB of foments
ittg a sjEHf it of revok. He probably iifrteaded to
open iioine n^w souree of eommercc widii thalr
eountry- 1 fanlt his principal objedt was, undoabtn
edly^ ti» eveai» fresh emborcrasrnients to the Turks,
and in case of ^a raptuiw^ which appeaned imevita^
bte,. to ditide. and weedsen their fences: l^ oU%bi^
thdnr ' td ioeep troops, ia Egypt ten vcstratn^ the
iMurgente. The Diyan perceived, his intrtgucsy
awl guessed at tlleb true molanres^ bat continaail
to dlisseinble* In^ the mean tkne, wiae'^irtea«!^
tioiia wem takem^ whidk prevented the mi»^
discontents of Egfpt fios» breaking o^ inis» »
goMndi feraientaitianv

«t this ver^ thtie to indue« fXUS Höftpödaf« dfMtfk
^ktv'tä and Wa(kEdf» t^ utMbcr^ttafjc ^mtkheh
tiHfatäries of the.RiikihHi einpii^; and ti is ^id
fluit the ^inftftsd h<d ftfbtiiiied Fbeeäikin tM
AktioiiAf of ^ tHthffö, Mid (^ ^^tf <^ » jMi'iAfH'
Off Btöl^vb «ttfd Walkcbiä, if fte Miicce«d«d i« ^Im
cNHii^ tbe «hiöft 4^ theer6 <»<tntfMif. I« ^öüld
ntaCeed hav^be«lft iMIre cötiMMnt vHtb tb6tMereA
k^ Witfa fbe t^fcei^ tiäfTd <^tbe' EUfpfUM, thiti
fhit»ef'i\frtf iftipoifnit pNmAcHi, flKf k<^» ^ QM
Stifotiteft piti of thä OftoAaA mtt^f^, M^l4
k6fong td Mß of hit ti&hjim, iMtfr thM eon^
titid« h» lli<* hMt^' of afiitt lifitiee», i^tlo #«M
ifMtt^fty^ t<t cMi^def iftMbMiye» a# ra<f^fMfH
4iHtk S#ay«if by ^d«b ifi«H¥«s, G^llMfiikriUij^

paAttpfi fttftVe «dn^titiedi to imet ftfr ^etnlift

Übi# tnidejivihckfAf ^tMMghty ; Kot CM ÜägteiM
Ütftia #hJdy F6t<fMkiOr 6(M(iM!tte«d fb¥ Iflft ]^«f4
{WMife tt«t t^R do ^MCäM: l^pfr l3itf SA^ild>

#fi^; ill t^'ptt^a^ ^fuoMr of tmTt/»dm

dbGhiiii<Ai^, ' 4Mt^ nat^rifHy' lb hav^ AsdCdvvM ilAv

sttt«! M the «tfäMfit t« töh^ Kidi' 6f ^Bfi» IMpe ; d«l
fiXeMyft, tHrTto RadT povfetfii itMb<:«to<Mt8 <kü €tt
öf^rtüM imMiäittH, fefHiiki^alMd ftfi dMigti ätfi
hfe j^ffctlimCMs^.

AfUit' ^tläiksi' tiädP «rd<9tMf fik ettfil^i« iip6A

»3

,;' .

6§ THE UWB OF

iwoe, ai|d bis actmty, had Qnited naioeioug
province to the eicipirey it was natui^al for thif
£mpre89 to be de^iroos of ei^pressing her satisJaio
tion and gratitude to the man who was at oQcn
her prime minirter aqd the commander of he*
arm ies. But Potiniikin had i^eached sisicfa a bo^hl
of grandeur and power^^ that it was difficpilt ^
find anjr thing that could add to his . eleiral(iqiv«
The rank of field- marshal was however yet want-
ing to his glory . Cadiarine had bitheirto resisted
the wish of conferring it upon Potemkin^ to»^ gpAaxd
him against the shafb^ef envy. Several cooipe*
titor^s could uq;e claims ecpial^ and in a .militarj^
point of view^ evep superior to diose of Potemkin.>
^ount .Petel* Panin but taken Bender in the ficst
^^jurkisb war, and quelled the revplt of Pugytsr»
jj^ef ; Alex^ Orloff had burnt the Turkish fie^t
at Tschesme ; and Prince R^pnin had eqna^y;/
distinguished himself in war and in politics. But
tbe/^j^QitS; of Poliiinkin were more recent^ and
his conquers shed over Russia V apleadour which
Itruck every eye. Catharine thought she was
reconciling justice with her inclination if she pre*
4irK|U?^nikin to his rivals.. However, that.she
pii^ not ofiend them, she iqppointed Prioce
Potemkiil president of the council of war ; .which
situation gRve him the rank of a field-marshal.
To this faviQur shß added that of naming him
goyjer^w-^iieriil of fh^^Crimaea «nd the other

«

I

i

PRIi^B MTEAitm.

«d

cenqueted provinces, which formed together a
g^emm^lit by the ancient name of the Taurida^
As Fotemkin was already governor of Azoff and
Astrachan, he thus united imder his direction, or
rather, agreeably to his character, under his do-
minion, an extent of country more considerable
than is possessed by many crowned heads in
Europe.

But, being anxious to increase his power stiH
more, Potemkin represented to the Empress, that
Rations recently subdued, and of a restless dispo-
sif ion, required a formidable body of troops to
keep them in submission. He accordingly ob-
. tftined thai his army should be considerably aug-
mented ; and having, as president of the^uncif"
of war, the advantage of selecting the best rejg^i
mebts, he formed his division 'from the flower dt
the Russian troops.

i.- ..? 4

W» ■ 'im m^■ »f

. vji.

-. im of IM Vi.usm» ari«y, card vmly (^p<m*
thf l^ßmf ^ *hß ^riwtBs <jf' the Qfiii^

■empire.

^me Bi^tMcffi of -t^ <^ofiU of vmx Im ^'^
nifuipfd t^ 9«i]^ aii4 «twftlDi« mvme^m^^^

command every army, be influfn«^ ilßß fiomi^-.
tton of every general ; and, from th« manner in
which he equipped or victoalled . the respeetive
divisions of the army, this ioflueoce extended to
their op^vtions. His talente in the administra-
tive department of an army were undoubtedly as
great as in acti?e waHare : but his operations, in
this departQient woe Mso teinted by his viees ;
and these vices were frequently the source of
disorder, ocmfusion, and depredations, which any
other chief would have either prevented or
fUMuded.

X

itm 4egpu6c "hiävMnt, föf ili^toht^) a»iä bis
püt liAmAmeA hb Ikli^iiitig to ^^ ^dvim. His
ntftde i^eguläticms aii4 tötraduised n^w kws^ witli-
^iit tn^iiiritig how fiff lii^ vrere ^tMtveiiiexit ;
'witli<»tit eöfisMerifig ho# fät their ex&tWkäa wn«
^!mine<^ with «äficulties. It must howet^i^ 9e
ftdttiowiedg^ that, if his resti^s aetivity ^Qg-
g«^t^ at times chang«i of triflihg utüüty, tadi
in^OVitiMfi» regarded only mitiufise ; but that tlte
altenftidM ^^€h he iiitiftadiiced iti the ess^tiil
and iiitKiiimMital systeni of tl^^ ttiAf, v^etb etcei-
l^t and (IfcnUariy tt(igt{^^ K> th^ eharaeter of
hismfticnl. Potemkin's j^dgem^ist wa^ tbo a^-
quiltte to fml hini in any im|io?tant point« lb
^ppte^i^e his o{iei«lioiii&, vre ijiftist examine th^
ttiitftary eslaMbihm^st of RiMiä in 17S4y wheti
ll^ assumed its ädimttistmtion. «y* ■>

%t appears, ftom the most accurate Ksts whieb
we have been able to procuTe^ that the t^gtdsrr
infantry at that time ec^sisted of two hundred
and foity thousand men, inchiding the I'^ihaaeots
6f guards ; and tbl^ cavaliy of thirty^fit« ttibüsahd
men, which bear i!io pt^]3oH;ion to the infantty.
But as the irregnlar troops, raised bnty in 4ilhe of
war, whode ninifther cannot be ascertained, aite
chf^y composed of light^horsedtien, »nth as Cö^-
sadts, &€., the proportion waft restored, and Rtis^ia,
with thirt;f-five lätousahd regular horiemen, was
then on ä par with all the great powers of Ckitope.

-'-- ■«

n

T»%iUt^ OS

49ent with iregani to cli]^he€i ai^;equi|tfiifMt^'afid
ittnay ei^ly be ^uppös^, tlii^t th^ Russians» who
h^d. b^n to be civilised nmph lat^^r thao the
ot];ier natioas.of £ur|>pej were likewise^siow^r in
tppfoximatio^ the forms generally adppted in om
days ,wit^ respect tQ military dress and costume»
I^u^emkin introdiiCf^ iai{>rt>¥e4Q^Rt6, whi^ fipt
^nly g^^e the Riisßian soldiery a b^ler tpp«^
i^iioe^ corresppiiding wi^ the cl^raclar of ^
Russiaas, and <alca{ated to please th^m ; , but
which^ in,a military point of view, proilua^ the
hi;alth of t)ae soldiers and f^tiilitated thßi.r naafcheSv
and evolutions. He or:4ered their. hair to be
cropped ; ajid by ti^ qMMIt iw^ved l^hefp ^ trou-
,bl!W>me care^.a^d a wnfting of time wbieh cmlA
be applied to soinethi^ qiore usefuL He gavß
t^m, Qoate witji very short htps^ pan|:aloons> #nd.
. half*bpatSy wbieh, by leaving more play (a the
liqsbs^ tendered, the motiisips.of the s^ldiers^ more
fre^.and eafsy, and their «^i^araiice altc^ether
Pfpre ufiiform* T(^ pi:o|oet. itl^fn sigainst the in--
qlfuneocy.of thf weather 911 ^virqbes.apd guards,
b^ ,{^yided thf^m with gr^U(;patSy.<»F clpaks, of
a .more convenient shape Uum tbo:^ of their
«ncient. national costum^r üq armed thpm levitb
^reloc^qf ^i|M( weig|it; and in this respeqt^ as
W^l as with r^gi^d to the formation of dji^i^ot
i^^%j hg qearjy coptf?d t))e osagfs of France,

PftlKCE P9T«M»itN.

73

The Bussian aitoy reeeivi^ almost th<£ same orga-
DWtitioii «s hud be^ introdoced in the French
army by Count Sf. Germain/ in 17Z6« Potemkia
al$o iiuHE«a8<id the flfwnrber of the tro(^.

These innovations weie undoubtedly advan«
tagecHis, if we consider them in a military point'
of view^ whieh {>laces the prosperity of eiSpires
in the preponderance they acquire by force. To
ttese chferentr iofiproyements in dress, arms, orga-
niwtkiii, and tactics, the Rassfiän troops add those
miKtary virtues. «by which they always were disr
tinffttwhed ; the habit of a hard and frugal life,
the readinefis to bear fatigues of all kind with as
much cheerfulness as constancy, a severe disci-»
pline^ an i^nshjftken fortitude both in ofiensive and
defimsive operations, ^an heroic courage, an exem-
plary: pajLiönee under. sufferings, and the contempt
of 4eatb* Com^bifiidg the most precious natural
qualities with whatever strength and consistency
art is enabled to superadd, the Russian troops
became truly formidable, and seemed to*threatfti
Eumpe with a supedority |hngerous to other
powers.

At this pa*iod, Üiey only wanted to establish
this saupi^iority in an undisputed manner over
the Tuiks. Thougl) it w^as difficult to obtain an
authentiecessionyyet the csinquerors weres^isible
of its impoitafnce to insure t^e jtranquil possetsioli
of, the provinces they had invaded, It was the

74

f>ac UFB «r

c^tstaTit p6li<33r df Gakhariße to indite«' ^e ^itioa»
whie^se p<>sse88ion6 ^ ioteoii^d td tiiv«de, to te*
a^n th^m theofsdves ; waA sltö ttmtr ftiled tt>
shew exddlMt reasons for ißtmit doiftg m. The
lesion has been rememheredF^ ftnd her }:k>ltey imi*
tft^. It 18 worthy of the present sge, «tum it
£ivouPS selfislniess and want of honour, if con-^
ijTjeror» formerly decided every thing^ by dpen
force, thqr did not carry their refinement so fiwr
ss to wrsh to hold in the same himd die palnci of
triumph and the sword of justice.
. Potemkin» solicited the Fdrte to aeknd#ledge
the Grimaßa-as a Russian provmce ; and the fa^*
lity with which this request was acceded tt>,
would be truly amazing, were it not knoWn tihat
Fvance persuaded the Turks to Comply, beeauae*,
l»eing snrelved in a maritttne war with Etigtend^
tSiis power did ncA wish to have any allies^to sup-
port in the iBast^ and was anxious to keep dn
good terms with Russia, on account of the armed
neotrality«

Although Potennkin appeared to have tied his
fcan^ up by obtaining his request, and to have
pfeeed bimself under the necessity cl renouncing
his grand projects, heyet harboured in the secrecy
of his heart more than c^e subterfuge to br^k
with the SuMime Forte. He felt that Öie erfvpire
stood in need of rest. It was high^ necessary
4br c€$i8olidate and to re-peoj^e the newly Con-

iffämä f^o^'mm, ftino», independieiit <if a coii<^
^idi^MefdiliMiMtJHW in the number i^ nihaU«
t0|^ ^e^mmy^ by the war and jrequait emu
grs^thm, t|^ ili^ians, in order to pat ao end to
Ifaf .restiof^n^a by wbich the Tamtrs were coa^
itmmUyjttctjoat^» had been under the neoessitjr
<it: tnwph^ng above feiiy thousand of thetn. in
^timr gdfmnmenU. Catharkie thought she coaUl
not confide the care of repairing these Ibss^ to
jbitMNr ha»ds Ihan those of the aUe and fortunate
statesman who bad adkkd those fine provinces to
her ^»ipir^. She gave full powers to Potemkin^
tud placed three miUions of rouble» at his disposal,
to b^n meliil e^Uishinents in the Criin^a, to
build towns and viUi^es bihter adapted for ah
«fricultDral people than those of the Tartars, t0
organise a proper magistracy and poKce, and to .
introduce, in abort, a kind of civilisation cak^«>
lat^d to remler that country happy and pros-*
pcfous.

The jQinpress bestowed upon Potemkin ä gralÜI.
catiian of one HundtedläMttsand rambles fer the tisea-
^b^ hiid eoEi^ded with tbe Poile: at least, die
imfyerial tikase, wbichawardM faiiiithat sum, mien^
tiomd no moie. Qut i* was Catftttrine's constaint
practice to CQoeeal part of the snins whidi she'
$0 profusely fandfddad upon certain individuflla. '
When we recollect tlie important gratifications
vMeli» had been pnen to Poieadktn oBksaini'

"mM litte o^

pQrtaiit occasions^ it is dlllleult {^ supl^cW^ialt
the ^erosity of the Empmss slxoiiid Imve been
«o limited on this ; particiilarly as it is gen^^Hy
kn^wn, thilt in thievery year (lfS4) he pui^hai^d
lanided estates in Russia, to the amoutit of four
hundred and fifty tjioosaiid rouble» ; »tid^ wtett
'sarprised every one, he paid the money d^li for
th^ purchase. He also acquired about tbis tfiiie
part of the rich domains iii4iieh the Pftneet
Lubomirsky and Sapieha bad possessed in Pofkdii
lAd Lithuania. Hh enemies thought he was
providing for a retreat into Poland : but wlmte^er
were bis intentions, never did his favour appear
so firmly established ; never had he beeii attached
to his dountry by so many titles and cKgnities.
Tlie ßmpress honoured him witii the surname*
of Tauriischeshy (the Taurian); gave him the
^iperfiment of the Taurida, willi the rank of-
Grand'Admiral of the Euxine ; and built for him
a magnificent hotel at Petersburgh, which was
ciibd the Taurida Palace.. "The gra,nd front of
" thisbuHding,'' says Sir Jo^ Carr, " is of brick,
" stuccoed white^ ft is 'ousted in the east etid
^^ df the eity ; the centre is adwned wMi a por»^
^ tic<P supported by columns, and' has a largie
cupola t>f copper and extefnsive wings. A
variety of out*offices, orangeries, and hot-
^ houses, reach from the left wing to a prodigious
^^ jefistance. . In the frönt is a court*yard^ divided' '

a

u

fSffdm Üie ,9bteejt by a handaom« viiKiig^ The
'^ .buil4ii|g i8ue:&it€Qsive,. but.loiv ; aiMiaMKM^^
" :it has a priiic^ly ap^fsaiiM^ it. decs mi MMkt
'Mtie admif^tQn which a stmi^p^fitk oo €»flKr^
^riag it Xh^kitdhen, fryit^ and pleasure gaixkM
*^f o9|C|]^ly a vast sjis^cie of ^groand, < watered by
V,$€i*erÄt caiills ; oyer pne .of which is a .flyiog

5 !coyer«i| bridge of 9Pie ai^csh^ which a|i iol^aco»
iHitanLte Rus«4im coprtructed for the pmpowi
'I .^ opön^ilg l^e twQ $ided. of d^ \M^va9
" 0|ipQ|iitQ to tbe statue of E^er the GreaC . u

. Xbe^w^Uh of PoteiakiA^ ncypr bewaeaafr
t^yped. : He in fac;t ;had the iippaibl treaame
itself at. his : disposal. . Tbe, Rev. Wm* TqoIk^
^t^^ that in the first two years lie roQeived about
xij^e milUons of roubles ; that .he afterwards ac«
cjumalatjed immense riches ; that one Qf .bis bool«^
eases- was full of gold, diaaMnids^ and ootes of
sever^tl banks; aod that his whole ffnrtuue , iifaa
estiRia^ at fifty milUoii» of rouhlait* Qdie«»
8(id« it at sixteen.j some at oine^ and some at ferl|r.*
mUiions. But if we judge of hi» ^une by .his
emif&cesy it i|vus|t have beeO: mnah moise ci^gt«
sidliraMe^ His expenditure was, indee<i|giiyJNKlMlf
a r-ich soirereigsi« Independent of ^^ prayn>a
witli wbiK.4^.the l^aopress loaded him, be bad ,the .
rciaitt» of hi« vmtfitww dignitte», the giatifiiea-
ti?n$ given biin by fcjrejlgn cc^tii^ts on tbe i%ctatiire
a( ^ny in^pcriltRt diptoim^tic . treats a^d Abe

f9 lamai» m

A#» sottitako hftiN^ tain vaatmkm^ ikm^ he {mmT-
wmmA nut li«i^diati»ftBiy^4k^(iiditö^ {Miäsaivts;
1S$^ «ms honwrer of a ve»3^ OMfieiilii^ dKbp^Mdii :
WtPm AiKfwMtlf ttiMrf to ]M^ Im fatditfttWii:
▲ cdM»M»d 9fmAk WMMftty pfdiMl«¥ l^6nt
ten Vfötftiai «^ FelM^isrgili^ for äMr piir)^ läf
«Bomf t teM«ilbl.hi»w Itott hftdt 6i»»i ^ifi»fedt

jii i < M »or Ikif^ d MM fMf tile äiättftf t^ii a
y t iii iUl t i tf O tW i i tg llctton, «od 1^ tte nlc^ ine(Mmil
iMi0iitto0 ^«tecMled fH reifoiiug it to heife^i

MM» MiM ^M feiffi dlter(fiBU4s$ atid iM^r iM»

^ aft%ÄctdM«(MiiiloM8ff, bid" pit)d%aiky Mf tf^ifcr

fliNrklg gMüi' cM^^fi^ fbr tile moM extyft«n^A«
pi«i|RmGliiMi8 ftr «i# <siitei««^iii«M, tb# peMitv

#bMp thwf i«iDiiiii emc^ >' vmm> KSr,"* i^^<f

BMtelfiliWi '' tlt^ fm pNfimi «e^krt€i# tiM di^pfllf
^^ of «if ti«ii^i^r*'*^ild^ Mä ii¥i§m Wete dttl^jWft^

«
\

I ,

PRüicB mxMKiK. gm

wJAiMt Ur OHiewrreiMe, y^ he Mrer IumI «qr

MaM» to doul^t bis alteefanaat to faim. Umi

^ducfttfam oß LamkoK had bera ntiieh n^teelM&s

C!a4iia»9De toolt the eure of it upoa hamdil SIk

«domed Im nmid wWi we&l knowledge m^ im

Hmn he&kUKß m dialiiigiMsJlffi for Im tcqmm^

iftent» aüd the ek^sme« ef his iminaees, as be Haan

by the beaety" and gtm^iakneBm of fa» ij^omatL

Thä hoivt vrtiidi the Btnpveis bo»e to thisiaoMakRla

young ttian ww ar4e«it amd sinqera : she aahniefli

in iiitü har own eraatbo. Bo* her hi^pioaH avaia

not of lon^ 0a«lisiMiioe : LanakoS imok stteelDiA

with a violent fever, and died in tbe amis df^er

Mh^ea^, who» krbbedapoci fail» ti> lite hat aio-

aaeat tba ait»at etudcarfaig appellatiaiia 'wim^ih&

most pasnottate teodemtaat eaw iii8|Mfe. Wkmm

ha« waa no mars^ Catharkie ordtoradt bnrscti 1^ be

imttohed) infi^fiBreiitto^lafeordteaak eod'^ria^

faeratlf ap tov that most poigneat §ne£f she ra

lA sustenanes^fiir seMfvtdi^Ps^ aa|i FOiiMMad tbire«

xmm^ 4ikttt n^ in htr prtacei Fbcaaakii» toafet

i^ponfaäflEisalf^fo^dispal tbegnafofCeil^^ 80 f

was tfie only person who could presinee^dapetiai-

träte äia.^aaitted8>in «ihidbiKshe pasaai har hMMinL

His i ntpi iiic» ait length reeallad Ifat totlie oefoa

of^ berefisptm ; and, whetiier Aq» gralälttdi^ or

fittm feal aMaahtftant, Aa BitypraBs k reparted te

baae seortllf bfaiild in» ta her h}r indfifscMble

\m. VbM^k HiBb ha 4arecBMd tiMt tbe^lMld^ lie

t»»

80 1EK£ UFA Off

»

nilrilimiS) diehsaghty, the dbsttpotic: IblMikin^
on be(9iriu% her hadmid^ sböuM have made no
«se of the aaceadta^ef whiäh ikm most strikiiig
pwof of .ftotioii and weakM« gii^ hi« o»e#
ter > that there ahottid not hate been any change
Ai hia conduct? that he ^ould not have availeii
hima^ of his r^fate; and that he should^ <^
the ccmtrary, have hastened to choose her a new
fiivonite i Bestdies^ smee the death of Cirtharioe^
and juod^ the reign of her eon I%uil/the greatest
anetny to her meihory, the fact of tbi» pretended
saost mar nage would have beeh klK>wffi^ if ever
it had taken place.

'After Patemkin had sncoeeded in rousing tl^
Smprese^frmn the profound mehmcfaoly in whidi
she had been so long absorbed, all who had tiny
ambition at court, were desirous of seeing the
pktf^ vaoant by the preiharfbure death c^ Lanskoi,
IHkd by aanie one who would alk>w them to shire
in the ^oors dependent on the situation. Prin*
oess Dashkofl^ endeavoured to obtain it for her
son-; and sucq^ss for a mdnent denied to attend:
bar intrigues*

^Prince Dishki^ wasla^ tall, hs^some young
man, w^^haped, and of a flgiu« adapted to

«

tsake'-fplne imprtmnon upon the heart of thfe
Eoiptess/ «* Pot^mkii), ailnare of these; designs,
oareCully avtouitd any sbortr of opfiosition ; oon*'
tnidictito, h^ thouf^t, wpidd ^»ily hare served

remcE r<OT£iiRiK. it

•

m a. rtioHdMt. He, oü the ecmtrafj?, feigaed to
^Ottr young Dashkoff ; while be aecie^ bc-*
qoaiiited Ci^ariae wilh every petty faämgboth
m the Princess Dari^off and lier »>n,not omitting
to ex^gerate and put hi3 own coiMtructiona upon
eaeh. No one was better sbtlled in the art ^
mimicking the defiects of others. The. Emfrnw
fanghed heiurtily at his mimickry ; and the next
day Potemkin sent to her, one B&er aia^äier,
Yermoloff and Monion<^ two- li^tenanli of the
lK>rae>^gUMrds, with some trifling c6aimkiim, • tu
give her an of^rtunity to see these youlig mati.
Catharine decided in &vour of Yermoioff;
>: At a.ball ttett was given' at courts Mnce Dadx-
koff dispbyed ancommon magnificence. . ** /übe
.Qourtiers miw imagined his triumph . at heaid!,
when they saw Potemkin particularly attentive
to his mother. Delisted with his attenticmt^
Princess Dashkoff, (m the following dayi wMte Ui
Potiemkin^ to request him to name her nephew»
the ycHi^ oniHt Brattur]t|i, one of hia ^4es«4e*
camp. Potemkin sarcs^tically antiw«^> tiM
Üieir number was full, thejast ya^ncy having
just been supplied by lieu^^n^nt Y^rntoloff. This
nan^e^.aa well as the person who^boi99« it» wiete
alike ;unki|$^wn to the Princess ^ but that ^^ duf
she b^^me acqMs^njted with them |i>Qtb> <% p^-
ceiving Yermol<>j6r at the Hermit^gfy aHin^ding the
Empress; ..iWl ...:.•. r ^

n

1M& QänrB"W

CtetmttM^^aedistMl^ cbMSÜilfMs, >be 4iesu«ffid

The^pfdWoeion 0Nhie ^in^ ;eta^litnHed pfdf««^
bedatAe his^ptfcuihir'aeare. fie Mt, «bcrw^l^the
%iedMilff of <teftfiiiKi% «thb Kuban «gaiiist'dst
malittyiil iriroads *<tf 'tite ^tei^hb<Miinng Ta9t8i%
ivfeio iMr^ ^«K>t yrt Mbdued. tfn iMi wdve ffaM
09dMiglA>cRi 'Md 'i^th»B hdrdei reprised 4fy 4ftie

^jomnätiy fttMied itiid^trtiiiriied wkh ^eth^lmy 46
>ptaiider 'Mie iirifoH»ififte ipvcAmioeB ivbieh ^fari
adknoWMgeii 'the dwmmkm if «RiAiMa. <{brt^
-liwfticmd ^s«iiiii tffsp^ ^«ttrtriboMd xArtr %hat
'fikfetler, <eimid soaredy conitrol 'tkofeie rafligb
iMmlbs, wiiidis *ft«m the very natore ^of 'thek
UliBkdtfi, m %taä\l «^idtete ^Uds, never ^an 4be
Mric'of 1i«Bilig miMay tartniat^hce ; they^ded WMi

hHitt^ 4eiMt^ gidM^fl i^Mbrimimiti^ tMd pMe-
^fed ^tst mm» kimtmtis. To t)«Bte repealed
WiMtlats, 'f4lkh «acii«d ibe 'Riisimi ^tmops «b

'tilS»r*)iV<itf%kAiiA!ir', ^Mt bis iiM«d<tfete^letigth <^

"äüflr %)fiid)fe8, Ihe diflbi%^ ^ tite fMd«, tfcie
"^«MittMiA^iF dK«näte;4Md, kMly, tteWäl^^pMHi^

Iff'tllfe <aMltflH&t4es <ofr ^IttM ^«Irgod wiih^dle

^MMffitie aiMi 'iila1fM^M&^ ^ Täte •fitiopa, ^to

be enabled to fimn mne idea of the ^^A^^l

■

diniliiutiott ^filridt the cofiquert of tlie x^ountries'
near the C«««aMs occasioned in fine ranks of the
RoBstan army : and yet the onty remedy to this
dt«adfnl evil was to push these eonqoests alill
fiRtber ; to t^e possessioiiof the coun^ beyond
Aie Caucasus^ to ptace that ebain of motil|tains
in «he Russian terrttory lor the purpose of ^mg
it « natural boirndary^ and to deprive its fomida*
Me eneofies of their only remaraing asylum. Fo-
tenaltin, aware of the necessity of Ibis itaeasufe,
directed ^U his cares to keep a^rong .laraay on
that frontier. He seconded his military opera*
tfons with an the arts ^hat policy eouM suggest
to wm Ihe Tartar chiefs hy bribes, and to sow
divisions among them.

The affairs of Germany, in ihe mean inme;
attracted the attention of the court, of Russia.
The emperor, Joseph the Second, beitig inferme4
tfial: the league of tfieiSerman princes was going
to he signed at Berlin, and afraid of a «npture
with l^mssia, applied to Catharine to claim «iflftr
the succour stiptdated by ^b^ last treaity, or lier
thedialrion, to prevent a league ^o prejudüctal tQ
his interes ts as chief toff the empire rf Germany.
The cAiniet of *Peterjbur^ feld prcAjiibTy -ynt^
üessed -wtfe indilference, petiäi^ eveÄ ^with jpSea-
siure, ithe project dt a ^league caleiikrted 4^ keep
Ämfer contnyl a tiei^bour, of' whoso active and
ertterprrsing character it was lämd. Ifowever, 4t

G2

'I

84 TUB UFB OF

could not decently refuse its iatercession and good
offices; it accordingly began to employ itself
with an apparently active zeal to prevent ihti
league intended . by the princes of the Germanic
body. Potemkin^ by doing on this occasion
what policy required^ was also gratifying his own
prj^rate inclination. Being of an imperious and
arbitrary disposition, he despised the forms of the
Germanic constitution, which he thought ex-
tremely ridiculous. As his brilliant inuigination
frequently enlivened hi^ conversation with strike
ing comparisons, he used to call the German
empire an archipelago of 'princes. The ministers
of Russ» who resided in the little courts of Ger-
many, employed by turns the resources of an
, insinuating and an overbearing policy : but their
efforts proved vam. Supported by Prussia, and
feeling themselves sufficiently strong not to fear
Austria, the German princes thought they had
nothing to dread from the Russian empire. Tliey
continued steady in jtheir resolution ; and the
league was concluded. The cabinet of St. Pe-
tersburgh, on seeing its efibrts to counteract this
alliaiwe disappointed, expressed its dissatisfaction
by a l<Hig declamatory memorial, which was read
at the diet of Ratisbon. It did not produce the
smallest effect ; but it s^ed at least to justify
the Empress in the ^es of the court of Vi'ennap
as it evinced her endeaviours and those of her

r f

PRIKCE POtEMKIN.

äö

ministers to support the interests of the Emperor,
of Germany/ and to shew herself his fdithfiil
ally. - ; '

This momentary diversion from, ^e $fFairStof
the interior to meddle with those of Europe
having produced no satisfactory effect^ Potemkin
soon forgot a trifling disappointment (which
could scarcely be called a disappointment to either
his vanity or that of his sovereign), and returned
to an object which he had much nearer at heart,
and in which his glory was more particularly
concerned. He )iad resolved to place the Rus-
sian army on a regular footing, and considera-
bly to increase its strength by introducing order
and economy into its interior administration/
He published about this time (1786) a regulatioii
that fixed the expenditure of the army in every
particular ; such as the pay of general officers and
others, that of the soldiers, the clothing and
maintenance of the army in every respect, the
cost of arms and equipments, the salary of the
workmen who follow in the train of the army, the
price of the materials necessary for their diffiBr^at
labours, and the cost-price; and food of the horses.
Every thing was settled by this regulation, which
also fixed the time that each article, either for
the use of individuals or of v^ole corps, was to
lasjk. One hundred and eighty -six thoiuand
roubles were allowed for a regiment c^ infimtry

9Sr . TMZ U7£ OF

ef four battalions; one hundred and sistty-one
thuiSflaad rouUea for af regiment of cairassieri of
fix squadrons ; and about one hundred thousand.
tottUea lor 4 r^ment of ligbt^horsemeo«

«.«

GHAP^VIH.

. JPotemkin defeats the plots formed against him.

Ihiis. uncommon attention which Potemkin
iMiStowed upon slate affimrs did not absorb all hrs
time. His moments of leisure were devoted to
hfs priTate interests. - He had long been desirous
of augmcfnting the income he derired from some
Amded estates nimr Mofailef, the capital of Whit^
jRussia, of which'he was governor. He perceived
that one of the means best calcufaited to encourage
popuiatfcn and industry in those stilf desert and
mrcuteivated regioill,*'was to establish manufac-
tures, and to wof% the raw produce of that na-
teraHy fertfle country, soas to render it an oljject
of exchiartge which would atl7»ct the merehan«
<{ii^ of the fievglibouTing provinces. But as the
«Vantages #hwA were to accrue fr- *ot these esta-
Mistimenti^ woiertd be as beneficial to government
as to himsfelf, be thought he might place the
aidHraficts which they required to the account of

\

PRIME fOCrSilKIK.

