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r  j'5;8fce>A..fc'  -^  '^  c'.  :    ■  :i'  ■5»*^" 


HTJSSIA 


mrDER 


THE  AUTOCRAT, 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST. 


IVAN  GOLOVINE, 

A     RUSSIAN    SUBJECT. 


IN    TWO   VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


LONDON: 
HENRY   COLBURN,   PUBLISHBR, 

CUBÂT  XARLBOROUOB  BTREBT, 
1846. 


S 


Xlf 


«ft- 


r.:  ;.;"^' 


RUSSI A 


miDER 


THE  AUTOCRAT, 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST. 


IVAN  GOLOVINE, 

A    RUSSIAN    SUBJECT. 


IN    TWO   VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


LONDON: 
HENRY   COLBURN,   PUBLISHER, 

OBEAT  MARLBOROUOB  BTRBBT, 

1846. 


s 


24 


■4KKItON  ANO  CO.,  PBINTIB», 
■T.  VàmTXn's  LA VI. 


PREFACE. 


Thomas  Golowtn  beîng  summoned  by 
Boris  Godunof  to  retum  to  Hs  country,  re- 
plied,  "  I  wîll  retum  when  three  proverbe 
fihall  hâve  cea^ed  to  be  current  in  Bussia: 
*  Everythîng  that  is  mine  belongs  to  the 
Czar;'  'ISTear  the  Czar,  near  death;'  *Do 
not  fear  the  judgment,  fear  the  judge*.'*' 

Above  two  centuries  hâve  elapsed  sînce 
thèse  words  were  spoken,  and  hâve  effected 
but  slight  alleviations  of  the  misfortunes  of 

*  Thomas  Golowyn  emigrated  to  Lithuania,  where 
he  dîed;  his  descendants  still  exist  în  that  coimtry. 

a2 


ÎV  PREFACE. 

Bussîa.  Séquestration  îs  still  combined  with 
confiscation,  in  spite  of  the  laws  which  ex- 
pressly  prohibit  it;  the  approach  of  the  Czar 
forebodes  no  good  to  any  but  the  courtiers, 
for  persécution  follows  independent  and 
enlightened  men,  and,  to  this  hour,  a  Bussian 
judge  is  only  an  executioner.  The  proverbs 
of  that  day  hâve  been  replaced  by  new 
ones,  such  as:  "God  is  high,  and  the  Czar 
afar  off  ;"  "  He  who  serves  repines,"  in  spite 
of  the  other  maxim  ;  ^'  Prayer  to  God  and 
service  to  the  Sovereign  are  never  fruit- 
less."  Abuses  of  a  différent  nature  hâve 
succeeded  ancient  cruelties,  and  had  I 
chosen  to  imitate  the  bold  language  of  my 
ancestor,  I  should  hâve  said:  I  will  retum 
when  the  whole  of  Bussia  shall  hâve  ad- 
vanced  to  the  fourteenth  class  (persons  of 
the  fourteen  classes  are  not  liable  to  be 
beaten);  when  a  German  shall  not  be  more 
highly  esteemed  than  a  Bussian,  and  when 


PEKFACE,  Y 

the  pen  shall  hâve  the  weight  of  iron  în  the 
social  scale. 

My  happîness  could  not  be  complète 
withoat  that  of  mj  fellow-cîtizens.  And  as 
I  could  not  expect  to  see  tliis  wish  speedily 
realized^  and  was  unable  eflSciently  to  con- 
tribute  towards  ît  in  my  own  country,  I 
renounced  it  with  the  less  regret,  because  I 
trusted  that  I  might  render  it  greater  service 
in  a  foreign  land. 

I  am  not  the  first,  nor  shaU  I  be  the  last 
to  déplore  the  servitude  of  Bussia,  and  to 
protest  against  its  oppressors;  never  shall  I 
attain  the  energy  of  the  Eussian  poet  who 
said: 

^'In  Bussia  the  Czar  and  the  knout  are 
hononred  ;  and  the  Bussians,  O  fools  !  cry 
Horrah  !  it  is  time  to  beat  us  !"  nor  do  I 
aspire  to  the  élévation  of  another  who 
exdaims  : 

^I  bave  seen  enslaved  Bussia^  clanldng 

a  3 


Tl  PREFACE. 

her  chainB,  and  bowing  her  neck  under  the 
yoke,  lying  prostrate  at  the  foot  of  the 
altar  and  praying  for  the  Czar." 

If  I  hâve  spoken  ill  of  Bussia^  it  arîses 
Bolely  from  the  affection  which  I  bear  her. 
We  look  with  comparative  indifférence  upon 
those  faults  in  a  stranger  which  offend  us 
in  our  own  brcthren;  and  we  are  more  rigid 
towards  those  whom  we  love,  than  those  in 
whom  we  take  but  little  interest.  Inde- 
pendently  of  this,  I  regard  Russia  as  an 
abstract  idea,  great  and  beautiful,  which  I 
delight  to  elevate  in  the  dreams  of  futuritv. 

Still  less  hâve  I  thought  myself  called 
upon  to  manifest  indulgence  towards  the 
Government.  As  the  author  of  the  innu- 
merable  ills  which  afflict  Bussia,  any  indul- 
gence towards  it  would  hâve  been  an  évi- 
dence of  pusillanimity.  Its  injustice  to- 
wards myself  has  not,  however,  made  me 
nigust  towards  it;   but^  on  the  contrary^ 


PREFACE.  Tii 

has  increased  my  circumspection  hy  de- 
monstrating  to  me  the  iniquitj  ci  ali 
injustice. 

Men  in  power  dare  not^  or  will  not  raise 
their  voice.  Thej  fiah  in  troubled  waterBy 
and  are  therefore  anxious  to  keep  them  so. 
Thej,  in  fieict,  are  the  traitors  and  betrayeis 
of  their  country,  and  it  is  they  who  are  the 
véritable  revolutionists.  Does  not  the  man 
who  boldly  asserts  his  freedom,  and  dares 
to  unveil  the  unworthiness  and  the  igno- 
rance of  the  Govemment^  call  down  upon 
himself  only  indignation  and  contempt  ? 

Publicity  has  this  advantage^  that  error 
necessarily  £alls  to  the  ground^  while  truth 
florvives  and  perpétuâtes  itself.  This  will 
be  the  case  with  the  présent  work,  and 
erery  conséquent  persécution  directed 
against  me  will  be  the  offspring  of  blind- 
ness  or  bad  {ûth^  which  overlook  the  mo- 
tive, and  regard  merely  the  présent  effect. 


Vlii  PREFACE, 

I  have  related  no  anecdotes  but  such  as 
merit  entire  confidence,  on  account  of  the 
source  whence  they  are  derived.  Tlieir 
authenticity  will  give  them  weîght  with  the 
public,  and  procure  for  them  even  a  place 
in  history,  for  they  will  tend  to  illustrate 
the  characters  of  the  individuals  to  whom 
they  relate.  Of  great  men  and  good 
sovereigns,  such  traits  only  are  recorded 
as  do  them  honour;  whereas  of  wîckcd 
men,  and  of  feeble  sovereigns,  we  have 
merely  statements  which  it  is  distressing 
to  relate. 

Had  I  retaîned  what  I  have  thought  it 
my  duty  to  suppress,  and  were  I  to  acquaint 
my  readers  with  the  rigid  scrutiny  to  which 
I  submitted  ail  I  have  brought  forward, 
they  would  not  entertain  a  doubt  of  the 
veracity  of  my  narrative  ;  suffice  it,  how- 
^ver,  to  déclare  that  I  have  not  invented 
anything. 


P&£FAC£.  l^ 

On  the  Emperor  Nicholas  alone  ît^  how- 
ever,  dépends  to  prove  that  my  judgment 
of  YÛÉ  merits  is  erroneous^  and  that  he 
is  wortliy  to  reign  over  the  people  com- 
mitted  to  his  care.  Let  him  command 
his  acolytes.  Let  him  say  to  Orloff,  that 
he  intends,  henceforth,  to  govem  by  mild- 
ness,  sincerity,  and  confidence,  and  to 
abolish  his  secret  police.  Let  him  say 
to  Bludofif,  that  after  having  collected  the 
Bu3sian  laws  he  is  convinced  that  they  are 
Oûly  fit  to  be  thrown  into  the  fire,  as  being 
unworthy  of  the  âge  in  which  we  live; 
unworthy  of  God  and  of  man  ;  and  that 
in  their  place  he  will  substitute  laws  of 
jurtice  and  equity.  Let  him  say  to  Panin^ 
that  robbers  shall  no  longer  be  in  power, 
but  in  Siberia.  Let  him  say  to  Uwarof,  that 
he  will  no  longer  tolerate  the  charlatanism 
of   dvilization,    and  that   he    desires    to 


X  PREFACE. 

render  it  as  pure  as  faeayen.  Let  him  «ay 
to  Perowskj^  that  his  name  shall  be  allied 
to  the  greatest  work  of  the  âge,  the  éman- 
cipation of  the  serfs  ;  let  him  déclare,  that 
if  the  nobles  hâve  not  enfranchised  their 
peasants  within  a  specified  period,  they  shall 
be  compelled  to  do  so  by  the  law,  for  that 
it  is  an  anomaly  to  hâve  slaves  in  a  Chris- 
tian land.  Let  him  say  to  ISTesselrode,  that 
France,  the  centre  of  civilization,  deserves 
his  high  esteem,  and  can  no  longer  be  his 
cnemy.  Let  him  also  say,  that  the  past 
snfferings  of  Poland  shall  suffice,  and  that 
God,  having  caused  the  scales  to  fall  from 
his  eyes,  he  at  once  relieves  Poland  from 
her  cruel  chains. 

And  after  having  said  this,  let  him  carry 
it  into  effect,  Then  will  history  correct 
her  sentence;  and  will  say,  that,  after 
having  sinned  deeply,  Nicholas  has  deeply 


PREFACE.  XI 

repented  ;  and  she  will  place  his  name  bj 
Ihe  sîde  of  those  whom  nations  love  to 
révère. 

Is  the  unanimous  disapprobation  which 
is  excited  bj  ail  bis  actions^  to  be  counted 
for  notbing?  Does  be  tbink  tbat  error 
and  fiJsebood  exist  only  in  tbe  civilized 
world,  and  tbat  wisdom  and  bonour  are 
exclusively  on  bis  side  ?  K  it  be  delightful 
to  govem  as  absolute  master,  it  is  surely 
£ar  more  so  to  give  liberty  to  tbe  nations 
govemed;  but  tbis  joy  is  tbe  lot  of  pure 
and  noble  soûls  alone. 

Paris,  I4th  Jul^f,  1845. 


RUSSIA 


UHDBR 

NICHOLAS  THE  FIEST. 


BfY  PERSECUTION. 

On  the  llth  of  Maxch^  1843, 1  was  sum- 
moned  to  the  office  of  the  Bussian  Chargé 
d'Affaires  at  Paris;  I  accordingly  went 
thither  the  next  daj,  and,  after  being  de- 
sired  to  take  a  seat,  hîs  Excellency  said  : 

'*  Sir,  I  hâve  received,  under  the  date  of 
the  23rd  of  February,  O.  S.,  the  following 
instructions: 

TOL.  I.  B 


3  russia  under 

*'  *  Tour  Excellency, 

^^  ^  It  is  the  pleasure  of  his  Majesty 
the  Emperor,  that,  on  the  receipt  of  thèse 
présents,  you  forthwith  send  for  Prince 
Peter  Dolgorucky,  and  Mr.  Ivan  Golowyn, 
and  admonish  them  înstantly  to  quit  Paris 
and  repair  to  St.  Petersburg. 

'^'Tou  are  not  to  accept  of  any  excuse 
Trhatever,  neither  sickness,  nor  other  pretext, 
and  you  will  infonn  them,  that,  in  case  of 
disobedience,  they  will  be  proceeded  against 
as  rebels  to  the  Impérial  will,  with  ail  the 
rigour  of  the  laws. 

(Signed)  Kesselrode.' " 

After  having  read  this  letter,  M.  Kisselef 
eaid,  ^'  When  shall  you  set  out  ?  " 

^'I  quitted  Rossia  on  account  of  my 
liealth,  and  hâve  always  regretted  that  I 
coiild  not  retom  thither;  but  it  would  be 
impossible  forme  to  do  so  at  this  moment." 

^^I  cannot  admit  of  this  excuse." 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  3^ 

''I  liGpe  that  hîs  Majesty  thé  Emperor 
wiO  liave  the  goodness  to  accept  ît." 

"Ton  hâve  just  heard  that  I  cannot  ac- 
cept of  any  pretext." 

•'It  îs  no  pretext,  I  can  prodnce  médical 
certificates  of  the  bad  state  of  tny  health.'' 

^  When  do  you  désire  that  I  shonld  gire 
yon  your  passport  ?  " 

"I  hâve  aJbready  informed  your  Excel- 
lency^  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  leave 
Paris  just  now.'* 

^  What  then,  would  yon  hâve  me  do  ?  '* 

''Make  yonr  report  accordingly/' 

^I  dare  not;  write  yonrself." 

''Iwilldoso/' 

"  Bnt  do  yon  not  see  that  ît  is  the  wîll  of 
ihe  Emperor  that  yon  shonld  retnm  in- 
stantly?" 

^  My  iUness  is  the  wîll  of  God,"  I  replied^ 
and  bowing  to  his  Excellency,  ifîthdrew 
from  the  apartment;  Prince  Dolgomcky 
entered  almost  immediately  after. 

b2 


4  RUSSU  UNDER 

In  the  course  of  the  same  day  I  sent  the 
following  letter^  addressed  to  M.  Kisselef  : 

"Tour  Excellengt^ 

"  It  has  always  been  my  désire  to 
retum  to  my  country  as  soon  as  possible.  I 
qnitted  it  only  on  account  of  the  shattered 
state  of  my  health^  and  would  gladly  hare 
obeyed  the  summons  which  I  hâve  just  re- 
ceived,  but  my  illness  will  not,  at  présent, 
permit  me  to  undertake  so  fatiguing  a  jour- 
ney.  I  trust  that  my  life  may  yet  be  use- 
fui  to  his  Majesty  the  Emperor,  and  that  I 
may  not  be  deprived,  by  a  prématuré  death 
of  the  ability  to  confound  malignity  and 
destroy  calumny.  I  rely  on  the  clemency 
and  justice  of  our  most  gracions  Sovereign, 
and  humbly  solicit  that  my  joumey  may  be 
deferred  till  my  health  shall  be  improved; 
as  soon  as  ever  I  am  able,  I  will  set  ont  for 
St.  Fetersburg.  I  hâve  the  honour  to 
annex  a  médical  certificate. 
''Paris,  I2ih  March,  1843.'* 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  6 

I  could  not  divine  the  cause  of  my 
recall,  Every  Russian  noble  îs  peimit- 
ted  to  réside  fire  years  in  foreîgn  coun- 
tries,  and  my  passport  was  dated  only 
a  year  and  a  half  back.  There  was 
absolutely  nothing  with  which  I  could 
charge  myself.  Count  Benkendorf,  the 
Mmister  of  Police,  had  not  even  conde- 
scended  to  inform  me  of  the  cause  which 
induced  the  Russian  Govemment  to  treat 
me  thus  axbitrarily.  He  had  merely 
stated  to  my  brother  that  the  Emperor 
deemed  my  résidence  at  Paris  perfectly 
useless,  and  had  the  goodness  to  promise 
ihat  he  would  défend  me  on  my  retum,  if  it 
were  true,  as  he  had  been  told,  that  Ihad 
a  good  heart.  Prince  Dolgorucky  had 
shortly  before  published  a  little  work,  en-  • 
tîtled^  ^^  Notice  sur  les  principales  Familles 
de  la  Russie^  par  Le  Comte  Almagro.'' 
This  pamphlet  had  excited  the  indignation 
of  several  nobles,  and  of  some  high  Russian 
fimctionaries.    The  Prince  had  given  occa-  ' 


6  BUSSU  13NDEB 

sion  to  his  recall  by  placing  a  history  of 
the  BomanoffSj  which  waâ  nearly  finished, 
under  the  protection  of  France,  and  as  I 
had  myself  just  put  to  the  preas  a  treatise 
on  Folitîcal  Economy,  I  had  no  doubt 
that  offence  had  been  taken  at  my  doiug 
80,  although  the  contents  of  my  work  were 
entirdy  imknown. 

Are  Bussians  prohibited  from  printing 
their  writings  in  a  foreign  country  ?  Before 
proceeding  to  the  publication  of  my  work, 
I  had  sent  to  the  Farisian  correspondent  of 
the  Minister  of  Fublic  Instruction,  to  ascer- 
tain  whether  I  was  authorized  in  doing  so« 
He  informed  me  that,  strictly  speaking,  it 
vma  prohibited  to  print  anything  in  foreign 
countries;  that  the  engagement  whicb 
ought  to  be  signed  by  those  who  take  out 
passports  contained  this  prohibition,  but 
that  passports  were  generally  obtained 
without  imposing  auy  restriction.  He 
further  stated  that  it  was  an  eyery-day 
occurrence  for  Bussians  to  publish  works 


NICBOI4AS  THE  FIRST.  7 

(mt  of  their  countrj^  and  that  I  might  con^ 

seqaentlj  do  the  same  without  the  sliglitest 

hésitation.     **Kyour  book,"  he  added,  "îs 

against  Bnssia^  the  Govemment  will  in  ail 

probability  punish  you  ;  if  it  is  not,  it  will 

wink  at  it;   and   if  it   is  favourable,  it 

may  even  reward  you.**    I  asked  him  if  I 

might  rely  upon  his  statements  ?     He  re- 

plied,  "You  may  consider  them  as  officiai." 

I  accordingly  hastened  to  communicate 

to  him  the  news  of  my  recall,  and  said, 

^that  being  convinced  of  my  perfect  inno* 

cence,  I  could  not  account  for  this  rigour, 

except  on  the  ground  of  my  publication." 

He  had  the  kindness  instanily  to  write  to 

Coont  Benkendorf,  to  tell  him  that  my  work 

was  very  différent  from  that  of  Prince  Dolgo- 

mcky^  being  entirely  of  a  scientific  nature, 

and  rather  &Yourable  than   otherwise  to 

Busaia. 

The  Bussian  law  is  décisive;  it  conmiands 
every  suhjeet  to  retum  to  his  country  at 
the  first  snmmons;  there  is,  however^  ano^ 


8  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

ther  law  equally  expKcit,  which  says  that, 
after  sentence  passed^  or  even  on  a  mère 
order  of  the  Government,  a  person  may 
be  exiled  to  the  provinces  of  the  interior  ; 
and  those  on  the  confines  of  Siberia, 
namely:  Viatka,  Perm,  and  Volgoda, 
are  generally  selected.  I  was  conscious 
that  I  was  innocent^  but  who  would  say 
that  I  had  not  been  calumniated  ?  Rus- 
sian  spies  are  very  numerous  at  Paris^ 
more  so  than  in  any  other  city;  and  a 
slight  offence  given  to  one  of  thèse  gentle- 
men is  quite  sufficient  to  induce  him  to 
inform  agaînst  the  ofiender  to  a  superior  au- 
thority^  indeed  they  often  gladly  seize  some 
opportunity  of  this  kind  to  obtain  favour, 
or  at  ail  events  to  évidence  that  they  hâve 
eamed  their  salary  ;  because  those  spies  who 
are  too  sparing  of  their  reports,  are  sus* 
pected,  or  dismissed.  Informers  enjoy  the 
strictest  incognito;  they  are  never  con- 
fronted  with  the  accused,  and  their  word 
haâ  more  weight  than  that  of  honest  men. 
Persons,  perfectly  free  from  reproach,  hâve 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIR8T.  9 

leen  reci^ed  to  Russia  on  a  bare  suspicion 

of  liberalism,  and  even  when  they  hare 

whollj  escaped  ponishment^  because  neither 

Word  nor  deed  could  be  alleged  against 

them,  they  bave  nevertbeless  been  sbacklëd 

in  tbeir  future  career.    A  caprice  of  Gount 

Nessebrode  bad  abeady  induced  me  to  re- 

noiince  everj  brancb  of  public  service  ;  and  I 

iras  certainlj  not  disposed  to  subjept  myself 

anew  to  bumiliation.    As  my  recall  would 

necessarily  become  public^  no  justification 

could  bave  secured  my  innocence  against 

suspicion.    My  best  defence  was  my  book. 

I  tberefore  considered  it  advisable  to  pub- 

lisb  it;  besides  I  could  not  renounce  tbe 

satîs&ction  of  giving  to  tbe  world  tbe  fruit 

of  many  years'  study.    I  loved,  and  still 

love,  my  country,  as  mucb  as  any  man;  and 

because  I  loved  it,  I  was  désirons  to  contri- 

bute  to  tbe  utmost  of  my  power  to  efface 

tbe  epitbet  of  harharism  by  which  we  are 

stigmalised  ail  over  Europe. 

if  I  do  not  bere  speak  of  tbe  rigbts  of  man^ 


10  RUSSIA   UNDER 

or  of  the  rights  of  ciyilization^  which  are 
Buperior  to  ail  laws^  especially  to  iniquitous 
laws^  rights  which  are  utterly  trampled 
under  foot,  and  wbicli  I  saw  shamefuUy  vio- 
lated  in  mj  own  case^  it  is  simply  because 
I  am  anxious  not  to  soar  above  the  compré- 
hension of  the  Bussian  Govemment. 