V"

muixfß of his aoiiieoeiga, a poMlraiatipas b^ vl^iph,
he wTitedr stengeta fitont aAi coualvits ta^ oua^^
tirär iadiiajto)p ami aotiwtgr to tiitt B»sfiiai^ pioa
vkifoea aitaafeed beltviravB tlM hapafc^ of t)»e Buiepip»
aiQid thia fee* ol the Cbiiaaaus ; pwomiiwiag to^tibiwe
irho WQukk attenapa to eul^inrate t|^ose ferti)!& laoda
eoAsidiefabfe. aiokanoea to hegm tttiear lakoux^ aai
prbifegaa ;eak»]bt9d Id. ioaure to. d»«m tbia e^JQ^r«
oamt of thair iadustiy, aad to^ üadittMäfy tkf»a
ftMT the ^Kcuhy cf the feat aitan^ "Ehe Riufr»
«an »miatera i^ fereig» courts ta whom tlMi«
px)ob)BaJk«oiia ticre semjl^ «nletad laitb ao^ nvadb
aidoiit mto hia isküs, that giaat nwoikMos o£^ Gcmh
mans^ Swiss, and «iwa sul^feola of Aiialm ajMk
Pvuäsia, eaaigrated ta ftussiaL ^fllilanilm had
taken care to have their rout prescribed on tbat9
passports ; and aa thßy, tMBa all ta pasa tii^roögh
Mohitef, he letwiaad a tMswdepible Euxnab^ (jt
tAieae eoiigraata ^r has own aatatWi Tkia i»»
justice, which waa ael pM|iidiokd to tbo femacal
ali^Mt ka Ti6w> aad did Mi^ «saati^Jif ccttilii|AiGt
\he intentiow ol goMxaunpal/ would liave baeia
i» sc«»a d^ee esenaabte : but hia eu^vdde »atti
of atttntion to|o«di: t«k ^ «saeii#M| oflfao o&do»
he had givea fot the oatablish|^a&t of tike cojkK
laiats, kia feviskiag the siuna ^baltaiad fer the»
imfoi^unirte strangeva, of at feast Ms indoleiice is
permittiiig ifiem to fcje hvished ^^ (>thM5, aiw

r

Hi» rdsaotimn* agaiasit Balg^wdmi masv heaidiMi^
ififlsM^cdi bf a »trong pai^tj^, Ihreadni i>)r» Beslyoi*
rodko and Alexander Woroolaofil

When i^z>temki<n saw 1^»t l^e ymfmey tob the
Criffrara was irrevocably fixed upon, b^ thooglift
ft was his^ lime to cocifeas ta Catkariae. titti ba
had converted ta bis ptivate we the hjst Ihreti

ilHbiki of roubles whiob he bad received fiot^ the

prcyi^ement of the conquered oountriea. H#
added> that it had always bee» hia inleötien. tok
replace this money, and that he had tak^n 1^
measures accordingly. He^ however, intreated
#ke Emjj^resa to allow him to draw thia sum for
Ae moment from the* imperial trea&ury, sin€€t
the applieation of it now became necessary s4atDiiw
than he had foreseen : but ho protested that bo
would paanctuaHy refund it as sof>n as he should
have eoHijileted the sale of an estate whioh bo
then had an opportunity to dispose of to gfeat
advantage. The Empress believing, or feigning
te believe, Potemktn's promises, grants big re«
quest ; and he was authori7ed to ^nm three miU
Kons more^ fro«i the imperial treasury. Bujr he
was never called upon to repay the nioiiey he had
converted to his own use.

The ability with ii4iieh Pbtemkin OKtaficated
himsdtf frciofi this düßeuky^ was % grievous dis-

pitmcB famixiN.

91

appointment to Yefmoloff, and the rest of bit
enemies. They had recourse to other means of
injuring him in the opinion of the E^pnsss.
Yermoloff was olF a phkgmatic and indolent dis-
position, better fitted for the pursuit of pleasure
than for the conducting of intrigues and ambi-
tious designs. But though little formidable in
himself, he was directed and supported by an
active faction that made use of him anc^ his
influence over the Empress, as' a tool to ruin the
man who was hated by all the court. Besides
the two ministers of state, WorontzdlF, and Bes-
borodko, who was beginning to rise in the
public esteem, this faction was strengthened
by the former favourite, Zavadowski, and Ge-
neral LevashefF, the uncle of the present fa-
vourite, whom Potemkin had dismissed from
the service with disgrace, in consequence of
a quarrel at play. YermolofF undertook to lay
before the Empress a letter of the Khan Sahitti
Guerai, which insinuated that Potemkin had
turned to his own profit the pension of thrt
unfortunate prince of the Crimea; that he hadf
left him unprotected, unassisted, and without an
asylum; and that he was deaf to his remon-
strances, or prevented their reaching the throne.
Yermoloflf added, in confirmation of this letter,
whatever could injure Potemkin in the opinion
of the Empress ; apd persuaded her that her

»"

« 1

9SI THE LIFE OF

^k)i7 afid her rieputaticm were suffering fron*
tjne treachery, haughtiness, and cruehy of the
tbinister in whom she' had placed her confidence.
All this appeared extremely plausible. Catha-
rine'd fakh in Potemkin was shaken. She began
to mistrust him, and treated him with a coldness
which was observed by the whole court. Potem-
kin was offended, or thought he ought to shew
some r^ntitient. He quitted the court, and
neglected his functions of adjutant^general. His
faunily trembled. Most of the courtiers supposed
him undone, and turned their backs upon him.
The foreign ministers, fancying he had lost his
influence, kept at a distance. Count S^gur, the
French ambassador, who highly valued his friend-
ship, continued faithful, warned Potemkin of the
danger into whidi his retreat and his indepen-
dent capricious disposition were betraying him,
and represented to him that he was undone if
be ctmtinued to bid defiance to the Empress.
Potemkin answered, that he was touched with
thi^ mark of confidence ; but that it would soon
be seen whether he understood how to reclaim a
woman and punish a foolish boy: at the same
time he assuried theCount that the obstacle which
delayed the comiäercial treaty between France
and Russia, respecting- the introduction of French
wiAes into the empife, would immediately be
r^xQoved. The French ambassador left him, with

FitlliCB |N)TS1I&IK. 9%

tile ^ea ^t he overri^ed his power*. A f«w days
alter, he beaipd that Potemkm had set out £ir
Narvav This loobed, indeed^ like a complete
di^^ce: but at the same time he wa^ informed
by the vice-chanCeUor, that the difficulty which
had obstructed the negociation was lovercome«
This confirmed what Prince Potemkin bad fore-
told. Two days after^ Count S^gnr and all the
court were highly . surprised at seeing Pttemkin
reappear in the circle of the Empress. He had
probably caleuiated that his absence Imd bad its
effect^ and wanted to traiminate at last, by a violent
measure, the irresolu^ns of>tte Empress and
the apparent uncertainty of his own situation.

It was on.^ anniversary of the coronation
that Potemkin skewed himself i^in, inihe midst
of the ccmrtiers who crowded. to Czarskoezdo! to
pay their homage to their soveragn« Yermoloff,
who had triumphed for a few days, and who con-
sidered the appearance c^ hi^ rival as im impotent
defiance, forgot his naturally gentile and modecfit^
temper, to aitaime towards . Potemkin an air of
arrogance, of which Potemkin hknsdf had more
than Oil» set him the example. Pirtemkin's rage
j»t this impudence may easily be imagined. On
ooming to cour^ he had indeed determined to
have a decisive explanation with Caibarim $ but
he did not exactly know when he should find a
proper opportunity. '^The manners atid the as^

9mmm «of Iti^moiaff wmM ix9t Mom Mm to

jNiDtpme diii cttplaiiaticni fir a tmgk aecond.
He kft the eatf-fooni wbmsi (te ecmitiers mreve
^gmvMedf end eo^dettljr Imcsd^ fab «n^ into the
i^pertoMM of tbe ISmpiM» >^

'^ I comc^*' s»d lie^ ^^ fBaiÜM33^ te liednne to
^^ y^i»: Afe]Mly/€»t ifwr Mejetof «MMfc tbie
^^ initerik ehtmm kstorwn Yercneleff Bcid 0ie#
^ Urm ie fio e b CTMttp g . Your M efniiy wint
^ teitlMr dnnh» Temotoff or mei one oi m
^ Atottfaas TCTf day quit yoor «wert. Asiosf
^ » yea keep llu^ wfaito i»b^** ^<diiidi^ ito^
SiBnneMTe liair ootofilaniii efodtopetitid^, ^ I
^' wiH net eet wmy feot «aann the ftkas. fie
*^ ^geeet ie eflf hitved tonawh um, that I here
^ wabs tkixm ^Cßmet^ be iwceia d «k& ttll
^ ieito 4 aafid, aoener tfr later, iiiy weei^iflialt
^ Bvertohe fann« tf, en the cootoarf^ yaw
'^ Meieety ahosM saonice Uhn ;at «19^ ee^prnft^
*^ wtd if, ftrAer, yT^ar SbjeetTjr aheHU te pfcnsei
^ to «fnpaeeiato nrf 'serioeeB ecMeding to fbeir
piefaehle aiefit, aietihiB^ riudl «auieed »f ^ aeit
and 'dttvcMedam» to ^»ar JMiyeely^ aemee. i
^ iball ]»iiMiarae to pMeetfe far üte iatoeettoüf
your iiKttt, iis^eM a» im^ktostfoS ifawieaqnre^
«Hiiiiepe L itoil in ^iitiiiie te «Mre Mor^
in the cfctoce i navf wiAie ^ }«»/'
ittliiiiiifated% 1i 8( #vch o in 6neeef4iiia tongaagr.

«
«c

it.

üa i n w ODÜ %b lite pmimA <ff ItoMKAMl Kdt

9life (Sm^ with *^iliMh tie ImI «tdsteined *Ui%^

imt mftM^m, IM; bdkl>5r 4^1aMd im wmli «t
4«*re '4d^ ¥oo«i «M tie tiMrd llie order ^ttn >ftir
HMwkiir'fi intmply «jMltkig the ^{laltiee «^ i^
«Irtitg tib ^k ^emsm. Iftre prMd CalkariK ^«m
«WMmie l)^ äie ttttrcipiiky of biar «rro^t*
«littimr« Slie «AM d<^ ^«ten dare to Mhm her

^If4i^ t^ ^G^^r ^Mgtxikik äoücited, «he «^
firrtii^ed tekk t4^ «enfl it t^ ¥wte&)<rfF im tnr

4kite, was ä^adeiM*«^ : yety h^mt lie qi^Wüfl
^ttie fi&lai^, be 4»i^ 6ei?«ml in^^ctml yagsem^
^b Dbl^iti ]Mtni«in<ffi to ^ke a p«Pso)ial tf»e«nA
4lf 4iie Si»^e»B ; toot iP^temkin '«v«^ «00 »n^ di^

^mA 'CMIfaritste, tio longer ttiistf^s« '4JiF tier ^mti
^neeiMUs, ^^%^t«Ml whbNjr «0 «te «mil ctf iPdtiem-
Üin. l$b»ttitrtafF<^fejpa!k^ lei^rnig^lM fm«As m

!Mi&^Mti0o«t^e<itlsMmtttl6fn, ft»d ^11 '4he ^ttittffid
^Oie fof^i^^mk)fteMi*5<grei^ly 9i^^ itt JÜie iiMi^
^tf a^'ilMg^ ifvMi& had Vhus ifemiitifltted ^eimiilffsr
% «Che^^p^ätMif^ti 'fiftid eoi\)eetut«6 <tf tbe mat
t^i^äfeuis^ eouttieiHs. ^^ « f

gß tmB un or

finger <^i^viag a void in tbe h^rt<>f Ctäuitmi^
jiiiröiigb the loss of her lover, be therefore km-
mediately set hiinsdf to work to find her anothf^r ;
and accordtogly presented several young men feo
her notice : but, guided either by caprice or dis«
gust, she shewed hersdf difficult to. be please^»
and refused all that were proposed. At last Fo-
temkin cast his eyes upon a capti^in in the guards,
named Mooionoff ; and, whether he ws» sure to
get him accepted, or wheäier be had determined
in his own mind that he should not be refüs$4j
he immediately named him his aide-de-camp.
Momonoff was a young man of talente, and of a
good understanding; but he possessed these ad-
vantai^s of the. mind at the expence of the qua-
lities of the heart* He was witfy, well inforn^ed,
and fluently spoke seyeral languages ; but he was
arrogsmt^ wicked, and above all, extremely vain
of the comeliness of his pers^»« More attentive^
in the choice of a lover for his mistress, to exterior
accomplishm^its, than to the nobler qualities of
the mind, and thinking it more prudent on this
€K:c^:8ion to appear to judge as womeq generally
do, Potemkin praised MomonpflT to the Empr^s,
and requested permission to introduce him. She
consented indeed ; but wishing, probably, to
examine at her ease the individual who was to
share her favours, she demanded that he should
not be piresented in the usual way. She i^^eed

PRINCE POTEMKIN. 97

that Potemkin should send Momonoff to her
with a roll of drawings. " The opinion,* ob-
served he, " which your Majesty expresses about
the drawings^ will acquaint nae with what your
Majesty thinks of the bearer.*' Catharine at-
tentively examined the aide-de-camp, and, on
returning him the drawings,^ observed that the
• outlines were beautiful, but the colouring bad.—
This judgment indeed appKed uncommonly well
to Momonoff: his features were all beautifully
regular, but Kis complexion rather sallow. He
was, however^ accepted ; and, without any far-
ther explanation, he became the avowed favourite.
Potemkin, being thus free from all apprehen-
sions on this score, and having no longer to fear
the secret intrigues of a rival, revived the project
of a journey to the Crimaea, and spoke of it in
such a way, as if he himself had been the first to
propose it: at least, he arranged matters in a
manner so new, that it was equivalent to having
originally suggested the excursion. Recollecting
with vexation that this journey had been planned
for his destruction, he resolved to convert it into
a triumph for himself and his sovereign. Fully
occupied with this design, he made preparations
for a procession, which might, in more than one
respect, remind the spectators of the triumphant
marches of the heroes of Fable.
He' began by giving orders to set all the troops

H

V ^

'98 t)H£ 1^F£ QW

«f ^ mtexm of ^e e^jHre ip j»o^ ; m^
;|y9nt lUjuuerQua c^tachiD^iU^ to ^\qf 9iv;i4 Chec^n,
jio4 <;p ^1 the f>r<^ii|oe8 thipojii^ w\uck it|pte ^m-
{>res9 w^iBs to ^ps^. r9i^ object wj^t^ Qpt o^ly to
ie>r«i a ^rOng «p^iUtjary lii^e pp ^(he road of
the wsevßig^y bat ^^Wo to aoc^^tpip Ahe trooj^ to
changes of (gaijrjsojp, wh^h l?e lw4 Te^ojlxed to
lene«^ levery ye^r^ fis jWf^ doo^ by msiay fowßvs ;
«wd, by ftlarwHig >^ f^Ms» to fixcoe .trhem i^s it
Wäre to a Wi^r üent «whiqh ^b^y shewed so great an
aversion, and in jn^hieh 1^ yet so ttrdently wished
io en^^ lliem. lV>temkin intentions^Uy causi^d
it to be published^ t^t the ^mpre^s vrould find
an Miny qF one hapdred tbousfand n\^ colliqcted
in the Qeighbpurbopd of Kipf, .W^t the cpip-
mjEind of f^ld^^^nih^I J^ofpan^off ; (h^t he him-
self should <;Qinffi^nd ßxi ar^iy of the san^e istrength
jiesar Cher$on ; and rthat another corps of si^ty
tbaufaivji men, comn^andied .by general Samoiloff,
<hb nepheY«r^ should be distribpt^d in small
d^t^chcttepts all oyßv the Go^ntry. These Bt;ate*
menjis yaexe prpl^bly f^ li^)e exs^g^rated ; but
;aot ^ery f^r ü^fxx the trijith. Potep^kin hj|d
certitinly jos^ß gtefnt efpiltef, with a vipiyr %p iqi-
pr^s .an ß}^e both on tb,e Bmsifo»» tbenuiely^s
and on tlieir enei^jes. It was alike his .object^
that friendly .^n4 iiiiffiic^l powerp shQuJd for^ an
awful idea of the i(ws^ui fprc^s; tl^t,thje£w*
prew Ji^elRelt dazzled f»* the «tep^ qf her

J *

fowev^ fihoiild ascribe its glory to him ; vnd th^^
the secret enemies he might stiU bs^ve sibqut h^
pereou should be abashed.

But iiit making these immense prcparationc^
Fotemkin bad still another design; that of
intimidating Joseph X\ie Second. This monarch
had been invited to meet the JEmprcsSi' anil
with this invitation 1^ h^ promised cpm*
pliance. The ol^ect of this second interview of
the two sovereigns was to complete the arrange^
ments which they had agraitd upon ip the former.
It was therefore important to let Josqib see what
an ally RiMsia waa^ and what hopea be might
eoneeive from mtering i^fto qlose alliance with
her. Potemki^ w^ knew th«t the army would
partienlarly arrest thf atteiatiop of the £mp<arar.
He accordingly wished to show it to him iind«r
a formidable mkd attractive aspect He diapos^
every thing with so mueh sl^iil, that th» admi-
ration of the monarch, always easily avi'prispdaii^
fäi:aited> did i^ leave km tim» Uf enter into aigr
mmf^ ^mmimiym' Ai¥) ii; must be coofesMct
a&er d\ th»t Poiemiwt i» th^ respect was not tp
he hls^«^. Th« inAerior de^s» of which th^
Rwm^ arnay might h^pe its shptre, like mmf

other, concerned only him wKo'wfiS^ eoitr^ste^
with its administration ; it was by no means ne-
cessary that strangers should be made acquainted

H 2

^

100 . TUE LIFE OF

( » . • • •

With them. It wa» therefore good policy to sho«r
only its bright side, and to conceal the other.

Independent of these military dispositions,
there were many other preparations required, to
cause thfe Empress to be every where received
with as much magnificence as Potemkin wished.
For a long time he applied himself with un-
wearied ardour to these concerns. He^had ordered
immense works to be undertaken, at which num*
l)crs of labourers were employed night and day.
Neither hands nor money were to be spared, and
all obstacles, even those opposed by nature, were
to be removed at any expence. Such were the
comniands of Prince Potemkin for the execution
of the plans which he himself had formed. When
they were nearly finished, he wanted to convince
himself, by his own inspection, whether the de*
corations of the theatre (the picture which was
displayed to the eyes of the sovere^ was indeed
deserving of that liame) would produce the
desired eflfect, and whcfther the illusion would be
complete. He contrived different pretences ifor
ä journey, the object of which he wished to con-
ceal ; and, the better to defeat all inquiries, he
went through Livonia to Kiof, whelre he intended
to wait for the Empress.

PRINCE POTEMKIN. 101

CHAP. IX.

Potemkin attends the Empress on her journey to
the Crimcea, and excites the Turks to war.

As soon as Potemkin had informed the Em«
press that all the preparations for her journey were
finished, she fixed upon the 14th of Januarys
1787, to set out from Petersburgh^ Several of
her maids of honour, the favourite Momonoi^
the master of the horse, Count Narischkin, Count
Juan Czernitcheflf, the two counts SchuwalofiT,
and other courtiers, were appointed to attend her ;
and of the foreign ministers, she invited ^r.
Allen Fitzherbert, the English ambassador. Count
S^gur, the French ambassador, and count Co-
bentzel, the Austrian ambassador, to accompany
her. They were alternately honoured with the
prerogative of riding in the sledge where her
Majesty was with her favourite Momonoflf and
her first maid of honour. The grand-duke was
left at Petersburgh, under th^ protection äs it were
of Count Bruce, who was appointed governor of
the capital. She took with her the two eldest
sons of the grand-duke, Alexander, the present
emperor (1811), and Constantine: but these
yojong princes could not l^ear the fatigue of the

10^ tME LIFE OF

journey ; Constantine fell ill of the measles ; and
they were both lefk behind^ after having travelled
but a short way.

The procession^ which left Petersburgh on the
14tli, stopped ft Cj^arskoezelo until the 18th of
January, 1787- From that day the journey was
regulated in the most commodious manner.
Great fires were lighted on the road at the dis-
tance of eveiy thirty fathoms. The Empress
traveled no more than fifty versts (or about forty
English miles) each day. She used to set out at
nine o'clock in the morning, stopped for dinnier
at twelve, and set out again at three in the after-
ttooiiy to reach her* night-quarters at about seven
in the evening ; where every accommodation was
prepared for the reception of the travellers with
as much teste as magnificence and profosion.
The repasts were generally taken in buildings
belonging to title crown, which had purposely
been repaired and new ftirnisbed. Night-quarters
were also tnost)y prepared in such houses. Some-
firaes the imperial traveller stopped at private
houses, the owners of which had been liberally
enabled to put tlpem io a condition fit to receive
' their sovereign. Whenever the distance was too
considerable to find any convenient dwelling to
rtop at, smaft palaces had been erected on pur-
pose, upon the most elegant plans. At every
repast there were fresh plate Bind fresh taUe-linen,

PRiNCi^ w^B^(lßfif.

lös

which #«^1^ to the oWtl^6f €hd Höt«M^, if it
happened^ be » j^riVötfe otie; ck* given t& smh^
individual of fihe reÄh\i< \^öü^it Wtt» an iti$pet4lll
building.

Oh the booiidaries of eadh* goverhraeiit til«'
Empfess wa^ redeiviöd by the gdfrertlof-general of
the province, ^ho escoited hef td the next go-
vernment. In* tdivns of sbme imp6ifaTteö*.sh^
stayed one or tWö days to rest^ ahd'to'irisp^ct^äie•
place ; to inquire into tHe prosperity atldteöodröes'
of the country ; atid to give ehcöui<ägötöett«s tt>,
and revive by her preseilice, every br&tieh of agW*-
culture, industry, and adihidisttr^oni Theiifli-
inense preparations which had been' made fiif-Aet'
rccieption, the crt>wd8 of peöpte that flocked' dh
the roads to witiiesiä a sight i^ildV^l'tbtfäeiiitka*
bitätits of the itit^rior; all gave tbtfife placed
through which the Empi^^ passed m appear-
ance of bu^tte and ptosperity vVitH whieh sh^
was delighted, but Which dften kept ti^r igübrätit
as to the real statie of things.

On tiie sixth day^ the Emprigss airrtvöd at Shio-
lenskb, the first' town where she made some stay.
Fifteen dfeys aftler she made her entry into Ri^
whe^e she was received by tW#-öf hei'lkdBei'öf i%'
palace; the coUntfelssed Bmnitski «hd^k^vtoiislci, ,
nieces of Potemkin ; who- preseated' her" s^eftfl'
lord» of Russian Poland, ^ch as the EubbiDinklir^
the PotOckis, the ShpieHas, and otfaei^, who^

104

¥H£ UF£ QF

eagerly availed themselves of this oppmiunity to
do homage to their new sovereign. These two
ladies had been selected for this office^ becaitöe
they had married Polish lords whose estates were '
situated in that part of the empire, Potemkin
himself arrived at Kiof soon after the Empress,
together with Prince Nassau Siegen, w)io had
ju»t entered the Russian service, Potemkin •
began that very day to give splendid entertain-
ments^ which continued all the time that Catha^ ^
riae abode in that town, but were varied every
day, A single firework cost forty thousand
roables. The nK>ney expended on this occasion
by Potemkin was so considerable, that the ancient
czars of Kiof would have splendidly supported
their court during twelve months wfth the sums
that were lavished m one to entertain Catharine.
In the midst of these brilliant pleasures, which
did so much honour to the gallantry and magni-
ficence of Potemkin, he here displayed one of
those blemishes in his character which so much
obacured his great qualities, Kiof was the capital
o£t|]i€ government of field-marshal Romanzofi,'
Potemkin. who disliked this respectable warrior,
had purposely left his government destitute of
every thing necessary for the magnificent recep'-
tion of his sovereign ; and it was but in the very
last moments that the sums required for the most
)^difipepsab|e objects had beep fprw8|r4e4 tQ tb^

V

PRINCE POTEMKI^. 105

veteran general. As the town and country offered
of course a melancholy aspect in several parti-
culars^ Poteihkin^ not satisfied with using no
eflbrts to conceal those defects from the Empress,
as he did in other places, rather took care to direct
her attention to them, without once hinting at
the true cause. The hatred he bore to Roman^
70S was such, that as the latter was colonel of a
regiment« of cavalry, there was no promotion in
that corps for the space of fourteen years.

The arrival of a deputy of the Tschirghis, a
Tartar nation, by which he was sent to do homage
to Catharine^ was one of the interesting events
that happened during the residence of the Em-
press at Kiof. Potemkin also prevailed with the ^
Empress to review his fine regiment of cuirassiers ;
and she was equally delighted with their appear*
ance and their evolutions.

The prince de Ligne joined the Empress at
Kiof. As soon as a general cannonade informed
her that the ice of the Boristhenes was gone, she
embarked,^ to perform part of the journey by
water, Fotenikin had long before employed a^
multitude of workmen to blow up the rocks which
obstructed the navigation of the Dnieper. These
works had been conducted with much judgment
and vigour. By dint of labour and money, the
bed of the river had been levelled and rendered'

( ^ Pfivigable as far as the cataracts,

- /

106 rnn, uvt er

Thd flrföt ctestiricfel to coftVey the EtöpWs^ ärtd
hör fetinue, consisted df fifty m^gtlilteent gallfeys
of diiferetit ih^. Ifte intöribr of each was dis-
tricted and an»a?nged ivitfh mutehaif and tastti.
The i*ootti8 were hung with Ghin^se silfc, artd ftir-

' m^hed with sbfes. There w«re twelVe musicians^
in each of thfe ptitieipai galleys.

ft wü^ a beatitiftii day, in the beginning df
sprinig, when the Eoipressr went on boartf with
her court. A perfect calm, a* cfeat sky, a wtdant
shore, heightened the effect of the briiliant deco-
rations^ with which* Potfemkin Had rCsolVed tb^
enrapture his sdvereigti. He now set in motion
al!^ the wheels of the' grämd machine which he

^ harf got up with so much dare, and presiented to
the eyes of the travellfers an artificial spectacle,
the mtJrt extraordinary and the most original that
ever was conceived.

At greater or less^ distant intervals, the bank^ of
the river displayed4)retty' insulated' dwellings and^
well-built villages, the extent df Which would
lead the beholder to expect a numerous popula-

, tion, and their exterior seemed to bespeak the
dpulence and' comforts of the inhabitants; ÄTany
of these private houses' and villages had but just
been» built. It has^ even* been' assertlkl' that the'
most distant buildings' werid unfinished^ and'HacP *
merely a front THey were so^ disposed with'
respect to the soil, as tö'form picturesque points of

PRfNCfi MTEMKIN. 107

view^ and for tire space of three hnfidrefd miles
the shores of the Dnieper were se« out ift the' form
of English parks. As the popcrtafCioit cf the
country was insufficient to giTe animation to tiie
hndscape^ peasants had been sent for from seteral
parts of the empire ; they were successirely re-
moved from one spot to the other (frequently m
the night) to gire to the roads wher^ the Etifpress
was to pass the next day that bustle and aerthna-
tion which else they wouM often hare wanted.

It has also been reported that numeroM hetfds
of cattle of all kinds were remored in the same
manner^ to enBven the diÄerent prospects, and to
afford a high opinion of the wealth, comfort, a«Nl
prosperity of those countries. Thkr is a etremn^
stance not so easily to be credited, on aceotmtof the
difficulty of making those animals perfbrmfreqaefft
night-ntarches without exposing them to a great
mortality. The shores of the Dnieper are, besides,
rich enott^ in cattle not to* oped such a resewee.
There was, no doubt, much em^ty tfhow in whot^
ever Potemkin displayed to tht eyesf of the Em-
press dining this famous journey ; but there wat
Also much FcaKty. An ingeniotis writer, and a
man of veracity, who wa« of the party, (the Tttat^
de Ligne,) says r *' 1 know very welf what leger«
•* demaiti tricks are. For instance, the Empress;
" who cannot run oit foot as we do;, is made to
*• believe tha« toWns, for the building of which

I
\

109 THE LIF£ OF

" she has assigned tjie necessary money, are
" finished ; while they often are towns without
** streets, streets without houses^ and houses
'^ without roofs, doors, or windows. She sees
" only the shops built with free-stone, and the
" colonnades of the governor-general's palaces.^
— " But as 1 made several excursions without
" the Empress, I discovered many things with
^^ which even Russians are unacquainted ; superb
*^ establishments J n their infancy ; growing ma-
'^ nufactures ; villages with regular streets, sur-
'* rounded with trees, and irrigated by rivulets.'*
Envy, which fastens itself upon great men, |ias
magnified what was *but show, and diminished
what was real. If Potemkin could not pass, in
the eyes of the witnesses of this extraordinary
procession, for a profound statesman and skilful
minister, as he pretended to be, he must how-
ever have been considered as a man of fertile
genius^ of an eccentric imagination, and of un-
common talents. Besides, is it to be supposed
that Catharine herself really credited the delu-
sions with which her ministers endeavoured to
amuse her ? Could this princess fancy that it was
possible for countries which had but just acknow-
ledged her sway, and had experienced the ravages
of a ferocious war, to be already in such a flourish-
ing state ? Would she have been authorized to
expect such a ipetanaorphosis through the i^enius

PRiNtE potsmkin;

109

• _ • • • * _ •

of Potemkin ? Would die genius either of Sully
or of Colbert have accomplishied it in so short a
tinne ? Catharine probably \yas the confidant and
not the dupe of her ministef. And, after all, her
journey to Cherson proved extremely useful in a
political point of view : it did infinite good to the
provinces she travelled throu^ ; it *scattered
money about, and made kiiown the natural advan^
tages and productiveness of these countries^
independently of what art' superadded to 'their
natural beauty on this occasion. It has given
foreigners a high idea of the power of Russia, and
of the wealth of the Empress. Lastly, it fixed
the attention of the Russian government upon
these newly acquired provinces, encouraged their
inhabitants^ and prepared the way for that splen-
dour and real and lasting prosperity which these
countries are every day attaining by a rapid gra-
dation.

Taking it for granted that Catharine wai
acquainted with the intentions of her minister
in regard to the scenes that were to be performed,
during this journey, which was contrived solely
for the purpose of making ä deep impression
upon both foreigners and natives; we shall not
dwell upon another trick (if this expression may
he used) with which some authors have seriously
reproached Potemkin, and which appears to us
an obvious consequence of the secret views by

ii^Q TftE I4=FE m

ip^iieh the Impress ps^seod, the ishops w^^^ fuU x^"*
tlQ ]pa4i <tf t>^}e.go9dft^ f^nd the in9gazitief
i¥j|nini€4 with b^gs t^it m^a^ed to coQjt;ain largf
t^^ f>f oorti. Bojtb JÜiie bales wd tbe bags^ it U
Ripd« Xf^e e^ip jMty : y^y few of then) coatained
^ inticlef which w^re tidcetod on the out^side
ni^«^ j(w «bow. W»vß evef^ this ciroim^Dce
l^e^ lire bave-nlreiidy spi^^i^ for Pot^mkia ii^
i}m TmpefA : but ilMleed it aeem« more p^ob^blf
tibtt th^ wbf>le ^» a fibrication. There is i^o rei^-
im i^jT, i« fi eouotry so fertile ia coro »s Russia»
it ihovH bn^e beep diSioult to hftve formed Urf«
]IIAgfLzkli9f pirticqlfirljr 99 the stay pf the t^oopis,
m ^§ pfoviiiis§s throHgh wbiish thß !^4npreif
pissi^d» rendered tfa^l; pieowtio« aetees^ary. NiOr
it iA at lA iiQpossible th«t Di^rchants of PeteiFf -
b»>lg^5 R^^ MonoMT, C%sao» Antr^cbw, Cbf r9QP#
Poland, and even Germany, might have hpteii^
^ cuffy %\mT v$m^h^nA\9i» on fi road vfhete an
opjiil#nt a^ e;¥lnMfagiQ^nt cowt w^M to p^NiSj^ wd
wbkh noeseasärily wovid ^tismt i^n jimivieiifie efmr
eoune .^ «trmgers. VUm mwf m^vo iyipcMrllMt
enw« hme i|«ept into tb^ writings ^ hi#tt^i9W
who were cf^ir to r«|lec| up^i^ {^fi^ 8|i#j)e^me%

«M^Iy fa» ^Kf ^/9«)»&l¥@S! nq appOfirm^cr of «tr

verity wbi^ «icemfres tbeir TmA^m^- A prpi^
Ilea» t^ fie99ttre: hK p^b»p9 bee« tb^ ^eyr^e #1 «#

tl)i(tween tj^iea? two ^e^ishes^ w$ diaU baselgr job«
serv^ that ^y^^ok miüm^ Axxd impost apon

^'fter ß sli<3irt voy^g!^^ Ithe -fleet cast anchor ^t
l^mieve, 00 the ßpristheoi^ ; wha^ the king of
Polap4> Sta^islaik^ Augustas^ had hmn waitii^
j^ree aioiiths vii^r febe name of Comt Eonia*
towsk/j and h|id /ej^pended jthree miUiona .of limits
tp seie $he £mpre9a iW l^ree.bours.

It i^ not po9Jiti9rely knomn whether Potejokm
iofited the Kvixg to moet the jEsapcess^ «that his
Majeßty .m^gbt ^r his preaetioe augmenct the
spleodaur of 4;he jcmrney, or whether Stani^us
Jiimself wiahol &r an interview with Catharine.
The ciireuoastanee that the King receive one
• hyn^^fi IJbousniid roubles for his jaurney^ seems
tp warrant ti^ first mpposition.