I  resolved  to  use  ail  possible  circum* 
spection  in  order  to  gain  over  those^  whov 
though  thej  did  not  participate  in  my 
Tiews,  merited  my  esteem.  I  therefore 
saved  appearances^  by  dedaring  myself  ill, 
which  was  in  fact  the  case. 

On  the  13th  I  was  visited  by  a  secretary 
of  the  Embassy,  who  requested  me^  in  the 
name  of  the  Ambassador^  at  least  to  set  ont 
for  Germany^  in  order  that  his  Excellency 
might  be  able  to  inform  the  Govemment 
of  my  departure  in  obédience  to  its  man- 
date. I  replied  that  I  had  no  confidence 
in  the  Grerman  physîcians  ;  upon  which  he 
begged  me  at  least  to  fix  the  time  of  my 
departure  ;  but  as  it  was  utterly  ont  of  my 


NICHOULS  THE  FIBST.  H 

power  to  tell  how  long  my  iUness  might 
continue,  I  could  not  comply  with  this  fresh 
jvopositioiL  On  the  foUowing  daj  thé  same 
gentleman  invited  me^  bj  a  note,  to  modify 
my  letter  conformablj  to  his  suggestion. 
This  proceeding  on  his  part  met  with  no 
better  socceas  than  the  first. 

The  next  day,  a  person  attached  to  the 

Lotion  called  on  me  to  say  that  he  had 

lead  the  draught  of  the  report  which  had 

jost  been  prepared  respecting  my  afiairs  ; 

he  added  that  I  mnst  look  to  the  con* 

séquences  if  I  did  not  make  some  altération 

in  my  letter,  because^  as  Prince  Dolgorucky 

had  fixed  the  time  for  his  retum,  he  was 

of  opinion  that  the  anger  of  the  Emperor 

woold  Ml  upon  me  alone.    Fersuaded  that 

I  abould  gain  everything  by  gaining  time, 

and  being  well  aware  of  the  intractable 

spirit  of  the  Gzar,  I  withdrew  my  firat  letter 

and  substituted  another^  of  the  foUowing 

ténor: — 


12  RUSSIA   UNDER 

"  YoiJR  EXCELLENCT, 

"  I  should  unresîstingly  hâve  obeyed 
the  direction  which  I  hâve  just  received^ 
and  hâve  set  out  îmmediatelj^  but  cannot 
do  so^  as  the  state  of  my  health  does  not 
permit  me  to  bear  the  motion  of  a  car* 
riage;  and^  as  the  approaching  opening  of 
the  navigation  will  afford  me  the  means 
of  retuming  more  speedily,  I  intend,  as  în 
duty  bomid,  to  embark  on  board  the  first 
steamer.  I  hâve  the  honour  to  inclose  the 
certificate  attesting  the  bad  state  of  my 
health.» 

The  answer  of  Count  Benkendorf  to  his 
correspondent  was  not  delayed. — "As  for 
M.  Golowyn/*  he  wrote,  "you  may  be 
perfectly  easy  on  his  accomit  :  nous  n'avons 
pas  de  corps  de  délit  contre  lui  (thèse 
are  the  very  words  of  the  letter,  which  was 
in  French.)  In  fact,  it  was  only  a  measure 
of  précaution,  and  not  of  repression.  This 
affaîr  will  go  no  farther." 


K1CS0LA8   THE  FIRST.  13 

Was  not  tliîs  a  plain  déclaration  of  my 
innocence  ?  But^  in  this  case,  why  should 
I  be  persecuted  ?  By  way  of  precavtionf 
Wovld  it  not  be  eqoally  reasonable,  arbi* 
trarily  to  lay  hold  on  passengers  in  tbe 
stteets  and  incarcerate  them,  lest  tbey 
Bhoald  commit  some  crime  ?  Would  it  not 
be  acting  in  the  spirit  of  certain  owners 
of  serfs^  who  beat  their  people  in  antici- 
pation of  the  faults  which  they  may  here- 
«fter  commit  ;  or,  who,  acknowledging  that 
they  hâve  punished  them  wrongfully,  pro- 
mise to  place  the  castigation  to  their  crédit 
against  the  next  iimeî  Gould  that  be 
called  a  measnre  oîprecaviîon  which  would 
bring  confusion  and  terror  into  a  family, 
excite  a  vast  sensation  in  Paris  and  Peters- 
burg,  and  in  the  face  of  Europe  be  équi- 
valent to  a  confession  that  an  author  was 
lecalled  on  account  of  a  work  which  was 
still  in  his  desk  or  in  the  press  ?  It  is  true 
that  I  had  been  advised  to  keep  the  whole 
affair  perfectly  secret.    Count  Benkendorf 


14  RUSSIA  UNDER 

had  a  two-fold  reason  for  this  advîce:  "  the 
Emperor'B  will  is  that  his  subjects  shall 
keep  quiet  in  foreign  countries;  and  we 
hj  no  means  désire  that  thej  shotdd  puV 
lîsh  anything  whatever.'* 

Belying  on  the  letter  of  tiie  chief  of  the 
gens  d'armes  to  his  correspondent^  I  believed 
that^  like  manj  other  precipitate  measureB 
of  the  Eossian  Gtovemment,  this  whole 
affair  wonld  lead  to  no  resuit;  and  espe^ 
dally  because  there  were  précédents  Trhîch 
authorized  me  to  arrive  at  this  conclusion. 
I  sent  two  copies  of  my  économie  Politiqpjie 
to  St.  Petersburg,  one  intended  for  thfe 
Emperor,  and  the  other  for  the  Mînister 
of  Police  ;  and  I  then  repaired  to  the  Py- 
rénées for  the  benefit  of  the  waters.  Count 
Benkendorf  did  not  take  the  trouble  of 
reading  more  than  the  Préface,  which  he 
considered  very  inflammatory,  because  I 
therein  claimed  the  hospitality  of  France 
for  my  views.  He  severely  reprimanded 
his  correspondent  for  having  misled  him 


NICHOLAS.  THE  FIBST.  1^  . 

reflpeddDg  the  spirit  of  my  publicatioiu 
The  censorship  of  the  Pressa  after  a  long 
delajr^  snffered  the  book  to  pass,  but  eut 
ont  sereral  leaves;  this^  added  to  the 
intelligence  that  Prince  Dolgorucky  bad 
JQst  been  banished  to  Ylatka^  was  calcu« 
lited  to  fill  me  mih.  well-grounded  appre-^ 
ktisions  for  the  &te  tbat  might  awaît  me 
oa  iqy  retonu 

I  waa  fullj  resolved  not  to  set  out  for 
Snssia  without  a  positive  assurance  that 
I  shoold  not  be  molested^  and  as  I  had 
not  received  any  notice  for  several  monthfif, 
I  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the  Minister 
of  Police,  from  Gauterets,  on  the  16th  of 
August,  1843  :— 

'&% 

'^  Several  months  ago  I  had  the 
ionour  to  forward  to  St.  Petersburg  two 
copies  of  my  last  work  ;  I  intended  one  for 
1Û0  Majesty  the  Emperor,  and  the  other 
lor  your  Excellency  ;  but  as  I  bave  not 


16  RUS8IA  UNDER 

receîved  any  answer,  I  fear  that  iU-founded 
appréhension  may  hâve  hindered  mj  bro- 
ther  from  sending  thèse  bocks  to  their 
destination.  In  this  case  I  request  that 
jour  Excellency  wiU  hâve  the  goodness  to 
relieve  my  brother  from  any  such  groimd* 
less  fears^  and  further,  to  do  me  the  favour 
to  accept  one  copy^  and  to  présent  the 
other  to  our  august  Sovereign,  with  an 
expression  of  my  extrême  regret  at  being 
unable  to  lay  it  in  person  at  his  Majesty's 
feet^  because  a  serions  illness  still  keeps 
me  at  a  distance  from  my  country. 
*' Accept,  &c.  &c." 

On  my  retum  to  Paris,  the  Bussian 
Légation  transmitted  to  me  a  paper,  signed 
"Douvelt,"  dated  Ist  (12th)  September, 
1843,  of  the  foUowing  ténor  : — 

"Sir, 

"  Count  Benkendorf,  the  Adjutant- 
(ïeneral,  having  been  informed  that  you 


NICH0LA8   THE   PIRST.  17 

Iia?e  yentored^  wîthout  asking  permission^ 
togofrom  Paris  to  the  Pyrénées,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  minerai  waters,  in  défiance 
rfihe  suprême  order  which  you  received 
in  March  last  to  retum  to  Bussia,  and  of 
TOUT  own  déclaration  in  writing  that  yon 
wonld  set  ont  at  the  opening  of  the  naviga- 
tion by  the  first  steamer,  his  Excellency 
lias  instructed  me  to  acquaint  you  that  he 
eonfines  himself  to  repeating,  for  the  last 
time,  the  order  to  fulfil  your  duty,  and  to 
retnm    immediately    to     St.    Petersbnrg, 
without  avaîling  yonrself  of  any  pretext 
whatever.    K  you  do  not  comply,  his  Ex- 
cellency will  make  his  humble  report  to  his 
Majesty  the  Emperor,  your  very  delay  in 
obeying  his  Majesty's  order  will  be  a  great 
crime,  and  you  will  hâve  incurred  a  heavy 
légal  responsibility. 

*'  While  I  thus  obey  the  orders  of  Count 
Alexander  Christophorovitsch,  I  hâve  the 
honour  to  assure  you  of  my  sincère  regard 
and  dévotion/' 
VOL.  I.  C 


Id  '    JftUSSU  UNDER 

To  thiâ  I  instautly  sent  the  fcJloTwig 

^'What  anawer  can  I  mak^  to  the 
offîdal  uotice  which  you  did  me  the  honour 
to  cause  to  be  addressed  to  me  under  Hm 
date  of  the  Ist  of  September^  and  which 
was  uot  delivered  to  me,  by  the  Légation^, 
uutil  the  22nd  of  lïf  ovember  ?  If  I  should 
speak  to  you  of  the  cause  which  detains  mye 
heïe,  you  hâve  an  answer  at  hand:  you 
wUl  not  listen  to  any  objection.  My  iU^ 
neas^  and  the  course  of  medicine  which  I 
am  now  undergoing,  only  excite  your  di£K 
pleasure,  and  this  is  not  calculated  to  ease 
my  mind  respecting  the  fate  which  maj 
attend  me  on  my  retum.  Shall  I  speak  of 
my  innocence  ?  You  are  as  fixlly  convinced 
of  it  as  I  am  myself  ;  and  was  I  not  jus- 
tified  in  inf errmg^  from  your  own  wordS;i  thai 
^you  had  no  crime  wherewith  to  charge  me^i 
and  that  the  'affair  would  go  no  fiirtherj' 


NICBOLAS   TUS  FKST.  1& 

permissioii  to  go  whererer  I  pleased?  Musfe 
I  assert  my  devotedness  to  my  Sovereign? 
listory  bears  testimony  that  my  famîly 
lias  served  the  throne  more  than  any  other, 
ud  certainly  I  hare  not  been  an  exception. 
I  liave  only  made  use  of  the  freedom  of 
the  presa  ta  consolidate  the  glory  of  my 
coontry.  It  is  easy  to  serve  it  in  pros- 
peritjr;  but  it  is  difficult  to  do  so  in  adver- 
Hy.  My  crimes  are  my  iUness  and  powers 
of  mind,  and  yet  you  will  not  leave  me^  as 
m  indemnification^  tbe  faculty  which  is 
goated  to  the  meanest  subject^  that  o( 
moTing  about  at  will,  î^othing^  therefore^ 
i^emains  for  me  but  to  assure  you  o£  my 
%]|  esteem,  and  to  trust  in  the  clemency 
aftd  justice  of  my  Sovereign. 
**Iam,&c.,  &c/' 

General  Douvelt  sent  the  foUowing  reply 
on  the  26th  N'ovember  old  style  : — 

'  ^Hie  Aid-de*camp  General^  Gount  Ben* 

c2 


20  BU88IA  UNBEB 

kendorf^  baving  received  your  letter  of  the 
12th  (24tli)  of  November,  bas  been  pleased 
to  déclare  tbat  tbe  Goyemment  bas  not  bad 
to  accuse  you  of  any  crime  ;  but  tbat  you 
bave  become  culpable  fnym  the  moment 
tbat  you  reftised  to  obey  tbe  order  of  bis 
Majesty  respecting  your  retum  to  Bussia. 
His  Excellency,  actuated  by  tbe  kindness 
of  bis  beart^  bas  bitberto  kept  back^  and 
still  keeps  back  bis  bumble  report  on  tbe 
subject  ;  but  it  is  possible  tbat  bis  Majesty 
tbe  Emperor  may  tbink  fit  to  inquire  wbe- 
tber  you  bave  retumed  from  abroad^  and 
tben  it  will  be  necessary  to  lay  before  bim 
tbe  particulars  of  tbis  affair^  and^  in  consé- 
quence of  your  delay  in  obeying  tbe  wiU  of 
tbe  Monarcb^  you  will  be  amenable,  as 
for  a  senous  crimey  to  ail  tbe  rigour  of  tbe 
laws.  For  tbis  reason^  Count  Alexander 
Cbristopborovitscb,  for  tbe  last  time  re- 
peats  bis  former  injunction^  and  bas  in- 
structed  me  to  request  you  to  retum  im- 
mediately  to  Bussia^  not  alleging  any  fur- 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  21 

ftcr  pretext;  and  if  you  do  not  complj, 
hîs  Excellency  will  be  constraîned  to  lay 
(he  whole  before  his  Majesty. 

*^While  fulfillîng  the  orders  ôf  Count 
Alexander  Ghristophorovitsch^  I  haye  the 
honour  to  assure  you  of  my  sincère  respect 
and  regard." 

At  the  same  time  the  Oount  caused  a 
letter  to  be  written  to  me,  throngh  a  pri- 
vate  channel,  saying  that  the  Emperor  did 
not  like  to  be  trifled  with,  and  was  accus- 
tomed  to  be  obeyed;  that  a  single  word 
firom  hîm  would  suffice  to  induce  the  French 
Grovemment  to  oblige  me  to  quit  France. 
I  was  incensed  at  this  arrogance,  and  cer- 
tainly  not  intimidated  by  the  reports  which 
were  adroitly  spread  by  the  Bussian  agents, 
that  M.  Guizot  had  offered  to  send  away 
Prince  Dolgorucky,  escorted  by  gens 
d'armes;  I  well  knew  the  meanness  to  which 
the  Bussian  diplomacy  could  resort,  and  I 
wàs  soon  perfectly  at  ease  on  this  point.    I 


22  HUSSIA   UNDER 

therefore  leffc  my  cause  in  the  hands  of 
Providence,  and  returned  the  foUowing 
answer  to  the  Minister  of  Police. 

^'SlR, 

"  In  your  order  of  the  25th  of  îfa- 
vember,  you  admit  my  innocence  and  speak 
of  your  kindness  of  heart.  I  never  doubted 
the  former  ;  but  the  second  does  not  appear 
in  your  letter.  Kindness  of  heart  and  jus- 
tice require  indemnification  to  those  who 
hâve  wrongfiilly  suffered  persécution,  and 
Bot  the  continuation  of  snch  persécution. 

^Besides,  you  are  pleased  to  announce 
to  me  that,  in  conséquence  of  my  delaying 
to  retum  to  my  country,  proceedings  will 
be  instituted  against  me  with  ail  the  rigour 
of  the  laws,  as  for  a  serions  crime.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  find  words  more  plainly 
conveying  an  order  to  obey,  and  at  the 
aame  time  deterring  from  complianee 
with  it. 

^^  Seing  fully  persuaded  that  my  cause  is 


KICHOLA8  TSE  FIRST.  2& 

jnst,I  place  my  hopes  on  the  impaiiialify 
<rf  the  Einp^t>r,  and  beg  yonr  Excellency 
no  longer  to  delay  making  your  rep<Mt  to 
Wm  on  tiie  eanses  which  prevent  my  speedy 
retum.  Thèse  I  stated  to  yon  in  my  letters 
of  the  5th  of  Angost  and  fhe  24tb  of 
Iferember^  and  are  the  shattered  state 
hoth  of  my  health  and  of  my  fortmie." 

On  receiving  this  letter,  Ooont  BenkeiK 

doif  WTote  in  the  margin^  ^  The  yomig  man 

titt  end  hy  niining  himself.^     He  then 

sent  for  my  brother^  embraced  him,  made 

him  sit  down^  and  said^  '^  Tou  know  that  I 

am  your  friend;   but  there  is  no  family 

without  a  reprobate^  and  yonr  brother  is 

the  reprohate  of  your  family,  Ecce  homo  !" 

On  the  8ih  (20th)  of  Febmary,  the  Le- 

gation  sent  to  me  a  letter  firom  General 

Dourelt^  dated  on  the  8th  (20th)  of  Ja- 

Duaiy^    asnd    conceived    in    the    foUowing 

tenns: — 


24  ru8sia  under 

"  Sir, 

*' The  Adjutant-Greneral,  CountBen- 
kendorf,  having  received  your  letter  of  the 
3rd  of  January,  (new  style,)  and  findîng  that 
you  still  delay  to  exécute  the  Emperor's 
order  conceming  your  immédiate  retum  to 
Bussia,  has  instructed  me  to  inform  yoù 
that  his  Excellency  will  defer  the  delivery 
of  his  report  to  the  Emperor  four  weeks 
longer;  but  if,  at  the  expiration  of  that 
time,  (care  had  been  taken  to  let  it  ei^ire,) 
you  hâve  not  arrived  at  St.  Petersburg, 
your  disobedience  will  be  forthwith  re- 
ported  to  the  Emperor. 

"  I  beg  to  assure  you  of  my  sincère 
respect,  and  remain,  &c." 

On  the  preceding  day,  M.  Kisselef  had 
communicated  to  me  an  order  transmitted 
to  him  by  Count  ïï'esselrode,  dated  the 
26th  of  January,  which  directed  that  he 
should  be  informed  of  my  décision  respect- 


NICH0LA8   THE   FIRST.  25 

ing  my  retum  to  St.  Petereburg.    I  was 

not  to  be  dictated  to  by  Gount  !N^esseb*ode. 

Iluulreceîyed  my  instructions  from  Oount 

Benkendorf.    In  fàct,  I  had  alreadj  sacri- 

ficed  my  post  in  order  thiat  I  might  not  be 

dépendent  on  the   Minister   for   Foreign 

Affidrs^  for  being  admonished  by  him  to 

take  lessons  in  writing^  I  thought  that  I 

might  be  more  nsefol  to  my  country  as  an 

anthor  than  as  a  copyist,  and  accordingly 

withdrew  firom  the  service. 

I  addressed  the  foUowing  letter  to  Oomit 
Ifesselrode,  which  I  sent  to  M.  Elisselef  : — 

^SlB, 

^'  I  thought  that  I  had  explained 
myself  decidedly  enough  with  respect  to 
my  retum  to  fiussia^  in  my  letters  to  Count 
Benkendorf/ dated  the  15th  of  Auguste  the 
24th  of  J^ovember,  1843,  and  the  3rd  of 
January^  1844  ;  but  since  your  Excellency 
condescends  to  interfère  in  this  measure  of 


26  VUSSIA  UNDXE 

the  police,  it  is  my  duty  to  infoim  jcm,  tiuùfc 
I  qaitted  the  serrice  of  my  country  for  tiie 
^fmrpose  of  taking  lessons  in  calligraphy,  m 
jou  were  pleased  to  recommend.  I  ïiMre 
no  protection,  and  your  Excellency  cannot 
fail  to  remember  that  the  first  Minister  for 
Foreign  A&irs  bore  the  same  name  m 
myself. 

"  I  tmst,  however,  that  you  will  not  ex- 
ercise the  full  extent  of  your  power,  and 
cause  it  to  be  said,  that  a  Benkendorf  and 
a  Kessebode  hâve  placed  a  Grolowyn  coi  the 
proscription  list. 

"  I  hâve  the  honour  to  be,  &c.*' 

I  shewed  this  letter  to  the  Rossian  poet 

B ,  and  asked  his  opinion  respectn^  xk 

He  urged  me  to  send  it  off,  observing,  thitt 
Oonnt  Kesselrode  was  a  snperior  man,  ^é 
on  caQing  to  mind  the  injory  which  he  liad 
dene  me,  woold  hast^i  to  repair  it.  Soon» 
howevet,  I  had  a  firesh  proof  ù£  the  two-icdd 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  27 

Mk,  iliat  good  men  are  not  alwajs  cn- 
imed  irith  worldlj  wisdom^  and  that  gréai 
aea  freqaentl j  harbonr  petty  hatred. 

Comt  N^esselrode,  on  receiving  my  Ict- 
ter^  lost  no  time  in  laying  it  1>efore  tbe 
finireror^  who  immediately  ordered  tibat  aH 
tnyproperty  should  be  sequestrated^  that 
proceedings  should  be  instituted  against  me 
for  liie  crime  of  disobedience  and  Mgh 
treason^  and  that  I  should  be  arrested  if  I 
set  foot  on  the  Bussian  territory. 

Prince  Dolgomcky  was  recalled  from  Im 
place  of  banisfament  at  Viatka,^  and  tibe 
Ëmperor  issued  a  decree  prohibiting  Eus* 
sian  subjects  from  going  abroad  before 
they  had  attained  the  âge  of  twenty-five, 
and  imposed  a  tax  of  800  francs  a  year  on 
their  passports  :  none  but  învalids  and  mer- 
chants  were  exempt  from  this  measure. 

At  length,  one  evening,  his  Majesty  did 
me  the  honour  to  read  my  letter  to  a  small 
cirde  at  court.  *'  Who  would  hâve  thought 
it,"  he  cried,   "  that  the  brother  of  our 


28 


RUS8IA  UNDER 


Golowyn  should  be  the  author  of  such  ar 
letter  ?  And  who  will  venture  to  say  that 
this  man  writes  well?  I  leave  you  to 
judge  for  yourselves,  gentlemen,  îs  thîs 
letter  well  written?'*  And  immediately, 
the  gentlemen  présent  bowed  their  heads, 
sayîng,  "  Certainly  not,  Sire,  the  letter  is 
very  ill  written." 

Thus  condemned  by  tbe  court,  I  was 
very  shortly  sentenced  by  the  senate, 
which  pronomiced  against  me  the  penalty 
of  banishment  to  Sîberia,  the  privation  of 
ail  my  civil  rights,  and  the  confiscation  of 
my  property. 


NICHOLA8   THE  FIR8T. 


29 


Chapter  1. 

HISTORICAL  NOTICE  OF  THE  REIGN  OF 
NICHOLAS  I. 


It  is  no  part  of  mj  design  to  dwell  ai 
fength  on  the  history  of  a  reign  which  is 
distinguished  only  bj  acts  of  crueltj  and 
violence  ;  acts  whîch  will,  however,  be  use- 
H  inasmuch  as  they  will  serve  to  fill  up 
the  measure  of  iniquity,  and  hasten  the 
coming  of  a  better  order  of  things. 

Alexander,  who  died  at  Tagenrog  on  the 
I9th  U^ovember,  1826,  carried  with  him  to 
the  tomb  many  gênerons  plans;  his  death 
excited  both  regret  and  appréhension  ;  but 
the  regret  was  lessened  by  the  administra- 
tion of  Araktshêief,  into  whose  hands  he 


30  BUSSLL  LUDEB 

had  suffered  the  reins  of  govemment  to 
£Eill;  when  overcome  by  feelings  of  disgust; 
while  the  appréhensions  were  increased  by 
a  storm  which  was  rising  in  obscurity^  but 
of  which  there  was  a  général  presentiment. 
The  nation  was  far  from  being  comfortable 
respecting  the  fete  which  the  brothers  of 
Alexander  were  preparing  for  Eussia.  Con- 
stantine^  at  the  most^  was  calculated  only 
to  act  anew  the  reign  of  his  capricîous 
&ther,  who  was  good  and  bad  by  fits  a^d 
starts  ;  it  was  ont  of  the  question  to  expect 
from  him  an  equable  and  intelligent  exeiv 
cise  of  power  ;  and  as  for  îiTicholas,  he. 
was  scarcely  known.  Constantine  had,  be- 
sides^  renoiinced  the  crown^  by  his  marriage 
with  Princess  Lo>ntz,  the  daughter  of  a 
private  Folish  gentleman  named  Grusinsky. 
The  act  of  his  renunciation  of  the  crown^ 
and  the  manifesto  of  Alexander,  nominating 
Nicholas  for  his  successor,  were  deposited 
in  the  church  of  the  Assomption  at  Moscow,, 
and  entrusted  to  the  care  of  the  three. 


mCBÙLAB  THE  FUST.  31 

kjglMsit  «lihorities  of  the  empire^  —  the 
Sjnod,  the  Coimci],  and  the  Senate.  The 
Gnod  Bnke  CcNostantine^  in  his  letter  to 
tke  Emperor^  dated  14ih  Jannarj^  1822, 
dedbred^  thai  ^^  in  ease  he  shoold  erer  be 
i&îesied  nith  the  high  dtgnity  to  which  he 
VIS  eaHed  bj  lus  birth,  he  did  not  belieye 
luiDself  poasessed  oi  the  talent  or  energy 
ifidiq^ensable  for  the  performance  of  its 

ITîcholas  sported  with  the  crown;  he 
o&red  ît  to  Gonstantîne^  and  made  the 
tm^  take  the  oath:  ^thus  thongh  he 
pieteiidedthe  contrary,  he  left  his  beloved 
wmtry  in  a  state  of  uncertainty,  req>ecting 
the  persooL  of  its  legitimate  sorereign." 
C<Mistantine  again  reiterated  his  refusai, 
nA  Nicbolaa  then  required  the  oath  to  be 
taken  ta  himself .  This  was  the  signal  for 
an  insBrrectk»,  and  it  broke  out  almost 
instantlj. 

The  flower  of  the  nobility  and  of  the 
Bnssian  armj^  mostlj  young  men  distin^ 


32  RUSSIA  UNDER 

guished  by  their  éducation  and  talents,  who 
were  ill  at  ease  amidst  institutions  which 
bore  heavy  on  them^  and  impelled  by  ardent 
love  for  their  country,  had  resolved  to 
remedy  its  evils.  Since  the  year  1817  they 
had  formed  several  societies^  similar  to 
those  in  other  countries,  especially  that  of 
the  German  Tugendbund.  The  object  of 
thèse  associations  was  to  diffuse  knowledge 
by  the  establishment  of  public  schools,  par- 
ticularly  on  the  Lancasterian  System;  to 
labour  in  favour  of  the  émancipation  of  the 
vassals  by  the  promulgation  of  libéral  ideas 
and  examples  of  gênerons  enfranchise- 
ment  ;  to  remedy  the  abuses  in  the  admi- 
nistration of  justice,  by  not  refusing  the 
functions  which  might  be  confided  to  their 
members*,  by  encouraging  upright  judges, 
and  eyen  affording  them  pecuniary  assist- 
ance.   It  was  their  désire  thus  to  aid  the 

*  Ryleief  and  Pontshîne,  among  othen,  had  filled, 
with  great  crédit  to  themselves,  offices  that  were  far 
from  agreeable. 


NICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  33 

efforte  of  Groveniinent,  which  they  conaU 
dered  to  be  insufficient  ;  and  so  far  from 
tliinking  that  theîr  vîews  were  blameaUe^ 
they  firequently  wished  to  ask  îts  assent  and 
coimt«iance,  and  were  withheld  only  by  the 
fear  of  not  beîng  adequately  supported  by 
its  philanthropy. 

A  pétition  demanding  permission  to  open 
a  snbscription  for  the  émancipation  of 
the  vassals  was,  in  fact,  presented  to  the 
Enq)eror,  though  without  leading  to  auy 
îesolt.  The  names  of  the  most  respectable 
Bien,  such  as  Count  Woronzow,  Prince 
Henckîskof^  were  found  among  the  peti- 
tioners.  M.  Wasiltschikof,  now  Président 
of  tlie  Council,  first  gave  his  assent,  but 
Sïibflequently  withdrew  it  ;  several  of  those 
^ho  signed  the  pétition  fell  into  disgrâce 
ia  conséquence  of  doing  so. 

The  association,  which  was  at  first  formed 
wider  the  name  of  The  Union  of  Safety, 
Nibsequently  assumed  that  of  Union  of  the 
fviiUc  Goodj  or  of  the  Green  BooJe,  from 

VOL.  I.  D 


34  BDBSIA  TJNDER 

the  colour  of  the  binding  of  its  statates. 
li  mLS  divided  into  ihe  Society  of  the 
North  and  that  of  the  South.  The  first  had 
its  Bittings  at  St  Petersbnrg,  the  latter  at 
Tnltschin.  In  1823  the  latter  joined  the 
Society  of  the  United  SdavoniaDS^  a»d 
Moscow  served  as  their  rallyixig  point. 
Oonstitutional  ideas  were  then  in  Togne^ 
and  had  spread  among  the  enlighteoed 
classes,  after  the  campaigns  of  1813 — 11». 
The  organization  of  society  necessarily 
became  the  object  of  the  délibérations  oi 
thèse  meetings,  and  was  the  subject  of 
fréquent  and  warm  debates,  which^  howerer^ 
rather  resembled  private  conversations  than 
formai  délibérations. 

The  existence  of  thèse  societies  wm 
denounced,  in  1820^  to  the  Ëmperor  Alex- 
andcr,  who  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  in- 
terfère openly.  In  June,  1824^  a  subaltem 
officer,  named  Bherwood,  directed  the  atteit- 
tioQ  of  the  Government  to  what  he  called 
a  plot  ;  and  on  the  Ist  December  Captain 


mCROLÀA  THE  FI&ST.  3& 

UajlKMroda»  of  the  reginient  of  YiaUa^ 
addressed  a  letter  to  the  JBmperor  Alex-* 
asdez;  impeaclûng  the  association  of  which 
lie  was  himself  a  member.  The  sub- 
lieiteiumt  Eostootzof  also  wrote  a  letter  to 
the  Giand  Duke  J^icholas,  of  which  Byleief 
obtained  a  oopy.  On  showing  it  to  his 
Wthren,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  De* 
cember,  he  ezckimed^  ^^  You  see  that  we 
are  betrajed:  we  must  act — ^we  must  die 
in  one  waj  or  other."  ^^  The  scabbards  are 
brok^"  cried  one  of  the  members,  ^'our 
sabres  can  no  longer  be  hid." 

On  the  14th  (26th)  December,  when  the 
guards  had  just  taken  the  oaths  to  iN^icholaSy 
the  conspirators  dispersed  themselves  among 
the  ranks,  telling  the  soldiers  that  they  had 
been  deceived;  that  Constantine  had  mot 
abdicated;  that  he  was  majrching  to  St. 
Petersburg,  and  would  pupish  the  traitons. 
Prince  Stepine  Bostowsky  wounded  Greneral 
Fredericks  and  General  Bhenshme^  who 
tttempted  to  interpose  his  authority.    He 

d2 


36  RUS8IA  UNDER 

seized  thé  colours^  and  four  companies  of 
the  régiments  of  Moscow  marched  in  open 
revoit  against  the  palace.  Lieutenants 
Southof  and  Panof  brought  up  a  detach- 
ment  of  grenadiers  of  the  guards.  **Do 
you  hear  that  firing,"  cried  Nieholas  Bes- 
tuchef  to  the  Impérial  marines  :  "  they  are 
assassinating  your  brethren;"  and  the 
whole  battalion  instantly  rushed  to  arms. 

On  the  other  hand,  General  Alexis  Orloff, 
whose  brother  was  among  the  conspirators^ 
advanced  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry  to  the 
defence  of  Nicholas*  Thirteen  hundred 
men  were  drawn  up  under  the  walls  of  the 
Senate-house  ;  Miloradoviteh,  Grovemor- 
General  of  St.  Petersburg,  endeavoured  to 
induce  them  to  retum  to  obédience,  but  he 
was  killed  by  Kahovsky. 

The  Metropolitan,  attired  in  full  epis^ 
copal  robes,  advanced  and  raised  his  voice 
to  stem  the  tumult,  but  it  was  drowned  by 
the  noise  of  the  drums.  Nicholas  ordered 
a  squadron  of  horse-guards  to  charge  the 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST,  37 

rebels,   but    the    guards    were    repulsed; 
cannons  were    then    brought  up^   and    a 
général   conveyed  cartridges  in   his  car- 
nage.   The  artillerymen  refiised  to  fire, 
npon  whicb  he  lighted  the  match  hhnself, 
and  the  insurgents  were  dispersed.    Several 
ballswere  fired  into  the  citj  in  différent 
directions^  and  a  great  number  of  the  inha- 
.  bitants  were  killed  or  wounded.    ]^ext  day 
(the  26th  of  December)  the  dead  bodies 
were  taken  away  in  a  barge^  and  order  was 
oompletely  restored. 

Colonel  Pestel,  the  Président  of  the 
Southern  Society,  of  which  he  was  the  life 
and  soûl,  was  arrested  the  same  day. 
Sergius  Muravief,  having  received  timely 
waming,  escaped  till  the  29th,  but  his  corn- 
rades  rescued  him  as  well  as  his  brother  ; 
they  excited  the  régiment  of  Tschemigof  to 
rerolt,  and  marched  against  Belaïa-Tzerkof  • 
They  were,  however,  attacked  on  theheights 
of  TJstinovoke  by  a  detachment  of  the  corps 
of  Geismar.    The  soldiers  rushed  towards 


38  RI3SSIA  UNDER 

ihe  cannon^  and  the  grape-shot  thîimed 
their  ranks.  Hippolytus  Murayief  fell  dead 
npon  the  spot  ;  Sergius  was  woimded  ;  the 
cavaby  charged  them  on  ail  sides^  and  they 
laid  down  their  arms. 

A  minute  inquiiy  was  instituted  at  St. 
Petersburg^  and  the  Grand  Dake  Michael 
was  among  those  who  took  part  in  the 
examinations.  Yast  numbers  of  pcrsons 
were  arrested  on  the  slightest  suspicion; 
their  papers  were  diligently  examined^  and 
îf  no  overt  acts  eould  be  found  against 
them,  words,  whîch  might  hâve  been  spoken 
ten  years  before  were  laid  hold  of,  though 
perhaps  scarcely  remembered  either  by  those 
who  were  accused  of  them,  or  those  who 
professed  to  hâve  heard  them.  Even  sup- 
posing  that  calumny  had  not  induced  some 
of  the  impeached  to  make  false  déclarations, 
fear  may  hâve  led  them  to  charge  others,  in 
order  to  extenuate  their  own  faults;  words 
were  wrested  firom  their  true  acceptation; 
eonmaents  made  upon  them,  and,  conaîder- 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  89 

ing  Ûe  serwiis  nature  of  the  facts,  re- 
course  was  had  to  extraordinary  measures; 
persuasion  was  employed  in  some  instances^ 
lod  in  others  intimidation.  Several  of  the 
unfortonate  victims  were  loaded  with  chains; 
flome  were  made  to  confess  inaccurate  facts^ 
ot&ers  to  aîgn  pnre  fictions;  and  both  times 
tnd  eyenta  were  confounded» 

"Fear/*  says  a  Eussian  prorerb,  ^'has 

large  eyes  f^  and  the  commission  of  inqniry 

conyerted  facts  of  small  importance  into  a 

moQstrons  a&ir^  while  it  at  the  same  time 

endeavoured  to  ruin  the  conspirators  in  the 

imblic  opinion.    It  attacked  their  personal 

dignitj^   called  their  courage  in  questicm^ 

loaded  them  with  the  grossest  epithets^  and 

ridiculed  their  political  views  as  vulgarphir- 

lanthropy,  or  the  attempt  of  acoundrela. 

A  careful  examination  of  the  acts  of  ae- 
CQsation  will  show  at  a  glance  the  contra- 
dictions and  nonsense  with  which  thej 
àbounded^  and  the  total  absence  of  ail  proof . 
De&nce  was  out  of  the  question  ;  the  con- 


40  RUSSIA  UNDER 

Bpirators  were  impeached  by  prejudiced 
accusera,  sentenced  by  servile  judges,  and 
were  without  the  benefit  of  counsel.  For  in- 
stance, Mr.  Jakuschkin  had  offered  to  assas- 
sinate  the  Emperor  with  Lis  own  hand. — 
When  ?— In  1817  !  But  he  yielded  to  the 
arguments  of  Von-Viesen  and  Sergius  Mu- 
ravief.  At  a  meeting,  held  at  Kiew  in 
1823,  a  motion  to  exterminate  the  Impérial 
family  could  not  be  adopted  according  to 
the  act  of  indictment  itself.  Sergius  Mu- 
ravief  declared  that  he  would  not  consent 
to  régicide.  Bestuchef-Kumin  maintained 
the  same  opinion  in  a  letter  to  Juschinski; 
wîth  respect  to  the  letter  which  he  was 
aecused  of  having  addressed  to  the  Secret 
Society  of  Poland,  and  in  which  he  was  said 
to  hâve  demanded  the  death  of  Constantine, 
it  was  never  dispatched.  It  was  said,  that  it 
was  intended  to  seize  the  peraon  of  the 
Czar  at  Bobruisk;  who  can  prove  that  the 
means  were  wanting  and  not  the  wiU? 
Jukof  exclaimed,  that  if  the  lot  fell  on  him 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  41 

to  assassînate  the  Emperor  he  would  kill 
himself.  Nikita  Muravief  desîred  only  the 
propaganda:  and  declared  the  plan  of  ex- 
tenninating  the  Impérial  family  to  be  bar- 
barous  and  impracticable. 

Matthew  Muravief,  in  a  letter  of  the  3rd 

of  November,  1824,  to  his  brother  Sergius, 

demonstrated  the  impossibility  of  àny  revo- 

lutionary  convulsion.    Takobovitsch,  it  was 

said,  wished  to  revenge  himself  on  Alex- 

ander  and  to  kill  him  ;  but  he  denied  the 

accnsation,  and  the  commission  ascertained 

tiat  the  other  members  of   the  Society 

endeavoured  to  hinder  the  exécution  of  this 

menace,  which  was  nothing  more  than  bra- 

vado.     With  respect  to  the  assassination  of 

Nicholas,   the   commission   itself  ascribed 

to  Takobovitsch  the  following  words:   *'I 

will  not  undertake  it;   I   hâve  an  honest 

heart  and  cannot  become  an  assassin  in  cold 

blood."     Bestuchef  having,  as  it  was  said, 

expressed,  an  opinion  that  they  could  pêne- 

traie  into  the  palace,  Batinkof  exclaimed. 


42  RUS8IA  UND£R 

**  God  forbid  !"  If  we  may  give  crédit  to 
the  report  of  the  commiâsion^  Eahofaky 
imputed  to  Bylâéf  the  intention  to  murder 
Gonstantine^  but  Bestuschef  and  Steinhell 
denîed  this  charge;. 

The  accusation  of  régicide  being  dis- 
posed  of^  we  now  proceed  to  that  of  attempt- 
ing  a  Bepublic. 

Byléiéf  stated  that  a  Bepublic  is  a  foUj; 
that  they  ought  to  strive  for  limited  Mon- 
archy^  although  this  was  not  favourable  to 
the  deyelopment  of  great  characters.  He 
would  not  allow  the  Society  the  righfe  of 
establishing  a  new  order  of  things  without 
the  concurrence  of  the  représentatives  of 
the  nation.  Batinkof  even  said^  that  ibe 
prayers  which  were  put  up  at  mass  for  the 
Impérial  £Eimily,  rendered  a  Bepublic  impos- 
sible in  Bussia. 

The  prqjects  of  a  constitaticm.  alone  re- 
mained.  But  wha  at  that  time  had  not 
diawn  up  some  sketch  according  to  bis  own 
notionaf    There  was  not  a  man  capable  of 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  43 

thinking,  who  had  not  the  draft  of  a  constî- 

tution  in  his  pocket^  in  his  desk^  or  in  hîs 

bead.    The  Emperor  Alexander  had  three^ 

that  ci  NaYOfiiltzof^  that  of  Speransky  and 

that  of  Mardyinof.     !N"o  one  thought  of 

lœmg  violence  to  impose  this  constitution^ 

which  was  in  fact  not  one;  for,  according  to 

the  very  word»  of  the  commission^  "  Projects 

without  connection^  without  a  basîs^  cannot 

be  caUed  plans.''    The  parties  concemed 

desired  to  avoid  shedding  blood^  and  were 

persuaded  that  the  Emperor  would  make  a 

emcessîon^  and  wonld  cause  deputies  to  be 

conroked  ;  and  it  was  with  this  understand- 

ing  that  they  had  repaired  to  the  place  of 

meeting. 

After  more  than  five  months'  inresti- 
gation^  the  Conmiissîon  of  Inquiry  com- 
pleted  its  labours.  The  Emperor  appointed 
a  suprême  tribunal,  composed  of  the  Council 
cf  the  Empire,  the  Synod  and  the  Senate,  to 
décide  on  the  fate  of  the  accused.  To 
thèse  three  puMic  bodies  several  military 


44  RUSSIA  UNDER 

and  civil  officers  of  high  rank  were  added. 
This  tribunal  decided  that^  according  to  law, 
ail  the  prisoners^  one  hundred  and  twentj 
in  number^  deserved  death;  but  it  appealed 
to  the  Impérial  elemency^  and  classed  tbe 
criminals  under  eleven  heads^  making  an 
exception  of  five  of  them,  whom,  it  set 
apart^  on  account  of  the  enormity  of  their 
crime.  Thèse  were  Pestel,  Ryléiéf,  Sergius 
Muravief,  Bestuchef  -  Rumin,  and  Ka- 
hofsky,  who  were  condemned  to  be  quar- 
tered.  Thirty-one  individuals  of  the  first 
category  were  senteneed  to  be  beheaded; 
those  of  the  second  to  incur  political  death; 
those  of  the  third  to  undergo  hard  labour 
for  life;  those  of  the  fourth  to  serve  as  pri- 
vate  soldiers,  retaining  the  rights  of  nobi- 
lity,  &c.,  &c. 