7he meeting of äae too si^reireigns must have
)}e^ int^reribuig for the spectators^ and aibeting
fyf ib^ni^lMS- X^ey had ncit seen eadu oÜmt
sinee F^ialQwsi^y had been at Petersburg ^
lMm^ba#a%^^ |!pr thie King of Pobad and Elector of
^$^x^y. dathimn^ pt that time bdd hut a
m^V^^ßfS^ VMk. The intUnacy which had sub^
4VhA hf^tvi^een Ükem had been free $v&m amiM-
ti€>9 »Old .f^tioal iriews, and 43S course mil-
^HftUf gi^itifyipg:. Tlie monardli of 96)find^ who
\v4 ^\»Vifig P^ ttodflr heart, in%ht perhaps^

113 THE LIFE OF ^

at their first iHtemew, have recalled with pleasure
4he remembranee of those happy moments : but ,
this fecoitectioA of times so different from her
present situation^ did not suit the proud and now
powerful Catharine. The Prince de Ligne went
in a srpall boat to inform the King of the arrival
of the Empress. An hour afiber, the great im-
perial lords fetched him in a brilliant sloop. The
Empress received Poniatowsky with ceremony/
in the presence of Potemkin, Momonoff^ and
some other lords. Surprised at this formal recep-
tion, the King looked a little embarrassed : but
recovering from his momentary surprise, he ad-
dressed the Empress with that gracefulness which
was natural' to him. As for Catharine, she could
not on! this occasion belie hen usual affability ;
but with her wonted amiableness of manners
' »he took care to blend the superiority of an em-
press, and appeared more anxious to inspire
Stanislaus with respect and gratitude than with
any other sentiment. The King was indeed im*
posed on by the appearance of esteem which
Catharine shewed. to him, and he thot^ht it more
sincere than 'it actually proved. He preferred
^some requests ; he solicited an increase of revenue
and prerogatives for himself, and the free navi-
gation of the Dnieper ibr hi^ subjects. The En>-
. press feigned to grant every thing, though fimaly
resolved to perform none of her pfonlises.' Po^

f^

PRIKC£ POT£MKIN.

lU

temkiti did the same. He was in truth delighted
with the Polish monarch, whom he bad never
seen before : but this favourable impression did
not make him forget the designs which he might
have upon Poland^ or the necessity of keeping
that republic in the most absolute dependency on
Russia, until it should become one of her pro-
vinces. Stanislaus^ however, with that frankness
and unsuspecting simplicity natural to himself,
placed as full confidence in the good faith of the
minister, as he had before in the sincerity of the
Empress. The dinner was uncommonly magni-*
ficent, and the greatest cheerfulness was visible in
every countenance. The monarch's health was
drunk under a triple discharge of all the guns of
the fleet. Delighted with the agreeable moments
he had passed, with the attentions he had re-
o^ved, and with the flattering discourses that had
been addressed to him, the King took leave of the
Empress, fully convinced that he had entirely
gained her over to his interests. He went back
to Kanieve, where he entertained the courtiers of
Catharine with a brilliant sUpper and a superb
fire-work. 'The whole night that the squadrod
remained ^t anchor under the windows of the
King, the hills and dales were illuminated by a
representation of the Vesuvius* ^

Catharine continued her jfoomey by water :
but after leaving Kanieve, " her voyage was not

Il4 rHfi Lii«E or

without danger. It is rather surprising^ that so
much pains should have been taken to excavate
the bed of the river and to embellish its shores,
and no attention paid to examio« the vessel which
conveyed the illustrious traveller. A violent storm
arose ; two or three galleys wens wrecked on sand-
banks, and that of the Empress being in a bad
condition, was in the most imminent danger of
being dashed to pieces against the rocks, by the
violence of the current, which her unskilful ma-
riners knew not how to avoid. Had it not been
for the Prince of Anhalt and thfe minister Besbo-
rodko^ who devoted theihselves to save the Em-
press, and assisted the sailors in manoeuvring the
gäjley, she Would have infellibly perished. In the
middt of this confusion, a vessel loaded with winö
was burnt close to the imperial galley, and added
new peril to that with which the Em^^ress was
threatened by the waVes. Shß kept perfectly
cool and collected, as she constantly did on every
occasion where her life was in danger.

'Afler this perilous and harassing day, the Em-
press landed at Krementzchuk ; where she was
lodged in a superbly ornamented palace which had
just been built for her, and close to whidi a beiaa-
tiful garden bad been planted, adorned with the
most rare exotic trees. Here she found an army of
twelve thouss^d hprsetifien newly clothed, among
which Potemkin*s fine regiment <^ cuirassiers were

ti

PKINCB POTBMUN. 116

the most eonspic^us» 'They mancBiivred in
her presence, and the Empress was so satisfied^
that she wrote to the govenK>r of Petersburg.

^^ I fottnd, on my arrival here, one-third of
^* tibat fine cavalry, of which some railers pre-
tend to deny the existence. However, 1 have
seen these troops, and I have seen them in a
state of perfection, to which üo other corps
comes near. I b^ you will tell it to the un-
bi^evers, and make use of tny letter to put mi
^^ end to the cavils of the ill-disposed. It is high
*^ time that entire jurstioe should be done to those
^ who devote themselves to my service and that
^* of the state wttii as tnuch seal as success.'"

The Emperor Joseph the Second, wlio travelled
by the name<rf Count Falkenstein, had already
arrived some time before Catharine at Cherson.
He now came to meet her at Kaidak, tiie anciexit
metropoiis of the 2apmogians, where she land^,>
»ear the Cataracts, to eonttnue her route by
land with the Dmperor. He joined this princess
the moment after Potemkin had given her a bril-
liant coDccnrt. it was repeated on his account.
As he was a great nuisieian, nolihing appeared to
inAere^ and astonish him more than fifty a, b, c^
that is to say, a cdnoert in which several «usictani;
pflay the same note. The Prince de LigiHs says^
such a eonbert is si heavenly m<Qsic, at least it is
t^o eJdmordiMry to be kiiow*n tan earth.

13

116

»HE LIFE OF

At Cherfion, Catharine loc%ed at the admiralty,
which had been most brilliantly fitted up for ber
reception. A throne in particular had been
erected, which cost fourteen thousand roubles.
Cherson was> as it were, tJie. metropolis of a new
empire to Catharine ; it was here, above all, that
Potemkin wished to display a mi^ificence wor-
thy of an empress of the East.

This rising town appeared already opulent and
populous. Several houses had been built before
the arrival of the Empress ; they were all occu-
pied, owing to the extraordinary concourse of
strangers from all countries. Greeks, Tartars,
French, among whom were Edward Dillon. and
Alexander Lameth ; Spaniards, among whom
was Miranda, since a general of the French
republic, and recently a founder of the n€w firee
States of South America ; English, among whotn
shone Lady Craven, afterward« Mai^avine of
Anspacfa ; Poles, and others, had been attracted
either by* mere curiosity, or by die wish of pay-
ing homage to the Empress. Many brilliant
warehouses, which displayed the most costly and
various merchandize, announced the first dawn
of a commerce that could not &il of acquiring
every day more consistency and splendour. • Ca-
tharine,^ on walking through die streets of Cher-
son, was in a continual enchantment ; and Po^
temkin, as the author df these wonders^ sliared in

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

117

tbe heart of his sovereign the enthusiasm with
whidi the sight of them inspired her.

In several riespects, it is true, the prosperity of
this new colony was mor^ apparent than real.
For instance, it was not commerce alone that had
furnished it with the various articles which its
warehouses contained in abundance : immense
quantities of goods had been purchased at Mos-
cow and Wj^rsaw, and transported to Cherson at
the expence of the state. But this expence
must have been repaid, and these goods mostly
consumed, by the numbej^of strangers whom
curiosity to witness such an uncommon spectacle,
and tbe splendour of this long-talked-of journey,
had drawn to Cherson. Among the females who
graced the court of Catharine, was a Grecian lady
of exquisite beauty, whose charms had touched
the heart of Prince Potemkin. Hi« partiality for
her made him confer the government of Cherson
upon her husband. Colonel de Witte. A few
years after, when she went to Constantinople, the
French ambassador. Count de Choiseul-Gouflier^
accommodated her with apartments in the Hotel
de Frairce ; and after the death of Potemkin, she
followed the fortunes of the Polish count, Felix Po-
tocki : i)ut at the solicitations of the Countess, his
wife, the Empress caused Madame de Witte to be
confined in a nunnery. The Prince de Ligne pro-
nponced her thehandsomest female in the universe.

118 tira UPE öt

The port of Cherson wa« crowded with iihips^
and there were several on the stocks. Three
vessels were launched ; one of 66 guns, and two
frigates of 40 guns each. The gauzes, laces, fur-
helows, garlands, pearls, and flowers, with which
the canopies erected on shore for the two imperial
majesties were ornamented, looked as if they had.
been arranged by the most delicate hands ; and
yet all was the work of Russian soldiers. There
was no deception in the bustle of the port, or iii
the expedition with whicb ships were built. This
is a most important concern for Russia ; and
surely, the man whose genius had so skilfully and
successfully watched over this essential branch of
administration, might be allowed to employ sonTO
forced means to give the appearance of prosperity
to less interesting and still neglected parts.

As the Empress was walking through the streets
of Cherson, she was imperceptibly led to a gate
facing the east, over which was a Greek in-
scription in these words : litis is the road that
leads to Byzantium. Had this inscription been
an ofd one, it would only have shewn that it
servtd as a guide-post to travellers. But Potem-
kin. who neglected nothing that could confirm
Catharine in her grand projects, directed her at-
teniion to the words of the incription ; and her
]\lajesty appeared flattered with the omfen.

Pptemkin bad here two objects in view» He

PRIIiCE PQTEMKIN. tig

to communicate to Josepl) the Second
the ardour which he kept alive in the breast di
Catharine for . the ruin of Turkey, and its par-*
tition between the two powen. This last hope
was calculated to captivate Joseph. The nnonareh,
however, was fully aware of the obstacles whioh
the other powers of Europe would oppose to the
execution of this design. He particularly con-
sidered, that, from the situation of his dominions^
he alcme would have these obstacles to encoun-
ter, while they would scarcely affect his ally.
Russia, to which the best part of the booty was
to devolve. Would obtein it almost without any
^ort; while he, reduced to a less share, wai
ronniiig the ridk of havii^ to contend for it
with powerful adversaries. It cannot be supposed
that tiieae or similar considerations might not
hive made an impression on the mind of the
Emperor; and this monarch must undoubtedly
have been very for from sharing the ardent enthu^
aia^a of Catharine with regajrd to their nmtual
design. But the first news of the rebellion that
haid broke out in Brabant, which he received at
Cberson, was wdl ealeulated to cool his ai^f^ur.
He, courtier-like, dissembled the uneasy ieelings
which this event must have <au8ed. It was con^
jectured he would immediately have set out for
tiie Nedierlamls : but, without discovering his
or explaining the motivea of his con-

120 THE LIFE OF

duct, he did not appear diqpfosed to leave the
Empress ; on the contrary, he attended her on
her journey to the interior of the Crinaffia. In
the mean time^ he mentioned the necessity of
sefnding numerous forces to the revolted provinces,
as a difficulty which would greatly enhance the
value of the assistance he had promised to Rti^sia»
Joseph the Second had a good' understanding,
much firmness, genius, great military and poli-
tical talents, and excellent intentions : and with
all these splendid qualities, he brought great
misfortunes upon his subjects, caused still greater
evils to impend oVer his family, and, as he fore-
law them, died broken-hearted. Seduced by
the fondness of innovating which characterised
his time, without being suficiently acquainted
with the human heart to calculate the effect of
the changes he projected, he thought he might
trample under foot what «he called prejudices,^
because he despised them. The insurrection, of
which he was apprised at Cbersoh, and which he
did not think worthy of serious attention, had
^enltfeTy been brought on by his own &tilt. It
proved the primly cause of the dreadful shock
which Europe has since experieni^, and of the
&I1 of more than one throne.

The Empress was received in the Crimsesa by
all the Mirzas with the most lively diemonstrations
•f respect and attftchnie^t. Catiiarine rewarded

J

JPRINC£ BOTBMKIN.

12)1

them wiUi magnificent presents, though there was
so little sincerity in their protestations, that very,
shortly after th^ attempted to join the Turks'
against the Russians.

The chiefs of the Tartars ordered their troops
to perform various evolutions for thd amusement
of the Empress. Suddenly the carf iage in which
^ ' rode with the Emperor was surrounded
by a body of one tibousand Tartars ;. theyOwere
appointed to escort her : but Joseph the Second,
who hs^d not been apprised pf their intention
beforehand, expressed a surprise which bordeted^
oniineanness; while the Empress, confiding in
Potemkin, and justly supposing, that nothing was
done without his orders, preserved her usual tran^*
^lulHty. In fact, what had she to fear from a
small body of Tartars, v. in a country where her
minister had collecled, at no great distance, an
army of one hundred and fifty thousand men?

At Barctisarai the Empress resided in the
palace, of the last khan of the Crimaea ; which
was a compound of Moorish, Arabian, Chin€|pe^
and Turkish ardbitecture, with . fo.mitain% ^ttl«
gardeas, paintings, gilt ornaments» an^ inscrip-'
tions, in every corner. In the evening of the
first day of her abode in that town, Potemkin
entertained her with the sfiectad^ of a mountain-
artificiaUy illuminated, which suddenly appeared
ill a blaae.^-^atharine, in the whol« course of

'a

122. TBE hOm OF

this jconifjr, receiml the demon^tfatiotis t>f af^
fection.and rmpect from her subjecfei with a pair^
ticular affability and .satiafaction^ that sweetly-
rewarded the efforts which' were made every-»
where to please her.

From Stare Crim^ a building of which was trims-
formed into a palaoe^ to sleep there a single nighty
the Empress i-eturned to St, Petersburgh by way
of P^ltawa. On reaching that place^ she wi»
filled with mpture at a spectacle which Potemkin
bad prepared for her^ and which was wortiiy alike
of her to whom he gave it and of him by whom
it vm^ contrived. Two armies appeared on a
sadden. They engaged and began a battle,
which was the exact representation of that &mous
oonflict in which Peter the First routed Charles
the Twelfth of Sweden on the same spot. While
Catharine was rapturously applauding the exploits
and triumphs of the nation she governed 3 Joseph,
moved* at the sight of the Swedish heio in the^
same dress which he wore on that fatal day, could
not help deploring the misfortune of that foradi»
dabie warrior, who wanted nothing but a more
mature understanding to have been one of the
greatest men. ,

«. At Moscow, Joseph left Catharine, delightecl
widi hor behaviour and the attention» of her
eoiift» On parting, he k reported to have ^ven
a positive proxmse to the Empress tiiat he would

^na

PRIKCE f^MBMUM, 199

assist her to have her grandson crowned at Con«
stantinople. However it )b by no means probable
that he had any intention of performing his
promise. He returned to his dominions thr<High
Poland ; while Catharine pursued the road to Pe*
tersburgh, Whete she arrived on the dSd of July.

Potemkin did not accompany the Empress
ferther than Pftltawa. Having determined at any
rate to provoke the Turks to declare war and
commence hostilities^ he thought he ought to
remain on the frontiers^ whence he could more
easily accomplish his purpose. In this resolu*
tion Potemkin was influenced by a personiA
motive. In case of a rupture, he wished to
commence the operations and capture a for^
tress. This was a necessary step to obtain for
himself the grand military order of St. George^
tfie only Russian order with which he was not
decorated^ and which on that account he most
ardently longed for. He had taken every possible
precaution to succeed in this his two-fold project.
Emissaries in every part of the Ottoman empire
supplied him with accurate intelligence. He was
informed that his measures b^n to make a Ihrelf
impression upon the Divan, and that the Turks
were at length Asposed to hostilities. Hiis w«r
iteactly the point to which Potemkin wished to
bring them. And these secret intrigues^ besides^
were hot the only means to whidi he had^course«

124

THP hlWBOV

The Russians ..took car^ to give much i^ions open
provocations. Abusing the jH'ivileges^, which had
been grwted to th^m by the last treaty, they
were not contented with trading freely with their
vessels in the Black Sea, they even obstructed the
triaffic of t^ Turks ; and the complaints and
remonstrances which the Sublime Porte preferred
GO this rabject at Petei^burgh, ^were« not lis-
tened to, but the infractions of the Russians
openly tolerated by their government. At lei^th,
Potemkin, who could no longer contain his im-
patience, prevailed with the Empress to order
her ambassador at Constantinople to require of
the Sublime Porte a prompt and definitive answer
concerning the disputes that had arisen relative
to tl^e boundaries of the two empires, and some
other claims to which the Turks could not yet
resolve to accede. The peremptory request of a
hasty decision was a new afiront, added to the
many imperious demands with which Russia was
continually insulting the weak Ottomans. It
was therefore justly supposed, that if the Grand
.Signior retained any sense of his own di|^ity>
his auswar would be a declaration of. war. ^ The
Pi van, however, had ovm mpik the weakness
not to appear offended ; it. returned an answer in
the couTfe of a few days to the demands of the
cabinet of St. Petersburgh ; and, recaptulating
them one after the other^ it observed :

PRIKCE FOr^lKIN.

135

§€

€C

"Tlmt, the Sublime ^Potie refused to admit a-
*' Russian consxil at Varna, because the people of

'^ that town would not receive him.^

»

^^That it decKnted the proposal of building ä
Greek chureh at Constamitinople^ because it was
of a nature so extraordinary as to preclude all

^^ exaoaination.'"

" That it cdnsidered the proposition of reeog-

'^ ntsiog the submission of the Crimaea to thd

^^ Ruasian empire, as an infraeticMi of the last

" treaties.'"

m

^' Lastly, that, to the demand of an aceotint of
'^ dieir warlike preparations, the Turks bad a right
^^ to ask in reply, what was- the object of the im-

iBease armaiiKents of Russia, and particularly

of the stationing of a Rusaian fleet in the Black
"Sea."

Some time aftar t^Teply had been transmitted
to M. de ! Biilgakof , the i Russian ambassador at
Constantinople, this minister received a note,
GoiKshed. in rather, peremptory terms, and shewing
that the ZKvan, better informed of the secret
intenticms of Russia, and sensible of the impossi-
biliiy of continuing at peace with that powet,
had determined to prefer, in its torn, demands,
which, if granted, would protect the Ottoman
euipire agaitist an a^essioi^ in which its enemy
would have had too many advantages; and, if

6€

<C

v^

LV' «*^'

<

196

ntE LIFE or

lißftised, would tlearly ntiv^ii til true senttäietits.
Ry this note the Turks demanded,

^^ 1st, That the Russian troops should eva-
^' cuate Kartalinia ; and that the cabinet of St,
'^ Petersbuiigh should no longer protect Prince
^ Heraclius."

'^ 2dly, That the Russian vesseb in lAie ports
of Turkey, which were suspected of carrying
thkher pvohibiied goods, should all be sub-
fliitted, without exoepiion, toar^ofoussevrch."
^^ ddiy, That the Russian consuls in ihe
Tilfkish empire i^uld be strietly coofiDed' to
fimcttons relating to commeroe ; and thsrt if they
were suspected of meddbng with otiier affiärs,
tfaeSuUinje Porte dbould foeimnediately auiihö-
ri£ed to expel them from her dosnimons.'*
" 4thly, Tliat it should be free to the Porte to
keep consuls in the eommeneial t^f\ßm% of Russia,
just as she pemikted the Russkfis to ha?e tiiem
» T^
^ dtfaly. That, under no pretence wlMtevi^,
^ dsoukl Russia be allowed to support the preten-
^' sions of die infcAbitants of Moldavia and Wattn«
^^ <shia ; and that, eq^eeially, she dbouUl not g^nt
*^ any assistance to individuals of the families' of
^ the Ho^iodars;*

After tlse esrample of RiMsJa^ the SuUime
Porte nequiied a prompt asnswer : but M. de BuU
fpkof declared that he must consult his court ;

((

tc

u

tc

H

u

(C

tt

€(

a

a

vi»

iutfAitiriUiii

PI^IKCE MnrtMLiN. Iä7

and accordingly dispatched an «xtraordinaiy
messenger to St. Petersburgh.

It would not have been difficult to have settled
these differences. As the demands of the Port«
were not unreasonable, and indicated on her part
the desire cf maintaining a peace, , of which the
inhabitants of Turkey ardently wished the conti-
nuation, it would have been easy for the two
powers to have agreed, without having recourse
to arms. But Potemkin panted for war. Vexed
at the tardiness of the Ottomans, and at not
having yet been able to rouse their pride, he
expressly ordered Bulgakof to bring the Divan lo
an open rupture ; leaving to him the choice di
the means for aecomplishing this object.

Being thus duly authorised, and certain of
support, the Russian ambassador exceeded all
bounds. He made a jest of the note that had
been communicated to him by the Divan ; and
declared that his court could not pay any atten«
tion or make any reply to propositions whidi
were too ridiculous to deserve being seriously
discussed. Not satisfied with treating the buii-
»ess with extreme levity, he tolerated the same
freedoip in the young men attached to his em-
bassy . Several of them affected to conduct them-
selves most indecorously; and it is even said
that some carried their impudence do far as to be
guilty of rudeness to the grand vizier.

I2Ä TH|B LIFE OF ,

• White Bu%akof was entering so well into Po*
temkin's views, and so faithfully executing his
orders, the Turks, es;cited by England and
Prussia, and inflamed by their own resentment^
were nevertheless a prey to great uneasiness.
They could not explain the silence of the Count
de Choiseul-Gouffier, the French anibassador at
Constantinople. A treaty had just been con^,
eluded at Pctersburgh between France and Rus-.
sia» This was in fact but a commercial treaty^
yet it niigbt contain some secret articles. Eng-
land, jealous at seeing herself deprived of the
exclusive trade of the Nortl^, insinuated to the,
Turkish minister's that Fii^ace was allied with
Russia for the purpose of destroying the Ottoman,
i^mpire. The warlike preparations commenced
by Russia soon after the conclusion of that treaty;
the journey of the Empress to the Crimaea;. the
ciircuinstai^ce of Count de S^gur, the French am-
bassador at Petersburgbj being selected to accom-
pany her on this journey; the flattering prefe-
rence shewn to the very minister who had nego-
ci^ted and signed a treaty, the. source of so.
much uneasiness to the Porte; his being treated,
during the whole journey, with the jnost nlarked
attention ; lastly, the Count de Choiseul persisting
in the most obstinate silence under such distress-
ing circumstances ; his giving the Porte not the
least sign of regard or concerii in the name of his

A -

PltlNCB POTEMKIN.

129

court ;'— all these things cooperated to strengthen
the suspicions which England so industriously
strove to excite, and seriously alarmed the Divan.
The motive which induced the French am-
bassador to persevere in the silence of which the
Forte complained, was different from that which
the English endeavoured to assign. As he had
not received any communications from the Rus-
sian ambassador, he was ignorant of the subjects
of complaint Which that power had, or pmtended
to have, against the Turks ; and as he could not
penetrate into the secret designs of Catharine, and
her minister, he apprehended no rupture between
the two courts. When the grand-visir requested
him to explain himself cat^orically rej^pecting
the intentions of France, the Count de.Choiseul
prevailed with Count S^gur, to complain, at
Petersbtirgh of the mysterious conduct which
•Mr. de Bulgakof manifested towards him» The
Empreiss readily listened to his complaint. She
ordered her minister at Constantinople to be less
reserved with the Count de Choiseul, and to con-
sult with him about the most proper means of
maintaining peace. This order did not compromise
Catharine, and wrought no change in her projects
and dispositions. The pacific views which this
command professed, deceived no one. Bulgakof
acted as before, and continued to provoke the
Turks to war. The French ambassador made

K

\

130

THE Ur£ OF

some attenipU to preserve peace ; probably with-
out expeqting any great sttccess from his nego**
ciations. ^

The English, more anxious than ever to irri.
täte the Porte^ promised h^r their assistaiice, and
gave her to understand that she had nothing t^
hope from France. At length the Turks them«'^
selves, deeming war inevitable, determined not to
give Russia time^ to make greater preparations,
but rather to avail themselves of those which they
had made at a considerable expence. Convinced
that, if France did not assist, she wouM at least
not declare against diem ; relying ako on the
promises of England, and upon the diversion
which Prussia was to make in their favour ; and
confident diat, 'with such assistance, they could
not fail of obtaining splendid triumphs over Rus«
sia, the Turks at last, dis{>laying more boldness
than could have been expected, resolved to be tfas;^
aggressors, and on the 18th of August^ 1787i
prodaimed war against Russia.

i I

^ J

PRINCE POTBMKm. 131

CHAP. X.

Potemkm is appointed Chmrnander-in-Chief of
the Rtissicm army against the Turks.

TiTE Turkish declaration of v<rar, awd the news
that Mr. de Balgakpf had been confined at G>n-
«tantinople in the castle of the Seven Toweris^
reached Petersburgh oti ihe festival of St. Alex-
ander Newski, at the moment when a splentlid
1)an was going forward at 'court. The intelligence
^id not at all disturb the 'entertainment: the joy
occasioned by the actual commencement of a war
so much wished for, tended rathei* to heighten
its mirth. Count Besborodko immediately wrote
a manifesto, which on the following Sunday was
jpead in the imperial chapel, in the presence of
the Empress and her court.

This manifesto, couched in the usual ispitit of
such writings, contained the blackest charges
against tfie Porte, and the highest encomiums on
the condtict of Russia; The Turks hiad beeh
treacherous, faithless, and insolent, in evety
transaction ; and the Russians loyal, faithful, and
moderate. After a long enumeration of the pvt-
tended wron^ committed by th^ Porte, it ended
by observing, ** that th« act of «ending MV. te

K 2

132 TH£ LIFE OF

6C

if

Bulgakof, the Russian ambassador^ to the
castle of Seven Towers, where, in contempt of
the rights of nations, he is kept a prisoner, su-
persedes the necessity of making farther reflec-
tion on the subject. The Porte has thought
fit to unite perfidy with the most insulting at-
" tack. She omits no one circumstance that can
** evince the strong desire she has long felt of
*^ breaking a peace which was granted in the most
^^ liberal manner. Provoked by a conduct so
^^ offensive, the Empress sees herself obliged,
** unwillingly, to take up armts, as the only means
'' remaining of maintaining her. rights, which she
has acquired at the expence of so much blood,
and of vindicating her insulted dignity. £q-
*^ tirely innocent of all the evils attendant on
the war now ready to be kindled^ she has a
right to depend upon divine protection, and
" the succour of her friends, as well as upon the
^^ devout prayers of all christians, to enable her
^^ to triumph in the cause of justice and self-
" defence.'*

Notwithstanding this kind of appeal, France,
which was alr^dy agitated by domestic distur^
bances, determined to remain neuter. Spain fol-
lowed her example. Sweden intended to avail
herself of the moment when Russia should be
occupied elsewhere, to attack her with the pros-
pect of greater success. England and Prussia

(f

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

133

declared for the Porte^ and endeavoured to
strengthen the Turks with the alliance of the
Poles, whom they excited to defend their liberties^
which were continually attacked by the Russians.
Joseph the Second, alone faithful to his engage-
ments, joined the Empress, to effect with her the
destruction of the ancient and formidable eneniy
of bis subjects and of his house. But the insur»
rection of Brabant^ which was raging in all its
fury, and some disturbances that then began to
break oujk in Hungary, prevented his employing
in this^ grand enterprise forces sufficient to insure
its success.

The Turks prepared for war with the greatest
alacrity. Troops were assembled from every
part of the empire. The grand- visir unfurled the
standard of Mahomet, and formidable armies
advanced from the shores of the Danube to the
frontiers of the Ukraine and the Crimaea. Tp
increase the respect of the people for his minister
and the confidence of the army in his abilities, and
to enable him to provide instantaneously for any
sudden exigencies and direct the operations of the
war with greater effect, the sultan entrusted the '
grand-visir with almost unbounded dictatorial
powers. He sent him a gold-hilted sabre, richly
ornamented with diamonds. The old captain
Pasha, who had grown grey in the service of his
country, was appointed grand-admiral of the
Turkish fleet, and general of all the armies to be

134 . TUB JtlFE OF

• •

employed on the Euxine. A squadron of iimtecli
ships of the line, eight frigaies, and sixteen
smaller vessels^ sailed under his oommand. The
old admiral was just then returned from Egypt,
where he had subdued the rebeUtous Beys, Ibrar
him and Amurath, and collected a tribute of more,
than twelve millions c^ piastres. But, far from
being inflated with this success, he even now
recollected with grief and humility the disasters
of Tscheshme, where his fleet, in a former war,
had been destroyed by Ailesey Orloff.

AiS the Turks, suspected the fidelity of the
Greeks, they disarmed them all, and at the same
time itivited the Tartajs to return to their alle-
giance to the grand-«ignior. In vain had the
Empress loaded them with presents, in vain had
sdie cajosed the Koran to be printed, and mosques
t& be built for them; they beheld in her only
t&e Christian, and eagerly returned to their an*
cient masters. The Mirzas elected Shah Par
Gheray for their khan, who soon collected an
army of forty thousand Tartars.

Potemkin, on his part, did not remain idle'*
At his recommendation, a fleet of eight ships dS
the line,^ twelve frigates, and near two hundred
brigs and guuf-boats, was equipped in the Euxine,
and two strong squadrons, under the command o(
Admirals Kruse and Greig, were in readiness at
Cronstadt to sail for the Mediterranean. He also
remilided the Emperor of Germany of his pro*

ja««i^MlMM

PRINCE POTUIKIK. 13$

mises and engagements ; and this prince, equally
desirous of a war with the Turks, was. not long
before he sent a numerous army to besiege Bel-
grade, and anodier strong CQi|is4e join the Ruii*
sian army,

Pirince Potemkin, as commander-in-ehief of the
Russian forces, had under his orders the old Mart*
«hal Romanzoff, and Generals Sohikoff, Suwarofi^
Repnin, Kamensko'i, Kakoffsky, and others. He
formed his army into two grand divisions. Thf
first, which was called the Army of the Ukraine,
was placed under the command of Marshal Hqk
manzoff^ and destined to commence hostilities in
Moldavia :' the second, which Potemkin com-
manded in person, and which was called tl|e
Army of Ekatharinoslaaf, marched towards
Oczakof.

It was on this march that the column of Major-
general Rehbinder met the Sheik Mansour at the
head of the Tartar hordes qf Mount Causasus.
They were entrenched behind their waggons. On
the approach of the Russians, they repeated aloud
a shprt prayer, and then displayed the most des-
}ierate courage in defence of their entrenchment|(.
But their valour was of no avail ; the trench^
were carried^ and four hundred Tartars left dead
upon the spot. Having collected fresh troops
during the n%ht, the Tartar chief boldly return^
to the charge the next day ; and without beiqg

136 THE tlFEÜF

dismayed by their artillery, he attacked the Rus-
sians in their camp. The Tartars were repulsed
with great slaughter. But the contest was not
ended. The Tartars, being reinforced, made a
third attempt, in which Major-general Prince
RadischefF completely defeated them. The Tar-
tar villages around were plundered, and destroyed
by fire. Some attempts of the Turks against the

island of Taman and the Crimoea met with no

I«

better success.

Next to the destruction of a Russian army or
fleet, nothing was more interesting to the Porte
than the recovery of Kinburn. This fortress is
situated exactly opposite to Oczakoff, from which
it is separated by the mouth of the Dnieper. A
Turkish squadron appeared under its wails, but
returned without making any attempt. But the
brave garrison of Oczakoff, though deserted by
the Turkish fleet, made every effort to recover
Kinburn. They were however repulsed in their
two first attempts. In the mean time the Rus-
sian garrison of Kinburn was secretly reinforced.
Ignorant of this circunistance, five thousand Turk»
'made a third effi>rt. They crossed the river in
the night, and attacked the fortress before day.
The Russians maintained their posts ; and ais
' soon as the day dawned, they quitted the dc^
fensive, and sallying from the gates under the
«ommmd of the brave Suwarolf^ who so greatly

uu^airt

" ' ^'■' ■ —«■••^^^i^«»«»pWl«Bi««

PRINCE POTEMfUN. 137

dietinguished himself in later times, they luttacked
the Turks in their turn. A desperate action
ensued ; the Turks were reinforced ; but the
Russians returned three times to the charge, and
their perseverance crowned their valour with a
complete victory. Four thousand Turks were
found dead on the field of battle ; while the loss
of the Russians was comparatively small. Suwa-
roff himself, who always animated his troops by
his example^ was wounded in the conflict. A
grand Te Deum was solemnly sung in all the
churches at Petersburgh.

But this success did not stimulate Potemkin
to make an attempt upon Oczakoff. The Prince
de Ligne found him soon after in' a most despond--
ing mood at his head-quarters of Elizabeth Go-
rod. He complained of being in want of every
thing ; and declared he should be the most un«
fortunate of men, if Heaven did not assist him.
Prince de Ligne present^ him with a letter of
the Emperor, which contained the Austrian pfam
of operations ; and asked him what he intended
^to do ? Potemkin promised to give his plan the
next day. But a foptnigbt elapsed before he sent
this laconic plan :- " With the help of Providence,
^' I shall attack whatever enemies I meet between
" the Bog and the Dniester."

About this time a detachment of Cossacks q|i(^
tured four Tartars. Being brought to Pot^gplip,

138 THE Uf£ OF.

they stopd before him with dejected countenances^
jearJQg to. be deprived of life : bvt be ordered
them to be thrown into ja large tub of water ;
and observed to the Prince de Ligne, that by
this Greek iannersion^ they were blessed with ^
Christian baptism. It was also at Elizabeth
Gorod, where Potemkin continued all the winter
of I78r and 1788, that he formed the singular
project of raising a regiment of Jewh which he
called hradowsky.

" While the war, which Potemkin had so ar-
dently desired, and which he so badly conducted»
was kindled in the East, the good understanding
between Russia and Sweden was every da^ aba*
ting ; and Poland, by its interior disturbances»
creating new sources of uneasiness. Russia
saw herself in danger of being forced to defend
herself against her neighbours, when she was
carrying on, at a great distance, a war that de-
nianded her best exertions. Such a critical situ*
ation required two heads, like that of Catharine
and of her minister. - Potemkip, whose influence
in her councils was nearly absolute, wsis neither
disconcerted nor dismayed. He was sure that
the western and southern powers of Europe would
not break their neutrality ; Prussia, since she was
governed by Frederick - William the Sefcond»
could not inspire much alarm ; and the alliance
of Russia with Austria wa^ consolidated by

^.T-«-

PRINCE INnTEMKIN. 130

tilieir common mterest. Under these ekcum-
stances^ he was warranted in judging Rasaia
strong enough (notwithstanding her being at war
with Turkey) to resist Sweden^ if that, power
dared to attack her ; and under this conviction,
&r from diminishing the warlike sirdour with
which the Russians were inflamed, he on the
ccmtrary strove to excite it more than ever.

But the Grai^-duke of Russia was seized with
the same ardour. Tired of his inactivity, and
fancying that the Russian troops, by attacking
the Turks, were marching to iniullible triumphs,
he thought he could not meet with a more &vour*
able opportunity for acquiring glory. He eagerly
scdicited permission of his mother to join the
army, that he might be present at the opening of
the next campaign.

Catharine witnessed^ with as much uneasiness
as astonishment, the warji^e enthusiasm which
had seized her son. His request startled her.
She was sensible that the Grand-dnike could not
be much attached to her person, and thought she
should have every thing to fear Ipom him, if
he ever evinced an active and warlike disposi-
tion. For' the moment, however, she dissembled
her surprise, gave him an evasive answer, and
inwatdly resolved to consult Potemkin before
she came to any d^ermination.

Potemkin*s surprise was n<^ inferior to that of

i M^.^...- _V

140 THE lÄE OF

the Empress. Me did not Icmg hesitate about
his answer. Nothing could have alarmed him
more than to behold the Grand^duke with the
army. If Catharine was apprehensive of finding
in her son a competitor, or an adversary formida-
ble at- least by the lawfulness of his claims ;
Poternkin was not less afraid of meeting in the
heir of the, throne a troublesome superintendaot,
and a justly irritated master, whose appearance
alone jnight have been sufficient to counter-
babnce the power which he abrogated to himself,
and to annihilate his absolujte empire. He ac-
cordingly wrotöto the Empress, that she ought
by no means to comply with the request of the
Grand-duke; but that it might perhaps be pru-
dent not to abash him with a positive refusal;
that she ought to temporize and amuse him
under different pretences, until the end of tJne
campaign.

Ca,tharine was following this conduct with her
son, when an incident freed her from her embar-
rassment, and furnished her with what she had not
hoped, a legitimate excuse for an absolute denial.
The Grand-duchess, either secretly instigated by
the Empress herself, or actually prompted by her
affection for her husband, all at once applied for
leave to attend .the Grand-duke to the army.
Catharine peremptprily refused this request ; and
»be certainly was, authorized to do so, without

iMiaMA..Mntaf9P^!F^-^>.

PRINCE POntMKIN. 141

«

incurring any blataie. The Grarid^ducheis had
recourse to tears ami lameatatioos. She com*
plained of the hardahip of being separa|ed from
a bttsband whom she tenderly loved, at the very
moment wheti, being on the point of presenting
him with a fresh ple<%e of conjugal affection^ she
•¥al0^ his presence more than ever. The Em-
press laid great stress upon this circumstance,
and assur^ ' her son, that he could not - decently
kave Petersburgh, when his duty, both as a
hosband and a father, imperiously commanded
his stay. ' Little qonvinced by an argument which
he did not deem adequate, the. Grand^duke per-
sisted in his solicitations. He even went so far
as to suspect the secret motive of his mother, and
protested that his attachment to her person was as
sincere as his intentions were pure and loyal«
But the Empress remained inexorable. " What
'* will be said," ui^ed he in vain, " by those
" who are acquainted with my .project, if they
^^ see me abandon it at the moment of its execu-*
^^ tidn ? I sb^ll.be' accused oflevity luid cowardice
" at the approach of dai^er."-— " Jt will be said,"
^' replied Catharine, " that the Grand-duke is an
'^ ob^ient son/* This reply was peremptory.
The prin^ was silenced. He concealed liis dis-»-
satisfaetion, and gave his project up. He was,
however, allowed to serve in Finland^ when the
war with Sweden broke out He eagerly j<»iied

14S

TH£ IIFB OF

' %

lim army : birt: when- he found that he was to be
under the commaiid tS €reneral Moii8«ti Pouseh-
kin, who had the striezt otders to wi^ch over
him, he faastaned back to Peter»bwgh; wbene
the TeKatiom he had experienced, threw him into
a severe illmete^ which yet mA tiot ^oft^ the
mvsntf of hiB mother: »hie treated hhn with as
much coolness äs before. Thus Potemkin^ by
his perfidtoui suggestions, and Catharine, by
jmtating the mind of the unfortunate Paul, pre-
pared, unawares^ the tyranny and agitations of a
reiga which had the most serious and perhdps
the most disastrous iniuence tipon theikte of the
Russian empite.

CHAP. XI.

«

Pfdmnkin is engttgei tuitk the I
wetkm declares mar osaiMt Bussüt,

It Potenilnn had beim anxious to pr^oke a
war with the Tu tics, he was not lea» destnous to
avoid hostilities witha neighbourhig pMrte, whidi
would only cause a useless waste ^ bkml and
tnoney. The Russian finances wete in so dejplo-

,:sALjR,,^^^^iätm

V

PRINCE rOTBMKIN. t49

table a state^ that it was highly imponatit not to
intrease their embarrassment. Independently of
the war*expences which exhausted hef tfeasures,
4he Empress had too carelessly left it at the dis-
posal of her minister and of her lover. Potemkia
and MomonofF were, both allowed freely to draw
upon the exchequer ; and both df them inade the
most extravagant use of this permission. The
former, it is true, devoted the greater part of the '
sums he drew to the service of the state ; but
with his^sual prodigality: and the Empress, who
was well acquainted with his proneness to this
vice, ought doubtless to have checked him with
greater severity. As for Momonoff, his expenees
were as idle as excessive ; and for this very reason
no much the more inexcusable. More than, once
had the Empress been^in^portuned with the noisy
demands of his creditors : but Momonoff, pre^
sumiiig on his' ascendancy over her Majesty,
always made a jest of the reproaches with which
she so justly upbraided him ; and prevailed with
her to pay enormous debts, which he constantly
incurred anew. Not only had these depredations
exhausted the exchequer, but they had also
occasioned a lUstress for ' which there was no
temeAy. All mMalHc money had disappeared
from the provinces : nothing was seen in cir-
culation but a dfepreciated papet - currency ;
and thie subg««^ We!re not able to come to the

\

f

144

THE LIFE OF

assistance of the Btete. The excfaai^ with (oreiga
bountries^ owing to the depreciated national cur*
rency, was of course extremely unfavourable ;
and Russia enjoyed no credit whatever wiiix the
opulent nations of £ur(^. Apd yet there was
no resource left but to raise a loan in foreign
countries, since none could be obtained at home.
Nine millions of gilders were borrowed in Hol-
land ; Genoa^ Vepice, and Florence, promised a
few ^millions. A loap was also expected to be
raised in the states of Brabant; but their sor
vereign^ Joseph the Second, was not less eipbar«
rassed than Catharine, and wanted a.11 the money
that could be raised for himself. It was under
^11 these disastrous circumstances that Sweden, in
the spring of 1 788, declared war against Ruisia,
As a nation, Sweden h^d the ^eat^t motives
of resentment against Russia for past injuries, and
every thing to dread from her oveigrown power
and boundless ambition. But the war originated
more in circumstances peculiar to the king. On
his accession to the throne^ Gustayus III. had
.found his nation agitated by parti^^ and felt
the humiliation of wearing a crown which
no Jonger inspired any respect France and
Ri)ssia had long since maintained two factionsjn
Sweden, which,, in contempt of honour and
patriotism, openly acknowledge ;as. chiefs the
respective ambasi^adors of thepe two. powers. The.

4 1

PRINCE POTEMIUN.

145

adheiei^ of Russia strove to limit the preroga-»
tives of the crown, as being the most Hkely way
to weaken Sweden, the proximity of which
made her dread the increase of her power.
Instigated by exactly opposite reasons^ the
French party epdeavoured to extendt the royal
preri^tiyes: it was highly important to France
that the king of Sweden should be power«
fql enough to pverawe Russia, and to check her
ambition in the North. The French court had,
generally,, more friends among the commoners ;
«ltd that of Russia, among the nobles : and this
wilt be found extremely natural, if we consider,
that in every European government, the consti-
tution of which is ' founded upon the feudal
Ueüarehy, the nobility has a powerful interest to
diminish the influence of the throne for the p«^
pose of increasing its owb. Catharine was not
uriacquainft^ with this state of things. Sh«
knew that the Swedish nobility was factious, and
Üiat the constitution of the kingdom rendered it
ea^y to circumscribe the monarch in the exercise
of his au&ority. She accordingly eterted herself
to keep these dispositions alive ; and was pecu-
liiu*ly attentive to avail herself df aiiy favcnirable
<^portUDity for increasing the preponderance
which she wishcfd to acquire in Sweden.

Gustavus, in the: tnean time, was struggling
afitnst these «feteinpts. To avoid becoming ihm

HÜ 1SE &»'£ «r

deüe <if oM party, fae ncMtesarily Ibecam« divpen^
^Irat im tibe okher. He was dbV^d to seek tlM^
l^rotectton of France aivd £ugkii4, aiid I» flae*
hinaelf, as> it were, tnMier liie fuüpdimi^hip «f
«kese tw0 ftmetSy thst he OMgtit be mom^ «itain
tf «heir support. Such a sitiitttion twmt alwi^
k^ «KsagitelMtble to a sorereigfi : yet it beeoaiM
lt9» painüttl when the inihieiicing; f>dwer is at «
dirtanoe. Betvreed two obiKKxknis ]»airtieg^ Crus-
tfeivas had certahily choseii the ieast dang^roWi
Timt inffi iwithnf ^ in hct, tfiaft this menairch
fa«l mere to dkead^ tliaii the iosioikiit yoke «cwtor
fviMh the ndkleaof his cmtvby pretended te
ktad him« He enfted'tK tlie leteatetes tof his
tahid to eoneert a way cf hreakMg these dfo<>
faoaonmfafet cfaiiiis; ^a^ Moeeeded in the bold
attenift At Aie ttiooient when lAie fiibdtio» weife
least expectiag the Mow «hat ifiiefiaeid tbem^
6ustaviis eftcted a tevoltt<ni(in «t Stdeliioliii wMi
a %m^ tegitoeivt and a few noMemen whoK had
reiiiaiiied fkitAiilil totbtär king. Being master of
liie ei^tii^^ he som ^ned ril Sweden, attd «e^
tatabKbhod the rayai an^ority in the ftemHiide 4tf
its ligbtsi. Die fimpra» staMfeftd on heMtag ^
Amemi^ wMdh Coimt Osternian^, her aMba^
dor at the Swediih coart, hsid ncAth^r i^res^c»
nor prevenlted. The bbw wim the more fetaly m
tbe mm state of things naig^t «mder Sweden 4br-
addaUe at ».ciiiio when the im]goMB of the crimot

of St. Petßrsbargh mvst hate made it dretd an
increase dP enemies. Cüalharine and her minister
Assembled their yexation. They thooght it would
be better to keep up the appearanee of friendship
and good fai<ti with Sweden, and in the mean
time to strive underhand to destroy this new regal
^wer, and to restore the ftictions^ by which it
might either be repressed or weakened.

To accomplish this, Potemkin had recourse to
intrigiie. He endeavoured to exette a revolt in
^ Swedirih provinces that bofdered uponltnsaia;
beeanse, in ease 6f success, it wouh) have been
more easy to sqpport the insurgents. By mem^
of bribes and promises, he won ovur all tk«
discontented that were in:Sweden, and augmented
their numbers. In propertio^ as b^ saw Ike Rot-
Mm party gimfttng strangth in Sweden, he dis«
play«i mo» boMness and resolution. Thf Rus-
sian ambaMsdov at StodchotQi, who was instructed
hf both the BiDpfQSi and her minister, in a short
time overstepped aU bounds. lie had die iai«
pwdenoe to in te r med d l e in the ajairs of govern^
ment, boldly ooiintenancittg the noblemen who
were kk opposition to llie conr t ; «nd, to nvm^Len
tlK^Tespect of his rabjects, he even made freewith
tkei^iMes of the monarch, and turned thet^iato
ridMMde. Itt short, he pureued his intrigue mUt
so muek perseveimaee, ardour, and audacity, that
he histiga^ llle ain n Ui «o revolt. Oustenn,

L 2

.148 * Tfl£ LIFE OF

justly irritatädi demanded the recall of i\m mi-
nister« Catharine dared not to refuse compliance :
but she appointed Count Andrew RajumolS'ski to
succe^ M« de Markotf ; well knowing that he
would carry his insolence as far as his predecessor
had done.

Russia did not seem in the least afraid of
exasperating the Swedish monarch. They fan-
cied at Petersburgh that the patience of Gus-
tavus was.inexhaustible. Baron de Sprengpcu'ten^
a native of .Finland, formerly the friend of the
king of Sweden, sold himself to Catharine,
openly avowed his enniity to Gustavus, and went
over to Russia. The picture which he drew of
the interior of his native country, and of the
spirit which prevailed among, his countrymen,
confirmed the court of Russia in the opinion that
it might att^oapt any thing against the monardi
of Sweden. This systeni was enibraced witl;i
renovated ardoüjr. , It was supposed, that to keep''
up dissensions in Sweden was an infallible way to
render that kingdom for ev^ dependent oh Rus-
sia. At the very time when the cabinet of St
Petersbuigh was perfectly convinced of the
efficacy of these measures, and when all the
troops had been mar^^hed with the most complete
security against the Turks, Gustavus declared
war^ and advanced from Swedish Finland into
B^si'är. Rn wd, thrMteningPetersbiirgh itself.

^mma^

PRINCE POTEMKIN. 149

Never was astonishment equal to that of Catha-
rine. Had not this courageous princess e!xelrcised
over herself an empire which absolutely concealed
the situation of h^r mind^ it might perhaps have
been seen tl^at her fears were as great as her
surprise.

The war, however, might have been ended
almost as soon as declared. Gustavus was too
little accustomed to any concessions on the part
of Russia not to have consented to restore peace,
if Catharine had recalled the ambassador with
whom he was dissatisfied, banished from - her
court the rebellious Swedes, and promised not to
interfere any more in the transactions between
the Swedish nation and their sovereign. Indeed
it is probable that he had resorted to war for the
mere purpose of establishing peace on a niore
solid foundation.

Catharine, for the sake of maintaining a good
understanding, would readily have given sohie
satisfaction to Sweden ; but her council was of ä
different opinion. Count Tchemichef, who was
at the head of the naval department, had then
' some influence. The war with Sweden was
likely to be more a maritime than a continental
wart and he indulged hopes of shedding fresh
splendour over his department. He therefore
voted for war, promised splendid victories, mag-
nified the insolence of the Swedes, and inflamed

# ♦

i«o

Xil£ um Of

ibe ipnAe of the Empress, wkdse digai^y^ in hts
iflijres^liad beea diuringly trampled u^pon. Hisopioion
ira$ seconded bf sev^rftl other members 'Of the.
ccmnoil ; mui k prevailed, llfie minister of fiaaancee
W9& äie <mly one who apposed it with firmaessi.
He was better acquainted than aüy one with the
weak side of the ^question ; but perhaps he dared
jaot to reveid til lie knew. :His: ai^uments were
not GOttsidered of sufficient force, and C!atfaarine
mone readily determined for war, as the enemy
mm mort ppeasing.

Alve^äy w«s the king ^ J^weden ms£Fehiiüg in
pewon upon Frederidosham, a feontier^wn of
ÜUwsia^ towards Swediih Fiidand. After the
ooaqnest of diis {üaee, ^therie would remain «one
wore >to arrest the enemy as far as Petersbuigh«
l%e Empress ooiild 'Only dispose of a few invalids
and some detachments of her guards. She left
tbe ' 64iKicoer*palaee of ,£»irskoezelo, whene she
did not 4^hin^ herself safe, to shut herself up in
her matro|K3^Iis<. Sbe^irea x>fdeüe3 hor^sto be
k^t m readiness to remove her to Moscow : kxjt "
stiU her comrteamaoe was perfeetly serene. She
calmly deelarod tiiat d^e horses which she had
ordered were Sot tbe mom speedy isoa^eyanoß
of seictiei« and artillery.

^ At l^st,/lt is «certain that, alwa^ superior to
danger when ;it approached, the Empress, what*
ewr <inigh|; have imm 'h^ l^ars abo^t the isswe of

0^1

FEI)iC£ '

151

tl)e wac> lit horn k>M«g her weoUcM^tioa far a
siB^e nooieiM:, dwi every thiiig that oould posai-
bly he (k>Qe to iosum success to her cause. She
ttt first eonld send t^:, Finland oaly a eorp« ^
eight thouaaoA möii, badly aroBed and ioipet-
leetly ocganised^ a»d ye^ in her reply to t1)ip
dkohuralion of Aekipg of Sweden, ahe proekimed
that, hani^ k>i^ since foreseen this^rupliure, she*
had put her fronki^*towns ioto the best state oi
de&Qoe. While ky her firn].ness she mainliaixied
the tranqmllsty and serenity df her subjects, her
gdbd and her inlrignea were so^^i^g disturbances
and divisicuBS ameisg those ctf Gustavu«. AUhoiUg^
she had reinforeed theaimy of Finland as espedi-
tiously as it could be dose, andj^trusted ite com-
mand to General Michelsan^ who had already
acquired great n»titary reputation ; it is yot tri^
that she owed her fivat success niore to treachery
tihan to vaknar. Her squadron defeated that q|
the Swedes at Hoghmd, because the cemmandefs
of the Swedish teasels &iled in the perfei^mance
of their dxiiBy; and under the Tory walls cif Fre-
idbrickaham several Swediab r^^ments laid dow9
thearavflfts, and tefaaad to mareh ewen at the v€»0e
of th^r ki»g, beniise some rebellious offieefa,
bribed by Russia, persuaded them that Gusta^ufs
was violating Am peivileges and the eom^^tion
of their country, by undertaking an oifeanve war
without the consent of the states ei the kiagdoas.

152

IHE LIFE or

i

Potemkin^ whose atleniion was engi^dssed by
the v/nr with Turkey, received with heart-fd*
sorrow the intelligence of the rupture with Swe-
den. He vented loud reproaches against the:
Empress, and accused her council of imbecility
and want of foresight. Potemkin, as an able
warrior, dreaded a diversion, which, by obliging
* Russia to divide her forces, must weaken herxm
all points. As a wise politician, he thought it
would be better to negociatje with Swedmi,
and to appease her by shewing h^ for the mo*
ttient some condescension (as ä düferent treat«
ment might be resumed at any other time), rather
than fight her as an enemy, and derange by these
insignificant hosfilities the plan of a war from
lihich the greatest advantages were to be ex^
pected. . Lastly, viewing things as an ambitious
matt, to whom no means appear sufKcieiikly
adequate when he wants to satisfy his passion, he
felt hurt at being probably forced by this occurr
rence to spare some of the troops which he had
intended to employ against the Turks. He
called the war with Sweden an old wamatiswar^
pretended that the garrison of Petersburg waf
sufficient to carry it on, and persisted in dis-
posing of the remaining forces of the empire for .
his own designs ; but the Empress formally op«
posed his capri(^,, and ordered troops to nouär^h te
the Swedish frontier, .

PR1NC£ POTEMKIN. 153

The Russian army was howcvar numerous
enough to meet two enemies. According to the
liH whieh Potemkin published in 1788? it
amounted to five hundred thousand men. But
4iii$ number, supposing even that it was not mag-
nified, did not refer exclusively to men actually
under arms : regiments were stated as complete,
which were yet waiting for their recruits, attdT
these recruits were slowly arriving. The whol#
number of men enlisted did not reach the corps
for wliieh they were destined^ because several of
tbem died on the roads. However, it was not of
soldiers that the army experienced the greatest
want ; it was deficient in arms, ammunition, and
dolhes. All this proceeded from the defects in
äie sKlministration, which had their principsi*
oi%in in the impetuous and despotic temper of
PilD^semkin ; who sometimes was uncommonly
active, and sometimes indulged in the most ex-
ce^ive indolence. In spite of the advantage
whieh would have resulted from it fer his owA
suecess, he neglected to put the army^ol fi^
Ukraine into a good condition, because it was
commanded by Marshal RomanzofF. His hatred
to diis general surmounted even his own interest
in a matter of the greatest ccmsequence, namely,
that of being well seconded in his movements
and operations» He left RomanzofiTs army in a
state of want^ which paralysed the Marshal's

154

«*£ LIFB ef

bad effected in the araiy ha4 been intnodMettd
with precipiliatmft ; and war hatwg UAien plaec^
thence had beta tie time left to aonsotidato and
bring theao to maturity. The^eoweqwnoe vmn^
tkdt the teoopg w^^e not snfiieientigr insteHcted in
the new naaQosuvre» ; that aavefal corps^ wllieh
had changed their weapons, like itbe JunMara wiio
had been convertod itrto light dra^nona» wttilt
badly through the senrice, with wbich they waaae
not femiliar. The aritiUeiy in paiN^kular, wineh,
more than any other ti[>rpsj wantd inetnietion and
theory^ and is of no utility in war uidiess it
has been well pre{Hifed in tiide. of pemie, felt tiw
efects of a yt^t very iropetfecl es^nintion ; and
its services would perhaps hawe ofiensd a vBtf
humiliating contrast againat any ethef emeav^r
than the Turks. All these irapcvfectieaa, which
might have bec(^»e sew? cea of weaknaa^ thfeal^
eoed the Russians with a <tisastroiia campaign)
had not the energy of Potemkin c€tnnitera«ted
them, by giving his army a vigoroni impnba
l^hich rend^^ these obstrnetioos. leas senaiUo.

While Russia was suecesofiiHy cairying «n tm
wars which her ambition had ppcMmkod^ CMiai^
rin^ and her annbter, jn^^g thi^ Vm^fe would
not remain an indifferent spoctatwc el this doiUf
Itfu^le, intyigned in every courl^ and atnmgtk^
Haed ^ relaxed the ties with ether powers aocnird-«

lag to tiaeir lUfferaat MteTerts« Hi^ Bippewpr h»»
sttU the 8iO0t fiutMul ftily of Ruasiit. Of hoped
to fhare with her Ifaie frisk» of the tkstarm fAiich
the two powa» were tog«JQ tqgtfthen JcMyli
iheSeeoDd, wbo, through iihe umm^^f hi» bowe
«rial that of FraAce, bad at that tiioe the gtesJmt
pr^oad^rMiee m the cabinet of VqraaittKa^ «v»a
luigoeiatiii^ an alliance hekween the lowrto of
Aria aiMl St. Petersburg ; ' whieh^ if it bad tadw»
place, fvould have «itgec^ed Ettrt^ to the yoke
of f fMce^ Auatria, and Ruaaia. Fortunately» tbe
greateat obstaele to this arraagenuent was laiaad
hf Fotemkin. Knowing that this triple allianoe
would not be agneeaftkle to Eagland, and not
wishing to ofiend a power whose jieets «i^jpit
baa« prerented hit aendii^ to tbe Arebipekigo
die eKpedftiaa againat C!omtaotin0ple, be pre*
fernad the anbatantial advantages of tbe eonqueat
of Tuijcey (which be tboagbt oertaio) to the
mpie aad anpiK^taUe hon^Mirof holding £ailape
tn lebaiM^ aud wed aU his influence over the
«aiad of Catharine» to hinder the eondu^oo of
1^ taaaty propoaad l^ Joseph tbe Snooad. Tfaia
fofuaal of B^aaia oooled the £»p«rer; who,
beittg baraiaod widb hia own aflma and tfoeiüa-
tMbaM» of bis 4«nimofis» piMacntad the war
agamit the Twba <pitb nHicb leaa oiri^mr. U
irritated tbe knag of Ffsraiee» who ordeied hia
aaibaflaador «I Fetorabai^ to declare^ tbat h0

156 tlTE LirE OF

I

ihould support Gi^stavus his ally, and would not
bitfier tht overthrow of the constitution estab-
lished in Sweden by that monarch. It tranquil-
Used England arid Prussia ; which powers now
Mt better disposed to offer their mediation for
the pacification of the North, and to throw less
obfttades in the way of the designs of Russia in
Other parts. All Europe wished to see an end
put to this Northern quarrel, of which th» Belli-
gerents themselves began to be tired. Potemkin,
who had always censured the war with Sweden,
ted only wished to pursue the Turkish war un-
mc^sted, had no reason to repent of the advice
whidlü he. had given to Catharine in this delicate
conjuncture.

This minister, always profound in his plans,
and whose genius would have been perfect had
he been equally skilful in conducting them in
the details, as in comprehending their great
outlines, had formed upon Poland a design
somewhat different, for the glory and interest of
Russia, from that which was executed shortly
after his death by the statesmen who succeeded
him. Ffer from subduing and dismembering that
Country, Pbtemkin wished to make it an ally of
Russia, and under this specious title to direct the
forces and riesburces of 'that kingdom, which thus
would have been entirely at his disposition; while,
by the partition that took place, Russia lostthe^

PRU^CE BOTBAIKIK. . I5f

advantages which she migbt have dravmfiroa) ibß
fine provinces that were ceded to Austria, aod
Prussia. The weakness of the Polish gpiieni;-
ment^ the anarchy wbi^^h prevailed in that coun^
try, and which Russia would have taken care to
keep up, would have disabled the Poles from ever
refusing to comply with the measures suggested
by their formidabi^e neighbour ; and Russia, as a
friend^, would have derived moire ben^t from
Poland than either as an enemy or as her s|ir
preme ruler. Potemkin was sensible of thi«.
In the begiwing of the. war, he had proposed ti|
the diet^ whose principal members he had won;
over to his interest, to make. a common cause
with Russia against the enemies of the Christii^
name. A free passage for her troops, abundaQce
of provisions, cattle and boraes, which she might
have procured at a small expence in Poland ; the
recruits which she might have raised there, inde-
pendently of the troops furnished by the Re*
public, were advantages which this alUance would
have infsured to Russia. The negociation was for
a long time kept secret ; but by an imprudence,
of which it is difficult to guess the cause, the
cabinet of Petersburgh officially acquainted the
cabinet of Berlin with the treaty it was going to
conclude. On hearing this, Potemkin could not
contain his rage» He vehemently reproached the
Empress with the incapacity of her minister*^.

f»t

tftti LIFE ÖP

#ilö pidiMrt hf \m absence to loe« the Irait of
feb chtes Md eombihsrtiötis. His atiger was just.
Th€r Mng of PraiAiä hftstened to make sfarong
nftflk^eMttCfitkms at Wa^rsaw ooüMmiitg the danger
of th^ lAibttc^ itlto tirliidi RttBsia was drawing
FiilMd. tf^ jM^irälted with the R^ptiblie to
ffiahitttiti }m kdepetideaee^ ami promiaed hts
asihtatiee to tilat dfeet In the meati time, * Po-
temkiil Wttftted a passage for his troops across the
I^ish lefritofjr. He was forced to negociate for
this sittglo crihjeet, which wottld have been one 6(
the §rst OMditioiis Of iHm treaty i and this pas«
si^, whidü w«i not judged läkdtf to have been
dk^Med, was gnttitMi only on Ae eii^ress promise
of making tile ftussian tioops obserire tiie str iciest
diaeipHne, and of paying daiMiy for every com-
modity they might stand in need of.

PRINCE rOTSMKIN. M9

CHAP. X!f.

PdtemtS/n takes Oczakof^ places fdl troof» ifi
wmtet^uarters, and rehttHs to Peter^^m^.

Intent upon bis main design^ Potemktn hdl
made rast preparrtions to open the tainpaign of
17 ^S, against the Turks, m a brilliant maiHiirt'.
The olgec* of this eattipaign was, by diftrent
movements amd positron», to keqp the Turkish
army at « «Mstance for t^ü purpose of layiing si^
itb Oc^akof, ah important fortress of Bes^ralna
on the ^aek Sea, near the nioüt^ of the Ehiiep^,
iiotr the boHrark of tire Ikrssian, as it -fttrmerly
was of the Ottoman eätipire, which secures ^rite
tranquil possession of Little Tartary and the
Oimaea. H4s preparaftions #ete however not
iniaiied in the mmrth off April. ^ I'he ,Pk*ince de
Ligfte re^rdaebing bim with his tanJhie^, Po-
temkih, a qtarte^ of aft hour afbef, Se^et^ caused
i i^kSikfngef to arrite witfe the news of a victory
in the neighborhood of the Catfeasos. His
lofty mind was hot ai^amed to descend to such
^tc^kiX cdnfrivaMes.

In lite ihfAith of May, the head^quarters of
the army of the Ukraine were removed from
Kiof to «he b$bk^ df the Bhieste^. iTbis move*

160 ^ THE UF£ OF

ment induced the Turks to quit the frontiers of
Poland to get nearer Yassy : but a corps of Aus-
trians . followed them in this retrogade march ;
captured many of their guns and a great deal of
baggage ; , and having met Prince Ypsilanti,
hqspodar of Moldavia, who was flying from
Yassy^ they dispersed his escort and took him
prisoner.

The army of Potemkin marched in two divi-
sions. The first remained under his immediate
command ; the second, under the orders of two
lieutenants-general, Paul Potemkin and SamoiloiT,
crossed the Bog, ai^d advanced on the right shore
of that river ; whilst the former marched on the
leipt«. Towards the end of May, ,the troops occu-
pied the camp of Novo Gregori, where Potemkin
received the*news.of the first victory of Prince
Nassau over the Capitan Pacha. He on this
occasion said to the Prince de Ligne : " That
*^ comes from heaven ! Look at that church : I

dedicated it to St. George^ my patron ; and the

affiiir of Kinbum took place the day after St.

George's festival.'* After having encamped a
few weeks, and performed several retfx>gade move-|
meniiS» the two divisions towards the end of June
formed a junction. When Potemkin heard of
two more victories of Prince Nassau, he again
said to the Prince de Ligne : " Well, my friend !
*^ what did 1 tell y<Hi of Noyo Gicgori ? There

PRINCE POTHMklN. l6l

he is ftgain. Is it liot evident that I am God*9
spoiled child? — What a good fortune! The
garrison of Oczakof is running away. I shall
be^in to march immediately" — ^and the troops
were set in motion; but instead of marching
directly to Oczakof, Potemkin passed three days
on. the river, stopped every where to take and to
eat fish, and paid a visit to the victorious fleet.
. The approach of the Russian army had occa-
sioned great movements in the Turkish &e9t/
which was rifling at anchor under the walls of
Oczakof. It consisted of sixteen ships of* the
line. That of the Russians sailed fromCherson
under the orders of Prince Nassau and Commo-
dore Paul Jones. ' It bore directly upon the
Turksy to drive them from the coast and prevent
their obstructing the operations of the army. A
brisk engagement took place. The Prince de
NastauL was at first obliged to give way to the fire
of the Turks; but he was soon supported by
Paul Jones ; while the Turkish fleet was also
receiving a reinforcement, commanded by the
old Capitan Pasha^ The combat was renewed
Wjih fresh ardour ; but the victory remained with
the xlussians. The Turks took to flight with a
loss of three gallies, and the Russian fleet went to -
attack the very same walls which her enemy had ^
been, protecting the day before.
.B\xt the Turkish fleet was not^ annihilated ; it ^

M

ifis

Ti» urB or

ipea^fVMedf a &v di^ft af tpr. Hit fate ofCkzafcof
depended, however^ on the destmotioit) ö£ thtsr-
4^et« The Russians) once masters of die aea^
would pcevent any succdur being dirowii ifito tiie
place by water; and the army «iMier Poteoikin'a
command was posted in scich a manner as txD
derive the Ottomansof all hopes.of throwing any
ammunition and. provisions into that important
fortress by land. Undisr these circumstances; a
council of war was hekl en the l6th of June^ on
board of the Bussian^ ieet ; and the resohitioa.
was taken to.giire battle to the Tucks on the day
foUowiiigji^ ' Accordingly) on the 17tib of Jtine^ ^
four o'clocdc in< the morning, the Rusaisni flisefc^
commenced the attack in a most- undaunted
manner« During, the nighty the Russians faadi
had the. gpod fortune to receive a reinforcement
of two-aiuif twenty gun-boats^ which were sent to
thep» £rom' Krementzsehuk. Thar fire was
dreadful. . llie Turks defen^d themselves with
heroic coura^^ : but the talents of die twa adver«-
sanes were not equal>; they were fighting on ■ aa
ekment, where science deddes the victory. Aftej?
aa obstinate engagementof ifiveihoursi the Turkish
fleet' was diqpiersed : seveml v^sels were blown*
upi others wrecked on the coast« Numbers 6i
the crews escaped in boat^^ l>^t^ they w«« recä ved ^
on land by the. troops €|^Süwaroflrs divincai ; and^
ali who;esf:«^ fiom th« siups ^efe either Idlied

• */ "

PRINCE l^OtEMKIN, l63

or made prisoners. The Turks lost fifty-seven
iressels of different si^^ed ; atnong which uras the
ttdtnirärs ship of silty guns ; and six thousand
ittcn killed or taken. Two frigates, t^o brigs, a
galley, and several other small vessels, were sunk !
but of the great number of vessels that fell into
die bands of the Russians, there was but one ship
^ fifty guns fit for service. The Russians did
not lose a single vessel ; and their }oss in men
was inconsiderable, because the Turkish artillery
Wai so badly served that it scarcely did any exe-
otttioH*

In the m^n time, Potetnkin's army, moving in
ditferent columns^ had insensibly approached
Oceakof^ and invested the town with an immense
line of^ cireumvallation. Potemkin was encamped
«I the Ähöi^s bf the iJnieper three mil^ from
th^ place. From this camp, which waK called
ifa (kntp of thä Oeäetti, he wrote to the Em-
pte^s, that he did not ycit intend to begin the
siege ; but, to spare the elision of blood, fcfe
would etid^avetir to take the fetti-ess by surprise,
of to prevail With the Tuf ks to capitulate. Some
#kii<mi^)ec< took place between the Russian troops
that were sent to teconnottre the fortress, and
those of theTttrkish garrison who made softies to
get proVisioM, or to intercepft the convoys of thfe
eneriiy.

The AuÄriun troo|ii were höweVer less maetHre.