The  Emperor  granted  a  commutation  of 
thèse  punishments.  The  five  individuals 
condemned  to  be  quartered  were  senteneed 
to  be  hanged:  thus  an  indignity  was  put 
upon  them  even  in  the  kind  of  death  which 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  45 

ihey  were  to  suflfer.  Those  of  the  first 
eat^oij  were  condemned  to  hard  labour 
îot  life;  and  ihe  punishment  of  the  re- 
mainder  was  mitigated  in  proportion. 

On  the  13th  (26th)  July,  the  exécution 

took  place  on  the  glacis  of  the  citadel. 

The  condemned  were  compelled  to  look  on 

for  a  whole  hour  while  the  préparations 

were  going  on  for  their  exécution;   and 

their  less  wretched  companions  were  forced 

<^  march  round  the  gibbets;  their  swords 

were  broken  over  their  heads,   and  their 

epaolettes  and  militarj  décorations  thrown 

into  the  fire.    The  ropes  to  which  Ryléiéf*, 

Muravief,    and  Bestuchf-Rumin  were  sus- 

pended  unhappily  broke^  and  thèse  men 

^ere  led  to  death  a  second  time.      Orders 

Hrere   given   to   erect  gibbets   instead   of 

crosses  on  the  graves  of  the  officers  killed 

at  Ustinofka. 

♦  The  Commission  of  Inquiry  has  thought  proper  to 
designate  Ryléiéf  as  a  sub-lieutenant  and  Journaliste 
He  was  at  the  head  of  an  office,  and  a  poet. 


46  BUS&U  UNDER 

On  the  following  daj  the  square  in  front 
of  ihe  Senate-house^  where  the  revoit  had 
taken  pkce,  was  purified  by  a  religions  and 
expiatory  ceremony,  The  Einperor  sent 
one  of  his  aid-de-camps  to  the  wife  of  By- 
léiéf  to  assure  her  of  his  protection;  he 
presented  50,000  rubles  to  Festel's  father, 
and  to  his  brother  he  gave  the  epaulettes 
of  an  aid-de-camp  in  his  service,  which  gave 
lise  to  the  saying,  that  he  wore  the  rope 
mth  which  his  brother  had  been  hanged* 
Rostofzof's  fortune  was  made;  and  Sher-* 
wood,  the  informer,  received  50,000  rubles^ 
a  house,  and  the  title  of  Faithful,  which, 
however,  dîd  not  save  him  from  being  sub* 
sequently  expelled  from  his  reghnent  for 
misconduct. 

A  manifesto  of  his  Majesty  of  the  13th 
(26th)  of  July,  informed  the  world  that  he 
had  seen  with  pleasure  "  the  nearest  rela- 
tions renounce  and  give  up  to  justice  the 
wretches  who  were  suspected  of  being 
accomplices," 


mCHOhAB  THE  FI&8T.  47 

Zhe  soldiero  who  had  taken  paxt  in  the 

ittureetion  were  sent  to  Geoigia,  and  in 

ibe  irar  which  broke  ont  soon  afterwardfi^ 

âiej  were  employed  in  the  first  Une  against 

tin  Persans.    The  régiments  which  had 

remamed  loyal  reeeived  rewards:  to  one  of 

tlieni  was  gîven  the  nniform  of  Alexander; 

toothers^  his  initiais;  and  to  the  Don  Cos- 

atcby  his  sword.    Fortonately^  we  need  not 

go  fiBff  to  look  for  a  criticism  on  ail  this 

poceeding.      Facts^  analogous    to    those 

lAieh  we  hâve  related^  had  just  taken  place 

in  a  neighbouring   countiy^  tributary  to 

IbmÉL,  bnt  enjoying  a  more  enlightened 

administration.      They  had  resnlts  which 

Qnanswerably  condemned  the  arbitrary  pro* 

œedings  of  despotism^  and  proved,  incon- 

testibly^  tiie  saperiority  of  a  constitutional 

gOYenunent.       The  inquiry^  instttuted  at 

St  Petersburg,  shewed  that  there  were  in 

Pdand  secret  societies  which  had  even  been 

connected  with  the  Southern  Society.    The 

attention  of  the  Government  was  naturally 


48  R13SSIA  UNDEB 

tumed  to  them^  and  an  investigation  was 
ordered  to  be  made  at  Warsaw.  It  was 
ascertained,  in  fact,  that  ever  since  1821 
there  had  existed  in  Poland  the  National 
Patriotic  Society;  and  that,  in  the  foUow- 
ing  year,  Mazefsky  had  organized  the 
Society  of  the  Templars,  on  the  model  of 
that  of  Scotland.  Uminski,  Jablonowski^ 
Soltyk,  Krzynanowski,  were  members  of 
thèse  soeieties,  the  principal  object  of  which 
was  the  restoration  of  Poland.  The  Com- 
mission of  Inquiry  classed  the  accused 
under  five  catégories,  and  the  Senate  was 
charged  to  décide  on  their  fate.  It  ap* 
pointed  advocates  as  counsel  for  the  pri- 
soners;  the  proceedings  were  public,  and 
lasted  a  month;  after  which  the  suprême 
court  ordered  a  new  act  of  accusatioUi 
which,  with  the  exception  of  one  dissentient 
voice,  that  of  General  Count  Erazynski, 
unanimously  set  aside  the  charge  of  high 
treason,  acquitted  the  greater  part  of 
the  accused,    and  condemned  the   othera 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  49 

to  some  months'  imprisonment.  The  Em-» 
peror  ordered  the  judges  to  be  reprîmanded^ 
a  thing  before  onheard  of  ;  and  he  consoled 
liirnself  bj  confining  the  accused  in  the 
dtmgeons  of  St.  Petersburg:  thîs  was  a 
nolation  of  the  constitution^  and  was  one 
of  the  grievances  subsequentlj  alleged  in 
defence  of  the  Folish  révolution. 

But  to  retum  to  Eussia: — 

On  the  3rd  of  September  (22nd  Octo- 

Wy  1826>  the  coronation  of  the  Emperor 

took  place  at  Moscow^  in  the  midst  of 

^eh  pomp  and  cérémonies^  that  a  hand^ 

tome  woman  exclaimed^  ^^  How  vexations  it 

isthat  such  fêtes  are  so  rare  !"    The  people 

wereinvited  to  amonster  feast  at  Devitsche 

^o\é,  but  when  the  crowd  fell  on  the  viands 

which  had  been  prepared  for  them,  they 

îrere  driven  away  by  the  fire  engines.    A 

manifesto  reduced,  by  five  years,  the  tenu 


*  One  of  thèse  dates  must  be  wrong;  perhaps  they 
ahoold  be  20th  September  and  2nd  October. 

VOL.  I.  E 


Où  RUSSIA   UNDER 

of  împrisonmcnt  to  which  the  politîcal  prî 
soners  were  condemned. 

On  tlie  16th  (28th)  of  September,  an 
impcrial  manifesto  declared  war  against 
iPersia.  The  Treaty  of  GuKstan  of  tha 
26th  of  October,  1813,  had  left  an  openinj 
for  inévitable  disputes  by  stipulating,  Ùà 
eîtber  of  the  two  contraetîng  parties  shonU 
bave  the  power  of  enlarging  its  territorial 
possessions  according  to  circumstances,  oa 
condition  of  indemnifying  tbe  party  injurei' 
By  yirtue  of  this  stipulation,  Bussia  liad: 
occupicd  the  coast  of  Lake  Groktcha,  offiar- 
îng  to  Persîa,  by  way  of  indenmity,  tht 
tenitory  comprchended  between  the  riven 
Capunaktchay  and  Tschudow;  but  the  Shak 
declined  aceepting  this  arrangement. 

Prince  Menchikof,  who  was  dispatchoj 
by  the  Emperor  to  settle  the  différence 
Tfas  refused  an  audience.  The  Khan  a 
Talychyn  massacred  the  Russian  garrisoi 
of  Erivan,  and  Abbas  Mirza,  heir  to  tlu 
Pcrsîan  thfone,  invaded  the  province  ci 


NICHOLA6  THE  FIRST.  51 

Biabethpol^  at  the  head  of  50,000  re* 

gular  troops.      The  Musselman  tribes  oê 

tiie  Gaucasus  rose  at  his  approach.    On 

the  2nd  (14tli)  of  September  Madatof  de^ 

fctted  the  yanguard  of  the  Persian  anny^ 

n  the  Schamkhor,  and  occupied  the  town 

«fSlizabethpoL    On  the  21st  Paskewitfidi 

JMDed  with  his  division  of  9000  men,  and 

^eated  Abbas  Mirza,  on  the  banks  of  thé 

xityet  Djeham,  two  leagues  from  Ëlizabeth* 

p(^  fix)m  which  place  this  battle  took  it» 

^ame.    The  Persians  repassed  the  Ajraxes, 

^  Grabbe  obtained  some  advantages  on 

tlie  coast  of  the  Caspian.    Paskewitsch  was 

^ipointed  Commander-in-ehief  in  the  room 

of  Yennoloff,  and  Benkendorf  succeeded 

Hadatof  in  the  conunand  of  the  vanguard. 

^hipii^lgin    snrrendered   without   resist- 

mœ,  in  April,  1827.    Paskewitsch  crossed 

the  Araxes,  and  defeated  the  enemy's  army 

in  ihe  battle  of  Djwan-Bulak;  the  victo^ 

rkms  gUmdard  of  the  yanqnished,  fell  into 

fhe  hands  of  the  Bussians^  and  Abbas  Abad 

E  2 


2  BUSSU   DNDEH 

irrendered  to  them  on  the  19tli  (Slst) 
fJuly. 

Thèse  successes  did  not,  however,  hinder 
\ïe  Persions  from  besieging  Etchmîadziiu 
jrassowskj  in  vain  endeavoured  to  make 
liem  raise  the  siege^  and  Paskewitsch  was 
bliged  to  repair  to  his  aid.  The  Persîan 
^rince  again  crossed  the  Araxes^  and  Sar^ 
ar  Abbas  surrendered  to  the  Russians^  and 
Irivan  was  occupied  on  the  13th  of  October, 
fter  six  days*  siège.  On  the  26th,  Tauris, 
[ie  capital  of  Adzerbadaidjan^  and  soon 
fter,  Ali-jar-Kan,  shared  the  same  fate^ 
lie  Persians  sued  for  peace,  and  con* 
îrences  were  opened  on  the  2nd  of  No^ 
ember.  Bussia  demanded  the  cession  of 
le  provinces  of  Erivan  and  NakitcheTan, 
aà  an  indemnification  of  twenty  mîllioiw 
^  silver  rubles.  Abbas  Mîrza  accepted 
leae  conditions;  but  the  Shah's  ratifica^ 
^n  was  delajed  for  three  months^  which 
lUged  Paskewitsch  to  résume  hostilities. 
the  Ifîth  (27th)  of  January,  1828,  he 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  53 

OccupiedUrmîahj  Souktel  entered  Ardebyl, 
and  on  the  lOth  (22nd)  of  Febniaiy  the 
treatj  was  signedat  Turkmantchai.  Paske- 
witsch  received,  as  a  reward  for  his  conduct 
in  this  campaign^  a  million  in  mone  j^  and 
tbe  ûûe  of  Ooont  of  Erivan.  Eussia  ac- 
qmred  two  provinces  by  this  war,  whicb 
cost  her  more  labour  than  men. 

The  war  with  Persia  wâs  scarcely  ended 

when  that  with  Turkey  broke  out.    On  the 

Uth  (26th)  of  August,  1828,  a  manifesto 

of  the  Emperor  was  published,  foUowed 

Bj  an  explanatory  déclaration,  to  which 

the  Porte  replied  on  the  4th  of   June* 

Tbe  two  parties  accused  each  other  of  not 

haying  observed  the  treaty  of  Bucharest. 

Torkey   reproached    Bussia    with    having 

eomitenanced  the  insurrection  of  the  Greeks, 

with  having  supported  and  received  Tpsi- 

lanti,  and  fomented  troubles  in  Moldavia 

jmd  Wallachia.    Bussia^  on  her  part,  ac- 

eœed  the  Divan  of  having  stimulated  the 

Circassans  to  revolt,  of  having  fettered  the 


^4  RUSSIA  UNDER 

commerce  of  the  Black  Sea^  violated  tiie 
amnesty  which  had  been  granted  to  Seiria, 
supported  the  résistance  of  Persia^  and 
retarded  the  peace  which  had  just  beeft 
concluded  with  that  power. 
.  Immediatelj  after  the  déclaration,  Field 
Jtfarshal  Prince  Wittgenstein  placed  hiin^ 
self  at  the  head  of  an  armj  of  105,000 
men,  and  on  the  7th  of  May  crossed  the 
Pruth  at  three  points  ;  Jassy  and  Bucharest 
were  immediatelj  occupied,  and  the  admi* 
mstration  of  the  two  principalities  was  given 
to  Count  Pahlen.  The  third  corps  passed 
the  Danube  on  the  8th  of  Jane,  and  be* 
sieged  Kustendji*  The  Zaporogue  Co8saci:a^ 
5?rho  had  been  subject  to  Turkey  for  two 
centuries,  retumed  to  the  dominion  <if 
Bussia,  and  their  example  was  foUowed  bj 
4liose  of  N^eckrazow.  The  Grand  Duke 
Michael  besieged  Brailow,  at  the  head  of 
the  seventh  corps,  and  the  Emperor  r^aired 
^4hither  in  person  on  the  20th  of  May.  Qa 
ijbte  15th  of  Jmie  an  attempt  was 


NldOLAS   THE  FIRST.  6ë 

to  take  the  place  by  stonn,  but  it  failed; 
one  mine  blew  up  too  soon,  anôther  did  not 
explode  at  all^  and  no  practîcable  breack 
mns  effected.  The  troops  rushed  to  thé 
moparts  and  sustained  great  loss^  and  the 
Grand  Duke  was  compelled  to  give  thé 
signal  for  retreat.  In  the  course  of  the 
next  day  the  mine  which  had  not  previoudy 
exploded,  made  a  consdderable  breack* 
The  Turkîsh  Pasha  srarendered  the  place 
CKD  the  18th  of  June,  and  wîthdrew  with  the 
honours  of  war.  The  Emperor  conferred 
on  the  Grand  Duke  Michael  the  order  «f 
St.  George  of  the  second  class. 

llenschikof  took  Anapa  on  the  llth^ 
KBstendji  submitted  on  the  20th^  and 
Bazai^lâchik  was  oecupied  withont  resîsi-» 
isce  cm  the  6th  of  July.  An  engagement 
was  fought  under  its  walls^  which  was  dis-» 
admuitageons  to  the  Tnrks.  A  severe  cchw 
test  tooà  place  on  the  20th  of  July^  in  the 
éirectiou  of  Schumla  ;  the  Turks  retired  to 
their  camp^  and  the  Bussians  erected  sottie 


66  RUSSIA  UNDER 

redoubts.  Count  Soukheln  advanced 
against  Yaxna^  and  was  repulsed.  Usclia- 
kow  came  to  his  aid,  but  could  not  pre- 
vent  a  Turkish  reinforeement  from  en- 
tering  the  town.  General  Roth  învested 
the  fortress  of  Silistria^  and  Geismar  was 
ordered  to  protect  Wallachia.  A  very 
Smart  action  took  place  before  Schumla^  on 
the  28th  of  July^  but  which  did  not  lead  to 
anj  important  results.  Menschikof  had 
taken  the  command  of  the  siège  of  Yama^ 
and  Admirai  Greig  blockaded  the  town  by 
sea. 

In  Asia^  General  Paskewitsch  opened  the 
campaign  on  the  7th  of  Julj^  and  on  the 
Idth  he  took  Ears.  The  fortress  of  Poti^ 
the  only  one  possessed  bj  the  Turks  on  the 
east  coast  of  the  Black  Sea^  surrendered  on 
the  26th  to  a  detachment  of  the  troops  ûf 
Georgia.  On  the  4th  of  September^  Paake^ 
witsch  gained  a  complète  victory  under  the 
walls  of  Akhalzikj  which  surrendered  on 
the   8th^   after  a  vigorous  résistance^  in 


NICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  57 

which  the  Sussians  suffered  considérable 
I068. 

While  the  Emperor  went  to  Odessa,  to 
Iwfiten  the  arrivai  of  reînforcements,  and  to 
order  a  new  levy  of  recruits,  the  Sultan  was 
«ctireljr  preparing  measures  of  résistance  ; 
^e  caused  the  Bosphorus  to  be  fortifîed,  the 
sbips  of  war  to  be  repaired,  and  troops  to 
^  armed  and  exercised  at  Constantinople« 
The  Seraskier,  Hussein  Pasha,  was  shut  up 
k  Schumla  with  an  army  of  60,000  men« 
Jonssuf  and  the  Captain  Pasha  were  gone  to 
défend  Varna.    The  Grand  Vizier  had  re- 
pftired  in  person  to  the  camp.    The  plague^ 
irhich  had  broken  out  at  the  opening  of  the 
campaign^  extended  its  ravages  more  and 
more  in  the  ranks  of  the  Bussians;  pro- 
visions and  forage  were  becoming  scarce  ; 
the  cavalry  was  visibly  losing  its  horses; 
and  the  population  fljing  at  the  approach 
of  the  enemj,  left  the  countrj  a  désert. 
The  présence  of  the  Emperor,  far  from 
being  a  stimulus  and  an  advantage,  was 


68  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

onlj  a  restraint,  because  it  checked  the  au- 
thority  of  the  general-in-chief  ;  but  un- 
faàppilj  this  was  not  understood  untQ  it  was 
too  late. 

The  Pasha  of  Widdin  proceeded  to  offen* 
sive  measores,  and  forced  General  Geismar 
to  rétrograde  and  to  abandon  his  camp;  but 
en  energetic  movement  gave  him  the  vie- 
tory,  and  compelled  the  Turks  to  fly  beyond 
the  Danube,  leaving  in  the  hands  of  the 
Bussians  24  standards  and  600  carnages 
loaded  with  ammunition.  This  was  on  the 
26th  of  September.  On  the  6th  and  6th, 
General  Both  gained  some  advantages  be- 
foreSchumla;  but  the  Bussians hadsustained 
a  shock  on  the  night  of  the  2dth  of  August* 

The  Turks  attacked  them  at  three  points. 
On  the  first,  they  carried  a  redoubt  com^ 
manded  by  General  Wrede,  who  was  killed, 
with  ail  his  men  ;  at  the  second  point,  tbqr- 
obliged  General  Bûdiger  to  destroy  his  ior^ 
trenchments  at  Eski-Stamboul  ;  and  at  the 
tiiird,  they  captured  à  pièce  of  cannoa. 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  59 

On  the  following  day  they  occupied  Eskî- 
Stunbonl^  which  restored  the  communicar- 
tkm  rf  the  Turks  mth  Adrianople.  Thèse 
ttccesses  permitted  a  Turkish  detachment 
togo  to  the  aid  of  Vama. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  Admirai  Greig 
ttized  14  Tarkish  vessels^  and  then  cauBed 
fte  magazines  and  the  arsenal  of  Keada  to 
k  destroyed.  Captain  Kritzki  took  12 
pièces  of  cannon^  sj^ed  the  others^  snà  blew 
^  the  arsenal. 

Qa  the  21st  of  Auguste  Prince  Menschi* 
bf  was  wonnded  before  Yama^  and  was 
ncceeded  by  Couirt  Woronzow  in  the  corn* 
Uuuid  of  the  siège.  The  impérial  gnardâ 
«iriFed  io  reinforce  the  army^  and  on  the 
t2th  of  Sqptember,  General  Golowyn  occu-^ 
^d  the  heights  of  Gulata;  but  having 
sent  the  régiment  of  chasseurs  of  the  guai>d 
to  itecoimoitre  a  Turkish  corps  which  was 
fulFancing  on  the  road  from  Aidos^  that 
ceghnent  was  eut  to  pièces^  and  General 
Sbuixmg  was  killed.in  this  action.     On  tiie 


60  RUSSU  UNDER 

28th  of  September,  General  Freytag  lost 
his  life  in  a  desperate  combat^  in  which 
both  parties  claimed  tbe  victory.  On  the 
30th^  a  Bussian  brigade^  having  ventured 
too  far^  was  rougbly  handled^  and  (xeneral 
Jamow  was  killed. 