M 2

€(

164 XH£v UF£ OF

A corp«, under the command of the Emperor^
took Sabatsch. The Prince de Ligne^ on inform*
ing Potemkin of this victory, urged him at the
same time to make a false attack on one side of
Oczakof, and on the other to leap into the in-
trenchmeuts, to enter pell-mell with the garrison
into the old citadel, and thus to carry the place.
t)o you think," replied Potemkin, " it is like
your Sabatsch, defended by one thousand men,
and taken by twenty thousand ?'* This was one
of Potemkin*s exaggerations. The attack had
beei^ made by two battalions led on by the Em-
peror, whose vigour Prince de Ligne advised the
Russian commander - in - chief to imitate. The
next day, when Potemkin was inspecting a bat-
tery of sixteen guns, which he had raised in an
open field at a distance of one hundred and sixty
yards from the intrenchments, he remembered
his conversation of the preceding day ; and while
a shower of cannon-balls fell near him, and killed
ck>se k> faim an artillery-driver and his two horses,
he with a smile said to Count Branicki : — ^^ Ask
^^ the Prince de Ligne, whether his Emperor's
^^ bravery at Sabatsch was greater than mine
^^ here?** — This false attack was indeed a hot one ;
and no person could be more nobly and more
cheerfully courageous than Potemkin at times.
This fit of courage continued for three or four
diys, during which he exposed himself to the

j ii ^ »'i. m** uw iw* im wmwwim

PltlNCE POTBMKIN. l66

greatest danger. Prince de Ligne observed to
him, that ^^ cannon-balls were the best remedy
lo cure his ill-humour/' The Russians sevend
times lofit and recovered the Bashaw's gardens.

On the 29th of July, forty or fifty Turks came
along the sea-shore, and, climbing the acclivity,
fired upon a battery where Prince Anhalt had
just relieved Geneva! Oiotousoff, who had been
wounded the night before. The light-infantry
strove to be revepged for the wound of their
general. Without waiting for the orders of
Prince Anhalt, they rushed upon those forty
Turks ; who were soon reinforced by more than
three hundred of Hazan Pasha's soldiers. To*
•save the first, Anhalt was obliged' to advance with
the second battalion ; he drove the Turks back
after a very obstinate fight. Hardly had he
feMgntered the intrenchment, when more than
two thousand Turks advanced with flying colours.
Anhalt rallied his troops with great difficulty^ and
i^n attacked the Turks ; hundreds of whom,
ocmcealed in the crevices of the mount, fired
without ceasing, and could not be dislodged.
At length Prince Nassau, who had in vain waited
for ordersj^ had the threefold pleasure of saving
the battery and Prince Anhalt^ and of being
revenged on Prince Potemkin, to whom be
sipologized in his report for having advanced with
.three gunrboats^ and forced the Turks ^o a i^treat

\

t

TBK i.irB ap

without his orders. One humlreitl aad tighttf
ilussians were killed in fhh affair ; and witlmi
aeven weeks, though the siege was not aetuallf
begun, Potemkin \oei liioF« than twelve hundred
men^

It was, no doubt, wi^h the view of sparing
human blood, that Priiioe Potemkin hid fKOUrsa
to artifice and money. He imagtaed the Turht
wished to Rurrender. After a greaf cannonading
from t\St fleet of the Capltan Plasha, seme Turkish
. boat« approached the coast, to take soundings in
the Black Sea, Potemkin supposed they wanted
.16 desert, and thought he already beheld them
eofiverted into good Christians : but they fired
upon the Russians. His indolence and inactivity*
dfiH^u'^fdceeded irom his firm belief in prede$(i*
nation/ Ife had ordered a trial of Ttew mortars,
alid wanted to go on board* the vessel in which
(he experiment was to be made: but l^ere was
no boat ready for him, his orders having be«i
forgotten.^ The experiment commenced, and-
proved successful. It was however supposed
that somil of the enemy's boats, drawn up under
the walls of Oczakof, were unmooring to attapk
the Russian vessel» The crew of the sloop pre-'
pared -for defence. In this hurry the gunpowder
spread on the d^ck, and, covered with a sail, was
forgotten : some of it was incautiously used to
fire upon th^ enemy^s boat» : and the Russim

I

€4

PRINCE ^(ynsiKiK. VSf

ftüd sixty men were blovrn up. Poteaikin wonid
inevitably have shared their fete^ ^ did not Rea^
ven,** said be immediate with tnucfa conftdenoe
and devotion, "^ entertain a particnlar regard for
me, and watch night and day for my preseita*
tion.** Soon after this occurrence, a few knen
were lost against a sortie of the enemy. Pot^m-
kin wrapped his handkerdMef, dipped in lavender*
water, about his foreheaid, which was alprf^ a
sigqial of a real or supposed head-ache; aüft sunk
into one of his hypochondriac fits.

In the mouth of August, the Russians seemed
to emerge all at once from their inactivity. Sii-
waroff, on his own aulhori^, unexpectedly or*
deied his left to advance in four square )Ml|älioHl
against the mtteiichment of the rightridbi»
he had got over half the ground, he found himae)f
cgeposed to a tremendous fire, and lost a thousand
men. As. the Turks were i^ovii^ from tlw
intrenchment ^ on the left, the Prince d^ Lign^
fastened to the Russian general, who commanded
the right wing, to induce him to leap intq thai .
intrenchment with his troops. He ardently
wished it. The Prince de Ligne dispatched hlA
two aides-de-camp ta Potemkin to obtain Jeave
to do so. Instead of returning an answer,' he
wept. His misplaced humanity made him regret^
iiiß sacrifice of oko, wbieh such an mtitrfii$¥

.16B the . LIFE OF

ß&fii^dßA. Priaoe ^Repoin was ordered to march
with, the centra towards the intrencboient, to
mske a diversion, and to liberate Suwaroff. This
. movement was completely successful.

The Prince de Ligne endeavoured to kepp up
a good intelligence between Potemkin and Repnin
by means of the Bible and Martinism. Potemkin
)ughly respected the Biblej apd Martinism. had
rendered Repnin. as gentle as he used to be
intractable. Both displayed uocpmmon courage
in a boat in which Prince Nassau took them to
reconnoitre Oczakof, close under the walls on the
sea-side. They were salutefl with grape-shot find
c^non-balls.

The Austro-Rus|sian troops^ under the orders
^f the Prince de Cobourg and Count Spltikof^
,were in the mean time besieging Choczim, the
key of* Moldavia on the Polish frontier. As the
advanced works did not appear susceptible of« a
vigorous defenjce, they were carried by assault at
the very first reconnoitring. Sixteen hundred
Turks were either killed or taken on this pcpa-

vi

flipn. The bqsieg^rs then began to bombard the
fpwn^ which was soon reduced to a most pitifu}
^condition. Hands wjere wanting to. extinguish
.the flames, aqd to resist the continual and spirited
attacks of t^e allied troops, which were every
day making a greater progress. At length thp
governor, not wishing to run the risk of mu

PRINCE POTKMKIN. I69

aasault, coii0ent€d to capitulate. The ganiaon of
the towQ was ailowed to wUJidraw to Bender;
but all who were in die fortress surrendered
prjsoi^ers to die Austro-Russians, One hundred
and fifty-three heavy guns» fourteen mortars, and
a large stock of ammunition and provisions, be-
came the prey of the conquerors, and served as
instruments for new conquests. ***

Potemkin still continued inactive before Oc-
;z:akof. His n^ociations and his bribes m/A with
no success. The frequent sorties of the garrison,
the bloody skirmishes which they occasioned,
the bad season which was rapidly advancing, tiie
mire into which the troops were sinking, rea^
dered ^jt last the diminution of his army extremely
sensible. Towards the end of Octob^, he had
only two Ueutenants*general 1^, who relieved
each other in the trenches. The Prince de Ligne,
tired of this state of afl^irs, resolved to leave
Potemkin. He entertained him with a grand
dinner, to which he came in his r^oientals;
ivhich was 90 unusual, that the Prince de Ligne
said to him,— T^^ What, withotf your green cloak,
^V Prince ! this must be a sign of disgrace."* He
declared, at the s^me time, that he would wmt
until the festival of his saint, Gr^ory ; who» be
hoped, would again perform some miradejn his
behalf, and that he should leave the camp the
f^ky after, which was the twelfth of Qetober.

;

If a t« i.fFB er '

^oiMikin M«wered, he wu waftitig fer It frtgite;
ßhe Mm« not ) but St. Gregory's day came. He
iieith«r aAttcked^ nor thought of attacking. To
dtveit hiniielf and hts patron^ he wanted to take
ftTurkiih «hip on hk festital. The ship was not
trice». Ail the day he was plunged in a gloomy
«elaneholy, and in«!^ e¥€ning th<e Prince- de
Ligne left him, to go to the army of Marshal
^omaaxoff; and to sttoidlate him lo greater
•joerti^, he told bim, on parting, that if he
nvonld 4end troops to the shores of the Black Sea
u far as the I)annbe, and order Roijssnsioff to
ai|iranee towards B<|l$harest, he ntfonld get htm
nuamed ho^podar of Moldavia and Wsdllaehia^
^^ What do I eare fer that ?'^ replied Botemkin;
^^'I might bo king of Poland, if I chose. I
'^ fefttsed (he du<}hy of Courknd» I am mueh
** qaoie than all th^t."

At length, after having • i^cekped considerable
mtAft^reements for his artny, whioh the snow and
ieo^ and the tidcnesses attendant on a camp in
tlie mife had «ensibly diminished, Potemkin^
coiivindBd of th< Mhiey of his ideas reiqpecting
tile inottnation ol^ th# Tniks to surrender, deter*
mined npon atlaeking and taking Ocaakof by
0arm« This eote^me wm dr^adftil, no doubt ;
and wimld eost mneb bkHnt. But would nti^
twice as many mei^ have perished, ^e victims of
^oid^ hunger^ ^^ €S9^^^ M kindp^ ifbebM

PRflfC« miMCIN. . ifi

oMltiitted aH Ikt winter under the wtlb of the
place ? And those men frfaoni fiitigne uid iirimm
wouU have doomed to an early greve^ iponid
they not haw perUbad without f^ory ? War i§
an evil; it is the most frifht6i} «f pbgues;
rsligion and morality ought te impd princes to
MFDid it ; but when cmce engaged in it, eillier hy
neeessity or through cttlpable ambition, it is
^vimis, thftt^ to be tardy and oyer^^cireuas^ieet
in the proseention of a war^ does Imt ineiease
its hontn^

Potemkin had for sosne lime been maatar of
the island of Bereiean^ situated at the mondi 4f
the Dnieper ; whidi being funded with a atnwg
tower, had tiU then oflfered a seeore retreat to the
Turkish' vessels^ whenee they could from time to
time tiiiow some little snecour into the plaw^
and reviipe the drooping oonva^B of die gmri«^
eon. He entrusted general Rifaas with tbta €X«
pedKtiop { who suocessfnlly aeoomplished hisf
oligect; it had indeed been jm%cd so importanft^
that great rewards and gratiAoations had been
bestowed upon the troops tha| wore fmpioyed«
Sight f9^h}ert, who hfd particirii^ty diiUn gaisfaod;
themselves^ were presepted wtA gotd^ewords of
^ value of eight husidrod reobler eaeh^ beaftnf
tbi« imcriptJon/^-^f Vhß ftwatd of vidow.^

As soon aa the eiego commenced, Marshal Ro^>
nmiaoff h^ ordawd gen^ I7fiSlnipt to march'

t
/

■^^

172 THE UTK or

tifeng the IViith as far as Ganya. Genoral
Soltikoff, after the surrender qf Choczim, had
imrched to Belji. These different movements
enabled the Russians to keep the Turks at bay on
the Danube, and to cover the siege of Oczakof.

Not to lose the advanti^e of these successful
movements, it was now of the most urgent neces-
sity to hasten the assatik* In one of the councils
tf war holden for this purpose^ the Prince de
Nassau c^ered, if he might be entrusted with
the operation, to eflect in the weakest part of the
ibirtress (which he had descried) a breach suflS-
ciently large for a whole regiment to pass.through,
FMemkin, who could not tolerate any boasting in
bis presence, though the event might have jus-
tified the Prince's offer, asked him sarcastically^
howr many breaches he had effeoted at Gibraltar ?
This ill-timed railfery hurt the Prince de Nassau
so much, that he complained of it to the Em-
press ; solicited his recall ; and was actually with-
drawn from Potemkin's army, to be employed-
agaiAst the Swedes.

Although »the proud Potemkin listened with,
so little moderation to the opinion of bis general
officers, he yet spared no pains to render hiaisdf
agreeable to the soldiers, whose attachment he
deemed more necessary for his design <^ stormr
ing Oczakof* His behaviour however, was not
gpided by wise, principles: he not only endea-.

PRINCE. FOTEMKIN.

173

toured to ,sti«iulate the eniiilitttmi.and courage of
the troops, by proini$ing to allow them to pluailer
th^ town, but he also tolerated a- complete tn-^
subordioation for the purpose of attachiog th^,
troops to his person by this excessive indulgence-
From that moment, all discipline disappeared.
The excesses of the Russian soldiers (who never
need much encouragement to disorder) were car-
ried to such a height, that their officers dared
hardlv to remonstrate with them, much less
restrain them by any punishment.

Potemkin however succeeded in his views. He
did not suffer the ardour of the troops to abate«
After having reconnoitred all sides of the fortr^s,
formed his, plan of attack, and marked the points
by which the troops were to enter, he, on the
sixdivof December, 1788, at six o'clock in the
morning, commenced the assault. The army
marched in six columns. Four, under Prince
Repnin, were to attack Oczakof on the east side $
and the two others, under the command of General
MuUerof the artillery, were to stortn the west
side at the same time. He kept, besides, two
corps - de - reserve in readiness to su[^rt the
assailants.

The fire of the besieged Ottomans was terrible.
They were sensible that this was to be a decisive
blow, and that they ought to neglect nothing to
ward it off. But in spite of their obstinate

VT*

fM> iftns OF

^iMtflOt, CkMMKl Able» «tftrrfcd wttk ikk first
dolun»i» tHef feft of Httaii Pisbs^ tituxted on ä
hili ; Mid iMQ aA^^y ^ttdtber^ whi^b also looked
dter the tdftrii. Tb€f seeofid eoflumn,; Mi&maiideä
by Geüetät Bii^öf, peti^tmted ittto oti6 of the
»tfbtitlM, and Mäk pmnemojA of the itMtd vrbie^
letdif f^dth the tiihim to th^ d6k!«K T\Hß third,
btftring & niurdefons^ firef ^ gtap^-dbot^ which
^tfi^ed desrth m H« raäk«, te^p^d mto the
<K(died ; fif)d CofoAel Mark«^; «t the head of the
chasseurs^ planted li ladder, and was tl(e ftrSC tf poti
ttte rtttipartsf. l^inee Vdlkoffski^ Mho eom*^
iftaflded this <^Mu«(in, frt^ ktlled.

Iii tile meaä thh«, the tdnxnh dtid ftfth edlütätts
hstf rt^ sallied fNy6i the eöf «f«d WAf, (Stds^A tM
ditched, aud thi^ateii^ tltd riäipäftä, <^tfs^
ä Herious shrtA iö the eiftanie», ktid <*Afiged tketti
td divide ttieir Atteiifioft änA tt^ir fdrites. M fb«
dhdl wä» tttfcc^^nonljr deep dn the ipdt Whef«
fhesc^ eolaihns itiatde theit aftack, iSiejr bad |}^
bMh ftbk tu erdiir it witlif6ät » hetetf lo^ : hfl€
fieithef this dbstdcle, hor the Misk fife ä^ tfie
besteged, not Ae blowing up of d<«ne tttinei, had
Been ibb fo arit^t the Impetuosity of tlie f(il^
sians. While the men of the fifth coltiMSt #eM
^mhthg in the dtteh, Iheif bodies l^me^ a
bndgef</r tÄd sixth, #hidi, tiiid««^ «K^ öttfert ^
Öeöefafl 9ai«ö^df, readfeferf the raihpafrti indpdi-
sussed ittelf of the hasiioiii^.

L^

(

r

. Diivsm fro» the forttfiortiaMr osaght %el*r«li»
two fires, and more closely pissed in p^optiitkw
as they retreated^ the Tufk» h«d no'otfacnr ie&Mrct
left but to take lefuge in die hotisia <tf tfna iiri»iiM
l^itants. . This always provfs a Tail» ihd dteadM
lijesaarce t without saving the gatridoti, it axposif
the unfortunate it^abitaats to be slaughtewdt
t^eth^r with tbe soldiers« The Tnrkil lougki
<)0s|)erately both cm the ilaitipinrte «nd in thtt
street)»» The Russian troops^ nivteraUy t^fodkfm^
exasperated hy an obstii^te resi^ance^ and ^finM^
lated alike by the paostote of vangeance and tha
desire of bocrty, ap«red ndithar. sex nar.«j^,. and
Ins^db^edallwb^ were of tke race of tbsimiqMrid«
They did tnoi:e ; tb^ tovmentod their vietidlS|f
^pd inflicted tqpon imny an* «xciuoiatiiig deadly
Tfatt number of killed OttodiaBs waa so eonsiditv
able, that they could not find room to bury ^kam^
They were piled in OMla^ taken- out o^ thö toWiit
and throwti upep the iok td bä de^cunnl^ by dogs.
The slaHghiter bsfled three days» Bitt IM iM^draii
a veil ol/^ii Sfcenes . of riatomi barEMaity, aeR#
a||>laud those nations, whc^ oandncsting wfiir
upo& pnneip)^ of bunteitity^ su^eot tbata oaly^
•to pain and death, who kmreaiadie it their pro«
fenf ion ta oMoUnter ^wm^; b«b protect I^M^
a^aed iphabit«Ms olliieir »iTiisarias' c^^uMff"
agpainrt^thd horroKof stdmliaif ftstoult9, and^Htf

\

»

.♦ _

17.^ nü uiE or

^fiKsts 6f a vem^^eance . whieh they have not
provoked.

Accoi;cUag to Potemkin^s calcuhtions, eight
thcmsand. three hundred and seventy Ottomans
lost their lives during the assault, and eleven
hundred and forty died of their wounds, brides
the inhabitants of both ^exes who were butchered.
The booty of the Bussians was immense. -Priivce
Potemkin presented the Empress with an emerald
found at Oozakd> of the size of an egg, cut in
the form of an oblong square, and of a fine pro-
portion, though not absolutely pure. Catharine
aflerwards wore it in a necklace set with diamonds.
. The Ri^ssians found at Oczakof three hundred
and ten heavy guns and mortars. Aoiong the
prisoners of war, there were a Pasha with three
tails, three commanders of gallies, having the
rank of Pashas with two tails, and four hundred
and forty «-eight other superior officers.

In the account which Prince Potemkin gave of
the loss of the Russisins, he stated it at nine
hundred and twenty-six privates, and thirty-one
o€Scers, three of whom were field-ofiicers. It
may. easily be supposed that, according to cus-
tom, the loss c^ the conquerors was considerably
under-rated^ More accurate calculations have
stated the numlmr of Russians who perished in
the storming of Oczakof at several thousixMiB«

/ PRINCE POTSMKIK. , 1/7

Hie Rev. William Töoke says . twelve thrnisantl.
But the whole jsieg^^ which lasted several montha^
must have cost them at least thirty thousaud
men. These, however, are results which ambi-
tion, does not choose to avow.
> It has been reported, that, during the brunt of
the attack, Potemkin was in a place of safety, or
jftt least out Q^ the reach of the guns ; and that,
sittiqg on the ground with his head resting on his
hands, he only lifted it up now and then fervently
to ejaculate: "Q Lord! have mercy upon us T*
It is also said that as soon as the town was taken,
he approached it with a triumphant smile, and
immediately dispatched Colonel Bauer to cany
this important news to Petersbi^^rgh.' All this
may be true: .but the inference drawn from it^
r that Potepikin was deficient in personal courage,
is a calumiiy. Of all deeds of war, there is per-
haps none in which a commander-in-chief ought
to be more careful not to mix with his soldiers,
.than in an assault. Of what service would his
pres^ence be on one spot, when every thing de-
\pends on the total efiect ; and when even one
successful partial attack, far from being useful to
tbe other troofis, only exposes to certain destruc-
' tion the courageous band that has alone aqcom^
plished its object, while those who were to cp*
operate with them have failed in their attempts ?
before the storming of Oczakof, Potemkin had

' . N

Ifi IM lÄtE hi

hioKA^ miftd^ bis cKsj^sitioM and given Wfs
iWAers. He neitlier cö^ adr otight «i hiiNre
done moire.

The officer ^fcom Prinde Pötetnkin dispät«lye4
to Petersburgh perftyrmed the journey wrth m-
credible expedMon. In four dnys itnd a half he
lyavetkd over teore tfcain nine himdtied Mile».
He arrived laKe^ttt nighft at Fetersbni^^ k»i
ddiivered his di^ätches to ^fowionoi^ to whom
the Frincfe had addf^^ tbem. The Emjlretn
was itfi bed ; but the ftlvemte disturbed het* ikfBp
46 aeqaaint her ivith tiudh Hgreeable news. Ih
the first paroatiaii^s <tf her j(ty ihe s^hed ^teain.
19he hnor^iMely brosib %6 #rite to the KStiättd-
Hluke and soite of her tnöst fntiteaie gftindeaB
4hese Tew Wdrdsi : ^^ Ocüs3tof ts äiken.** The
iäsitt day she itddresslsd her coiM thus : ^^ I ivas
^ ill, but these joyfäl tidings cured me.** Coldnel
Baur received, lis ä reward for his 'te&lätid dis-
patch, a gold snuff^bo/k, set wHh diatndnds, a^
'eonttiining one thousand ducafe ; atiA Was ap-
pointed to the command of ä regiäient. Aftir
aotu^ f^fw dayis, he was ^nt back to'Oct»kof*,
tod entnisted with the great order öl St. Geot^
and its star in diattaOMUB, and a swotd ri<^hly net
with brilliants of the value 6f 4li^ty thousand
roubles, for Priüce Fbtemkin.

All the officers who had been employed in 6le
taking of Octakof, leceived gold inechls, and the

PRIVOE KXTJHBRIN.

«r»

»Idier» ftilyer onas» üha» iinedalfi dfie wdm b§r
tke Ruisian ^trcxapB in the huttoHi-hode lof« i^atm
eoBitMj with an orange and iblaick tstiafied difaFbud«

.Although idle Tvoks mi(^t Jong jbawe :ftntb«>
cjpüted Idle Adt «df Oczakof, the «aews y^t jqureadi
the iJMwwt4K)iiiteraatk>a »t Constantinople. Aftjsr
the frit n ww« tg rf srtnpor^ the people heoania
WitrageMs, «anil >the gtaml-signior «and üb »Atom
tror^ «fery^isar :fiiflifig «ietimatte 4fliieir tfiitjr. Bnt
Mliirnhig aooA to ^arder^ father /from lapa^jcUiäa
oat {)f 4'etpecit^(»r the la9»> and ^leaägaiDg them**
«dMiitia the4tcMes/of -fiite maoeifrafD uaabneaB
thant ntged by naasaa, 4ha stupid Xmka, jfaofli
4p^wt nadlow^ asatttcfrMNi^lavc», seaar^igk» and
aah)tot|y ^fargot' thnims, ^tod aiever thonght ^
•MpAiriog It^ mor . of ^avatdiag Arash ilaates«

<M^le tdaMtaiititiople «aras ^luoged in ^gtioF,
^ rotgaed triiimphant at Beterfthiicgh 4 difae
hopes .'of ^tbe ttassiacis oFoa^ >y9glii Amt mmecm.
The happiness of the hero of the victory which
intoxicated the empire with joy, was at its utmost
height. He only longed to return to Petersburgh
to enjo5' his triumph. He wanted, however^
first to place his army and that of the Ukraine in
winter-quarters. The army of the Ukraine had
constantly kept the field ; the Turks, it is true,
dared no longer to shew themselves before the
Russians in front, but they continually harassed
them with their numerous cavalry ; which occa-

"N 2

<•►

180

THB Uf E OP

sioned frequent skirmishes^ so much the more
disagreeable, as they were not decisive. At
length General Kamenski, who commanded the
advanced-guard of this army, determined to put
an eml to this petty war. He formed his troops
in three columns. His march was so rapid and
so well combined, that he surrounded the Turks
and forced them to battle near Kalkusta. The
attack of the Russians was so vigorous, that the
action did not last long. The Turks gave way
cp all sides, and escaping from the blows of their
enemies by flight, more vrere taken prisoners
than killed. They lost all their baggage and
artillery, and were disabled from rallying for a
long time. This battle ended the campaign of
1788. Potemkin stationed his infantry in Ocza->
kof and Moldavia. He sent his cavalry beyond
Üie Dniester, and, after having terminated these

i, sat out for St. Petersburgh.

-Jii vji

PRINCE POTEMHN. 181

CHAP. XIII.

Potemkin is splendidly received at St. Peters^ ^
burghy where he passes the winter injestivifies
and entertainments. — He returns to the army,
to continue the war against the Turks.

The brilliant campaign which he had achieved,
and the important services which he had rendered
to his sovereign and country, appeared to have
placed Potemkin at the pinnacle of fortune and
glory. He was of all Russians the most power-
ful, the most admired, the most wealthy, and the'
most feared. Nothing seemed to be lyanting to
his happiness, if appearances always corresponded
with the reality, and if it were not the essential
condition of happiness to have its principle in
the calmness of the heart and in the testimony
of a good conscience. It is this disposition of
the soul which alone enables man to find a new
source of happiness in the favours of fortune.
This truth, so trite in theory, is little known in
practice. Every day the man in power is
punished by the secret anguish of his heart for
the insulting parade of prosperity with which he
crushes the vulgar; and yet the torments by

iLI tm III I i^i

. «

182

TMS tlTE Ot

which he is devoured, and which are frequently
visible, do not render the ambitious who succeed
him, itaore wise, nor the obscure crowd who wit-
ness his pangs, less envious.

The instability of worldly things is such, that,
like the heavenly bodies whose motion is conti-
nualj though not sensible to our eyes, the lucky
star of a human being can never remain steady
at the top of the wheel of fortune. He- who can ^
no longer rise, must decline ; this: is an invariable
law of our nature. We shall soon bebsold Po-
tepfikin placed in some degree under the iK^uenoe
of this .law> and that without having deserved it
more than any other fevonrite of fortune. It
was jprecisely at a time wheiv he had been meist
really Utseful, and when the imputse he bad give»
to state afiairs had been crowned with the mo^t
beneficial consequences ta the empire^, that h^.
ipust have been sensible bow much abseaee ha4
impaired his credit with his sova-eig% while it
had constantly h«en upon the increase when hi^
was rather an intriguing courtier than aq excels
lent minister or an able general.

It was na^ bowever^i immediately a£ter Hi$
^rivalat Petershiurgh that this chsnige could be
peirceiv^. Catbariaae was m^nanimous ei|öu^
to stiflae every little passion,^ wbea the gjory o£ her
tluron^ and Ihe; i^t^r^st of her doDdiufons mm

PRUK?« PcyrsiKi^iN.

m

QQiu!)!»riiQd. She oirclefed the conqperor of Oq*>
^akoff to be received in a maimer worthy of the
brilliant »access he bad gained.

To give his reception the appeanuaee of a tri-
usnph^ the Eoafmss ordered the road by which
Potemki);! was to arrive, to be iUuminated for the
space of six miles. When he entered the town^
all the guns of the castle were fired ; an honour
axclqsively granted to (he sovereign herself«
The Prince alighted at his palace^ cloflie to tbii
imperial one. He had not yet finished changing
Ilia dress^ when the Eiapress surprised him in his
own apartment She stayed a long time witb
bim, and then repaired to the ball-rooni of her
palace^ where a brilliant court was expeeting her
M^ty/ She appewned with ^ most cheerfi^l
countenance» and told the courtiers ^t sh(e wis
just returaii^ from Priqce Fotemkin ; aud tfaat^
hy going first to visit him, she wished to shew how
greatly . she was satisfied with bis services. But
fifteen days were scarcely elapsed» when the
<H>urtiers who were most aboiit her person» &Bcie4
they perceived that there was no longeix such a
cordial intimacy as formerly between her and hcf
aaeient favourite. It was well k:oown9 besidea,
that firequent. misunderstandii^ )iad arisen be^
t ween them in their epi^»lary correspondenct.
Potemkin had not been sufidently aware that
what passes in ooaveraatioa may net dwayis

IB4 THE Ll?ß or

be written; Several times in his letters he had-
been guilty of opposing the Empress with vehe*
menee, and of casting a bitter censure upon
whatever had been done without his being con-
sulted! And to support the enormqus war ex-
pences, he had been obliged to ask for consider-
able sums. Such demands, which are always
troublesome^ had furnished the courtiers, who
envied his favour, with pretences to paint him in
the blackest colours to the Empress, and to excite
her displeasure against him.

Howeif»r, the behaviour of Catharine to her
minister did not betray the least dppearance of an
ihci pient decline of favour. This successes obtained
by the Prince in the last, warranted the hbpe of
much greater advantages in the next caippaign»
The thought of conquering Greece was no longer
jbtitastical, and of course it was proper not to
offend him who had commenced and who was
best able to achieve that important exploit. Catha-r
rinewassensibleof this. Shecould not conceal from
herself the need in which she stood of Potemkin.
It was - become habitual ; his ascendancy was
firmly establishiöd ; and if in the secret of her
heart the Empress was determined not to have
any longer the same condescension for him in
the distribution of dignities and favours, and the
administration of her finances, she yet wanted
\liin to be the greatest a«|d most honoured of h^

PRINCE ^POTKMKm. 18d

subjects, and wi^ed that the most flattering dis*
tinction^ should be shoi4rered upon him, not leas
as a, reward and encouragement, than to attach
him to her person by the ties which she knew
best calculated for her purpose. He had already
received every mark of honour imaginable, the
richest presents, dignities, estates, money and
diamonds. To these donations Catharine added
the kind condescension of giving brilliant enters
tainments, of which Potemkin was the hero'.
The principal grandees, to please their sofnett^ign,
imitated her example. , For the spme of two
months, Petersburgh continued the theatre of
the most splendid festivities. There was a general
emulation in contriving whatever could most
flatter the pride of the individual for wllom the
most extravagant expences were readily incurred.
His principal exploits, and particularly the assault
of Oczakof. were represented by dances, by
music, and by fire-works. The arts vied to cele-
brate his glory ; and yet he received all these
homages either as mere marks of adulation, or
as being due to him. He alwajrs appeared cold,
and almost insensible to whatever was contrived
#9r his gt*atification.

Such was his unfortunate disfbsition, that
whatever was best calculated to delight and dazzle
a mortal, disappeared from his sight,, and even
|>ec9me insupportable^ when the smallest secret

.»

' . ' s

«

il WM^ of ^ n^tture tp^ hurt bis. pride. He ^m
i;m«pei;9t^ sig^^i^ MomoMff^ wlic^m he had
4fippi>sQfl| te Im his &i^Q4 hfs devoted slaye^ wA
ipii^oi^ on his. aiari val at caiurt hß had seen astomii^g
toMraHlsi 0ther co«rtiei?$ a haughty deineanour,
H^icbi, according to Potefio^ii^j ill beGame him i
and, what, wsis- still v^s^ . pretendif g to a. sort of
eH^lity with the Prino^ This circa^ta^nce ha^
m^ re vc^f d hiß jtride and hi$ self-love, that he
mptayed ^vety means to determine the £4^pre^
Iq dismiss MompnoS*; and her absolvte refusal
tQ comply ^ith bia doB^s^pd raised hi» dissatjslkp^
tion and ivrath to the highest pitch. Catharine
ipaa foittd c^ hfrlorer: she ^ould not bring herr
«rif to sa^ri^ h.iin to the lyhiois of Poteoikin r
the had even made a merit of this refusal toMfardy
^omonelSr. The lattefi who feared the Prino^
indueed the £n)]>res& to appease his wralh by
bvifihing upon hivß the Wioa^ flattering mark^ of
&VOUP and di^tiqction^ The Empress followed
Ihis^ advice. On l^aster^ve, when, according to
tfiie ipUgiaiis ceremonies of the Greek churchy
the court was ai^sen^hled in the imperial chape^
to assist at the divine service, every one .wa%
Htl^e e^fi of it«. adl^MAfdtP kiss the blind of the
Sfoprfss, i#d p^^ilt their .b«t withes for h«ir
/pc^perity. Pote.4iki» Nvi«g first approached,
IQathptriuji» msteikd i^ sufierii^ him to km her

PRIWe rOTEJIKiN.

m

hand^ tenderfy' Mtbrtccfd bim^ and in tiUtticm td
tki^ hommmble expresiion of h^ regard^ tlnnked
bim aloiMl far fbe knfiortent senrices he had fc»#
dered to her person aüd to the state. At tht
same tiifte her Ma^ertj adofned bis neck wttifi a
diamond collanr of the order of St. Alexander^
worth sixty thousand, roubles.

The Eosprisss hoped that so much generosity
and so many testimonies of attachment woukl at
length tndoee Fbtemkin to set out for tiie army^
without insistiisg any longer upon the dbmissal
of Mombnoff^ aild without ventiiring any fresh^
(jkioands of money for himself. But her expec-
tations ^ere ditappotnted. The month of May
hsA commenced^ and Potemkin c^stinately per«*
«sted in staying ; dwlaring that he would not
leare Petersburgb without a sort of capitulation
with hiB sovereign. He demanded, that, before
bis departure, Momonoff sbeinld be dismissed,
another lover chosen, and bimself famished vAlh
six mittions of rouble for tbe expences of the
oampaign he was going to open. In vain did he
eontinue obstinate ; Catharine this time was stiU
more so. Sbe granted the sum which he de«,
manded ; but she would not consent to the sacri*
fiee of the afiectiona of her heart. Fbtemkin,
sebaible that the sieason pressed, and that duty,
iKHMNir, and necessity, eqoally urged him. on,
departed for die army in the mitMle of May

isSi m LIFE or

1789, ieavia^, to his heart's sorrow^ Momonoffta
kts nluation^ and carrying witli him no other
consolation than the promise of the Empress
that she would not a{^oiiit her lover vice-chan^
celtorof the empire, in the room of Count Oster-
man^a dignity to .which Momonoff had long'
aspired.

This promise suited the interests of the Em-
press more than those. of Potemkin. Momonoff
was no ways proper for the eminent post to which
he ddtred. to pretend. His nomination would'
have been censured by the whole empire. Po--
temkin always gave Catharinie the most judicious
advice for the choice of individuals to be raised
to impoitant pbces; A just regard to propriety
and to the dignity of his sovereign« joined to a
principle of equity and attachment to the welfare
of the state, attracted him towards men of merit,
and made him wish to see them distinguished»
Nature in this directed him better than his educa«
tion. It certainly was not by the lessons of his
tseachers, nor by the examples of the world in
which be had moved, that he acquired the notion'
of paying tolmerit the justice and honour which-
are ite due. But he was gifted with the instinct
<^ elevated sotik. Pride, nobleness, and genero^
skffy were born with htm. The attentive oh- '
server will perceive, in the life of diis celebrated
man> that he was indebted fer his virtues apd,

good quftUti^ to himself, but f<;H* his^ vicesaod
faulty to the prej^idtGes of hi« natioti, än<i t6 the
inai^Ders^ still tainted with barbarisai, of the
jDOUDtry in which he was borq.

A short time before his departure foi^ the army,
he gave a proof of the. correet judgnient he.matiU
fested in the minor circumstances of life, which
i^uire more^ discernment th$in genius. Catha«
rine, who harboured a deep resentment again)^
the king of Sweden, and could not forgive him
the war which he carried on against her, compiled
an qpera, which she called " The Unskilful War*
rior.** The design of this performanioe was obvi-
ous. The Empress showered down ridicule upon
the object of her hatred. ^ She spared notiiing to
.render the representation. of this dramatif: iförk
splendid and brilliant, dfartini composed the
music. The ballet cost twenty thousand rppbles
to get up. The scenery, the dresses of the per*
formers, the decorations of the house^ would
cost at least double the sum. Catfa^rine wanted
to have her play performed at the gralid nationid
th^tre : Potemkin highly disapproved pf this
idea, and was not afraid, of stating his disappro-
bation, He thought it would only serve to exa»-
^perat^the king of Sweden, and to perpetuate the
'.war. *^ I am," added he, " neither a judge nor
'^ a critic, but I could wish the Empress had
' ^^ chosen any other amusement/* Out of regaril

19D

Vtt« Ute M

ht im 0yitao% the peiHbrmanoC! xwi ftMpwoA
till aller his depwrtttre ; ««d the pflty was act^ at
the dieaim of the Heiwitage^ where the puMve
were not admitted« Potomkin shewed on tiiis
eecaskm,^ he 'bad done dii many dtheniy 4hat
CttAnnne conkl not be a Icpser bj listening to
Um/thoa^ rfie oMornioniy 'did not wish to hove
Ab iqppearanoe of fegulAing tier coadmft accord«
lag to k» advioe. ft h «eiteintfaat, on a-eom-
fiamon ^ «he life of Ciftharine widi that of
B)«emlria^ it may doatly %e seen what ^Potemkin
would liave been withonft Catbarine : but wlmt
this princess would have %een without Oie.manof
genius whom she 4iad judicionsly chosen for her
eoom^or^ is notqnite so obTtous. At4east> it k
evident "diftt rfie did trtft perfenn any tlmig so
jgreat^ «nd particularly so ably •conftmied, ei^Mt
feefoteoraitairhtm, as fiAiedid fluxing Ins lifetime.
Sfean while Cathafine^ wlio^ao obstinately 4i2|y-
poMed Momonoi" agdiast Fotesftin^ 'was ^redtly
dtSBOtnified witii her krver. She wus disgusted
w4lh Ms frequent flhiesses^ and^n^ore wil^
Hve yoke whidh he dared to impose-upen her.
Hot ^ttt Momoneff was unamittMe: he was «dto-
iKif possessed of the means dt ple(»ing, rattier hy
^fte accompUshmentts of the mind' tkm by «jcterittr
«divaitttages^ tttonghhis^urewaseiuremely agree-
ofele. He pr^Mbly tnight have preserved - his
iflfimneemd his sHuatimtai the .isalb ofCa-

fttfrine^ ^had lie tidt hmnself eccteßmiefl im 4h^
ttiission %y Ms iitiprHd<ence9. -H^ a^ited to
tfeftt th^ Empress as a being oter 'whom h^ hwi
a sovereign empire. He was guilty of frequeftk
hifidelittes ; and he kept so Httte wilfhin the
bdurids of discretion in his intrigue wi^IVio«*
Tchei*batof, tfiatt Catharme ivith her »ö*rn «y«f
witnessed the pertidy of her lover. She<iismtsi$lsI
him on the-spdt, and condemned %fcim to m«fiy
hvs mistress. This *was the only revenge 4ht
took of the Hingrat^ful coupfle. Tht 'igmlt df
Princess Tcherbatof, lorved and disjtinguished «
ifee particularly was by lier Sovereign, was tjdt
less'thanthatof Rfomondfl The£mpress loaded!
them ivtth favours^ but banished them fhym 'hot
^t-esence^ and ordered 'them to live ^t AIüscow.
Matiy persons were losers by Momon<^^ -dis-
grace. He was kind4iearted^ easy of access, and
generous. The Grand-duke, among others, had
in iitm a faithful servant, eagei^y availmg hrmselF
lof'his iiifluence to mitigate 'the unhappy situaftioa
of him who Wa^ some day to be his ma^t^, but
"who inthe present moment had mudh less powiar
tfaanMomonoft. Thtscircumstanceiionour^ alike
ihid he&tt and the underrtanding of M^moiicff.
i^o shew himself kind to the heir of the throne,
<ih their fespeötive situations/announced a gene-
rous soul 1ree from little 'fears and little pasi^iöns«
The ^rand-duke was sorry for his mrsfbttuoe.

193

THE UTE OF

Momonoff mürt have been regretted alike by the
court and the public, espeeially after his^uccessor
Plato 2Subof had unfolded the vices of his cha*
racter.

Potemkin learnt ivith much dissatisfaction the
nomination of this }roung man to the situation
of a favourite. The place had become extremely
important. Catharine^ as she advanced in years^
anflfered her lovers to have so great an ascendancy
over her^ that the individual who held that situa*
tion was no longer indifierent. The choice of
Zubof had beai the mere efiect of chance. He
happened to be on duty at Czarskoezelo^ when
the Empress, having just dismissed Momonofi^
a&d her heart being yet filled with bitterness»
wanted immediately to substitute another in his
place. Count Soltikof presented Zubof, whom^
he knew from being a neighbour of his father in
the country. Catharine accepted of him without
hesitation^ as she would have accepted of any
other. As Potemki n^ more particularly acquainted
with the talents and disposition of the new fa-,
.vouritefrom the notes which were transmitted to
him concerning every officer in the army, did
probably not think him entitled to the high
favour to which he was raised, he censured this
choice^ and was extremely angry at its having
been made without his concurrence. The sequel
proved that th« s^qious statesman was not init^

•\

PRINCE :|H3TS|fK|N. Ig3

1

Ipken« A nsport was circulated at the time, thai
he feared .Zubof ; it was owiog to a pun whiqh
• Potemkiu had made upoa his name. He had; it
is said, commissioned an officer, whom he dis-
jwytched to the Empress on some particular oeca*-
^on, to inform, her Majesty that his health
would be perfect if he could get r^ of a toxAjsL (ia
l^ssjan Zuhrf)^ which causod him great paim.
The auf ^dote may be true : jbut it does iu>t follow
that Pptemkin, at ; the distance he was from Zu-
hof^ in every respect^ should have feared in him
a rival. It was however in vain that he solicited
the Empress to disioniss this new favourite. Ca*
tharine insisted upon keeping him^ because her
favour was once fixed, and it would have been
pgiaful for her to make a new choice. Potemkin^
who was then at a great distance from Peters,
bui^h, and had his head filled with too weighty
ojOticerns to busy hrmself long about court*
ii]|trigiies, hazarded no farther remonstrances. Ca-
tbatine kept her lover, and soon grew warmly
attached to him. The death of Potemkin, which
>' ha^pe^ned a few years after, left Zabof without

any competitor capable of balancing his credit;
and from that moment he reigned sole and abso*
lute master over the heart of his sovereign.
^ The war in the mean time was continuing ' its
ravages. Itie diminution of the numbers of men
became alarmis^, and the difficulty of raising

o

»i^

tiiK Biim w

fm^ii» Wl« aehai^' but tM apfmrent. • The?
Ato<^e d^MMd«d DPöt'i^g lAian «ixty^three thou«
attnd men to cbtUjpt^H^ hi^ arftiy. The fitiftnces^
yif^t^ s«il) ttioife eKfaausrt^d thau the populatioiv
The tHocp^ r^&t not regübriy pkid, beeaiise caftb
#ä^ i^&ntiilg. Iliat osettns alid rciiiiou» Swedish^
#arliad alon^ ab9(Kt>«d two^nd-twenty miUiaiir
of raubles. The na^l e^j[>en<^» and the repilm
Which ^ fleets^ reqili^i rmdä W p^dbfi^ thirty
if pl-dttiacled; iStih Wat would soon ccfst twice 4kW
AUdb. Alftfined^ at thi« prospect^ the mhnisterv
erf' C^tlföHne wtsHed for peace ; b«t her Migestyi
tvte'not soiiielhied; aiKd'PoteMkin stitt tess. Ani^
ilMSed' 1^ the' tionq^oeftt of Oteal»lf; thiey iw«re
4Mth< more obrtitfal^ly thaa «m* bieitit^ upoh their
ftVdfiritb' project <jf cöft(|öeriÄg 'ftitkey. Per-
sonrfty irrttäted against the kitig of Sl/red^^ tfee
Empi^esis WouM^ no more listen to any accomino**
iXsttim w4<^1ihat monarch thatt with the grand^
rfgftioK In tftiis violent' s^ation> recoiirsfe wt»
had t^ a fre^h i^Hs^e of paper^cürrency ; that >A^1
r^sdurc^ whtdh^ lea^ng«a}i>0dl€»- nations mistre^sses^
of the exchange with Rntok> gave tJhem üie
eppOMIinity of d^raining the empire of the littib
iMterilfc möniey thM Was Mt^ and entirely deprived^
it of that n^^r^ and'aKnient of state». ^ ^

With this want of specie, which would obstruct-
some operates and hinder the ei^ecutidn ei
mafny , several other diffictAtiea were eomfc4iied.

at seeing the Austrian qippu^y in a st^te Qf dit(.
SKitliW^n, BralMBt nevoljbe^, Q^pgji^ broking
«it in manfuiH v4 tift>sfAmti^ 41^ ipsurceptiooji
aw) 9<^n)ia and AvatjriijL cl^imin^ their infHnged
pH?iI«geR. He n^y^of^ that a foreign ^
vm the Ipf^i^ (^ qsisfortane tojt an empire v^j^ofe
fofOft hud I9]li)tj^e consistency a? thpsp of his mP^
Mfchy . ISß had acconjlfingly proposed 9^ .aQcpni}-
imxlajkion to üiifi TnrlfSi, ^ t^ yra» goin^ to Iqiy^
Kamia alonf^ l^urthened w'^ the whole weight of
thfiwaf. QfL th^ other hand, the d^tJ^.ojT Jo-
9«^ by we^ening the iff» of particular friejn^-
alnp which fi^iflted bfi^t««» that prince and the

«MMTt flf V*wiHf«ii 4^rived th%t of Vienna qi

Htß i«fln«nce it h^ ov^ the politico of France^
fteiid^, Frincc ytt» already witnes^ng the first
km»ali 9f thait terribly revolution whic|i oyerr
pimm/^ hqr co^stitHtü»^ »nd l»«r jmorahty. Ab^
lOt^^ ijip the C9n|ewplatipn of her paiiiful
sitjw^tMn ft h(9jwei Er«(»o? ap ioo(jer extended her
ifiwws lü» iipfopp : f^ >WM, «a ^ i(?ere, severed

fporo Rnropp. ^» h^ goy^mftiipt »5«^ on tl)^

p^Oiint^ of oh^j^^fig it^ cl^f^Qter, W spirit, Ivsf
I^t4l9 pf f(Hrf i|^ ffMf}» :i»»«t <»lao n^^hH^lly b^
«Uened. The pjjher pofKe^s *p«rp wqder the i^eK^

«itgr of wmfim f^ ^^ ^H^^^ bj^ore th^ cou^d

reckon upon th« stability of any treajty «rifh t})j||;

o 3

ig6 THE* LIFE OF

I

pow^er. Russia and Austria coald no longer
Jitter themselves^ as they had perba{>s doüe in
Joseph*s time, of the co-operation of France to
destroy the Ottoman empire in Europe. It was
feven uncertain whether France would continue to
coincide with the desijsrns of the courts of Peters-
burgh and Vienna upon an empir6 which was her
ancient ally. While this new order of things was
weakening the position of Russia to w^rds Turkey,
it gave more weight to the determination« of the
powers which did not wish for the ruin of the
Turks. England and Prussia, which were espe»
cially interested in the preservation of the Otto-
man empire as a guarantee of their own safety^
succeeded in detaching Denmark from the alliance
it had entered into with Russia to make war upon
Sweden. The court of Copenhagen, at the
opening of the campaign, apologized to that of
Russia for its inability to furnish the contii^nt it
had promised, and remained neuter. Catharin^
knowing whence the blow came> was fiirious
ligainst England : but she was obliged to {Mt)-
crastinate her vengeance ; and the French revo-
Itition having soon after altered the equilibrium of
Europe, and changed the political system of the
!Euix)pean powers, the Empress, far from avenging
herself, drew closer her connection with a power
whieh she would have annihilated, if able, a few
years before. . *

i

PRINCE POTEMKIN.

197

Russia was now left alone both in the war
against the Swedes and in that against the Turk*.
Potemkin could not patiently think of this Swe-
dish war, which deranged his vast designs against
the Turks, because it necessitated a division of the
forces of the empire. In order more quickly to
remove an obstacle which he could no longer
endure, he wanted to have the war tenninated in
less than one campaign, by destroying the -veiy
field of battle upon which the two powers were
measuring their strength. " The Russians}," said
he, ^' must penetrate into Swedish Finland, depo-
" pulate and ravage that country, and render it
^' so uninhabitable that the fiend of mankind
"' himself would not be tempted to make it his
*^ residence.*' , This violent advice was unfortu-
nately followed. Three thousand Bashkirs were
Äent for from the borders of Tartary to be em-
, ployed in the execution of the bloody decree '
«against unhappy Finland. The Russians. how-
ever had soon occasion to repent employing thpse
hälf-*^vages. They treated Russian Finland as
unmercifully as that part which belonged to Swe-
den, sacking, plundering and assassinating friends
and foes indiscriminately. But this very insub-
i ordination rendered them formidable in battle.
. The Swedes had no other means to rid themselves
of them, than by laying snares, in which many
wefe qaught Even the Russians are reported to

r

• ' r

198

¥Rfe tin or

liave h^ek obliged to tecut to similar itteans (or
the purpose of ditnini&hihg ^e ttümbers 6f th6i(e
barbarians, wfab were bed>(he tit>übi^iidhie and
formidable to the ve^ 'army 'iJy Whfch th*y wei^
employed. 'CeHaitiTt is, that but a ^v<r bnndireds
of tho^ who had seNed in the 6aMpaign of Fih-
laiid returned to their hom^.

If Potemkin was dtssatiiÜed vHlh the ädvis^ts

of Catharihe fer Haiihg feo ligHfly Engaged in *a

war With Swedeb,h6 Wds hot i^uch better plea^

' with the conduct of the -Rusäiah ibittistehi towards

Poland. Bxa«()erated by the 'Vexations atid iii«(^

- lent' treatment wlftch they exporlefjöed froih the
'ambassadötsöf itussia ^ridalVthe htissiah agents

b^th civil älnd ihilitai'y, atid c^nälly di^^täd

With the little alt^tibh ^ät Was paid M^l^tefs.

't>üV^ to "their >emohätrati^e8 atid inKilalmA^i^iis,

■ ttie Poles ive'ry' WhfeVe brl5ke out ih i^eta Hvdit,

- iWdy to aVeiige by fbrfce* ^th^r ' tiölited "pi*} Vitegts
'iiHd digfttty. 'I'his nfew'qiaatTel'Wis pirfiätilatfy

Hl-ttraed;ä8"i^ iiri|ht have c/pp6«öd"än inVindble
bbi^tä^e io tbe pM^hrWe ' Rtfs^äh tTV>b)^
Ih'röü^h Mild, in their'^äy h> %he krttfies ddl-
: iectBd a^iM %eT*ütft8. 'Tbtöi^tin, fiiWy aWI#e
bf th^ Im^ttiAice of this ^difsage; l^new iM^w ^ik-
-gemtis'tt ihi^t"be fot: hh ii'ob^'tö bedebäi^Md
'from it. ke övö^hilmied Iflie fett^i«*^ Wikh
'^bitter VeproSwihe« about fee asteildatiöy '\AiMi siHe
'iuä^red her tiiiinitet^"to>ii^i|irHte, chdiKe >ti«le

t\

^:;

Pt^GE ?OTMfKIN.

m

Hiodefation the latter observed in tjieir urond^ct
He advised an iaunediate . n^ociatbii 'svitb tlfie
republic of Poland^ to restore the fr^ ps^si^e
which bftd been obstructed : bat tlie Poles^ beii|g
rendered eepsible of their strerigth by the cohjci-
lit^ory meiasuresto which Rus&ki w^ forced to
report, aod beiQg besides secretly eT^cited by
Pruasia, wojuld coipply with the demands of tbe

. court of St. Petersburgh' only under certain «-

. strictions. They stipiilated^ thsft tiie ftq^^ij^n
.tro9ps shouk) pass in si^all ijUvi^o^s; that ope
divipbn should »otset foot oii tbe P^li^h ti^rri-

^ tory be&i« the ojtiher bad i|jaittQd it tm tbe opposite
:^ide; ,tbat the troi^s shc»|ld Ipe fui!iiisb€id ^;jth
pus^^rtsfrom the ccmintnud^rfiof tbß^frjo^^^a^d
that they should p^y for every .artii^e^thfy xnlgbt
wmt on the . i^ad< The coiifedefat^s ^ of Pqjand

. dbckfed, brides, jtbeir deterqninatioii tg. observe
tbiB ntfi^mt neutraliibf domg the ly^ b^we^n
Biissiit ^mi Twkey ; and rcyjuired, %ccordi4gly>
tbat the former should wif;hdn^w the^fm^mm

. ^tskblished m Pptoinl; a measure ^vhich tb^y
CQAsideiaed isMeeessary to their tr^n^illity, as tipe

. ofluaei^s i^aced over.^iose ix^^^es w^m turj^-
Imit p^rsobs^ who rdiped at creating disjburbapc^s
Mdoiig the Poles. Tbe EcBipress 4id not wifh

, fonn^Uy t6 bind herself to any compÜAnCüefMiilih

r jthk <|eaKEind. She «lerely proOM^ in g^neciil
to spare tbe, Pollex i^ation; ^aj^ shortly

I

■^- «

aOO tME LIFE Ot

' after !%he informed the states, that she had ordet« j
Prince Pötemkin to remove the Russian magazine^
which were in Poland, to the shores of the Diiies*
ter. This negociation was the last betweea the
republic and its formidable neighbour. The
*' Empfess, who had perhaps already secretly sworn
its destruction, was subsequently enabled to exe-
cute this design by her peace with the Söbütne
Portej and the death of Potemkin. The Poles,
who flattered themselves 'with having recovered,
their independency, but waftted a support, ap-
plied td Prussia, and met in th^ Prussian cabtnet

• with men seduced by thecourt of St. Petersburgh,
and equally covetous of the spoils of Fobiid.

• From this moment the Poks were doomed to lose
the rank of an independent nation.

Potemkih had frequently threatened he would
batter down flie Ottoman power in two cacnpaigns :

' but the eoncurrence of these4iarf»sing eirciinfk«^
stances made Mm easily ' foresee that a third
campaign would* not accomplish hife object, and
that he must yet refeolve to undertake it, test he

' lose the fruit of his first conquests. Ceithsi^ine
entertained a similar opinion ; l^nd not <^lyidid
her ambition find its aceount in Xht hope of ^äeeing

• her 'power considerably increased by the soeesss
of his arms, but it appears that she seised utritb
equal satirsfaction the opportunity of keeping at
a distance a man whose overbearing ascendancy

I vyv^^^Y«

PRINCE POTEMKIN. ^l

'die feaved when be was near her. 'T)ie painful
sentiment which Catharine felt in this respect
had its principle in hmnan nature. Potenikin
had long ceased tobe her lover; he had even
laid aside ail gallantry with her, and was no
longer anxious tb please her. Occupied witfc
de^p-laid schemes and the most important in-
terests, his nifind was absorbed in the conduct of
the war and the administration of the empire, o^er
whieh he • wateHed with unremitted care. He
had no leisure to attend to trifling intrigue^
incompatible with weighty concerns %nd often
prejudicial to their progress. Potemkin expres-
sed his opinion Muntly, and wished it to b^ foK
lowed without obstacle and without delay. He
was bitter in his declaration^ and remonstrances,
4q order to overawe the Empress, avoid all discus*
sion, and be spared the denial M>^ which a gentle
and mild^equesi is t^ frequently exposed. Bat
Catbsrtne, with all fcer magnanimity, was yet a
wrnnan. Potemkin took no pains to disguise the
dominion which he pretended to assiime over h^;
Md Catbame, as soon as she perceived the yobe,
fislt diifiesed to resist it, though her reason con«
vnced kerthät die demandi which he so im peri«
mssfy urged were just and founded upon evident
utility. The Wk of Potemkin furnishes many
JMtaaces of his directiiig her a&irs^ and t^e

w\

202 tm. UVB 4i

dioiee of some of her fa^^mrites ^a,n|l:üdlitilMf*

Such a strudle however niiBt havebeafif^ttfiful

to Catharine, even when die triumphed* Pd4«tBi-

. kin^ Ithough forced to yiekt^, never submittecl hmt

/till after a long reskta^ce; and Cathiirme dreaded

the task of using her supremai^ to bend th^ will

of her ini{ieriou8 minister to her ^wn• ^Tbe

absence of sbch a man proenred her a traofuiUity

' in the charms of which she was so »iieh deUghted>

that she ardently wished for its eontjnuation.

The Empress was particulai'ly hara^ed by |he

excessive dems^s of money witih which she wiis

constantly asa^led by Potemkio, He wa^itd

"for the campaign of I78d) which he was going^o

<^n, an eiskxmdimxy supply ^f ^^jfl^t i«^)i|iis

, of roubles^ indepeddoQt of the six miUions destinied

lor the maintenance of the army iinil the v^tr-

expences. Tlnese eight «»äUow we«6 to be deio«

ted ta bribe the m^nfaers of tbe ^ Diiian to midie

them oont^de the points wfail^h Biissia was deia-

roas of carrying in the cimfereawt that ^ii^^ie^o

be held at Yassy ; or, if the negneii^tions shemki

f»l, tiie nsoney was.to be!de0ti0ed>liMr tn exptxj^-

tienon tte'fitedi Sea/to thi^w tbeftmea.^f^Kfar

> into die very lieart of CoBstai^biinople. »Fatradiin

* 4edarad thai be hsmsdf wottki cammMd dwis

'e&pedki0n« The tmbition iof Die hftu^y Cla-

vtiiarine was infiaoied; Um ?^ficiiHies nhiobjikQ

J»

pryiici Potmrnt^.

<JK^

^t'fftst thought ^rofNSr to fi€ai^t «gttlmt lAm^moi^
Mityof the deinmid'vMiidhed; fli^Amighher

^^nances v^ete ^baU6f^, >the Mm was glinted.

-Pdteihkifi not ^täy obtained these eigtit miiUoiss
of roubles, but he also felt oiHiiient^thftt'his de.
mands of much larger sums would be resnüty
complied with^ if necessary to execute his vast
designs.

It was about this time that Radischeff, one of the
superior officers of the customs at Petersburgh,
published the nafMive 6f a journey from Peters-
burgh toMoscow, in which hefeigned to have had a
^ealm. Trtfth in this dteam had appealed to hiixij

^tid ordered htm to make strong repüeaentatiots to

'4ihe Empress ^idM>ut the overbeaNijg ferner of
Potemkin ; the conduct of both the «oveneign
and her minister were reprobated i« the most

' sevcfepierlM^. This was tfae£tst prwted libel that
ev^'af|f)|)eared at Petersbtirgh. It was ^bHcAy

-soliffer two idb)r» before h'tittaaötad tlie* m^liee^^f
goiicl^itieht Htm avtliir was praseiitly disw-

"^^edt ' He^edardd, On his eaE«ktiiiiaMon, that lie

Jili4'iu>{ ronoaiive thei^ xtoM 4^6 «ny^iha^m ih^mA-
l«ihi«i^a di^eaib ;- )Btnd tfaat/if any *<me should #ee

' kis retetnUblance f nit, be^^rasito aK>i>entt&iilt4bm
tf faeimd held up a minor «^fbr peopled loekiii.

'The Smpress Was «o iocensdd at^bis defence^ thit

'llädtKheffWMseiit^to'Sifaerfli. Cduiit t^xaoder
WatOUlmSund PriUqm Dksttktyfl; hi^^sister.'the

AM it«» un Of -

koovrp ' patrm« of die bold writer, were mtpeeted
^t having instigated him to publish his dream.
•The former was even examined before the secret
commisMOQ, and bt^ lost much of their con-
sideration 9t eßwt^

CHAP. XIV.

Campaigns against the Tur1& in 17^9 ^^d 1790.

hnwetl is taken ; and^ Potemkin, after having

-placed his troops in winter-quarters, repairs to

Yassy. . ■ '

The spring had scarcely announced its genial
influence, when the war raged again with all tts'
horrors, even before the arrival of the commander-

- in-chief at the army. Towards the end of March^

^ three or four thousand Turks appeared on the
Pnith, and drove back to the dirtance of twenty
or thirty miles some regiments <^ Cossacks that

< attenipted to oppose their passage. This small
^rps was the advanced guard of a division of
fifteen or sixteen thousand Turks, which soon
after attadced the Aussian out^posts; and tÜis

.division was closely followed by the niain Ottoman'

pitiNCs* KynonciN.

am

army under the caiDiiiand of tlie vgratsd-Tmr«
On receivipg this^ififof mation j Msrshal Ri^maiHSoff^
who commanded the ai^oiy of the Ukraine, sent
strong reinforcements to his out-posts, and set bis
troops in motioii. On the 1st of April a briflk
engagement took place belween the admnotd
guards of the two armies : tfae aifitir howev^c
was not decisive. '

But Count Romanzoff' was not permitted to
adorn his brow with the laurels of this campaign.
Potemkin, who had long hated him, behekl faia
merit, and the estimaUon in which he was held
by the army, with «rn envious eye.- The tala^
and virtues of the Field-marshal were so geaaNÜly
acknowledged, that it would have be^ imposia«
ble not to give htm an independent command.
Unable to reduce the venerable veteran to receive
his orders/ Poterokin strove to counteract hit
plaus, and^ by repeated disäpf^ititments, to forat
him to retire from the servtee. He retained not
only the greatest number, but the flower of the
droops, for his own army. He kept the army of
the Ukraine in wartt of the most necessary arti^
eles ; and yet, having, as president of the counoii
of war, the direction of all operations, be expected
of the Marshal the performance of movements^
which required a much more numerous and better
equipped army than that which he cogimanded.
Not contented with this injurtice, he paid in the

sm6

«Ml «WS -Mr-

«owt agwBst Kim. TV ^WB^mtt^oi (be Mw^
aittl were not Mptomdi «ou Um 4!^^^m«iißlit^

«tern he pcrnitudf «irt w <k»emiig ^t))^» fpn
Weary of nmh glarii^ ii^i&tic«^ tbf iUlMMppmi

lie hafkcowrfd himdf wi^ m mw^ l^my^ wA

•iiwlilfd 1^8 vwdil Ffüf qiliip itKiBp#f^«t}jr a]pt

Hft fiH« laffmitfld gMmyilt9li9i^ of 9}1 tib« t^i^^p^
ciayioyffl 19MMI tl# Turkic Uk mrmj wm
«afiiil tW Äfmjf ^ ikß »mik; m^ Qe^ml Jüiß^

m^iimkm^ id the mm^Btmy-

Th0 wir «190 mir iMl^ tQ ^ilie % were q^*^
4»rMst twn, and te be f^^tm^if^ Vf^, {Fwl-^
feigi»Qr, äidnd ^idbmi^ 1¥. ^ ju»! fwA|^9t|»
tsfärod, ao4ieft tfi« lApime to hk n^f^^ir^ SejUjp^

HI. A]r0!iiig fintmfdiam^ty^mg^ yenr» (»f «gfb

who «TM Jb&o»» tc^ )mnt» wmM}f(e 4ili¥)«#iQi)^ fm^
extra^ljr hMlH« to (äie Ewmnt. It wm thei%
fiMoe fHroikaUe that ihß ^of^^remms hß^ 4i^
Yaissy iviiile the »rmifrs wei» ^qg$^^ watiU

puiMs wmmN.

m

woti be hnkMsa, up, nmmmm^lkix of Ifaertmi ptt-^
tm stemed to vrish for pause. The wmt con-
tkmed mtb Fenovtted admty : bat the Turks«
\mte not Mccenf«]. After hav^ttg been fidroed
lit their uitieachoieiitr at Gahtc by Lieutenant-^
general DeMden, and defeated in every «ii^ge«
nienttfaaA took phee dwing the -months of May.'
and June, they were at length, notwithstanding
the rapidity of their retreat, overtaken, on the-
2«at of July, 17^9» near Fokschaw^ by Lien-
ti9nant«geneinl Suwoinff, who gained over Ibem
a eontptete: vict0ry ; in ewiseqittence of whic^, . he ;
toedi Fcdttdbttw and a huge quantity of ammnm*
ti<m andiprbviaioQs. Thb captuie was so much:
the more aoeeplahle, beeanse provisioiis were
in- the Riismn ariiiy ; the coontry which,
the theatre of war, could not provide for diet
anhsistBnoe of the tro«^,. and the ecmvpjrs fiom-
t^^ tntarior did not arrive ffgndarly«

Not contented with makii^ his oountrymen.
triumph, l&wamff also became the protector and
savionr43f their almost uselesa allies. The Au»-
tiotts ihapb^ed indeed so little activity dnring
1km. whole wmr^ that their generals must be sup*
poaed to have had secret orders for such a con*
d|ict. Tliey suffisrod themselves to be surrounded,
near the river Himaife» by the army of the grand-
visir, who thought it mere safe to attack an kdo^

f

■t

l€«ft €Mmf than lä^mtärf&mp^ UumiwhSi^ He
htd very artfolly ccNicealed his uttrch. Pnpm,
Cobourg, who . cönimandei ikß Austnmi^
was asniled by an army . very Mpertor in
rtr^igth to hio-a^^n, when he thoi^ht hisaself
attacked only by equal numbers. In< this extre^
mity he sc^icit^ the assistance of Suwarol^
whose difisidn was the nearer to his^troc^is^
Suwarc^ with his e^ht thousand Russians has*'^
tened to the relief of the Austrwis. They wcie
flying before the Turks^. who already faneted.
tfaemsdves iq possession of. victory : but the*
iq^repid ^Russians fell upon: the:Ptlmiians with
fixed bayonets, j The Turks, . astoni^ed at tbe^
arrival of 4roo)» whieh they supposed at a great?
distance^ and convinced, fnoiia the vigour and
boldness of ' liieir attack, that they were foUowttd
by more coasiderable. fprces, began to give way,-
and were soan completely routed« Suwars^,
eagerly pursued the flying foe. He Idlled six
thousand Turks; the number of his prisoners
was still more considerable. He also captured
almost all their cannon, their bfl^;gage9 and tfaetr
standards ; took possession of their camp, wh^ra:
he found an immense booty ; and disabled them
from keeping the field, or opposing the sub*
sequent progress of the coalesced armies. Tbi&
brilliant victory, gained near the river .Rfmnii^^

• \

PRINCE FOTEMKIN. iB$

procured Suwaroff the surname of Rimnikski^
and die doubk tkle of Count of the Holy Roman
and Russian empire.

A spirit of emulation was raised among the
Russian generals ; they vied with each other.
Such is the constant eflfect of the unity and energy
With which military operations are stamped by a
good commander. When the chiefi of the dif-
ferent corps of an army are kept in subordinatidli^
and have no prospect <^ obtaining the command-
in^chief, they have no other ambition but that
of remkring themselves conspicuous by their
obedience and aeal^ and of {performing with dis^
tinguished ability the orders they receive. As
Potemkin was not disposed to forego the smallest
pferogative attached to a supreme command, no
one felt inclined to dispute his pre-eminence, - or
to oppose his determinations. Every one was
submissive and docile, and aspired only to be
worthy of retaining the separate command with
which he was entrusted.

While Suwaroff was routing the Turks where-
ever he came up with them, Repnin drove them
before him with equal vigour. After having
defeated the Seraskier Hassan Pacha, to whom
he was opposed, in several engagements, tie at
last gained a complete victory over him on thä
13th of September, 1789, and forced him to shut
JiimselF up ia Ismail with the wreck of his corps.