The  Works  of  the  besîegers  being  fer  ad- 
vanced^  the  brave  Lieutenant  Zaitzewsty, 
at  the  head  of  some  marines,  reinforced  by 
the  volunteers  of  the  guard,  entered  Varna 
by  the  breach,  on  the  7th  of  October.  He 
took  possession  of  a  bastion,  and  penetrated 
into  the  town,  but  not  being  supported^  he 
was  obliged  to  retreat,  after  having  spiked 
seven  Turkish  guns.  The  next  day,  Joussnf 
Fasha  sent  a  secretary  to  open  a  confér- 
ence, and  on  the  9th  he  came  himself  où 
board  a  Eussian  vessel;  on  the  lOth  he 
surrendered,  and  soon  afterwards  went  to 
the  Grimea  to  receive  the  guerdon  of  his 
treason.  His  people  followed  his  example, 
and  laid  down  théir  arms;  the  Gaptain 
Pacha  obtained  pennission  to  rejoin  the 


MCHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  61 

Torkish  army.     On  the  12th  he  left  Varna 

at  the  head  of  three  hundred  men  ;  and  the 

Bnssianâ    entered  the  town    îmmedîately 

aftemards.      The    Emperor    sent    twelve 

Tnrkish  guns  to  Warsaw,  in  memory  of  the 

death  of  Wladîslaus  VI.,  who  was  killed 

iû  1444  under  the  walls  of  Varna,  whieh 

i^ere  reputed  to  he  împregnable  ;  but  thèse 

pm  did  not  reach  their  destination;  they 

^ere  cast  on  shore  during  a  storm,  and  fell 

^gain  into  the  hands  of  the  Turks.    The 

property  which  Joussuf  possessed  in  Turkey, 

as  well  as  his  harem  and  his  family,  were 

Sequestered*     The  Gaptain  Pasha  took  the 

place  of  the  Vizier,  who  was  exiled  to  Gai- 

lipolis.      At  the  same  time  the  siège  of 

Schnmla  was  raised,   Silistria  abandoned; 

the  Bussian  army  retired  to  Jassy,  in  a 

complète  state  of  disorganization,  and  the 

Ëmperor  retumed  to  St.  Petersburg. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  General  Lan-t 
geron  took  Kalé  after  two  days'  fighting  ; 
Tumow  surrendered  on  the  llth  of  February, 


62  RUSSIA  rSDEE 

and  thirty  Turkish  ships  were 
bcfore  Xicopolîs. 

On  the  18th  of  Febmarr,  Diebitsch 
appointed  commander-in^hief  in  the 
of  Prince  Wittgensteîn,  who  took  leaTe  of 
the  army  on  the  27th.  Connt  Toll  was 
pkeed  at  the  head  of  the  staff;  Preâdenfe 
Pahleii  was  recalled  to  St.  Petersbui^,  and 
Langeron  took  his  leave.  The  SusEÎaii 
army  was  augmented  to  the  number  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  men  ;  and 
twelve  ships  of  the  Une  were  stationed  in  the 
Black  Sea. 

On  the  27th  of  Fehrnary,  Eear-Admiral 
Kumani  took  the  to^Mi  of  Sîzcbolî,  twenty- 
fivcleajÇUCsfromConstantinople.  TheTurks 
afterwards  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
takc  possession  of  the  redoubt,  which  the 
Russîans  had  thrown  up  in  haste. 

On  the  7th  of  August  the  Russians  were- 
attacked  near  SilLstria  by  a  part  of  the  gar-* 
rison,  which  was  repulsed,  and  the  city 
besieged.     On  the  same  day,  General  Roih 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  63 

had  an  engagement^  near  Pravady,  with 

tbe  new  grand  vizir^  Keschid  Pasha^  and 

bcing  reinforced  by  General  Wachter,  he 

oUiged  the  enemj  to  retreat:  but  tbe  latter 

being  succoured  on  their  retum,  raUied  to 

tlte  duurge^  and  did  not  desist  till  tbe  eyen- 

%  after  botb  parties  bad  sustaîned  conai- 

demble  loss.      Major-General  Rinden  was 

^ed  in  ibis  affair.     Tbe  Eussian   corn* 

DMmder-in-cbief  marcbed  on  tbe  Ist  of  June 

^  snccour  Ilotb,  and  surrounded  tbe  Grand 

^idr.    On  tbe  lltb  of  June  tbe  battle  of 

îulewtscba  took  place,  wbicb  lasted  four 

*^!irs,  during  wbicb  tbe  Eussians,  notwitb- 

^'toding  tbe  superiority  of  tbeir  number, 

^Uffered  severely;  tbe  Grand  Vizir  forced 

^  passage  tbrougb  tbe  Eussian  armj,  and 

^capied  a  strong  position,  wbicb  be  wa& 

obliged  to  abandon   tbe  next    day,  witb 

a  loss  wbicb  was  estimated  by  tbe  Eussians 

ht  five  tbousand  killed  and  one  tbousand 

five  bundred  prisoners.  Tbe  officiai  bulletin 

compared  tbis  battle  to  tbose  of  KaguI 


64  RUSSIA  UNDER 

and  Rymnik,  leaving  it  to  hîstorj  to  place 
Diebitsch  bj  the  side  of  Bomanzoff  and 
Suwarrow,  The  General-in-Chief  theii 
caused  proposais  for  peace  to  be  mad^ 
which  however  came  to  nothing, 

The  news  of  this  victory  affected  Silistria, 
the  entire  fortifications  of  which  had  been 
at  length  demolished.  Some  shells^  which 
were  thrown  into  the  town,  caused  great 
terror;  a  mine^  which  opened  a  breach  in 
the  heart  of  the  fortress,  completely  dis- 
couraged  the  besieged.  The  two  Pashas 
capitulated,  and,  together  with  their  garri- 
son,  surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war.  The 
Eussians  entered  the  phice  on  the  Ist  of 
July. 

In  Asia,  the  opening  of  the  campaign 
was  retarded  by  a  crime  committed  against 
the  Ambassador  at  Téhéran.  On  the  12th 
of  February,  the  Eussian  légation  attempted 
to  detain  an  Armenian  woman,  who  was  a 
Eussian  subject  ;  this  circumstance  excited 
the  indignation  of  the  populace,  who  pro- 


KICUOLAS  THE  FIRST.  65 

ceeded  in  anns  to  the  hôtel  of  the  légation» 
Some  of  their  party  having  been  killed  by 
tàe  Cossacks^  the  crowd  massacred  ail  the 
persons  attached  to  the  légation^  with  the 
exception  of  the  Secretary,  who  was  absent 
atthe  time.    The  Shah^  to  prevent  any  dis- 
agreeable  discussion^  punished  the  guilty^ 
and  sent  his  grandson  to  St.  Fetersburg  to 
express  to  the  Emperor  his  regret  at  the 
occurrence.    Seing  released  firom  ail  appré- 
hension on  that  side^  Paskewitsch  resumed 
bostilities  in  Asia  where  Akhaizik  was  be- 
ai^ed  by  the  Turks.     On  the  13th  of  May, 
General  Bourzof  defeated  Achmet  Khan. 
On  the  Ist  of  July,  Paskewitsch,  anticipating 
the  jonction  of  the  Seraskier  of  Erzerum 
with  Hagki  Pasha,  in  the  valley  of  Zevine, 
Qarched  against  the  former,  whom  he  put 
to  flight,  and  on  the  next  day  defeated  the 
Ittter  whom  he  took  prisoner;  thirty-one 
pièces  of  cannon,  nineteen  standards,  and 
fifteen  hundred  prisoners  were  the  trophies 
of  this  two-fold  victôry.    On  the  6th  of 

VOL.  I.  F 


66  RUSSIA  UNDEE 

Jolj  he  took  HaBsan-Khaley  the  hey  ^ 
Erzerum^  the  capital  of  Turcamania  irfaid 
Burrendered  an  the  9th. 

After  the  taking  of  Siligtri%  Geiien 
Diebitsch  resolved  to  cross  the  Bolkai 
while  the  Grand  Yizir  expected  him  andu 
the  walls  of  Schmnla.  The  three  cosn 
formed  into  two  columns^  passed  ihe  m 
Kamtfihik^  and  easilj  carried,  or  tanM 
the  little  posts  which  the  Turks  had  oppoa 
to  them.  The  Yizir  attacked  Biidigi 
near  Aidos,  on  the  21st  of  Julj,  b 
waB  repulsed,  and  the  £ussians  in  coda 
quence  of  thèse  advantages  took  posseflak 
of  Aidos  and  Kamabaeh.  Halœ  £asha  v 
not  more  successfol  than  the  Yizir  in  1 
attack  at  Jamboli  and  Selimno,  which  Û 
BussianB  took  hy  stonn  on  the  llHh 
August. 

On  the  19th  the  Bnssian  acmj  waa  i 
Bight  of  Adrianople,  which  opened  ita  gst 
ihe  next  day;  thence  it  mardied  on  ; 
EynoB.    Meaixtime^  its  rear  under  Qenen 


NICHOUIS   THE  FIRST.  67 

Sbunmr,  GeisEiar^  and  Erusgowski  conti- 
BQed  to  be  seyerelj  harassed. 

The  Prussian   gênerai^  Baron  Muffling 

Qiged  the  Divan  to  conclude  peace,  con- 

&màij  to  l^e  instructions  which  he  had 

leceiyed  from  his  Govemment^  after  a  visît 

wbich  the  Emperor  ]!^icholas  had  paid  to 

fierlia.    On  the  28th  of  Auguste  two  Sus* 

iaii  ne^otiators,  Count  Alexis  Orloff  and 

Ooimt  Fabien  arrived  at  Burgos^  and  the 

Tnrkiâh  enroys^  Mehemet-Sadi  Effendi  and 

ALiii-Kadir-Bej  repaired  to  the  Bussian 

jhead-quarters  for  this  same  purpose;  other 

ttgotiations  eommenced  on  the  30th,  and 

Oie  tneaitj  of  peace  was  signed  on  the  14th 

fif  September.    Bussia  retained  the  cou* 

^uered  territory  bordering  on  Imeritia  and 

GeoK^gia»  Anap%  Poti^   Akhalzîk^  .&c.^  &c., 

and  the  Dardanelles  were  thrown  open  to  the 

commtfoe  of  ail  nations.  The  Porte  engaged 

to  paj  eleren  millions  and  a  half  of  Dutch 

dncais  in  the  course  of  eîghteen  months, 

iMàffre  its  assent  to  the  treatj  of  the  6th 

f2 


68  RUSSIA  UKDER 

• 

of  July,  1827,  concemîng  Greece.  Lastly 
it  bound  itself  to  restore  to  the  Principi^ 
lities,  the  establishments  on  the  left  bank  o 
the  Danube.  The  hospodaxs  were  to  b 
appointed  for  lîfe,  and  the  taxes  hithert 
paid  in  kind,  were  henceforward  to  be  pai 
în  money. 

On  the  24th  of  May  the  Emperor  wi 
crowned  at  Warsaw.  He  pronounced  ô 
his  knees  a  prayer,  in  which  we  observe  Û 
follo>ving  words,  '^O  my  Lord,  and  D 
God,  may  my  heart  be  always  in  Thy  haii> 
and  may  I  reign  for  the  happiness  of  il! 
people,  and  to  the  glory  of  Thy  holy  nam 
according  to  the  charter  granted  by  il 
august  predecessor,  and  already  swom  ' 
by  me,  in  order  that  I  may  not  dread  ' 
appear  before  Thee  on  the  day  of  the  la 
judgment." 

Prom  Warsaw  the  Emperor  and  Emprè 
proceeded  to  Berlin. 

Ehosrow-Mirza,  the  son  of  Abbas-Mlne 
came  to  St.  Petersbm*g  to  imf^lore  pardc 


/ 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  69 

for  the  crime  of  the  12th  of  February, 

1829. 

In  February,  1830,  two  Turkîsh  ambas- 

sadois  arrived,  who  obtaîned  a  déduction  of 

three  millions  from  the  contribution  im« 

pofied  on  their  country. 

On  the  28th  of  May  the  Emperor  opened 

thePolish  Diet,  with  a  speech  in  the  French 

language,  and  in  a  very  lofty  tone.     Some 

complaints  were  heard  in  this  assembly,  to 

vhich  the  Czar  paid  little  attention.    Thèse 

Cûmplaints  related  to  the  suppression  of 

J>nblicity  for  the  discussions  of  the  Diet,  to 

%  restrictions  on  the  press,  the  vexations 

conduct  of  the  police,  and  the  cruelties  of 

CoDstantine. 

The, news  of  the  révolution  of  the  30th 
of  July  was  the  spark  that  kindled  the  élé- 
ments of  discontent  which  existed  in  War- 
flaw.  On  the  29th  of  November  the  stan- 
dard-bearers  forced  the  entrance  of  the 
Belvidere  palace;  Gendre  and  Lubowicki 
were  killed;    Gonstantine    escaped   by  a 


70  RUSSIA   UNDER 

secret  door,  and  took  refuge  in  the  ra^^^ 
of  his  guard.     The  Polish  hussars  flew     •^ 
àrms,  and  seized  on  the  arsenal.    Const^^' 
tîne  had   10,000    men,  and    might   h»^ 
crushed  the  revolt  în  the  bud;   but  }à0 
courage  failed  him,  and  he  preferred  emr^ 
cuating  Warsaw.    A  provisional  adminis- 
tration was  instituted  in  that  city,  of  whidi 
Prince  Adam  Czartoryski  was  président^ 
and  Clopicki  receired  the  command  of  the 
troops.    The  new  authority  sent  proposais 
to  the  Grand  Duke's  camp,  to  which  he 
was  not  authorized  to  accède.    He  retired 
into  Wolhynia.   Clopicki  was  nominat^  dîc- 
tator,  and  the  Diet  was  convoked  for  the  18ih 
of  December.     It  continued  Clopicki  în  lus 
post,  and  formed  a  national  council,  to  take 
the  place  of  the  provisional  govemment. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  Nicholas  pub- 
lished  a  manifeste  againt  '^the  tn/amoM 
treasons,  which  employed  lies,  threats,  ané 
delnsive  promises,  in  order  to  subject  the 
peaceable  inhabitants  to  a  few  rebek." 


NICBOLAâ   THE  FifiST.  71 

*TIïe  Pôles,''  says  the  ûMuiifesto,  "who 

«fterso  inanj  miâfortnnes  enjoyed  peace  and 

posjfenty  under  the  shadow  of  our  power, 

predpîtate  themselves  anew  mto  the  abyss  of 

molntionand  calamity,  axe  an  assemblage  of 

eredulous  beingêy  who,  though  ahready  seized 

vith  terror  at  the  thought  of  the  chââtise- 

i&ent  which  awaits  them^  dare  to  dream  for 

afev  nuHnents  of  victory,  and  to  propose 

eofiditions  to  Us,  their  hiwful  Sovereign!" 

On  the  lOth  of  January,  1831,  the  Pôles 

published  a  manifesto,  stating  their  griev- 

tDees.      It  contains    the  following  para- 

grafAs.    ^The  union  of  the  crown  of  aa 

Aotoerat  and  of  a  constîtntîonal  King  ia 

ene   of   those   political    anomalies  which 

eannot  l<mg  exist.    Everybody  foresaw  that 

the  kingdom  wonld  become  the  germ  oi 

Mleral  inatitations  for  Bûssia,  or  snccumb 

mider  the  iron  hand  of  its  despotism;  the 

qaestion  was  soon  dedded.    Public  ind;ruc* 

tkm.  was  corrupted;  a  System  of  obscurant* 


72  RUSSIA  UNDER 

ism  was  organized;  the  people  were  shvi^ 
out  from  ail  means  of  obtaining  instro^e^ 
tion;  an  entîre  Falatinate  was  depriyed  o^ 
its    représentation    in    the    Council;    ther 
Chambers  lost  the  faculty  of  voting  the 
budget  ;  new  burthens  were  imposed  ;  mo- 
nopolies were  created,  calculated  to  dry  up 
the  sources  of  the  national  wealth;  and  ihe 
Treasury,  augmented  by  thèse  measureSi 
became  the  prey  of  paid  hirelings^  inftn 
mous   incendiary  agents^    and    despicable 
spies." 

'^  Caluniny  and  espionage  had  penetrated 
even  into  the  privacy  of  familles  ;  had  ii^ 
fected  with  their  poison  the  liberty  of  do- 
mestic  life^  and  the  aneient  hospitality  *of 
the  Foies  had  become  a  snare  for  imio- 
cence.  Personal  liberty,  which  had  been 
solemnly  guaranteed,  was  violated;  the 
prisons  were  crowded;  courts-martial  were 
appointed  to  décide  in  civil  cases,  and  im- 
posed infamous  punishments  on  citizens. 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  73 

whose  only  crime  was  that  of  having  at- 
tettpted  to  save  from  corruption  the  spîrit 
«ûd  the  character  of  the  nation." 

AU  the  proposais  of  Poland  having  been 

i^jected  with  contempt  by  the  Emperor  of 

finssia^  war  became  inévitable.    Clopickî, 

doabtfiil  of  success,  resigned  the  office  of 

IKctotor^  and  entered  the  Polish  armj  as  a 

prirate  volunteer.    He  was  succeeded  in 

iis  post  by  Eadâvill,  and  afterwards  by 

Sbynecki. 

On  the  26th  of  January,  1831,  the  Polish 
Diet,  on  the  motion  of  Prince  Roman 
Soltyk,  declared  that  the  Emperor  Nicholas 
had  forfeited  the  throne  ;  and  in  consé- 
quence of  this  bold  step,  the  Bussian  army 
invaded  Poland  in  the  month  of  February. 

The  particulars  of  this  heroic  conflict  are 
well  known;  such  as  the  drawn  battle  of 
£rrochow  of  the  19th  and  20th;  the  sangui- 
nary  combat  of  Praga  of  the  2dth  of  the 
fiame  month;  that  of  Ostrolenka  of  the 


74  EUS8IA  UHDEft 

26th  of  May,  in  wliich  the  Pôles  m  obs 
Bately  disputed  a  victorj,  which  tïïe  Ba 
sians  did  not  tum  to  account.  The  laare 
wliicli  General  Geismar  Iiad  gained  in  tb* 
war  with  Turkey,  were  blighted  în  this  es» 
paign  ;  for  on  the  14th  of  Jannary,  Dwe^ 
nîcki  took  from  him  eleren  pièces  of  ca» 
non  ;  on  the  19th  he  was  heaten  at  Waw 
and  together  with  Bosen,  was  defeated  a 
Dembewilkie.  Ifevertheless,  ail  the  at 
tempts  of  the  Pôles  to  raise  an  insnrrec 
tion  in  Lithuanîa  and  Wolhynîa  were  ind 
feetual,  and  only  catised  the  loss  of  Û 
troops  which  had  been  sent  to  those  pri 
vinces.  On  the  17th  of  April  Kreutz  é 
feated  Sierawski  ;  Rîidiger  discomfiti 
Dwemicki,  and  obliged  him  ta  retreat  iii4 
Austria,  where  his  corps  was  disarmec 
Chrzanowski  and  Jankowski,  who  seconde 
kim  in  AVolhynia,  shared  the  same  fict 
Gapowaki  and  Gielgnd,  having  been  beati 
at  Wilna  by  General  Sacken^  took  refo| 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  76 

itt  Prussia^  where  they  also  were  diaarmed. 
Dembinski  alone  was  able  to  preserye  Im 
troops,  and  take  ihem  back  ta  Warsaw. 

Diebitsch  died  on  the  lOth  of  June^  aad 
the  Grand  Duke  Oonstantine  sixteen  dajs 
aliter.  Paskewitsch  took  the  command  of 
the  troops^  passed  the  Yistida  on  the  29tiBk 
of  July^  and  on  the  6th  of  September  made 
the  mémorable  attack  on  Warsaw,  which  fae 
entered  on  the  8th.  The  rengeance  of 
Kidiolas  was  fearfuL  The  vanquished  were 
treated  as  criminals;  patriotism  and  înde* 
fexïàence,  Tirtues  which  we  should  rejoice 
to  see  possessed  by  the  Bussians^  were  iish* 
poted  as  crimes  to  the  Foies.  Siberia^  th« 
CSaucasns^  and  the  army^  were  filled  with 
thèse  nnhappy  beings;  Poland  was  incorpo- 
rated  with  Bussia^  and,  contrary  to  ail 
treaties,  became  a  province  of  that  empire. 
Erery  species  of  punishment  was  inflicted; 
and  neither  property  nor  the  ties  of  family 
were  respected. 

Europe,  to  which    Poland  had  in  vain 


76  RUSSIA   UNDER 

stretched  out  her  arms^  saw  thèse  enor- 
inities  without  protesting^  and  suffered 
ail  thèse  cruelties  to  ba  exercised  witb 
impunity;  but  Heaven  visited  Snssîa  with 
its  chastisements.  Serolt^  stifled  on  one 
side^  rose  in  the  rery  heart  of  Sussia 
herself.  Two  hundred  officers  perished  at 
iN'oygorod  and  at  Staraia  Boussa.  The 
ravages  of  the  choiera  were  succeeded  by 
famine  in  1833  and  1840.  The  public  dis- 
tress  was  extrême.  The  winter  palace  at 
St.  Petersburg  was  destroyed  by  fire  in 
1838;  death  deprived  the  Emperor  of  a 
beloYed  daughter.  History  in  short^  the 
suprême  judge  of  kings^  has  not  waited  till 
I^icholas  has  ceased  to  lire  or  to  reign,  to 
accuse  him  of  tyranny. 


RICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  77 


Chapter  n. 

GENERAL  VIEW. 

Those  who  speak  against  Russia  are 
greatljmistaken.  Men  there  enjoy  a  large 
diare  of  fireedom^  and  life  upon  the  whole  îs 
not  without  îts  attractions.  Wliat  is  there 
that  men  are  not  free  to  do?  Take  tea  in 
the  eyening  or  in  the  moming  in  a  cup  or  in 
&glass^  with  or  without  cream;  take  one, 
two,  three,  or  forty  cnps  if  y  ou  hâve  a 
nûnd;  put  sugar  into  your  tea  or  hold  it  in 
your  hand,  (vpnkouskow^  or  hang  a  pièce 
to  tlie  ceiling,  and  let  each  bf  the  company 
teste  it  by  tums;  do,  in  this  respect,  just  as 
you  please.    Mix  water  with  your  wine  or 


78  RUSSIA  UHDER 

not,  nobody  will  interfère  wîth  you.  Drink 
French  or  Spanish  wines  as  you  choose,  or 
even  Portuguese,  if  yon  please.  White 
wine  or  red,  you  hâve  your  choice.  You 
need  be  under  no  appréhension  of  spending 
ail  your  fortune:  for  the  patemal  Groyem- 
ment  of  Russia  has  guardians  for  spend- 
thrifts.  Ride  in  a  droshki  or  in  a  chariot, 
with  one  or  two  horses;  nay,  even  with  four 
if  you  are  a  noble:  you  hâve  a  right  to  do 
80^  unless  it  be  true^  as  is  pretended^  that 
fhe  Emperor  Nicholas,  offended  at  the  luxr 
ury  displayed  by  some  young  people  m£b^ 
ont  titles^  has  limited  the  prérogative  of 
driving  with  four  horses  to  the  digmtariqs 
of  the  first  four  classes:  let  your  horses  bj» 
of  the  same  or  of  différent  colours^ — libi^ 
choice  is  yours.  Drive  slowly  or  at  foU 
gallop^  provided  you  do  not  ron  orer 
anybody,  and  if  such  a  misfortune  ahouU 
happen,  you  will  escape  with  the  ioss  «f 
your  horses^  and  some  coî^a  de  bâton  io 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  79 

jour  coachman^  But  you  muât  take  care 
oat  to  pas8  the  Emperor;  courtesj  pre- 
smbeB  this  as  a  law,  and  proprietj^  in  this 
instance^  Ib  iii  accordance  with  ihe  regula- 


Do  jou  prefer  a  brunette  or  a  fair  lady? 
ftj  yonr  court  to  her  who  takes  jour  faacy. 
Keep  one  wconan  or  two  dandestinely^ 
ht  do  not  oommit  adultery;  puniahment 
maitB  70U9  eyen  iàough  there  should  be  no 
con^aiot  on  the  part  of  the  husband:  tiiis 
isjiifitioe.  Do  not  seduoe  a  naiden,  you 
tOi  be  ccmipelled  to  marry  hen    BewaBe 

*  Baron  Deltinshaasen,  Adjutant-General  to  the 
tBipereryOïie  day  bro^  tbe  file  of  carriagee  in  a  public 
iNiiMQade.  The  Pbiîœ  laid  the  blâme  on  his  ooacb- 
>tti  and  the  Baron  wrote  a  virulent  letter  to  the 
Go?emor-General  of  St.  Petersburg.  On  Easter  day, 
^hn  be  irent  in  bis  tum  to  compliment  the  Csar,  the 
littvpQt  bûn  ande»  laying»  that  be  did  not  embrace  the 
teobeiB  of  j>ublic  order.  The  General  tendered  his 
i^Bsignationy  and  the  Emperor  sent  him  the  ribbon  of 
fc  Wlnte  Eagle,  wbich  lestored  him  -to  the  senrir^. 
^ii  Ihe  WÊj  m  wrhiàx  family -quanela  aie  generaUy 
siideup. 


80  RUSSIA  UNDER 

also  of  meddling  with  the  pupils  of  the 
théâtre,  unless  you  hâve  a  mind  to  pafis 
8ome  months  in  prison^  as  happened  to 
Prince  V.:  the  Bmperor  is  very  strict  on 
this  point.  Do  not  elope  either  with  a  single 
or  a  married  ladj,  if  you  do  not  choose  to  lose 
your  rank,  like  Count  F.,  who,  for  having 
married  without  the  consent  of  his  wife's 
parents,  lost  his  rank  in  the  guards,  and 
was  transferred  to  the  army.  That  he  bas 
since  become  Equerry  to  his  Majesty  is 
owing  to  the  circumstance  of  his  having  led 
the  ass  which  carried  the  Empress  acrosB 
the  mountains  of  Saxon  Switzerland,  a 
chance  which  not  every  one  is  likdy  to 
meet  with.  I^otwithstanding  ail  this,  you 
may  still  act  the  part  of  a  Bussian  FaublM* 
Without  drawing  down  upon  yourself  any 
inconyenience,  you  may  marry  ten  times  in 
•  your  life,  provided  you  ask  for  your  bride 
only  such  as  bave  not  attained  the  légal 
âge  for  marriage.  A  divorce  will  be 
grlBmted  you  as  often  as  you  bave  become 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  81 

a  husband,  and  your  children  cannot  even 
bear  jour  name.  The  innocent  alwajs 
raffer  for  the  guilty. 

Do  you  love  the  théâtre  ?  Tou  hâve 
ereiy  variety  :  the  French,  the  German, 
the  Snssian^  and  the  Italian,  the  opéra  and 
ballets  at  St.  Petersburg,  Moscow,  and 
cren  at  Odessa.  If  you  prefer  the  French 
tteatre^  you  must  take  care  to  put  on  a 
proper  dress^  because  the'  Emperor  often 
fréquents  it.  Do  not  remain  seated  when  he 
^ds,  nor  applaud  when  he  does  not  :  it 
toddbe  at  variance  with  décorum. 

Bmploy  whatever  tailor  you  prefer; 
4es8  as  you  please^  provided  that  there  is 
wfting  in  your  dress  which  may  offend  the 
Bmperor.  Beware  of  wearing  a  beard; 
you  would  be  politely  invited  to  shave,  for 
tfce  right  of  a  beard  affects  the  Emperor's 
Wîves.  Do  not  wear  your  hair  too  long  : 
tke  Emperor  is  bald  ! 

^'Marry,  you  will  do  well  !'*  as  the  Grand 
^^  Michael  says.    Do  not  marry,  and 

^OU I.  G 


82  RCSSIA  T7NDER 

jou  Tnll  do  better.  If  you  esponse  the 
danghter  of  some  great  fimctionarj,  you. 
must  first  hâve  the  consent  of  his  Majesty 
the  Emperor.     This  is  logic. 

Betîre  to  rest  at  what  hour  you  like: 
pûâs  the  night  in  gambling  if  you  pleaae, 
only  do  not  play  at  forbidden  gamea^  nor 
stake  too  high  :  your  own  serrant  might 
denounce  you  to  the  police.  Consult  what- 
cver  physician  enjoys  your  confidence^  if 
you  are  so  happy  a&  to  find  a  good  one* 
Sead  the  books  whîch  you  prefer,  even 
such  as  are  prohibited:  they  are  easily 
procured.  Write  and  publish,  but  strictiiy 
observe  the  existing  laws  on  the  subject^ 
and  conform  to  the  ideas  of  the  Grovem- 
ment.  The  censorship  would  not  exempt 
you  from  responsibility  for  articles  whidi 
it  may  hâve  suffered  to  pass  unnotieed^ 
When  you  walk  abroad,  bow  to  the  Em- 
peror if  you  meet  him^  because  he  is  ex,'-- 
tremely  tenacious  on  this  point  ;  bow  also 
to  the  Grand  Duke  Michael^  even  thongh 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  83^ 

he  ahould  never  retum  the  compliment. 
De  not  assmne  the  character  of  a  brawler 
or  a  buUy  ;  the  capital  is  the  property  of  the 
Smperor^  who  insists  on  the  observance  of 
good  mannera  and  the  public  peace.  Do 
Qot  smoke  in  the  streets,  for  fear  of  setting 
something  on  fire.  You  must  be.  in  the 
piblic  service,  or  at  least  hâve  been  so  ; 
tlùs  is  an  established  mie,  and  you  are 
looked  npon  with  an  evil  eye  if  you  are 
Mi  You  hâve  a  variety  to  choose  ont  of,. 
from  the  jacket  of  the  hussar  to  the  cuirass 
rfthehorse-guard,  and  the  dress  of  a  civil 
&uctionary  !  Choose  that  branch  of  the 
service  in  which  you  hâve  some  relations  or 
some  connexions  that  may  aid  your  pro- 
Qiotion. 

Travel,  if  that  kind  of  life  suits  your 
iaste;  Every  well-educated  man  ought  to 
^t  other  countries.  Gro  even  to  France; 
iiie  Emperor  does  not  like  it,  but  he  winks 
dt  it;  but  when  there,  conduct  yourself 
irith  prudence  :  do  not  meddle  with  writing, 

q2 


84  RUSSIA   UNDER 

— do  not  connect  yourself  with  any  asso- 
ciation ;  do  not  hâve  any  intercoiirse  with 
ultra-liberals.  If  you  are  recalled  to 
Bussia^  retum  immediately  ;  your  obédience 
will  mitigate  the  rigour  of  the  banishment 
which  awaits  you,  and  will  sborten  its 
duration. 

What  a  happy  lot  is  that  of  the  Eussian 
nobles  !  they  live  like  kings  or  demi-gods  ! 
A  noble  retîred  to  hîs  estate  with  a  hand- 
some  wife,  at  the  head  of  some  thousands 
of  peasants,  with  large  revenues,  passes 
days  of  delight,  and  enjoys  an  existence 
which  has  not  its  parallel  in  the  whole 
world!  You  are  absolute  sovereign  on 
your  own  estâtes  :  ail  cringe  and  bow  before 
you  ;  ail  crawl  in  the  dust,  and  tremble  at 
the  Sound  of  your  voice.  K  you  order  a 
hundred  or  two  covps  de  hdton  to  be  in- 
flicted  on  Peter  or  John,  your  order  will  be 
executed,  and  his  back  will  immediately 
become  as  black  as  a  coal.  You  bave 
merely  to  throw  your  handkerchief  to  any 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIBST.  85 

woman  who  pleases  you  :  you  are  not  a 
sultan  for  nothîng.  After  all^  let  us  not 
mindthose  philanthropists  who  corne  to  us 
from  Europe  :  we  hâve  seen  some^  and  the 
most  dîstinguished  of  them^  who  openly 
reproached  us  with  our  rudeness,  our 
cruelty,  and  who,  having  married  noble 
Bossian  ladies,  and  become  the  lords  of 
their  estâtes  and  of  their  vassals,  then  say 
that  there  is  nothing  to  be  compared  to 
the  life  of  a  Boyard.  Go,  speechîfiers^ 
we  know  your  value,  and  we  know  ours  j 
Jffeach  morality  to  others:  we  hâve  our 
-own, 

This  is  a  complète  picture  of  Sussia. 
Men  vegetate  hère  ;  they  seek  excuses  for 
everything,  aûd  say  that  the  end  makes 
^uneuds  for  ail.  The  noble  imagines  him- 
self  free,  and  thinks  that  he  has  only  to 
Uame  himself  if  he  exchanges  his  liberty 
&r  offices,  for  distinctions^  and  becomes  a 
'Senant  instead  of  a  sovereign  master.  He 
'lufiliis  court,  his  résidence,  his  estate — ^let 


86  RUSSIA  UNDER 

him  remaîn  there.  The  serf  thinkfi  tàoL 
hig  condition  is  natural^  fixed  by  the  decrees 
of  Providence,  and  that  he  would  be  infi- 
nitely  more  wretched  if  he  were  free.  The 
militar  j  man  thinks  of  nothing  :  he  bas  bo 
time  left  to  do  so,  and  he  is  kept  in  per- 
pétuai exercise  to  fill  up  bis  leisure.  The 
civil  officer  thinks  only  of  adoming  bis 
button-hole,  or  filling  bis  pocket,  and  àll 
move  by  the  force  of  the  iron  will  of  flie- 
Sovereign. 

But  in  what  direction  are  they  moving  ? 
Towards  a  révolution  ?  Tbis  will  long  be 
impracticable,  for  the  materials  which  coo- 
stitute  a  revolutiônist  are  not  to  be  metivith 
in  Bussia.  The  few  liberal-minded  men 
î^bo  are  found  there  look  ut  their  bayanet, 
but  let  ail  go  on  in  the  old  way;  and  it  wR 
be  long  before  the  army  revolts.  ISTo  révo- 
lution is  possible  in  Eussia,  except  in  tlie 
palace,  and  only  with  the  consent  or  by  tiie 
command  of  the  heirs  to  the  Orown  tbem- 
selves.    Thus  Iwan  Y.  and  Peter  IIL 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  87 

içpeared  at  the  sole  order  of  Catherine  II.; 
thus  Alexander^  having  to  choose  between 
Iris  OTO  exile  and  the  forced  abdication  of 
lis  father,  dedded  for  the  latter  ;  but  those 
*HK)mted  to  exécute  the  plan  went  beyond 
his  intentions.  To  judge  by  ail  appear- 
*nces,  one  génération,  if  not  two,  must 
I»88  before  there  can  be  a  révolution  in 
îussia.  But  the  decrees  of  the  Most  High 
*re  inscrutable  ! 

With  respect  to  probabilities,  however, 

calculations  are  often  erroneous.    How  fire- 

S^ently  does  a  tempest  break  out  when  it 

^  least  expected!     The  earthquake,  the 

^undation  give  no  previous  indications  of 

^eir  coming,  and  men  ofken  perish  when 

^wiey  think  themselves  the  safest;  révolu- 

^^ns  hâve  always  taken  kings  by  surprise. 

-the  great  mass  of  the  people  is  excessively 

^lâammable;  a  spark  coming  perhaps  even 

"&om  the  Oovemment  itself,  will  speedily 

kûidie  a  conflagration.     The   Government 

is  already  uneasy;  it  is  disquieted  about 


88  RUSSIA    rXDER 

everything,  and  makcs  everybody  unqui^^ 
and  thereby  does  itself  infinité  hann»  — ^ 
mustaclûo  on  the  lip  of  a  citizen^  a  beai-^ 
on  the  chin  of  a  civil  functionary,  a  méar*^ 
chant  without  a  beard,  suffice  to  inspire  t^ 

with  appréhension.    It  sees  in  them  in 

dicationsy  harbingers  of  civilizatioiiy  ^\ 
liberalism,  of  the  storm  which  is  brooding. 
It  pnrsues  them  without  mercy,  and  its  poor 
subjects  enclosed,  hemmed  in  on  every  side, 
begin  to  think  of  liberalism,  of  which  pre- 
viously  they  had  not  the  least  notion» 

Meantime  ail  is  quiet^  men  do  not  corn- 
plain  openly,  except  where  they  are  not 
afraid  of  being  overheard^ — at  home^  or  in 
some  désert  spot  ;  they  lower  their  voice  în 
the  towns;  they  do  not  breathe  a  syllable 
in  the  capitals;  they  groan  and  writhe 
nnder  the  Impérial  rod;  they  beat  or  are 
beaten;  are  either  hammer  or  anyil;  nAy, 
they  are  both  at  the  same  time.  Happy 
those  who  can  choose!  The  Emperor 
abuses   his    courtiers^    and    they  revenge 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  89 

themsdves  on  their  subordinates,  who  not 
finding  words   suflSciently  energetîc,  raise 
their  hand  against  those^  who  in  their  tom^ 
finding  the  hand  too  light,  arm  themselves 
with  a  stick^  which  further  on  is  replaced 
by  the  whîp.     The  peasant  is  beaten  by 
ererybody;   by  his  master,  when  he  con- 
descends so  £eu*  to  demean  himself;  by 
the  steward    and   the   starosta,    by   the 
public  authorities^    the    stanovoi   or   the 
i^avntk,  by  the  first  passer  by,  if  he  be 
not  a  peasant.      The  poor  fellow  on  his 
part  bas  no  means  to  indemnify  himself^ 
^cept  on  his  wife  or  his  horse;  and  ac^ 
cordingly,    most    women    in    Bnssia    are 
beaten,  and  it  excites  one's  pity  to  see  how 
tl^ehorses  are  used.     At  St.  Fetersburg 
.ttere  is  a  continuai  smacking  of  whips,  and 
^  the  blowB  fàll  on  those  poor  animais, 
fêter  I^  in  his  ardour  for  reform,  ought 
•*o  bave  substituted  for  the  Bussian  whip, 
a  long  lash,  in  using  which  the  coachmen 
^tûd  lose  their  love  of  whipping,  because 
^ey  only  beat  the  air. 


90  BUSSIA   UNDER 

Will  you  attend  the  levée  of  a  Bassiaii 
petit-maître,  not  exactly  one  of  the  old 
Bchool,  but  of  a  gentleman  belonging  to 
the  class  of  £rizzed  and  perfomed  feishkin- 
ables,  who  talk  to  you  of  phîlanthropy  in 
tiu-ee  or  four  languages,  ail  very  prettily 
mangled  ;  who  danee  more  or  less  agree^ 
ably,  and  even  sing  the  Marseillaise  ?  Ldi 
UB  begin  wiià  the  petit  lever.  He  com- 
mences with  questioning  his  valet  about 
the  weather,  the  day  of  the  week  and 
month  ;  and  his  valet  must  answer  off  hand» 
The  latter  then  prépares  to  dress  his  master^ 
putting  on  his  socks  and  drawers  whUe  he  is 
Btill  in  bed;  then  his  pantaloons^  which 
he  fastens  very  carefully,  his  robe  de 
chambre,  and  his  slippers.  A&er  an  io- 
numerable  quantity  of  pipes,  filled,  lighted, 
and  washed  down  by  an  infinité  nnmber 
•of  cups  of  tea,  the  grand  lever  commenoes. 
&ere  the  poor  valet  de  chambre  is  certun 
of  committing  some  blundeis,  for  which  he 
receives  as  many,  or  a  hundied  times  as 


NI0H0LA8   THE  FIRST.  91 

wsBJïj,  cafk  and  kicks,  applied  indifier^itlj 
toe^ry  paît  of  bis  bodj.  If  he  makes  no 
mstàke  in  imy  part  of  his  waiting,  liis  çfwn 
Idette  is  eme  to  he  attacked,  and  witli 
Aïs  kis  master  nom  begins  to  cheer  bis 
ieart  and  to  divert  his  mind,  as  w£ll  as  to 
iuve  an  opportunit j  of  being  set  a-going. 
''Ion  are  alwajs  as  dirty  as  a  pig;  jour 
*6ttit  is  ont  at  elbows  and  tbreadbare  ;  jour 
lisen  is  alovenlj;"  and  lo!  a  sbower  ^of 
Uows  £aJl  }ieayilj  upon  the  unfortunate 
vilet.  2^0  inquirj  is  made  wbetber  the 
par  wretch  bas  the  means  of  attiring  Mm- 
<etf  more  seemlj,  and  it  is  well  knoi^m  that 
k&dsome  clothes  are  forbidden  bim.  If^ 
tkraogb  Boane  unexpected  good  fortune^  no 
Inlt  iSàXL  be  found  with  his  costume,  excep- 
tion is  taken  at  his  face  ;  either  it  is  dir^^ 
or  it  is  melancholj,  and,  in  either  case,  he  is 
kiteoi,  liîiiched,  and  knocked  on  the  face 
ttd  faead,  and  handfuls  of  hair  are  tom  ont 
•%  tèe  roots,  bj  his  indignant  master. 
"Wkjdoyou  look  so  sull^j — ^lift  up  jour 


92  RUSSIA  UNDER 

head — ^look  your  master  in  the  face  ?    Are 
you  afraid  of  him?     I  do  not  like  that 
gloomy  air  ;  any  one  who  saw  you  would 
suppose  that  I  tyrannized  over  you  ;  that 
you  are  unhappy  with  me.    Are  you  soT 
Let  us  see  !"     And  the  crouchîng  valet  ia 
obliged  to  answer,   "  îfo,  my  Lord^  I  am 
very  well  satisfied  with  your  service  !  " 

If  a  lady  wishes  to  chastise  a  man,  she 
calls  for  another^  and  orders  him  to  box 
the  culprit's  ears  in  her  présence. 

The  master  of  the  police  beats  the  com- 

missary  of  the  quarter  ;  he  again  the  police 

oflScer,  who,  in  his  tum,  takes  revenge  on 

the  soldier  of  the  city,  who  vents  his  ill- 

humour  on  the  first  individual  with  whom 

it  is  possible  for  him  to  find  the  most  trifliiig 

fault. 