'^rio ^E 'tilt "of

nettil kaitfeil'^ki took (GÖafe oft theBÖh^liie,
*ihe;moit impHr^nt 'jiltide in MöT^aVlk üÄt tb
Yassy. He consigned this 'bi^fedtlflll Üttd YtAi
'town 'to pjlfekfe, alia feeft faiU it in ailie% : a
corictuct iVtlSi l^otemkih %uaiy (iöhdemteea, lis
Weil as '{he cruelties präc'tis'ea V t^" ^eH^i'äl,
whom lie "was at 'last bbiVg^ to äeiJriv'e of Ws
'cbtnmand oh'accotint <if lift barbarity. ^Geri^ral
'fth>&'mäcleastirVinbreimpöMttt conquest; ih
"iigHt olF 'the 'tüfliis'h %e^t, 'he took ihe It^astleöf
'Ä^ehiB^i, tvhieh wäs^prov^de'd'wfith la nuttlerdtis
•äfflilefy and an'iftiiÜenle *4ü'äntify Jf gütiJiöVdfe'r,
'which pröveä of ■eAiineiit'iJei^i(^'tb'th'e'ttUs§iäh
"army. '^oroifel*f»lätof, who'häd 'b^eft-aeföcKe&.
froih'ftie'^orpisof 'the Frinde" of 'iVlnhalt ftferribürg,
took aracna willi three tails prisoner, wuh his
whbTe force, consisting *(iliF "abo^fe one 'thöusah(I

*itfen.

W hue' the diTCrent di^sidris oif tKe army W6fe
tnu&ariving Ine Turkish tro6j)s of Bessarabia and
Moldavia to the southern parts of the la^r pro-
"vihfce ' (me principal' places qf whicK were already
surrounded and cut on rrom alt succour), and
'piisliihg itiem towards tHie 'Öariu'be, ttieiast'raitn-
part of tlie Ottoman empire, rofemlkin äcTväincfi^
"wifti the' main ^artiiy In 'a iormidable' biass^behiiia
'the TrgHter corps, whicli fie Käd'sk'i'n'tooriÖh,
arid which Hiaid opened a'jtea Ttils

üriiay ^äc^ibV^d ' ihe ^^ork ' whidh ttle ^'d^tä^^'^

-oevf» shod fb^piOi; it ^ot^ittihed itaietf on f4ie
: ground {Over -which i<^^ iiad jmaiched, rand^totaic
ipo«B099ion of it. Akermafn^ fidgaod/Pstlaukaj
<and dther to^msy 4Mibaritted isqocesmelgr "to jtibe
•imBS'of the Prince. ^Pbe gt/ffi^-^of AiaKfttjaa
4iad atlemptöd a vesittaiiee «rftejf having «coqi-
^meneed a *codferen<ke » wapecting its 'turdnider.
®hagr »thought of gaining tinier -pfeift ^atemkin
mos nit tto >lw caught unprepawd : bis »means
<were ready. Jle caused the« tewn to [be ^alteükcd
'tft*the same time, and'^^diiequal ardcfury by the
lland-4irin'y and <the fflaititta. f&y peraiating inia
«fiwttoBS difeace^'th« (Forks wo^ld>havelexpoa«l
Hhems^es 'to -% eertaun «and >tatal i destruction:
-they thei«fe«e <lho8e-i«ther vto^eapitulpte.

'PcMnniktn ' then adfvnnocä ^towards Sender. ^
«reid^be'^ueien <$f blood/ he iXri^Mdto take tbis
egSkee'vatbor ^by '^ capitulation than^byforoe. ^He
'l^eMfoee »sent ' aome i €f »the Turks iv^h^n < he hid
ctidEen ^prifoneFs at -lyserman into the town, «to
*^ve. their-^fvidence^f the^humamty he displnj^
'«8^eenquerorWbett'fae^as«not ntitatedi>}^ 'fruit*-
4esB^i«9i9t»nee. 'At*the Hitne^tifne>he. tb^Nitenad
itlie-i«hab»taiits i?<4th the'4]tiiiost «rigour, if tfa«y ^
^ouki oiMige ^bim ^to '«onquer ^the town ^^
tiSoroe, 'Mter <tbey 'batl Trotted his modaratmi.
^Neverffa^ess, ^he *dkl «notfioglect i his f>means i4>{
"ftttairk.. iHe ^as .^«ffieieiilly aequ^n«<ld ^th
'fnaMkiiftl, ^to ' know that ncftbing -grr^s >iiiore

p 2

•

312 THB UFl Of

vrti^ to conciliating proposiik, ^tn the apfara-
tas of foroe. He ordered his troops to approach,
closely to invest Bender on all sides. He sent
fifty gun-boats up the Dniester, which advanced
«gainst the fort ; and scarcely had the different
corps taken the station assigned to them, when
he ordered General Samoiloff to attack one of the
eastern suburbs at the head of the Cossacks.
This attack proved completely successful. . The
fort kept up a very hot fire, to dislodge the troops
that had possessed themselves of the suburb ^ but
it was in vain. The commandant then dispatched
an Aga, who came to announce to th^ oommaa-
der-in-chief of the Russiansy that the. inhabitants
of Bender were ready to receive him, and to sur-
vender : but lio mention was made of the garrison
in this message. Potemkin wrote to the com-,
mandant to induce him to surrender, promising
to. convey him, his tiroops, and his haggsige, up
the Danube, or any where else he might choose ;
and threatening, that, if on the contrary he.
•hould arrest his triumphant arms by a foolish
obstinacy, he would put the whole, garrison to
the sword. As the answer of the commandant
was not decisive, Potemkin declared that he
would no longer listen to any proposal, and ordered
the firing to be resumed in, a manner more dreadr
fill than ever. This severity inspired die inhi^r
bitants with alarm, Th^ sent a fi^h deputation

FRINGS FOTE&lKiy«

213

X t

to oflfer tö capitulate ; but they requested that the
fortress should not be evacuated by the Turks
before the end of twenty days^ and that no Rus-
sian soldier should enter it beforei the expi^
ration of that time. Pötemkin returned no an-
swer^ but commanded the assault ; the deputation
had not re-entered the town when the Russians
were already menacing the ramparts on all sides.
This display of vigour, which would have been
terrible in its efiects, apprised the commandant of
what he had to expect from so bold and «ftt€»»
prizing an enemy, who did not suffer himself to
be trifled with« He instantly dispatched an'
officer to announce that the to\tn and^ fortresi
were ready to surrender at discretion. Thus did
this important garrison, through the firmness and
energy of their commander, fall into the hands of
the Russians without any loss of men on their side.
they found in Bender three hundred piec^ of
heavy artiUery, mostly of metal, five-and-twenty
tnortars, eight hundred weight of gunpowder, a
prodigious quantity of cannon-balls, grahates, and
arms of all kinds, and an immense stock of flour
and biscuits. The Turkish ' garrison wa« con-
veyed to the Danube.

. Pbtemkin dispatched Valerian Zuboff*, the
youngest brother of the favourite, with this im**
portant news .to Petersburgh. He treated this
yotti^ oSicet with marked distinction ; v$4iich is

aflS twi' mw£ or

a» etkfeiit prooS thall he* wa» riot gQid0cb% m:
biihd batted in hist diwappw^balwni öfi Wß^to- Tbbr
boiFas 8 fstvduriite^ bat i^aaüjjr thdughH hiB wAvsenaem
prsjudidal tor ttid stete; VaAariai^ itos uncom^
moaty weih ireeeived bp tiSfe; Empr^i^. 9be: pre-
senteiA bim itith the' onfisr* of SIl Geoi^^ aad<
appotntf^d himr adjatamlHgeneral^. whiefao galve hiin'
the mnls of a majpr^MltiK

Towardi^ the eonqfuetor bimiseU, Castbätriiie dis^
j^^d^ that gttmroilitj^^ofi vfincfar slie set the ^yoxtstr
pke amoing: the itionaarch^ of Miodevn täniies^ Sh«r
sent htm dne Inmdccd thoii]$a<id idubtes* np gold ;;
M cr^vrÄ <if biir^l^ fllwde df emeitaMs set wiäfi
Mpetb' diiamoittdBy and vdivdd 9t oae bündredf and)
ifiljr tbciüsand toubles ;. amd ordered thiTee gcäd
ittedsls to be strirck to' his^ honour^ etch havings
ttie profile of the Etero^ crowined on otm stde^^
afiidE on tire other the frrst had the map of tter
Crfnrsa^ the second a plan of Ooisakdf^ and äbt
tbh^ the pja» ^f B^f^de^^

These diäferetxt tiMknu and coilqtiäslis» oecnpTed
fite Rvssian tHtops, tiU th« apritn^ of the yeair
179&. No battle d iinpoiftattce furtiilshed. theaa
with an opportanity of indreasit^ their gloty bgp
fresh victories. The Turk$ wG^ld fto Ibngay
stand befdrÄ thetn iftr the field« Cut ofi^ ditper^d^
and reduced to stnall corps, therr armies werö bo
löng^ dble to oppose the fortf]tidable masst iprfcio^
eoatiotied to advaites upooi theo). < Poteirikmbad

m^cE POTOMKjN. am

^Bfl^h«! I8i5«jjrw;itt|^>at any ote^^^ Th^
place, situated near one. of the mouths, of the
.panu^e^ w^s^ 0/ neat importances ; its cotiquesi^
accomplished the reduction of Moldavia, and
opened tte door to fresh victories, for the ßucce^d,-
ing Qan;pai|^n. fotemkin fished to sub^u^ Is-
5^)1 before he placed hia trpops in wintei;-qiiar-
ters. £^e sen^ Suwa^ofl[* tp besiege it^ and h^*
himself covert the siege with his whole army at
a sjiprt dia^tai^ce^ ^'^.^dy to oppos<| ^i^y attempt of
the Turks to ^\iccour the pl^ce. f^ey (][id not,
however, show the least in9linatipn to mp|e&t^t|;ie
operations of ^otei^kiiu Yet the garrijsop of
Ii^m^il, hrave stfid v^ell c^ommanded^ defended
itsc^lf w\th ob3tinfitß ppurage ijiojtwithstaijid^^g thq

^-^at numl^er of tropps by wl^ich it wai^besiegec|.
he Russians had been seven months encamped
UAder i|s ^Ils, and still it d^d nqt appear dis-;
posed to surrender. Weary \vith t|jie length of
the siE^, neither coused by the ^pgrqstch of
dangp^, nor cheered with the pjfospec^ of vi^tpjy^
since the Turks continped steady in their inac-
tiyity, Potepfikin relapsed into one of his £ts o^
oerfect wa^thy. Sfirrounded by coprtjers ^nd
feipfiles, occupied wit|^ entertainments, S?H?^?t
and plays, more than with wajrliji^^ projects^ h§
]|iyed in \\is ca^^p lilf e pnp of the l^atraps of old,
and set a disgraceful example to his soldiers.

* «

« «

Sflß * THE UK OF

He, who aspired to overthrow aü empire, suffered
himself to be subdued by luxury. Fortunately,
he was opposed to enemies addicted to sloth and
indolence, slaves to effimiiiacy, and whom repeated
defeats had robbed of the last sparks of energy.
Had they attempted to rouse* their proud adver-
sary, he would, no doubt, have shewn them that
his repose was that of the lion. It was however
reserved to one of the females, who devoted them-
selves to the task of amusing and entertaining the
weary hero, to snatch him from the lethargy in
which he was plunged.

Under the pretence of telling him his fortune
by means of a pack of cards,- Madame de' Witte
foretold him that he would take Ismail within
three weeks. At these words, reflecting on his
own conduct, and sensible that he might justly
be reproached with having besieged that town for
seven months without making any impression
upon it, Potemkin answered, smiling, " that he
^'^ had a method of divination far more infallible :"
and instantly he sent orders to Suwaroff, to take
Ismail within three days. SuwarolF, gtad of an
order which he appeared to have waited for with
impatience, obeyed with alacrity. He assembled
his troops, told them in a' few words what was
expected of them, and declared that they must
not only obey, but succeed. Experience hacT

taught him tiiat slaoghtei^ is uafortanately «o
incitement for the Russian soldier, and a spur to
his exertions. He ended his speeeh by the
words : " No quarter !*' and immediately com-
menced the assault. The Russians were twice
r^nlsed: but^ the third time^ they scaled the
ramparts^ penetraited into the town, and put every
person they met to the sword. They had lost
fifteen thousand men in the ditches of Ismail ;
they avenged their loss in the slaughter t)fthirty-
jfive thousand Turks. SuwarofF wrote to the Era*
press : ** The haughty Ismail is at your feet."

Thus ended the campaign of 1790. Potemkin
assigned winter-quarters to his troops and repaired
to Yassy, where negociatipns for peace had been
earried on all^he summer. Potpmkin . appearecj
at the congress with a marked superiority. He
bad just obtained the most important successes,
placed himself in a formidable attitude for the
next campaign, conquered all the stro^ng holds
which covered Constantinople towards the norths
taken the magazines of the Turks, dispersed or
destroyed their armies, and was master of the sea.
The conquest of Ismail afforded him the means
rf intercepting the succour which the Turkish
armies on the Danube might expect from the
Black Sea by the mouth ofthat river. .His troops^
victorious, inured, to war^ and full t>f enthusiasm^

9iA; tm «we ^»

\»hUe they w#re vnaUiilg for thdfetup^, $£ t^ fipft.
tmiPD to heat ikma aoew.

CHAP. XV.

Though the Empress is desirous of peace with the

. lurks, Potemkin opposes U, and returns ia

Petersburgh, where he is splendidfy received.

Ths step which Pi>leaikm had taken^ speared
4& betray the wish of cpowning bis exploits hy a
glorious, peace. AH Europe suppasecl that such
was his intentioB^ when the nciws arrived^ that^iifter
the taking of Ismail, he had vepait«d to. the con-*
gress of Yiassy. But be waß very ^r fvlmi think-
ing of peace. The s^dvantages whieh the nest
eampaigi^ bekl out^ seemed too considerable to
be negketed. His object at Yassy was to stark
pretensions so bold that they must be judged in»
admissible, aod thus tötender any iieofndilialioft
impossible.

But if the ministier fSdfe a great reluotanoe for
peace, his rivals^ whose iniuence and authority

JPRIN^JS MTBIIViN.

*lft

it Catharine herself/ after having wished &f
w«(r mthittet imj^tieiKse wbkchf nwer doM^ts
of Bsmoem smdx n^Y&^ we^g^s^ th^ mßwsr, vfm
nbw' «s ferdenkJkjr sjgl^i:^ fQ»" paace ;, t)ie i^e^idu^
QiK l|i« mar^ » htm ofimqa,, bt^ B<ot b^ea sii£|ci^
«ttj^ pro«i|N^. ii9ii ^^ie^JI^ d^ckive. Hei;
fim(Kie«9< wete «sb^ij^ted* Tbe^ conquest«« gained
cnf^ tlm^mmy;» the wKeaUU of wbicbr h^ h^A h^e^
robbed» e4»iiAdt not help to rapkiushv her ex,c;h<^^
quer; Th« fi«MCial pwsperity ef asj^e VG$t^
HMrely <m a wise» ardaiwifiitiation^ ai»d i^ ii^ternal
noa^urce» arwii^g frcM»^ agf ieulii^re aed eaoRbmerce ;
not upon capitals ohteM^ed by th^ force of 99^im,
im feftsigii^ eotrntma. Such c^iitaUt are more
impidly C9&$w»»i and dUftp^JUted^ tl^iM acqvfir^d^
Thjp Empress vm» paFticiilarly di«gasted a^d
hwviiUaWd by the coi^tii^ual loamsf to which sb,^
nias fwc)!^ ta Fea^rt) wd hy* the diificaltie:? vuhic^
'^ tomud in fiiUng th^i«, <^wi(iig to the littla
.meiUt^ üvhi.eb h«F öa^Gialndo^imstratioii i^nspired.
Hollftfid reqiiired th<^ fgijwwtße of ^ priyi|l9
liiQ^er at FetiarslMiirgh. AiK^tber pow^v deiu^nd^
the jemt s^ni^tuv^ of the heir of her throni^
Catbari«^ «greod to the fori^r, but $be ^moif
would submit to the last conditio^. The Kngli^H
mnaid, mote gimerous, oifer^ her a^ a^^nce ^f
thiM miUi^MOftiu the n^opeof the English mer'^
«htnt» settled ^ Petersburgh ; but this si^p was

ssa • T9£ ut% or

far from being adequate to the enormous wants ot'
the state. '

Potemkin, too much occupied wHhthe #ar to
think of the internal administration of the empire,
was not conscious of the embarrassments whkh
Catharine experienced in her fina^c^. Hit part
was confined to demanding and receiving, without
caring how she procured the means of complying
with his demands. He enjoyed all the sweets of
the war, success and glory rewarded his fatigues ;
while Catharine tasted all its bitterness. Is it to
be wondered at, that, under such circumstances,
the opinion of Catharine was altered, and that
of the warrior remained unchanged r

Independent of this source of contradiction
which he had to encounter, Potemkin had to
struggle against the favourite Zuböff, by whom
he was detested, and who, aspiring to render
himself necessary, and to usurp the power which
the Prince enjoyed, had a pressing interest in
eausing: a system altogether diiferent from that of
FbtemL .. pndom^, .nd h. p.tti.g.»> «hI
to a war, which covered his rival with ^ry, atid
rendered him the admiration of the empire.
ZuboflT therefore eagerly seconded the anxiety of
Catharine for peace. Instead of äUeviating the
cares which the war caused her, he strove to
embitter them. The oorrespondenee of Cirtha*'
fine widi Potemkin partook of the state of *het

A«

FRIMCE FdTBUKIM.

S21

,«•

/

heart iSke shewed sömeUl^humoilr, «jod the
fieiy Potesökin irritated her by his peresaptoiy
aiiswerai^ and his^obstifisite perseverance in refusing
to eoiidact the negociatioiis with a view to obtain
peace. ^

The«e epiitolaiy dWcu«rion. bekme so warm,-
tl^it Potemkin thought his presence at P^ters^
burgh tieoessaiy to bring Catharine over to ht9
opinion, ftat his exci^ssive confidence in himsdif
deceived hifiot with regard to the ascendancy which
he still expected to have, whenever he should
einploy iall his means. As soon as he mentioned
hm intention to return^ the artful Catharine
evinced the utmost anxiety to see him« She
ovdei^ ^very thing to be prepared to receive
him with splendour ; but in the mean time, she
secrejtly conveyed to Prince Repnin, who was
eiatrusted with the command of the army of the
South during the absence of Potemkin^ fuH
powers to sign the prelimdnaries of peace, when*
ever he should think the opportunity fayound)kt.
. Potemkin was going to re^appear at Peters-
butgh 9^d before his sovereign with so many
titles to glory, that it was not possible to shew
i^im the least dissatisfaction. Catharine seemed
fo forget . her displeasure, to remember . only the
exploits and services of the Prince. It was the
luteFest of bar gloiy publicly to support and to
•l^ud the man of her choice, as it became fa^

i»s

MIS t.'^B 0F

grätittiife II» honour thli'forttiti«te (warrior^
toeee99es%bd*e^teiided thetliinfteof hm* empiTe.
K^hing was neglectetl to ^giw <to 4be /retitm 'of

of labourers were employed night and day 3lo
«fepair ^Ifie road from M08CÖW to iBttersbwfgh, to
l^Mder his j6orii^ <Mre ^emy «sd »eiqpeäitfiMis.
"^he tipproadh ito -^ oapital «ivas fthrmmatedjflt
l!ife 'distance of 's^Ferät wites ; «fld^as thettohy of
hfe'aYrivdl Was uncei^n^ 'Ah 'ilhittiMatien «wia
'repeated et^ery -uri^t ^fer More '4lian a (wefk.
%t^y day messengers wei« ^spftttilwd Miiy «he
Stnlpress'wTth' orders to'cotitihue'thttirjfoiite uivldt
Hhey mtit^hrtn, andi^peedHy'to ^return wi^-MWa
^fhe^Prince ; in'j^hort^.txonedfJ'the'tnost^flaMii^
ing marfks^f ^tteiitidn that a^scM^^ereign xan<beMMr
tlpona*subjei*t,'tfere*ömitted, to'tönvinK^e^dhMeai^
\m ttf Ifaeesttmattot) in*nf^hitih'^he£itipi«8siHM
1iitn/anä^how^nut!h^he'tvi8hed4;hft<tlli« eftlMia-
■ttön'ähoüKl^be^shafr^'by'fbe pöBUc.

Whiön^hiB twenrilhJrt: ^he ^«s wifmA ät '. MfHh
tow, ^^'d^tMttned to simH^ito «a sdl€MAiJdapu-
tMiön. 'ContltftesbdroHko^ai^eiltly Mdicitöd'^
^e one ^^f "^e deputies, 'arid ^^as ^Mcdtfdiiigljr
'appoirit^a ^ in^tnb^ '^f ^ttie ^«[Mlibli. Vbk
•-öagetJitfe^s 'a^eardd ^ÄträörtKwary «t «c«Ht ; c|t
'^ch:edtbeso$pidchrt^the^^b«fii. QPb«y<MriM
'tlot^^itdesis/'^itfaotlitfmfeäsiness» a'«eii«umitiMb
Vrtii6h Hyron^t* together ^f^o^^taen^f ^w/ü^mstt-

tity ätiä aiiib?tiön : böfti nöcfe^Säty *t6 Weif ^ö-
Vereign by iheir 'täletitfe, though of a diÖfeteift
cast ; both (Jf 'unbounded iriftüencfe over 'heir
ihirid; the ötie possessöiä oi great firtnhe'i^, auÄ
the othier of much phaney ahd 'perSeVöfäftcfe. ÄJr
combining *their 'talents and their means, l!hey
'mrght domineer over the court, and srntiihllätb
any party that dared to struggle against thetti,
^t was actually with thiö^e JrieWs'that ^fesbörödkb,
dissatisfied with '^liböf, ^höu^ht of tfecoticilifi^
liimself With Totemkih ; äriä the lättefr/whbliääi
l^een^long absent' iProm court, and 'üriinfi^rtoied ili
Its intrigues, received with jJl^astire a'öiän Whb
fcoülcl givehim essential information, arid acqtraiift
Tiim with'pafticuläfs'whidh it AJvbs di itiipottändb
.Wliim to know, /fte'feäfhe^d eVöry ^frtute cit-
cüftistance'from^esboföidko; änÜ Wh^h Ire ap-
''pi^aredlSefbre his sdvef^fgn, he^as Well'^repareil
arid intimaeely äcqüäihtdi tÖförehWd Iwrith What-
ever might be of service to his views, and'catris
*th(Bm 'to 'be 'adopted.

'Prince Pöfömlih Wädfe his *6ntty 4t ^fe1:ört-
'"burgh on Ihe Ylth 6f ^Märcli, Vi^X. ^the'Em-
•^ress gave 'him this llnöst gf äfciöus alia fiiost^dttfar-
Ing rÄeptiöh. ^heev^n recel^^'hJtti \^ifh sKöh
*6ägerries8, ' that Expert eöürtief s tholl^t ithfijr
percfeivöJ ^öWe affeötdtiön in hier ' teährtfir ätSi
"expfessiöris. Ät * least, *'they were h6t fröe ^fröih
'constraint, "^e long a1)s^n«e of ilPotfeliiSlriltäia

\934 THE UF£ OF '

produced the uMnl effects of i^bsence. Men rarely
stand this ordeal^ women never. With regard to
constant and intimate society^ Poternkin was
become a stranger to Catharine ; he had left to
others time to gain that particular confidence
which arises from the want of. relieving the heart
and the necessity of disburthening it to the object
nearest at hand. Besides, the Empress and her
minister now differed in their views upon the
veiy subject on which they were most agreed
when they last separated. Catharine felt the
necessity of accounting in some degree for her
change of opinion ; and that the secret would be
wrunß from her by art, if not obtained almost by
force. She apparently wished to keep that mo-
ment off by public demonstrations, which were
to intoxicate Potemkin, to leave him leisure
to think of his glory and triumphs, but none
to meddle with politics and ^the affairs of thp
state.

Potemkin was perfectly aware of what was
passing in the heart of his sovereign. He per«
ceived the decrease of his influence over her
pindr.but he did not suppose his ascendancy
irrecoverably lost, and fancied he might regain in
tim^e what be had been robbed of by his absence,
and the efforts of his rivals. Keeping his obser-
vations and his designs within his own breast, he
strenuously applied to coQceal from the eyes of

!

PRINCE POTEMKIN. '2M

the courtiiers the momentary change of hiis situa-
tion: and his dissimulation was completely »iccessr
ful, because Catharine outwardly continued to treat
him with the greatest consideratiou and friend*
Snip, and scarcely dared to own to herself that
she wished to withdraw from the authority of him
whose almost absolute sway she had so long
recognized.

; The better to convince the public that he had
riot ceased to be the imperious favourite^ actually
invested with as much power as the sovereign^
and incapable of bending his pride to the apparent
acknowledgment of any superior authority, Po-
temkin assumed towards the courtiers a Armer
tone and manners more haughty and despotic
than ever. His behaviour overawed hot only the
court, but perhaps even Catharine heriself.^ H^
who is seen to be afraid of nothing, is sometimes
feared. Potemkin conducted himself with parti-
icular arrc^nce towards Zubof : he neglected eveii
to treat him with common decency ; and when
the favourite, who was frequently dispatched to
Potemkin by the Empress, was obliged to. con-
verse with him about state-affiiirs, Potemkin
treated him with a disdain and flippancy of man*
ners bordering on open contempt. To tnft
haughtiness of demeanour he added another arti«
fice, (if that may be placed to the acootint of
policy, which agreed so Well with his teniiper and

'*

4|3ß ' THB Lire OF

disposition}) he abän^ned himself to pleasure and
dUftipatipn with such violence, that he appeared
to think of nothing else. He continually gave
amnptuous repa&ts and splendid entertainments.
Di^ssed in rich clothes; displaying in his furni-
ture, ia his equipages, in his liveries, all the
)uxury of the East ; surrounded with a court as
numerous as that of the sovereign, particularljr
«nth a ciowd of haiidsome females, who exhausted
fll their pesources to please him ; Potemkin, m
hiß intoxication, seemed to find no enjoyment but
in vo^qptuousn^ss, and lived as if nnn^indful of
his glory» his country, and his ambition.

Die desire of attracting the eyes of all ^ the
wid\ of appearing powerfol, seeure, and happy r a«
iniia|e passion for pleasure ; the want of varying it,
te render it interesting ; and the strength of his con^
atitutioA, which was not satisfied with a moderate
cnjojimeat; all contributed to betray Foteni*
kin into excesses equally &tal to his mental and
physicad powers, which sometimes caused his
anderBton(|tng to suffbr from the disordered state
el his kealt|i. His constitution experienced, all at
once, a weakness indicative of a powerfully active
fsmmjie of detraction, which'encroached lipoH
kis years, l^ie bad ststo of his health gave bim
an irreaolution littk oonsonant with a mind dßs^
fined to be high amd greajt, and to be a^tatfd by
Ao»e l^t noble passioom. He witi^ weaiy of ^wry

PRINCE POtEMKIN.

ÜÜf

Äing ; the slightest objection exasperated, while,
by a singular contrast, the utmost complacency
disgusted him. Though absolute and despotic
to excess, no one felt a greater contempt for slavet;
BVom having abused life, Potemkinhad no longer
vivacity enough to answer the demands of imagina-
tion, of that faculty which subsists .after all the
others, and increases with their. decay. He offered
the painful spectacle of an habitual state of contra^
dictions, which, as they degraded him, justified
the wish of Catharine to shake off the yoke of
his ascendancy, and perhaps deprived him of the
power of executing the design which he har-
boured, to resume all his former influence.

While his thoughts were engrossed with plea-
sure, he resolved to give the Empress, in his
Taurian palace, an entertainment which should
exceed any thing of the kind, and bear a spW-
did testimony to the fecundity of hi« geniud, "to
his taste, and to his wealth. But to understand
the details of the uncommon tribute of gratitude
which Potemkin paid to his sovereign, it is
necessary to be more minutely acquainted with
the theatre wh'ere it was offered.

The Taurian palace consists only o^ one story
and two wings ; but in its length it occupies a
vast space of groimd. In the front is an immepse
colonnade, covered by a grand cupola. Hie
tutrance h through a large hall, with rooiätf

a 3

238 THE UTE OF

on the right and left ; at the bottom of which is a
portico, which leads to a second hall of a prodi-
gious size, lighted from the top ; and with a lofty
gallery intended for the orchestra, and provided
vvith a gtand oipin. Thence a double row of
columns leads to the principal saloon. To de-
scribe the impression which the sight of this
gigantic temple produces, is impossible« Its
length exceeds one hundred paces, its width is in
proportion ; and the roof is supported by a dou-
ble row of colossal pillars. At about half the
height, between these pillars, are boxes orna-
mented with festoons, elegantly stuccoed and
lined with silk. From the roof are suspended
large crystal globes, serving as lustres, the light
of which is reflected by mirrors of uncommon
size in every part of this spacious room. The
saloon has neither ornaments nor fiirniture ; but
at the two extremities, each of which forms a
semicircle, are vases of Carrara marble^ of extra-
ordinary size and beautiful workmanship. Near
this saloon, and divided from it by a simple
colonnade, is the winter-garden. The vault of
this enormous building is supported by pillars
resembling palm-trees. Numerous flues in the
walls and columns, and leaden pipes with hot
water under ground, keep up a pleasing warmth«
Flowery shrubs and exotic plants delight the eye
on all sides ; it occasionally rests vf ith admiration

■löac^' " " 1 m

PRINCE POT£MKIK. 239

Upon the number of fine antique statues with
which this delicious spot is adorned. A trans*
parent 'obelisk of glass, and a large mirror in the
door^ reflect, in a thousand different shades, these
wonders of art and nature. The genial warmth, the
delicious odour of the plants, and the voluptuous
silence that reigns in this enchanting place, lull
the soul info a secret reverie, and transport the
hnagi nation to the groves of Italy. But the
illusion vanishes at the sight of th^ horrors of
winter, when the eye glances through the win-
dows at the snow and ice with which the pavilion
is surrounded nearly half of ^ the year. In the
centre of this Elyseum stands majestically, on an
elevated pedestal, a statue of Catharine II. of
Parian marble/ ' * '

It was on this splendid theatre that Potemkin
intended to entertain his sovereign. Like every
plan of his gigantic fancy, it was to be on a
eolossal scale. A whole month was consumed
in preparations. Artists of all kinds were em-
ployed, whole warehouses emptied. Several
hundred persons attended daily to rehearse the
respective parts they were to perform, and each
l^hearsal was a kind of entertainment.

At length the day, so impatiently wished for
by the inhabitants of the metropolis, arrived.'
Besides the Empress and the imperial iamily,
Potemkin had invited the whole courts the

•

930 TKC UFB or

feragn ministers, the nobHity, sb4 • great number
of privite persons of the first classes o( the conu
BauDity.

The company began to assemble to masquerade
dresses at six in the eveningt When the car*
riage of the Empress approached, meat, liquor,
and clothes, were profusely distributed to the mob
assembled at the outer doors. The Prince handed
the Empress from her coach. He was dressed in
a scarlet coat, over which hung a long cloak of
gold lace, ornamented with precious stones. He
wore as many diamonds as a man can wear in his
dness» His \i9t, in particular^ was ^o loaded with
them, that he was obliged to have it carried by
one of his aides-de-camp.

On her Majesty *s entering the hall of the
pakoe, a beautiful symphony, performed by more
than three hundred musicians, resounded from
thf lofty gallery to greet her appearance* Thence
she proceeded to the principal saloon, attended by
a briUiant concourse« Here she took her seat
«pon a kind of throne amrrounded with transpa«
rmcm decorated with appropriate niottos and
iascriptieqii. The company dispersed, soma
walking under the colonnades, while otiiers got
up into the boxes: and now eommeneed the
second act ä# this extraordinary qiectacle.

The Grand^^bkes, Alexander and Coostanfine^
9t; fhe kfad of tb« piost beautiful young |)ersqfn|^

•«.

PftfNCS POTfiMKIN. jt31

< - . . • , .

of the court, glanced a t^allet. The dancers were
£orty*ejght in number^ all dressed uniformly in
wbite^ and wearing scarfs and girdles aet with
^diamonds worth above ten millions of roubles.
The music was taken from known soqgs aualo^
goas to the festivity ; and the dance was inter-
.mixed with singing« The famous ballet-master,
J^ Picq, concluded the performance^ with a pas
seul of his own ^composition.

The company now passed into another saloon
hung with the richest tapestry of the Gobelins ;
in the centre of which stood an artificial elephant,
covered with emeralds and rubies. A richly
dressed Persian acted as his guide. On a signal
he gave by striking upon % bell, a curtain flew
up, and exposed to view a magnificent theatre,
where two ballets of a novel kind, and a humorous
comedy, were performed ; with which the spec-
tators appeared peculiarly delighted. After t^is
spectacle, several choru^ses w«re sung ; countojf-
.dances succeeded ; and these were followed by a
grand Asiatic procession, remlirkable for the
.great diversity of the, nation^ dresses of the
different naticms subjected to the ^eptre of tlie
Empress.

Soon after^ every room of the palace, brilliantly
lighted up for the ocousion^ was thrown open to
the amazed crowd. The whole pula^e seeoied in
a blaze -, the garden was cohered wil^ #f sirklifig

333 THE LIFE OF

stones. Numerous mirrors^ crystal j^ramids and
globes reflected this magnificent spectacle in
every direction. All the windows of the winter*
garden, which serve also for so many doors to
pass into the summer-garden, were hidden by
shrubs and fruit-bearing trees, which appeared on
flte I and while the eye contemplated this bril-
liant scene with a delicious rapture, the exquisite
perfume of a variety of perfuming-pans, concealed
behind flowers of all sorts, led the enchanted
spectators to believe that it actually proceeded
from theit* illuminated branches which dazded
their sight.

When supper was announced, six hundred
persons sat down to table. Potemkin stood
behind the chair of the Empress, to wait upon
her Majesty ; and he did not sit down before she
repeatedly ordered him to be seated. Those of
the company who could not find room at the
table, were entertained at the side-boards. The
plate was all gold and silver. The most exquisite
dishes were served up in rich vases; the most
delioiousvwines flowed in abundance firom antique
cups ; and the table was lighted by the most
costly lustres of crystal. An astonishing number
of footmen and domestics, i^ superb dresses,
were ^ager to anticipate the wishes of the guests.
Nothings in short, that luxury could name, wan
fwk^d fpr in vain.

PEINCE POT£MKIK.

293

Contrary to her general rule^ the Empress
stayed till one o^clock in the morning. She
seemed afraid of disturbing the pleasure of her
host. When she retired, numerous voices, ac-
companied by the most harmonious instrument?,
chanted a beautiful hymn to her praise. She was
so afifeeted, that she turned round to Potemkii| to
express tier satisfaction. The latter, overpowered!^
by the strong feeling of what he owed to her
Majesty, fell on his knee, and, seizing her hand^
bedewed it with tears. It was the last time he
should ever, on that spot, stammer out his respect
and gratitude to his bountiful sovereign.

93

CHAP. XVI.

Prince Repnln opens the campaign of 1791, h/ a
victory f and signs preliminaries of peace at
Yassy; whither Potemkin hastens, though sick;
and where he dies.

While Potemkin was devoting his hours to
pleasure, and enlivening the capital with the
splendour of bis banquets, war recommenced ia
the south of the empire under the banners of an

Ü^4 TUM UFE cur

old warrior^ wbo, a stranger to idleness Jind
luxury, gathered the laorels which Potemkia
novr seemed to disdain« Prince Repnin, who
comoianded the army of the South during the
absence of Potemkin^ opened the campaign of
Ijr^i with some brilliant operations. He sent
General Goudovitcb^ who commanded a Russian
division on the frontiers of the Kuban» to attack
a^oorps of thirty thousand Turks which had ther^
been collected under the orders of the Seraskier
BataUBe^« Although inferior in numbers, the
Russians defeated the Turks ; took their c^trnp^
which they found amply provided .wi^h every
thing ; and made the General and half of his
troops prisoners. Batal-Bey was suspected of
treachery. The great superiority, in point of
numbers, of the corps which he commanded, and
the extreme eagerness which he evinced to go .to
Petersburgb, give sonde, colour of probability to
these, suspicions.

After this battle, the Turk» prc^ösed an arttiis^
tke, which w^ refused. War was c»>ntil)ued
with much vivacity and wkh great success cm the
part of the Russians; who every wbetH^ k<tpt,iip
their superiority. Skirmishes and engagements of
whele divisions turirtd alüce td tbeif adv^Afige.
They no loiigev counts the »iin[iber ei Tntk»
ihey were attacking^ so oertain did they app!9ar
that victory vtoiild rematu luthfttl tcr th<(ir arins.

FRIKCK romiKiN. iS9

The Russian soldier found a particidar iseite*
ment in the rich booty which he took every*
where from the enemy ; and it is perhaps becanse
4me party had every thing to lose^ and the other
every thing to gain, that success constantly at-
tended the last. .

Genera] Kutuzof crossed the Danube/ pene-
trated into Bulgaria, and attacked and defeated
near Babada a corps of fifteen thousand Turks
intrenched in their camp. He took t)^ eamp,
and the town, which he reduced to ashes. This
was a heavy loss to the Turks^ because it Con-
tained considerable magazines. The light troops
of the Russians pursued the remains of the Otto-
man army to a great distance^ and took a consi^
derable number of prisoners ; among whom was
the prophet Elijah Mansur. Through his pre«-
dictions of the success of their arms, he had
acquired great fame among his countrymen. His
oracles had such an influence over their minds,
tibat they gave the devout Musstllmans more
confifdenee and presumption thaii they derived
firom the valour and number ol their warriors^
But ßijah himself fell a victim tothe security
which he had inspired ; be was led away a captive
by the enemy.

The successes which the Ruf^sians had hithetto
gained, had onTy been obtained over the advanced
Corps of the T^iksi Timt grand army ^vas

3S6 THE UFE Of

assembKng under the walls of Matzin in Bulga
ria, and already, formidable from its. numbers.
The grand- visir Yuzuf, by whom it w^s to be
commanded^ was arrived. The army was ready
to move forwards, and its general seemed more
inclined to advance towards the Russians than to
wait for their approach. , Prince Repnin saw the
necessity, of being before-hand with him. He
congratulated himself that on this occasion the
opportunity of acquiring glory was intimately
connected with the safety of the state. Strong in
the confidence of the Empress, of which he had
a proof in his pocket, he lost no time in con^
faulting Potemkin. Relying on his own expe-
rience and on the valour of his troops, he began
his march, suddenly passed the Danube, surprised
the grand-visir^ who did not expect so much dili-
gence, and attacked. without hesitation an army of
above one hundred thousand men under arms,
though he scarcely counted forty thousand under
his command. The battle lasted a long time, and
was obstinately fought ; victory long remained
undecided. The Turks defended themselves
with a courage and obstinacy which ought to
to have mi^d^ them invincible, but which, by
exhausting their strength, rendered their defeat
more complete^ The Russians made a horrible
slaughter of them. The quantity of provisions
l^nd riches t]iey foupd in a pamp but recently.

F|tIKC£ POTEMKIN. 23/

established, to which the most illustrious indivi-
duals of the Ottoman empire had flocked in
crowds, was incredible. On seeing his last effort
blaated in so cruel a manner, the grand-visir lost
all hop« of ever vanquishing the Russians ; and
only thought of concluding a peace on the least
disadvantageous terms. He sent to the Russian
general proposals to which the latter listened with
so much the more pleasure, as he knew that, by
putting an end to the war, he was acting up to
the intentions of his sovereign. Far from placing
any difficulties and obstructions in the way of
peace. Prince Repnin, to the great surprise of the
Turks, facilitated its conclusion to the utmost of
his. power. The Dniester was considered as, the
natural boundary of the two empires : and, to
settle these limits for ever in the most incontes-
table, manner, the Turks consented to abandon
all their possessions between that river and the
Bog.. On these, conditions, preliminaries were
signed, and Prince Repnin had the glory of accom-
plishing this important business, the. conclusion of
which he. had brought about by a single victory.

Potemkin, in the mejan time, obstinately con-
tinued at Petersburgh. The month of July had
commenced. Three precious . months of a cam-
paign which was to be decisive, were already
elapsed ; and he who was the author of the war,
apd who had so great an interest in its success.

N

213ft Tttfi lAWE or

aj^peared sunk in a »lothful repose. Bat it was'
AOt sloth that detained this impatient ^nd haughty
man ; he had a stronger motive for prolonging his^
residence in the metropolis. The Empress was
resolved to make peace ; her minister obstinately
insisted upon the war being continued. A thou-»
sand reasons determined him not to recede from
his opinion : but perhaps the most urgent for him
was his being aware that Catharine's anxiety for
peacf was prompted by Zubof. Th« vanity of
{\^mkin was terribly hurt at not being able to
* get the better of the iFavourite^ whom he detested^
and whom he thought unworthy of struggling
with him on any occasion. He firmly resisted
(he pressing solicitations of Catharine to repair to
Ae army and to achier« peace by bis vibtoriei.
He reserved not toquitPetersbui^^ unless tht
Smpress promised to leave him sole judge in that
cause^ and at liberty to protrftet the w|ir as k>ng
as he should thiidi: fit. These opposite determi*
nations of the sovereign and her minister occa^
^ooed warm ahercations between them. Hif
Eippress did not conceal her vexation^ but could
not resolve to command. Potemkin braved the
anger of his sovereign^ and was positively deter^
mined not to obey.

To avoid the inconvenience öi a direct' disob#»-
d^oe which she foresaw^ Catharine attempted te
efftfttst several grandees with the co«Mmssik>tt of

PRtKC£ POTEAIKIN« tS$

transmitting to Potemkid her oomirrand to «et mit
for the army : but they all declined nndertakin|^
the dangerous task. The embarrassment of die
Empress was at its height, when the Vickories of
Repnin naost opportunely carpe to her retief. At
this news, the eagerness of Potemkin to fly to
the army was as great as his former reluctance«
He was not yet acquainted with the consequences
of the successes of Repnin ; the Empress tpek
particular, care not to inform him of the coafr-
dential powers she had given to the old generaK
Had he been acquainted with this circumstance
his wrath would still more have hastened hi«
departuI^e, and he ivoi|ld have performed the
journey with the rapidity of lightning.

But his health, which was in an alavming
state/ would hardly permit him to indulge in the
impetuosity of his temper, as it was sure to
sufier from any fresh agitation of his mind. Not*
witbstandii^ the precautions taken to make tm«
vdling easy to him^ and although tfa^ moticm of
Ills carriage was extreodely gentle, it yet inoom-
moded him. From the v^y first day afler Hi«
departufe, he felt his already weakened finaiM
decay still fa^r« At a ccNSsiderabJe disriwee
from Petersburgh, he met with a inessenger from
the aMny> of whom hß learned that prdiinHiiaries
of peace had beeadigned by Repnin. This «p^
peaied te^ reanimate him -: b^t tbis glimpfie of

/ I

240 THE LIFE at

reviving vigour was but the consequence of the
rage into which he was thrown by this news^ and
he felt so much the weaker for it afterwards.

On his arrival at Yassy, Potemkin's first care
was to send for Repnin, and to overwhelm him
with the bitterest reproaches for having dared to
fight and to conclude a peace without consulting
him. Confiding in the support of the Empress^
Repnin for the first time dared to brave the anger
of Potemkin^ and wan perhaps the first Rusuaa
who had that temerity. He answered, that he
had done nothing but his duty, and owed qo
account of his conduct to any but his sovereign.
Potemkin nevertheless prepared to overturn hid
work : but Heaven left him no tim&for the exe»
cution of this design.

Every day, every hour, his illness grew worse,
llnd death drew nearer. Exertion, fatigue, the
fire of his imagination, the vivacity of his pas-
sions, and the excesses of all kinds to which he
had so long given himself up, had worn him out.
Potemkin felt life ebbing without having any
apparent malady. Instead of attempting his cure
by adopting a diet suitable to his indisposition,
he grew impatient at his sufferings, apd pretended
to overcome them by the strength of his consti-f
tution. He dismissed his physicians, lived upon
salt meat and raw turnips, and drank hot win^
and spirituous liquors. Hi^ disease soon grew

wotse, his hlood was inflamed, his situatbn des*
perate. News was sent to P^ersburgh that Po-
temkin could not live : Catharine heard it .widi
much unconcern. The firmness o£ her mind was
complimented, while her stoicism ought to have
been placed to the account of her incredulity.
She could not suppose that she was so soon to
lose the hero of her reign. When the catastrophe
happened she plainly shewed the estimation in
which she held the life of a subject so illustrioui)
and so necessary to her own glory.

Potemkin, in the mean time, struggled to avail
himself of a remnant of life. His inability to. attenil'
with asssiduity to the important affairs which o^
cupied his mind, caused his greatest torment. At
length his situation, grown worse from day to day,
became altogether insupportable. His residence ;at
Yassy appeared in every respect fetal to his health«
He determined to .quit that place, and to jemoye
to Oczakof; perliaps with a viäw. to expire .QU
the theatre of his glory. . He set <mt on the 15th
of October, 1791,at three o'clock in the mortiing*
Scarcely had he travelled a few verstSj when he
could.no longer bear* the motiQ]> of his carriage.
He alighted. A carpet was spread at the foot of
a tree : oii this he was placed. He had no longer
strength to utter a word ; he could only press the
hand of his favourite niece, Countesis Branicky,
who was with him ; and he expired in her arms,

R

1*1 -mm &tf £ or

Tbda periabtd^ «H tlie fa^ romi. Um Hmn vrkom
fiuUe in hia life^time kad resousded all over Eo-^
Hfw ; tha SBCist mtgddfiident pritice of his age ;
Mord powerlbl thftn ai«liy kings ; tfaye founder of
t gvtal mimfaer of tctwuiand pilate«; wiiohad
istiiMMfi by a thifd tha real value of the teiritor];
irf tba an^pifa m Hifaiiik he wia barn^ and ^vated
Ike glary of kil »aiMry to a pokKt larhich da^^dsd
«IfaBr üatiitti. Hä kad but j^t^ eatspleted thA

The nevrs of Fotemki&'s death had a tmijs
imaUiil tiffiact upon Ckdiariiie: tl» svmatked
Amrattd tivies^ was Sbnstd to be bkd^ aiid tka
•jNDiMMlifaf kfir gvilsf pai<loolt m soiiie def^ree of
tftnm FMiibkia waa die naiü pilkr of bn
imterv nd tile greaiaBt amaaftnafit of herthrona*
Hie ^M^pvcai kne# dtia$^ sin kete^ tint d»h«|
ki Idaa a dtftföWd fr»^^ wiio hid cmtd her t6
kc^Mipeoledwdteuret^ ti*d who had rebderd
kimtal^ttK) Armidable ftr aayoiieevef to attempt
tb Hsavt Wft itiaMdiil«y. . %^^tka deatk of Vo*
tmokw^ CMmtilim waa hA laitk^iit a goanfian
Mer hfer imtvtMtsf Ska iMmifeated dv<Gt afar die
vMritDMHto Mhd i itwtkt ion d: a feotak berbftaf
kef «|i|i|illt;

/ 1

PRIKCl tormmoH. «49

CHAR XyiL

The character of P&teMkins

• «

' PorsMKiN took BO Utile ekre to eonelBal hli
tkies^ and etttf tbtdg about him wl» «tatnped
With BQcb striking feature«^ thtt^ in hi« Hfeutim«^
mid dwing the first y^wrt alter h» deaths hm
fkults only were spoken of, aöd hfc good qaalhi^
nevdf mefitioned. He will not thus b^ judg^
kjr posterity.

NMme bad eiidowt^ FMemUn with ei^eiy^ ^
that ean n^ndw 6n f ndividtial coiu^iöuoM mA
mteMiting, Hk jh^b# and Mf^^ly ikimkisA
features ; his nobi« oountttlMiat^^ in whtoh 4ipAtf
Wt^ mifi^led with sWMtn^Ss ; hfe cofosaKl but
fiiidy propbt^on^d figure t aM (^^<0 afilM«nie«d
hii strcsigth^ vigoü^5 dtul ec^iirage. Hk ifiiüd
birHed Mtbkig of what hilf Imndsome munit^
ymmised. F^itennktn- po^s^ed mu^h feitingi
Mt that soft sMsiUttly w4ii^h kfid» to pity, but
that protid feeling miAoh McitM U Mttiuri«»»^
Mid iii«Fpirai the passion for f^wy. H^ lovM
bsMi one fetnalem the <mirse of his Mm $ and thdt
kmaia was ttie gMtttestr w<fmän of h^ timoi H«
toted her iftM Hke tt sb^^ but like an ind^pendiiic
teirar^ wIk^ d^ights iit misttig, #tnb^tiilihfgi d»d

R 2

J4244I -^«W LIFE OF '^

holding up to admiration, the object of hi& aflfec-
tions; his passion for her was always blended
with the love of his conntry. This last senti-
ment was Potemkin's predominant virtue. It is
the noblest, and at die same time the source of ^
thousand virtues. This celebrated statesman
never lo6t sight either of the glory of the Russian
name, or of the design of rendering Russia, the
^rst power in Europe, both in reality and in
Ipublic opinion. . Such was the object of his negp-
ciattons, of bis conquests, of the towns he fpu^ded^,
iof his diflerent regulations, and even of his as»
sumed haughtiness, his luxury, and bis enormous
expences : and such an ol^ect atones for many
faults; it extenuates many vices,, particuktrly
.when it is pursued with a. perseverance.. tbjat, in
the end, is crown^ with success.

If we view him as a statesman, we behold him
eonstitntly endeavouring to insure the preponde«
tano9 of Russia by preventing or removing what«
^ygr was likely to outwc^igh th^t preponderance^
or snatch it from her. He always directed his
system of conquests . ^tow^rds the point whe^e
Ij(ttssia was pretty nearly sure of victory, an4
encciunjt#red . neither rivals nor copartitioning
fiiends» It is well known that he. never would
have conseAted.to the partition of . Poland, the
»muhiiatipn. of which as a kii^dom s^grandized
the neighbours of Riissiia with the parU vfl^

PRINCE POTEMKtN.

1145

they seized, and dhninisfaed her own power by
these very parts over which she formeriy exercised
a sovereign influence. This partition was effected
•by 'men who were far from possessing the genius
of Potemkin: but it is very extraordinary^ tiiat
'Catharine should have been brought to consent
io this impolitic measure. There can be ilo
4>etter proof that, by losing her great statesman,
she lost her tutelafy genius ; and if, after the
deiath^ of this minister, the reign which he had
rendered so glorious, has been fertile in nothing
but errors, there is no injustice in ascribing to
him the greater part of the woiiders which iUus*
trated that reign during his life.

Potemkin knew that he could not achieve any
conquests of importance but with numerous and
well-disciplined troops ; and that he could not
have a respectable army, unless he furnished the
state with the means to maintain it. Thist)bject
he accomplished in the pnncipal war which he
undertook, and which on that account he had so
inuch at heart. The provinces he added to the
empire were to be an inexhaustible source of
wealth to Russia ;. while, at the same time, they
determined her natural impi^gnable boundaries^
which rendered these acquisitions doubly useful
M<Mreover, the conquest of these provinces formed
his troc^s, inured Ihem to war, to its fatigues
and dangers ; and by adding science and expe-

4

4M^

YKS U?E M'

tieiice to their personal bniT^ry, and to tH t&£
ether wafHke quditiet which th^ poisoMed,
made them the bett troops m the werM*

Potemkin was constantly occupied with whaC^
ever tended to ifierease the agricultural and ooitii-
merdial wealth and the internal proeperity of the
eaipire in general. It was with this Tiew that he
made so many efl^t$ to achieve the conqnest of
the Crimea and Kid>an. It wae with this view
ttiat he applied the means of which be could dis^
pose^ to rebuiM urn towns of those countries, to
IbrQ» harbours^ to mahe canals and improvemMfe
<tf all kinds, and to attract from all parts^a nuttf;.
ber of families who were to give life to tlieie ne^
eoionies. It was^ in fine, with tM$ view that he
wanted to enlarge the territory of the Rusaian
empire by the whole eKteifit of the shores of the
Black-Sea. He knew perfeetly watt that it was
only in this quarter that Russia coiiki look for a
ireal increase of power amd weaith. He knew> that,
to cause her eommeree and agriealture to floimak,
and to augment her population, she ought to look
Ibat way, not towards the N^rth, and stiJl fesa
towards Poland. There is no doi^t, in our
^opinion, that if he h«id been forced to choose^ he
wouM rather have yielded Peterdbur gh to Swedeil^
than restored the Criliiaea to the Tntks, anc^wüii
regard to the^ true prosperity oC the umpire hiis
chpiee wouldf undoiybtediy Jkave been thie hest^

been great and his ambition yirell fovofi^ mp
emght to Imk to fiiteriljr« aini v^ tbi« rwp^ we
diitik «be ASttign» m4 operatioup i^f -^dt^^iiw
«ntitfed to iiAAiipittc«! ai^kmie. U bis imfßr
iknte 410 e«i)oy and hm lik^otio nwiineiii caneml
grmt abuaea in tbe executipn <^ Im {MMyeetB aoA
evefi.de%^ tbe groiytb of the Mad» wbMib be
ammd^ it jfi nev^rth^^ew tme that thaieaeeda must
iM; ioiM fy^nfe tinia produce liriiks ^anHOdiltly iwAil
latbeccNMitryinwhicbtb^wef0«MFfau Ititby
Iboi« remote cwsequenees, amdi^t merely by the
soiQiedialie reattlto^ tbat it mm wh» labour! fv
fdane generatioiis ia to be ju^^ed.

In a military point of view^ it oajinot be denied
di$t be diicbarged the office of Presideal: of t)»
Council of War with abibty^ and improved the
ioMmal orgaointion, the formttiofti tha diaoi^
pltne, the appe«nai>ce, tbe wiu, land the mß^
neeuvtraa of the Russian ar«iy« He rais^ tbe
genius of the Russians by e)calting their WQcenH
ipierabie courage^ and ieaehiag Uiem to fight with
that boldhsess and vigour whieh Suit ^ew^ and
whkh, howeter^ they had never hs&n displayedj
because no one (Munich perhaps exempted) had
been oooipletriy aweie of tbii fefttnie in the
RttsMD chaiader. Snwatoff^ wbotn PotemkiA
b%bly falued and oemstaMly ft»imiz*A, inbe*

%4i laki hin öt

lited his pn^ciples ' in this reftpeet/ wd becaiiie
invincible.

The Russian army was cmistd^d>fy ind^aäsed
tinder Potemkin. He su1[>mitted tAhe empti^ i
nursery of soldiers, who tiH then had been nomi-
nally ite subjects, but of very Uttle sci^ice. The
Cossacks had formed a volufiteer mtlitia governed
by republican laws, which no one before him ckved
to attempt to alter, and which Potemkin abro-
gated. He formed the Cossacks into regitnents,
and subjected tliem to the $ame recruiting4a#l
and discipline as the other troops. He afteir^
wards employed tfaeiti in their true character, kt
the outposts, but regulated their service according
to the principles and tactics proper for this kind
of warfare, to which they liever had attended
before. He shewed, by tbe effect which these
ciianges produced ifi the Cossacks, of what utility
they might be to the Russian drmy. Pdtemkin
. esteemed them much, and was beloved by them.
Thiey almost adoted Su^arofF; who, equally fond
of them, taught th^m to serve with the greatest
distinction. Having been but recently 01^-
nized, the Cossacks are not yet what they may^
become. If ttie Russian government continues
its attention to the improvement of. these troops,
it may corif^rt the brave, intelligent, fei^ful,
numerous, indc^tigaU«, and warlike' Cossacki

TSLmC% FOröJiKI^.

«4f>

li^ the prindpal tnstrotiient of its aocceises and
the terror of its enemies«

' Potonkin, ^p never did any thing but on a
gi«nd and even exaggerated scale^ had formed in
the army a corps ot choice troops consisting of
forty thousand gc^iadiers and as many chassair^
^hese- troops were not ^ incorporated with regW
pMätay hat serv^ as separate corps ; which i^
after all^ the best way to/ em{doy cho>ce troops»
The Eiissian cavalry, b^ore Potemkin's regula*
ticMQis, was neaj*ly insignrficant Hussars were not
fasKHfvn in the Russian army : but through his
«ertions, both.ibe heavy and light cavalry were
brought to a par with the best fairopean troops
of tfaftt kind. He also introduced companies of
Jlying artUlery ; that excellent invention of Pre«
derick the Great, In short, whether it were that
circumstances favoured him, or that his genius,
pecttiiarly adapted to that of his nation, proveil*
the exact instrument of their improvement ; it
is certain that^ at his death, that is to say, at a
time when the Prussian army was already dege--
nerated and that of France neglected, the Rus^
sian troops were the first in Europe. They
scarcely deserved the fourth rank when Catharine
«•eended the throne»

, The storming of Oczakof was. the most bril-
liant exploit of Potemkin. He never gained
any pitched battle* His claims to the title of a

<M n» urs Off

great geaenl mftjr perhaps b« domed oil tbtt ae«
coiint. But it is certain that he h$d studied the
sgratem irf* modern ifatfare aaa man of giaius; the
dispositions of his caaapaigss frare as just as pvo»
found. He understood the great art of eombi*
ning ti)e march and direction of bis coimmis^ so
aa to render himself sodden! j master al a eonntiy,
surround the enemy, cut off his oommqnicatiosis^
capture his mega2ine8, aednce bim to^ a coaspiete
inactivity,, and force hiiti to own himself vaiw
^uisfaed, even without having fougfatu b«tde»
His operations were well oonneebed ; every gem^
lai was sneoessfol, every one arrived at the poiet
to which he was directed ; war, in short, waa
eonducted in that light and easy manwer, wkieb
proves that he who directs it is perfect mitsCer
of his pkns, and that his means of execution ave
in his hands. The wars of Fotemfcin have cost
Bussia many tives ; and yet he was not ibttd of
shedding blood : tfaia is prdved by his conquest
of the Crimaea and the taking of Bender. He
was sparing of blood when it could be sparad«
The dreadfhl storming of Ocsakof was perhape
necessary to strike the tnerny wiüi terror ; it eati^
tainly had that efect.

His power in Bussia was nearly ecpial to ÜMt
of the sovereign. For the space of sixteen yeifs^
€atharine had no designs but what were his, <imI
did nothing bnt dirougfa him. It was in tMi

PBttrcjT nynMKiN.

povrar tiiftt ke Ibrnd mMM^-to perf^w gpMt
things, and to execute the vast projects which he
iiad fiaraied.. The d^fereat digoities with which
be was inviAted» gaw him the supreme maiiage-
4beiit ef every hraneh of the public adnrimstra*
Aion ; and he derived fr«rm these offices an
immaiiae , kieomeiy which« added to the rents <^
)m estates^ etabled him to squander iaeredibfe
whea ; wfakdi he did, though nnire for the pub-
lie geed than fi>r his own personal ei^oyaients.
llts talents wafe not inferior to the difibrent
4iHi(itioi» which be had to diaeharge. What a
ihrtile genius must he be possessed of, who
«somlNnes with equaä facility a diplomatic treatjir,
m oanpaign^ a new milkary or financial organian-
tion^ aikd an entertainment I llie details of that
wbitdi h» gave in his Taurian palace, and the
änangemMits he contrived for the journey of thfe
£aiprass to the Crionea (arraageioents which
!ware aU hia own, and had not been si^^geated h]r
any <me), evidently prove that his underatai^ling
pfiisessed as much taste and elegance a» atrength
and profuaditir«. . Had Potemfctn been the so^
9an»gn <£ his country, he would have been
idUiMd. Ha vraiild not liaveJbeen under the iie*-
iMisii|f of hiimiiiitkig any aiie^ Aor wp»ld he hav0r

ix^de ao enea&y. He possoiaed, i« a. mprnor
degree Üie victues and the good qualitiea of the
Ryssiana : b«t be had also their ftults^ whicb«

-Ma

TBB £tPC cor

tumevver^ OMid hot be od&Bfiive to bis amvArp'

Fotemkin's great qualities were obscured by
'many vices, which we have not disguised. H^
has particularly been reproached with haughti-
ness, inconstancy, and intefnpetanM« Jlut,when
we consider his extraordinary situation, and that
his fortune dependedon the caprices of a woman,
it most in some d^ree be acknowledged that he
could have naaintained-himself and preserved his
power only by the f<^r which aa imperious «nd
una>nquerable disposition was .calculated to in»
spire. If hfs intrigues at court made him some^
times forget important affairs, it was unfortunate
for Russia that Potemkin was £(>rced to meddle
with intrigues. But this neglect cannot be
branded with the name of inconstancy and levity;
He never was inconstant in the great poiiticai and
military project which^he devised for the glory
and the interest of Russia, nor in those which
concerned his own elevation. His character
never varied. Vigour and boldness were always
its ptincipal features ; it - never sheviwd itself in
any other form. To justify his intempeiance
«pd his excessive love of pleasure, is impoaitble.
These were his predominant vices ; tiiey injured
him alike aa a public and a private man ; nay,
they frequently- degraded him« Eminent men^
those in particttlar who are entrusted : with the

goveroniMt of ä state, mtß mäd^ ibow.icolpsfble
to be addicted to such vioss than* the vulgiar.
The .ooeiipftioos and the enj^^nneiits ni^ich fall
totheiF share, are so aagosit and so noble, that
they may welt disdaiin^ even without any great
efibrt^'theattracticms of voluptuousness, and the
fiiwkNls diversions whioli are so alluring to the
gtaevdiity of mankind. Potemkih/ in this respect,
hi: witho^ut an excuse. But after having thus im-
I^cäaUy stigmatised his vices, we may be allowed
to repeat that he was yet a great man, who did
honour to his country, and who shed upon it a
brilliancy : which it has since suffered to be tar-
niilied, and which perhaps it.wiU never recover/
The pEtnce de Ligne, who had frequent opjjor-'
taniltes of ap{>roäching Potemkin during the'
jf>urney to theCrimaea^ and in, his first campaign,'
lias left the following portrait of him; which has'
jli&tly been pronounced a master^ piece. — '^ I here'
*^. behold,*' »ays he, in ä li^er to Count S^o^ur,*
written from the ..camp before Oczakof, on the'
Ant of August,' IJSSj " a commander-tn<^htef,^
*^ who lopk9 id|e, and iä always busy ; who has
^KmofsAhfCit desk than his knees, no other comb*
^^.tbftn fais fingers; constantly rechned on his
'^i^ouob, yet sleeping nei^er in night nor in
Y dsgr^Aktoe. His zeal for th^ Empresa he adores,'
^ keeps^JiiAn ineesMBtly; awake and uneasy ; and
'^>a mawm^AisAi to idbich he 4iimself is not

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'^ exposed, distivb» h»m witk tht Mta tfaiit u
^^ costs the life of some of his soldiers* IVein«»
^ bliiigforollKvs>lmnrebiitMelf;ftdp|S^
the hottest ihre of a battery to give his ordeis^
ytt more s» C%jtses than an AchiUesi ahtrmed
at the approach of danger^ irdiesome when it
surrounds him ; doll in the midst of pleasure }
unhappy for being too Iwrfcy, suorfeited with
enrecy thing, easily disgusted, aonMie, lAoon^
stent, a profound jdiiioaopher^ an able minister^
a sttUime pdtticwi, or like a child of ten years
'* of age; n0t fevengefoi^ aidiing pardon for a pain
^^ fae luis infiieted ; cpMdily repairing an mjoitice^
tlnakinf fae loves God^ when he fears, l^e
devH^ whom be feneies tAW greater and bigger
'Mtian himself ; waving one hand to the femalei
tiisit please Inm^ and with lihe adl^rr making
the sign of llie emss ; embracing the foetof a
statue of tbs Vargm, ot the afaübister nedc oT
bis miatresfr; raeeüring nMabetless presents
frooa his spteteign^ and distribtttiaig iliem tA»
mediitfcefy to others ; ^ccSj^ilg estates of Ae
^^ Xaspness, and retotmii^ fdbem> onpo^ng her
^^ debts ^hout her knawled^s ; aliennlnig and
^^ fe-porchasiog immense tteots of bn<i^ to erect
a granll orfonnade^ or plant an English ganion ;
agau gemug rm of tnM ; gaasnnng.faom nsorti
to nii^ or wot at ail 1 paafening fäo^aMty
"in ginngy to Mguhml^r hi iM)r«i 4 piodigi-

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^ avtitf rkifa, and Mt worth a fiiitfaii^ ; tbaadoa»
kig hbeiselC U» itiitrost of to coafijeiife^ to
'*^ jealouBijr or to pmtittide^ t(^ ill*hii*iour or to
^. pfeassm^y ; easily pr^iKlicad in ßivoar qf or
against any ttnng^, and as easily ciured of a pre«.
jiitiice ; talking ttisnoilg^ to his geMfalu^ and
tsctics to his mfaops ; never readii^» hot
^ punfying every one with whoasi hff convtrses^
*^ aad cantoadicting to be better informed ; «n^
^ enmminiiy affidarl^ or tttremely savage ; affsct-^
'* in^ tide most «ttasctiv« or the most mpnisive
asanners ; appearing by tisma the pixNtdest
Sati:ap of Iha Eas^ or the most amiable o^mr^
tksc q£ die eourt af Lauia XIV. ; conceaKog,
und^ tha pfipearanceof harshness^ the greatest
faanevoleacfr. o£ haart; wfaimaicaL mtk stgard'
^vte^tnaey taepasM^ ret^ and indinslsiom ; libe a
^ efaild^ wsndng ta faove evary thing». 0t^ like
'^ «l^rtat aas^ knamriog hoar to do mtbont many
tbioga t tobar, tboagh SBsmingty a glntim ;
fnaariag hia fingcas^ or apfdea and taanps ;
aaohKi^ or laughing) aaitniakmg or aircaviag t
Mgagai m vnmtosmesi «mt in pnqnrr; tängttig-
or meditating ; calling and dismisinsg ^ aendsng
for twenty, aides-dercamp^ and saying nothing
to any one of them ; blfitring heat better than
any man, whiUt he seems to think of nothing
but the most voluptuous baths ; not caring for
coMy though ha appeaia unable to axkt wkfaout

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SS6 THE Uf£ OF PRt^S n>TSMKIK.

^^ fiirs ; alwtiys in his shirt, without dmwers, or
^ in' rich r^mentftls embroidered on all th^
'^ seams ; barefoot, or in slippers embroidered
*^ With spangles ; wearing neither hat nor cap : it
^^ is thus I saw him once in the midst <^a musket
'^ fire ; sometimes in a ni^t-go^n, sometimes in
a splendid tunic with his three stars, his orders,
and diamonds as large as a^ thumb round the
portrait of the Empress ; they seem placed
*^ there to attract the balls : crooted, and almost
^ bent double when be is at home, and tall, erect,
^^ pioud^ handsome, noble, majestic or fascinating,
^ : when he shews himself to his army, like
^^ Agamemnon in the midst of the monarchs of
'^ Greece. What then is his magic ? Genius,'
^ natural abilities, an excellent memory, much
^ elevation of soul, malice without the design d£
^ injuring; artifice without craft, a Mppy mixture
** of capric^, the art of conquering cv^ heart
^ iri his good moments ; much generosity^,. ; gr»-
^^ ciousness and justice in his. rewaiocis/ a refinedi^
'^and correct teste, the taleht of guessü^ what
^ he is ignorant of, and a consummate knowle^;e
^ of mankind.''

Jföife.

Ttpors,' Pnnttr^ 5» Pfiw:$i'Slrtei,' lncui9r.Sguw0t Londvw ■"-.