"  Naturam  expellas  furcft  tamen  usqoe  reenmt" 

The  Eussian  imbibes  the  mania  of  béai- 
ing  with  his  mother's  milk,  and  this  mania 
does  not  leave  him  on  this  side  the  tomK 
**The  first  blow  with  a  fist  which  I  received 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  93 

in  a  foreign  conntrj  for  a  stroke  of  the 
w%  was  my  first  lesson  on  liberty/*  said 
ftince  K*  *  *  *;  and  if  I  were  per- 
nitted  to  speak  of  mjself^  I  would  say^  that 
I  do  not  pass  a  day  ont  of  my  country^ 
fithout  better  understanding  the  rights  of 
fiberty  and  of  hmnanity,  without  more  duly 
t^preciatmg  the  worth  and  the  dîgnity  of 
ittan;  and  if  I  remain  abroad^  it  is  precisely 
tecause  I  perceive  that  I  grow  better  by 
doing  80.    What  shall  we  say  ? 

There  are  things  which  seem  to  pervade 
ilieair  itself:  the  tastes^  the  habits  of  a 
country  are  acqnired  involuntarily.  The 
Marquis  Custine^  after  a  résidence  of  three 
Dionths  in  Sussia^  grew  so  cruel,  as  to 
^er  a  foal  to  run  for  a  whole  stage  by  its 
Diother's  side.  Europeans  hâve  become 
^^wmibals  by  living  among  savages.  Let 
*ke  fiussians  be  allowed  to  become  free 
^th  free  men  ;  and  if  I  now  write,  it  is 
^  there  may  be  no  remains  of  ail  the 
^ocities  which  are  continually  committed 


94  RUSSIA  UIIDEB 

in  RusBia  în  the  face  of  day.  There  is  t 
national  proverb,  whîch  says,  "  Do  not  thraw 
the  dust  ont  of  doors,"  and  hence  the  hoioe 
becomes  and  remains  dirty.  We  ^ouU 
reverse  the  phrase,  and  say,  **  Sweep  yonr 
room  as  ofteri  as  possible/*^  **^Wash  your 
dirty  linen  at  home/'  ît  is  said;  but,  ff 
the  family  neglects  this  duty,  ought  nofc 
strangers  to  be  called  in  to  help  ;  pablicilj 
and  exposure  to  the  lîght  of  day  wîll  da 
far  more  than  Impérial  decrees.  It  îs- 
through  their  feelings  that  eyen  the  igno- 
rant must  be  gained.  Men  are  much  more 
easily  corrected  of  their  faults  when  thtj 
hâve  been  oblîged  to  blush  for  them,  than 
when  they  hâve  only  had  to  suffer  for  them. 
Publicity  is  the  salvation  of  the  world,  and 
would  be  that  of  Eussîa,  if  it  were  suffered  to 
penetrate  there.  Open  the  doors  of  the 
tribunals,  and  justice  will  take  her  seai* 
there.  Publîsh  the  acts  of  the  Gover— 
mnent,  and  it  will  become  better  ;  let  it  be 
well  understood  that  suprême  justice,  whick 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  95 

wQàng  escapes^  exists  not  onlj  in  the 
atber  world^  bat  alao  in  this.  There  is  a 
tribunal^  at  the  bar  of  which  we  must 
Vf^,  evGL  dmring  our  life^— it  is  the 
bibonal  of  public  opinion:  let  the  wicked 
tiemble^  and  let  the  good  rejoice  ! 

Sndb  are  not  the  thoughts  of  the  Sus- 
sans  of  the  old  scho(d.  Foreign  countries 
We  nothing  to  teacb  them^  and  the  rési- 
dence which  thej  make  there  cures  them  of 
their  notions  of  liberty  which  they  may 
We  taken  with  them.  In  France,  they 
»y>  tliey  can  get  none  to  serve  them,  for 
sB  act  as  masters,  and  treat  them  like 
equals  ;  there  is  no  obédience,  and  conse- 
Vaifly  there  can  be  no  order.  ^^  We  will 
We  none  of  this  régime.  The  Govem- 
^nt  is  weaky  despised  abroad,  little  re- 
spected  at  home,  whereas  ail  tremble  at  the 
i»Qie  and  sight  of  our  Czar.  Lnmorality 
^at  its  height  in  France,  everything  ia 
'"B^  pecnlation  is  universal.'* 

^  There  is  almost  as  much  despotism  hère 


96  RUSSIA  UNDER 

as  amoDg  us  ;  despotism  runs  in  the 
of  the  French,  and  wherever  the  law  L 
him  some  arbitrary  power,  the  agent  o 
Public  Adminstration  indemnifies  hii 
for  ail  the  checks  on  his  will,  which  he  o 
wise  meets  with.  Interest  alone  g\ 
France.  See  how  the  shopkeeper  hu 
bows  to  a  customer  in  a  carnage^  he 
behaves  so  proudlj  when  he  goes  to 
some  unfortunate  wretch  who  lives 
garret.  It  is  interest  again  which  sil 
the  Parliament;  we  there  hear  only 
déclarations  of  those  who  désire  to  ris 
of  those  who  hâve  lost  ail  hopes  of  d 
so.  Public  opinion  is  in  the  hands  • 
few  private  individuals,  who  deal  with 
press  as  with  a  pièce  of  merchandize, 
sell  themselves  to  the  highest  bidder, 
the  Emperor  pleased^  he  might  hâve 
whole  of  the  press  on  his  side,  and 
Parisian  joumals  would  combat  each  o 
to  obtain  his  rubles.  They  live  onlj 
gratuitiés  from  the  Government;  and  s 


KICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  97 

their  snbscribers  at  the  expense  of  the 
Goremment  which  pays  them." 

h  it  woiih  while  to  réfute  attacks  of  this 
Bstore?  Foreigners  are  wrong  thus  to 
calamniate  France;  they  ought  to  recoUect 
tliat  if  they  eat^  drink^  and  dothe  them- 
sehes,  it  is  thanks  to  tliat  country^  which 
Itts  tanght  and  still  teaches  them  the  tme 
enjojment  of  thèse  trifles^  which  constitute 
fte  Bum  of  life.  French  cookery  is  wîthout 
dispute  the  best  in  the  world,  and  that  which 
foeîgners  prefer;  French  wînes  are  superior 
to  ail  other;  fiashions^  fiimiture^  &c.^  are 
«▼erywhere  brought  from  Paris  ;  and  when 
otlier  nations  shall  désire  to  be  free^  it  is 
from  France  again  that  they  will  hâve  to 
Wn  the  lesson. 

^'Never  write  against  Bussia.  Whoever 
^bis  pen  against  his  country  is  a  mur- 
^."  Thus  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
^  of  that  country^  once  caused  me  to  be 
toU  This  he  said  at  a  moment  when  the 
^enunent  had  ordered  the  séquestration 

VOL  I.  H 


98  RUSSIA  UNDfiE 

•ci  mj  propertj^  and  endea^oured  to  ^ 
prive  me  of  every  means  of  sobfiîfitotfS* 
Patriotisme  even  in  the  opinion  of  this  €0^' 
nent  man,  was  superior  to  the  love  of  tniife 
und  the  fear  of  making  known  in  twég 
eountries  the  faults  of  his  own,  Buipaneii 
in  him^  the  désire  of  seeing  them  remedÎ6i 
M«st  we  wait  till  tnith  finds  her  way  to  Bw 
Bia?  Our  génération  wiU  not  see  tiie  liberf 
of  the  press  established  there.  Foreigae 
hâve  too  manj  means  of  knowing  our  di 
feets,  either  by  visiting  our  country^  or  1 
leaming  our  language^  aad  the  imperfe 
knowledge  which  they  thus  acquire^  ia  £é 
qnently  more  un£a.yourable  to  us,  thaa  ti 
naked  truth  itself  could  be. 

We^  more  than  any  other  nati(»i,  httvc 
lawful  title  to  the  indulgence  and  the  i 
fi^ect  of  Europe.  Scarcely  emerged  fitf 
barbarism,  we  are  proceeding  with  ia| 
atrides  in  civîlization  ;  and  in  part,  ai  lep 
we  JBiay  eonaole  ourselres  fw  our  fiiulti^  1 
looldng  at  the  def ects  of  othera. 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST,  99 

be  unpardonable  if  I  took  pleasure  îu  ex- 

libiting  the  Bussîan  nation  in  an  unfavour- 

able  light, — ^far  from  it;  ît  is  a  very  painful 

task  to  me,  and  one  which  I  perfonn  with  re- 

luctance  ;  but  I  regard  it  as  a  sacred  duty, 

^hich  no  considération  must  deter  me  from 

performing.    Few  persons,  I  am  wiUing  to 

beKeve,  will  find  themselves  in  my  position, 

and  as  a  compensation   for  ail    the  evil 

^Mch  results  from  it,  it  would  be  madness 

ûot  to  profit  by  the  only  good  which  can  be 

^rired  from  it.    I  hâve  not  called  down 

fersecution  on  myself^  as  the  friends  of  the 

Goremment  think  fit  to  say  ;  quite  the  con- 

taij,  I  hâve  done  every  thing  to  avert  it  ; 

but  as  the  forlom  hope  of  civilization,  it  is 

my  duty  to  défend  it  at  ail  risks* 

I  love  my  countiy  as  much  as  jany  man, 
bot  I  love  mankind  more;  and  should  I 
esrea  make  enemies  of  my  dearest  friends,  I 
jBhaU  not  cease  to  oppose  everything  which 
is  A  violati(m  of  the  universal  and  imperish* 
able  laws  of  social  order. 

h2 


100  BUSSU  VJUDER 


Chapter  ni. 

ASPECT  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

I  QUiTTED  Sussia  for  the  first  time  in  tlie 
spring  of  1836.  The  road  from  Moscow  to 
St.  Petersburg  was  covered  wîth  snow^  which 
was  falling  there  though  ît  was  the  21st  of 
May,  (0.  S.)  We  had  a  speedy  and  pleasaot 
voyage  across  the  Baltic,  and  in  three  days 
and  a  half  we  landed  at  Travemunde.  I 
fancied  that  I  had  trod  on  another  planet  ; 
the  ahnanac  indicated  a  distance  of  twelve 
days  between  the  two  countries^  but  ta 
judge  by  the  appearance  of  nature,  there 
was  a  différence  of  months.  The  grass  was 
as  green  in   Grermany  as  it  was  yellow  in 


NICH0LA8   THE  FIRST.  101 

ussia;  the  wheat,  which  I  had  left  just 
>rmging  up^  had  faere  almost  attained  its 
Jl  growth;  the  trees  appeared  clothed 
îth  ail  their  beauty,  whereas  in  Bussia 
tere  were  neither  fruit  nor  leares,  and  we 
Uselyes  arrived  hère,  wrapped  in  our 
annfiirs. 

The  happiest  day  in  the  life  of  a  Bussian 
incontrovertibly  that  on  which  he  jout- 
as from  Travemunde  to  Lubeck.  ISTothing 
1  be  compared  to  his  happiness  ;  his  eu- 
sdty  îs  highly  excited,  everything  gives 
n  an  agreeable  surprise  ;  he  leaves  frost 
lind  him  ;  a  brilliant  sun  shines  over  his 
id,  and  efiuses  rays  which  are  ail  rays  of 
je.  He  enjoys  life,  in  the  full  sensé  of 
^  expression  ;  he  bas  no  longer  reason  to 
dre  Paradise,  for  he  bas  seen  it  hère  on 
ih.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  exprès- 
us  adéquate  to  the  enthusiasm  which  the 
lasians  feel  and  manifesta  more  or  less 
Bnly,  under  thèse  circumstances. 
Ibis  sentiment  is  modified  according  to 


102  RI  >SIA    VNDF.R 

the  âge,  character,  and  preceding  expé- 
rience of  each  person,  and  assumes  as^ 
xnany  différent  forms  as  there  are  îndi- 
vîduals  ;  but  in  ail,  it  resembles  a  kînd  of 
intoxication.  Thèse  new  pilgrims  are  almost 
ready  to  kiss  the  ground  they  tread,  lîke  na- 
>ngators  who  discover  new  lands  ;  they  can 
hardly  refrain  from  adoring  the  sun  wlrich 
they  salute  as  the  star  of  another  world 
and  the  prophet  of  another  life — a  lîfe  of 
happîness  and  joy*. 

A  year  and  a  half  afterwards  I  retumed 
to  my  country  by  way  of  Prussia.  I  ap- 
proached  it  with  a  trembling  heart^  fearin^ 
that  it  would  bear  no  comparison  wîth  the 
lands  which  I  had  vîsited,  not  knowin^ 
whether  I  should  find  indemnification  soflS- 
cient  for  the  déceptions  which  I  expected* 
I  was  like  one  who  is  going  again  to  see  Yà9 
betrothed  after  a  long  absence.  Wîll  ahe 
love  me  ?   Shall  I  love  her  ?    Shall  we  sini 

*  I  expressed  thèse  ideas  on  iny  retuni  from  ahroad 
in  a  Russian  Review,  1838. 


NICHOLAS   THE  flRST.  103 

emch  other?  Wlat can  I  da  for  her?  What 

viD  she  be  incliued  to  do  for  me  2    Bmh 

were  the  questions  which  agitated  mj  mimd. 

Ât  eyery  step  that  I  prooeeded,  I  foimd 

more  and  mote  indications  tliat  I  wa»  ap* 

proachin^  mj  natrre  home.    The  Thuchy  ci 

Po6en  offers  a  pretty  deeided  foretaste  of 

H.   I  again  aair  the  grey  caftans  wom  hy 

aie  Bnssian   peasants;  the  cold  hecame 

Mre  intense  and  the    snow  deeper  and 

ieeper.    It  was  in  the  month  of  Mardi  ;  I 

bd  qxntted  the  openîng  spring  and  was  prCM 

(teding  ta  the  depth  of  winter.    It  was  the 

itferae  cf  what  I  had  experieneed  at  my 

iepartore. 

We  conrageomsly  met  the  eustom-hcmse 

and  encomitered  nothing  mi]^«a- 

'9  tbey  made  me  pay  heavîly  for  the 

■^pwtatioa  of  glores  and  cîgars  ;  but  they 

flàfoed  a  smelling-hottle  and  a  cc^ketiott 

of  hanficiniicfis  ta  pass,  and  above  ail  they 

^•d  Ike  courtesy  nat  to  toueh  my  papers, 

ï  was  satisfied,  bot  some  fore^nere 


104  RUSSIA    FNDER 

who  accompanied  me  did  not  fare  so  well,foC^ 
the  officers  disputed  about  eyerything,  an(]^ 
even  found  fault  with  their  linen  and  their::^ 
clotlies,  which  they  declared  were  too  new.^- 

I  entered  the  country  at  day-break,  andJ! 
the  first  incident  which  attracted  my  atten — 
tion  was  a  blow  with  the  whip,  which  my  pos — 
tilion  gave  a  peasant  who  Vas  passing  harm — 
lessly  along  in  a  low  sledge,    My  heart  was^ 
wounded;  the  peasant  said  not  a  word^  ancL^ 
received  the  blow  on  his  back^  taking  care^ 
to  stoop  a  little.    The  postilion  was  satis — 
fied  with  himself^  and  a  complacent  smile^- 
passed  over  his  countenance.    For  a  mo- 
ment I  thought  of  tuming  back  again.    **  Ifc 
is  still,"  exclaimed  I,  sadly  and  thoughtfully, 
"  the  country  of  the  knout!"    A  succession 
of  painful  ideas  rose  before  me^  while  the 
sledge  glided  rapidly  along  over  an  océan 
of  snow^  which  offered  not  the  slightest 
diversion  to  my  melancholy  thoughts. 

Lithuania  spread  before  me  in  ail  its 
monotony.    I  entered  dirty  and  infected 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  105 

villages,  inhabited  bj  Folish  Jews.  I  sâw 
them  wearing  strange  Turkîsh-looking  tur- 
WiiSy  and  dressed  in  long  tunics.  I  seemed 
to  fae  transported  into  Asia.  Thus  another 
foretaste  realized  my  project  of  a  joumey  to 
flie  East.  '^  The  barbarism  which  we  can- 
îi^t  avoîd,"  said  I,  "  îs  surely  quite  snfficient; 
î^  aspect  has  notbing  so  attractive  nor  so 
^teresting  as  to  encourage  us  to  brave,  for 
^  sake^  tfae  dangers  of  such  a  distant  jour- 
^^y.  An  hoor's  conversation  with  civilized 
^%n  is  much  more  désirable  tban  years 
^P^nt  in  studying  savage  manners  and  rude 
^^'^istoms.  Let  others  pursue  the  study  of  evil, 
X  bave  enough  to  do  to  fathom  the  good." 

The  cold  continued  to  increase,  and  I 
8oon  felt  a  difficulty  in  breathing;  the  wind 
atifled  my  breath^  and  hindered  me  from 
çeaking.  I  had  taken  the  précaution  to 
provide  myself  with  an  excellent  bear-skin 
pelisse,  but  my  shoes  being  too  thin,  my 
îeet  were  soon  frozen;  I  will  say  no  more 
of  the  remainder  of  my  joumey.     It  is 


106  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

pretty  weïï  known  what  trarelling  in 
îs.  With  the  exception  of  the  road  from  fèL 
Petersbnrg  to  Moscow,  which  is  the  finest 
causeway  in  Europe,  and  where  there  are  Teiy 
handaome  hôtels  at  aknofit  everj  stage,  we 
no  where  find  roads  worthy  of  the  nam^ 
or  any  kind  of  resonrce  for  traveUers.  On 
the  south  the  causeway  does  not  go  beyosd 
Tula,  and  on  the  road  towards  western  Ikn 
rope,  ît  stops  at  N'arva,  which  îs  only  forty- 
five  leagues  from  St.  Petersburg.  It  is  diffi^ 
cuit  to  obtain  provisions  sufficient  to  satisfy 
even  the  most  moderate  appetite,  except  is 
the  govemment  towns  ;  the  postmasters  eu 
îndeed  proyide  hmiUlotte,  but  seldom  tea; 
also  a  bed,  but  sheets  are  an  unheard-of 
luxury,  save  in  the  German  prorinces;. 
Accordingly,  the  trareller,  who  hsB^  awf 
regard  to  comfort,  is  obliged  to  drag  witli 
him  ail  the  reqtdsites  oi  a  household, 
the  cook  to  the  kitchen  utensils,  and 
to  the  sheets  on  his  own  bed.  The  hotehy 
even  in  the  capital  towns,  are  filthy  beycmd  aiB 


NICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  107 

^^ceptionyand  swarm  witb  vennin,  and  even 

*4o9e  ifiiich  receire  trarellere  are  not  firee. 

Ile  rapiditj  of  trayellhig  post  in  Busiia 

^  ^eat,  but  H  bas  aften  been  exaggerated^ 

^^^^it  bj  no  meana  ezceeds  tbat  of  tbe  Freneh 

*^^^5Mb.     Prfvate  perdons  obtain  tbe  prffî- 

^^e  only  by  means  of  money  or  blows,  and 

''^^^  lose  tbe  adrantages  of  it  by  tbe  delays 

^^iiidi  tbey  expérience  at  tbe  stages  wbere 

^^ey  cbange  borses.    Tbis  is  an  opération 

"^^lidi    is  perfonned   rery   leisurely:    tbe 

^^<Ç€S  of  ttie  barness  freqnently  break;  some- 

"%imes  tbere  are  no  borses;  nay^  perbaps  jnst 

^»  yoQ  are  steppmg  into  your  carrîage^  your 

liorses  are  taken  away  to  be  bamessed  to 

ftat  of  some  person   bigb  in  office^  wbo 

bas  arrived  unexpectedly.     Tbere  are  no 

pabfie  filigences^  except  on  tbe  roads  to 

Moscow  and  Eiga^  and  a  wretcbed  vebîde 

18  ihe  only  accommodation  tbat  tbe  post- 

master  is  able  to  place  at  tbe  disposai  of 

travellers. 


108  RUSSU  UNDER 

H^o  idea  can  be  f ormed  of  the  petty  vexa* 
tions  which  strangers  expérience  on  their 
arrivai  at  St.  Petersburg,  and  the  Prendi 
are  more  exposed  to  them  than  anj  other 
people.    After  very  long  and  very  circmn* 
stantial  déclarations  on  a  varietj  of  topics 
which  they  give  in  writing,  they  are  subject^ 
to  an  inquisitorial  examination  by  the  chie£ 
of  the  secret  police,  of  which  the  following^ 
îs  a  spécimen: — 

"  What  are  your  intentions  in  coming  to 
Russia?"  said  General  Durelt,  to  a  French^ 
man  of  my  acquaintance. 

"I  wishto  become  acquainted  with  the 
country." 

'*  Ton  hâve  chosen  a  very  bad  season  for 
that  purpose." 

^^  I  thought  that  winter  was  the  best  time 
to  study  Bossia." 

*'  I  beg  your  pardon;  summer  is  the  best. 
Ton  hâve  been  in  the  army.  Sir?" 

"Tes,  I  hâve." 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  109 

^ind  of  course  you  are  anxîous  to  make 
JDnreelf  acquainted  with  ail  that  concems 
wiranny?" 

^I  do  not  aspire  to  that;  I  hâve  long 
àm  left  the  service^  and  liave  not  retained 
much  taste  for  anjtliîng  relating  to  iV* 

''Do  you  tliink  of  making  a  long  stay  in 


*Some  montlis." 

"And  by  what  route  do  you  intend  to 
We  it?" 

''I  intend  to  retum  by  way  of  Odessa  and 
^xxstantînople/' 

'^Shall  you  enter  into  the  French  ser- 

*^My  past  and  présent  affairs  may  be  in 
yotir  province,  the  future  concems  myself 

*'I  am  really  ashamed  of  having  asked 
you  ail  thèse  questions,  but  my  duty  re- 
Viîred  iV 

îushkin  has  well  described  St  Peters- 
"^g  in  a  few  words:  ''A  sumptuous  city, 


110  BUSBU  U2n>£R 

a  poor  citj,  the  aj^arance  regular,  the  & 
juament  of  heaven  of  a  pale  green  :  glooo 
cold,  and  granité.'* 

The  houses  look  handsomer  at  a  dlstanc 
ihan  close  at  hand;  they  are  of  brick  in 
stead  of  stone  or  marble  ;  the  buildings  ar 
constructed  for  show^  rather  than  for  dmi 
bility,  and  fall  to  decay  as  quickly  as  th^ 
spring  up.  ïTor  is  there  any  taste  in  th 
gênerai  arrangement.  The  squares  ar 
large  wastes^  and  verdure  and  fountains  ai 
things  unknown,  While  at  Berlin  you  hai 
the  Thiergarten,  at  Vienna  the  Prater,  M 
liondon  a  number  of  parks^  at  Paris  L^ 
Champs  Elisée,  at  St.  Petersburg  you  ha"* 
notJiing  but  a  mean  summer  garden«  Tl 
appearance  of  some  parts  of  the  city^  esp- 
cially  the  quays,  is  imposing,  and  there  a» 
fine  churches^  bridges,  and  monuments.  Tl 
xeigning  Emperor  bas  largely  contributif 
to  the  embellishment  of  St.  Petersbur 
but  this  he  bas  done  in  common  with  gr^ 
moaarchsy  as  wéU  as  with  great  tjmâ 


NICHOLAâ  THE  FIRST.  111 

&e  ostentation  and  vanitj  which  they  dis- 
t^j  Btrikes  ev«y  eye  ;  the  letter  N.  açpears 
fli  ail  tl&e  bridges  along  the  causewaj  to 
ifcseow. 

8t.  Petersburg  is  a  foreign  citj^  a  comr- 

tiebe  iBÛtation;    Moscow  is   a  national, 

^d  altogether  Sussian  capital;  ihe  form» 

^    the    Impérial     résidence,    the    lutter 

^^  metropolis.     Petersburg  is  a  motley 

^^eetion    cf  citisens   and   courtiers,    of 

^tii^uigers  and  men  in  office;  Moscow  is  the 

^^«id^ice  of  the  nobilitj,  and  the  seatof 

^^^au&ictures.    Hère  the  streets  are  nar- 

^^^^er  and  more  varied,  the  inhabitants  are 

^k^me  sociiUe,  less  distmstful,  and  ixxixe 

"^^tigaged  in  serions  and  really  useful  occa- 

^liKticais.    Provincial  gossip  is  a  good  sub- 

%tttnte  fior  the  intrigues  of  the  courte  but 

%]ie  immoxality  i^thelatter  does  not  spread 

^te  onarefi  hère.    The  absence  of  the  nuli* 

%mrf  Mààs  to  the  tnmquillit j  of  life^  while  it 

lessens  the  attractions  of  &6hi(Hiable  soeietj, 

and  the  pomp  of  processiona.    The  varions 


112  RUSSIA  UNDER 

branches  of  tlie  police^  officiai  and  secret^ 
are  less  prominent^  and  even  escape  thc 
eyes  of  the  inhabîtants.  Ail  thîs  powerfîiUj 
contrîbutes  to  tbe  cbarm  of  life^  and  makoa 
Moscow  tbe  quiet  retreat  of  tbose  wbo  hav« 
otber  notions  of  bappiness  tban  promotion 
in  tbe  Impérial  service. 

Tbe  tbousand  and  one  cbnrches^  wbich 
are  ail  built  in  tbe  national  style  of  archi- 
tecture^ and  tbe  couvents^  equally  rich 
and  numerous,  tend  to  keep  up  the  genuine 
Muscoyite  piety.  Tbe  bistorical  réminis- 
cences wbich  float  over  Moscow  recal  daya 
of  trial  and  of  suffering^  of  trouble  and 
of  discorde  and  bind  to  that  city  ail  tmly 
Bussian  bearts.  Tbey  hold  ont  to  them 
the  promise  of  fair  days  of  future  liberfyj 
and  console  them  for  the  want  of  the 
splendour  wbich  tbey  bave  at  St.  Peter»- 
burg^  by  the  remembrance  of  the  tyranny 
wbich  tbey  would  rejoice  to  see  entombed 
in  the  marshes  of  that  capital. 

With  the  exception  of  Odessa^  wbich  18 


KICH0LA8   THE  PIEST.  US 

an    Italian    cîtj,  and    the  most 

advanced  point  of  European  civilization  on 

^  Bussian  soil^  the  other  towns  of  the 

empire  resemble  rude  villages,  whieh  differ 

onlj  in  their  extent.    The  principal,  and 

Abnost  the  sole  omaments  of  ail  the  cities 

rf  the  interior,  are  the  churches,  whieh  are 

^re  or  less  handsome,  and  always  very 

i^umeroos  ;  and  govemment  buildings  some 

of  whieh  are  fine,  standing  in  very  spa- 

<^ii8  and  oniform  squares.    The  towns  are 

JliMived,  scarcely  lighted  by  night,  and 

<^tain  a  far  greâter  number  of  wooden 

^Qses  than  of  stone  buildings. 

The  Gastinoï-^wor  (the  Eussian  bazaar) 

^  the  indispensable  omament  of  ail  the 

^^nis.    It  is  composed  of  a  file  of  shops 

^joining  each  other,  and  comprised  in  one 

^^^ifice,  distinguished  by  a  variety  of  rich 

''^^^chandize.    It  breaks  the  monotony  of 

^^  town  by  the  perpétuai  cries  of  the  shop- 

^^pers,  who  seize  upon  the  customers,  or 

^^^ute  with  the  purchasers. 

^OL.  L  I 


114:  RUSSIA   UNDER 

The    Bussian    TÎllages    are    exclus 
eomposed  of  wooden   buts,  covered 
tliatch  or  planks^  and  form  one  street^  ^f 
îs  often  excessively  long,  întersected  by  g 
and  omamented  wîth  one  or  two  chur 

This  mode  of  building  renders  fires 
quent  and  dangerons. 

The  almost  total  absence  of  moun 
imparts  a  wearisome  uniformity  to  Ru 
landscapes  ;  the  only  ones  in  the  interi 
ihe  empire  are  sufficiently  characterize 
iheir  name,  Elévation  Plate.  Scarcelj 
trees  flourish  in  XJpper  Bussia,  excepi 
pine,  the  fir,  and  the  birch.  There  the  t 
and  villages  are  very  rare,  and  even  î 
ted  habitations  are  scarcely  to  be  met 
The  désert  commences  at  the  gâtes  o: 
Petersburg,  and  extends,  with  few  intei 
tions,  in  ail  directions,  although  under 
riety  of  names  and  partial  changes  of  as 
Sand  and  morass  dispute  the  possessi< 
the  soil.  Even  agriculture  leaves  a 
part  of  the  cultivated  ground  fallow^ 


mCEOhAB  THE  FIRST.  115 

Ufoftheland  uncnltivated.  To  the  south^ 
m  entering  the  govemment  of  Orel,  the 
fiice  of  the  conntrj  changes^  and  the  climate 
tt  the  same  time  sensiblj  improves.  Vege- 
fatble  mould  succeeds  to  the  clay  and  sand 
vidch  predominate  in  the  northem  pro- 
^ces  ;  the  végétation  becomes  manifestly 
more  rich  and  vigorous,  and  the  air  milder, 
^t  the  wealth  of  the  people  does  not  keep 
pu^  with  thèse  improvements  in  natnre. 
^e  want  of  communications^  and  the  dis- 
**ûce  of  the  centres  of  commerce,  deprive  the 
^<>nntr7  ^^  markets,  and  keep  down  the  priée 
rf  provisions,  which  is  so  much  the  lower 
^  proportion  to  their  great  abmidance. 

^e  climate  in  the  north  of  Bussia  is 
^tïemely  rigorous  ;  in  winter  the  thermo- 
^^ter  is  often  broken  by  the  effect  of  the 
^H  and  leaves  no  means  of  ascertaining 
^^ûïtensity.  Winter  begins  in  October,  and 
^^8  in  April  ;  ail  the  other  seasons  are 
^îûprised  within  five  months,  which  justifies 
^  proverb,  that  in  Bussia  there  are  two 

i2 


116  RUSSIA  UNDER 

wînters^  one  white  and  the  other  green 
In  fiact,  tliere  are  fréquent  frosts  durin. 
the  night^  even  in  summer,  and  the  tem 
perature  suddenly  changes  from  one  es 
treme  to  the  other.  At  noon  the  hea 
is  quite  African^and  at  eight  o'clock  in  tl 
evening  you  are  forced  to  wrap  yourself  x 
in  a  cloak. 

There  is  no  other  eountry  where  tt 
number  of  ugly  women  is  so  great,  and  œ 
pretty  women  so  small^  as  in  Eussia.  In  thfl 
higher  ranks  of  society  only,  and  in  the 
provinces,  at  a  distance  from  the  greal 
roads,  we  find  models  of  real  beauty.  Ir 
gênerai  the  women  are  very  robust,  whilc 
the  men  are  remarkable  for  their  beauty 
Civilization^  éducation,  and  sensibility  an 
almost  the  exclusive  portion  of  the  women 
and  their  superiority  to  the  men  is  in 
contestible  in  everything  that  regards  th< 
cultivation  of  the  mind.  This  phenomenoi 
is  accounted  for  by  the  différent  mod 
of  life  pursued  by  the  two  sexes.    The  in 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  117 

tellectual  facultîes  of  the  men  are  absorbed 
by  the  ambition  of  rising^  of  décorations^ 
and  Uihinns;  while  contempt  of  leaming, 
espedally  in  the  armj^  is  fashionable; 
l>iit  happily  this  fashion  does  not  extend 
itfi  influence  over  the  ladies. 


118  RUSSIA  UKDER 


Chapter  IV. 

CHARACTER  OF  THE  PEUPLE. 

There  is  no  task  at  the  same  time  more 
complex,  more  embarrassing,  and  more  un- 
grateful  than  that  of  drawing  the  character 
of  any  people.  It  is  often  difficult  to  define 
the  character  of  an  individual:  how  much 
more  so,  then,  must  it  be,  to  delineate  that 
of  a  whole  nation,  and  especially  of  a  nation 
like  Eussia,  which  is  a  eompound  of  so 
many  races.  As  men  of  genius  and  idiots 
are  found  among  ail  people,  whence  none 
can  prétend  to  a  monopoly  of  the  one  or  of 
the  other,  so  cold  hearts  are  found  in  hot 
countries,  and  impassioned  men  and  women 


NICHOLAS    THE   FIRST.  119 

in  frigid  climates.  We  are  therefore  autho- 
ôzed  to  mjy  that  capacities  and  sentiments 
ar€  not  regulated  bj  the  geographical  posi- 
tion of  a  country,  or  by  the  origin  of  na- 
ticns,  but  rather  by  indi>ddualities.  Vanity 
^tod  pride,  duplicity  and  falsebood,  egotism 
^nd  avarice^  are  vices  common  to  ail  men^ 
^^d  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  say  whe- 
ther  they  are  more  gênerai  in  one  nation 
tban  in  anotber.  We  perceive,  also,  that 
^  nations^  from  the  French  and  the  Bus- 
^ùtns^  to  the  Chinese  and  the  Jews,  are^  or 
i&ay  be  abnost  equaUy  courageous  and 
laoïal  ;  thèse  qualities  only  vary  according 
to  circumstances,  or  assume  différent  forms 
*B  applying  to  diverse  objects.  Civiliza- 
*^D,  besides^  fiUs  up,  more  and  more^,  the 
**^^nee  between  nations,  smoothes  the 
*fferences  which  distinguish  them,  and 
*^^  to  generalize  their  characters.  In 
•^UBaa  it  bas  this  effeet  more  than  else- 
^^^e,  because  it  did  not  arise  there  spon- 
^•^^îeQiisly,  but  was  imported  from  foreign 


120  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

countries^  and  inoculated  on  the  people  m 
one  stroke.  But  as  its  work  is  not  comi 
plete,  the  character  of  the  people  is  not  je 
definitivelj  formed^  and  its  actual  state  : 
one  of  transition.  In  order  thoroughly  t 
appreciate  it,  we  must  studj  it  in  ail  tb 
shades  caused  by  the  différences  of  ori^ 
of  classes^  and  of  occupations.  But  a 
there  are,  nevertheless,  several  genen 
points  common  to  ail  thèse  yarieties,  an 
others  which  are  peculiar  to  the  Russia 
nation,  we  will  endeavour  to  lay  hold  i 
them,  though  fully  aware  how  thanklei 
such  an  undertaking  is  ;  for  we  neyer  prak 
a  nation  sufficientlj  to  please  it,  and  tli 
blâme  which  we  lay  upon  it,  however  we 
founded  it  may  be,  invariably  wounds  il 
susceptibility. 

The  Russian  is  naturally  good  and  mili 
more  so  than  other  nations  :  this  is  a  poiii 
which  is  generally  conceded.  He  still  re 
tains  something  of  his  primitive  barbarisn 
as  he  has  already  borrowed  some  of  tb 


m  NICH0LA8   THE  FIRST.  121 

F  àeteds  of  modem  civilization  ;  but,  on.  the 
^hole,  he  merits  esteem  in  more  than  one 
^■"espect,  and  if  he  does  not  decay  before  he 
»  ripe  (a  puérile  and  absurd  fear),  if  the 
Grcremment  does  not  cause  him  to reçoive  an 
nnpression  which  it  would  afterwards  be  toc 
la^  to  efface,  he  maj  in  time  rise  high  in 
public  opinion. 

A  bad,  and  unhappily  too  common  pen-- 
chant,  in  thîs  people,  is  that  of  cheating. 
l^ot  finding  a  worthy  and  sufficient  occupa* 
taon  for  his  mind,  the  Bussian  tums  his 
^ntion  to  firaud,  which  he  considers  aa  an 
^  means  of  rising  in  the  world.  This  ig 
tti  effect  of  the  want  of  civilization  and  the 
froit  of  slavery.  If ot  feeling  his  strength^ 
^f  Ilot  daring  to  make  use  of  it,  he  has 
^■^urse,  in  most  instances,  to  craft.  This 
^  ibo  a  proof  of  his  misery,  not  knowing 
^7  remedy  for  his  sufferings,  and  unable 
^  ^scape  the  eiôls  which  overwhelm  him, 
^  Î8  more  liable  than  another  to  fall  into 
^  derelictions,  such  as  cheating,  drunk^a* 


122  RUSSIA   UNDE& 

ness^  and  gênerai  debaucherj.  Bat  tia 
verj  abberrations  of  mind,  may  serve  as 
criterion  of  bis  ingenuity;  the  Suasi^ 
sbarper  niay  rival  tbe  most  adroit  in  ib 
world^  and  surprising  instances  of  bis  knaves* 
are  adduced. 

An  officer  being  wamed  tbat  robberi« 
were  committed  in  tbe  steamers^  on  tboi 
departure  for  foreign  countries,  carefoU. 
kept  bis  bands  in  bis  pockets  while  cbattiix. 
witb  a  friend  of  wbom  be  camie  to  talc 
leave.  Tbe  bell  rung;  be  embraced  bJ 
friend^  and  immediately  put  bis  banda  inA 
bis  pockets,  but  found  tbem  empty. 

Anotber  laid  bis  eye-glass  on  the  count^ 
of  a  refresbment  room  at  a  tbeatre,  aia^ 
watcbed  it  very  attentively,  but  vben  1* 
raised  a  tumbler  to  bis  lips^  tbe  eye*glA0i 
vanisbed. 

ISot  to  repeat  facts  wbicb  may  bave  bap- 
pened  in  otber  countries,  or  wbicb  oceol 
evei^bere^  witbout  our  being  aUe  ifi 
détermine  tbe  place  of  tbeir  origin,  I  wifl 


NICHOLAS   THB  FIRST.  128 

Benûon    one    that    happened    to  mjself. 

Béng  on  my  way  from  Twer  to  Moscow,  I 

hânà  a  coachman  who  was  to  drive  me  hj 

A  certain  time  to  ihe  latter  cîty.  On  the  way 

thith^,  during  the  night^  he  asked  me  for 

pmii  of  the  money  agreed  upon.    Being 

«mkened  on  a  sudden^  I  gave  him  eight 

x^Ues  more  than  he  was  entitled  to,  and 

^^Hnch  I  did  not  perceire  till  the  next  day, 

A.  fortnight  affcerwards  he  saw  me  on  the 

ttne  road^  recognised  me,  and  came  up 

holding  bis  hat  in  his  hand.    I  thought  he 

Hit  going  to  retum  the  rubles,  and  was 

ddighted   at   haying    met  with    8uch  an 

Vkiiest  man,  l>iit  how  great  was  my  surprise, 

^hsk  I  found  that  he  came  to  demand 

^^it  mbles  more,  saying  that,  in  my  sleep, 

I  had  made  a  mistake  in  the  reckoning» 

^^  trick  was  so  absurd,  that  I  could  not 

be  angry,  and  the  man  actually  made  no 

^fficntty  in  acknowledging  that    he   Was 

^^1^^  as  soon  as  I  gave  him  crédit  for 

™*iïgeiiuity  l 


124  RUSSIA   UNDER 

Cheating  is  carried  to  sucli  excess  in 
Bussia^  that  one  might  be  tempted  to  sfij, 
it  is  in  the  air  or  in  the  blood»    Bussiaa 
commerce  and  manufactures  are  onques- 
tionably  the  most  dishonest  in  the  world. 
China  and  England  hâve  had  equal  reason 
to  complain  of  it.     The  Chinese,  who  are 
too  suspicions  to  receive^  without  examina- 
tion^  the  roUs  of  Eussian  cloth^  find  pièces 
of  wood  inside;  the  English  receive  grease 
instead  of  tallow.    Their  Govemment  has 
in  vain  repeatedly  protested  against  thèse 
abuses^  and  the  Emperor  has  in  vain  issned 
decrees  to  suppress  them.    A  Frenchman, 
who  was  appointed  bj  the  Govemment  to 
unmask  ail  this  fraud,  was  well  nigh  Idlled. 
by  the  manufacturers;.and  the  officers  hm^ 
evidentlj  not  been  proof  against  the  sedue*- 
tions  which  he  resisted^  for  his  denunciar^ 
tions  hâve  had  no  effect. 

The  petty  shopkeepers  live  only  hy 
plunder  :  you  purchase  an  article  in  a  sluqp^ 
and  take  a  différent  one  home  with  you  ^ 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  125 

jon  mnst  be  always  on  your  guard.     Ail 

lemnts  are  notorious  thieves,  especiallj  the 

M^ks  and  coachmen.    It  may  be  pretty 

mnch  tihe  same  every  where,  yet  it  is  never 

cairied  to  such  excess  as  in  Eussia:  there 

tbe  ùtàcers,  eren  of  the  public  administra* 

tions^  seize  eagerly  with  both  bands;  they 

do  iK>t  wait  till  you  giye  them  sometbing, 

htt  they  beg  and  bargain  with  you^  aecept 

Itfge  présents,  and  do  not  disdain  tbe  most 

trifling.    Drunkenness  is  no  where  so  corn- 

BKm  as  in  Kussia.    This  may  be  traced  to 

^oos  causes:    such  as  poverty,  despair 

irising  firom  the  precarious  state  of  things, 

tte  want    of    security  for   property,  the 

^certainty  of  the  future,  and,  above  all^ 

fte  lack  of  éducation.       Time,  and  the 

Government,  may  do  much  to  remedy  thèse 

®^;  the  first,  by  enlightening  the  masses, 

^d  the  second,  by  seeking  more  honour* 

^e  sources  of  revenue  than  the  distilleries, 

^  which  it  retains  the  monopoly,  by  making 

*«elf  the  first  tavem-keeper  in  the  country. 


126  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

Manual  skill  is  a  talent  pecnliar  to 
Bussians;  wîthout  anj  instrument,  save 
hatchet,  the  peasant  succeeds  in  the  n 
complex  constructions  and  délicate  carv 
in  wood.  The  intrepidity  and  dexterit] 
the  joumejman  masons  is  reallj  surprisi 
thej  are  seen  suspended  at  imme 
heights  working  with  great  précision. 

The  Russian  possesses,  in  a  yerj  h 
degree,  the  faculty  of  imitation^  and  il 
unjust  to  refuse  him  that  of  inventi 
Hitherto,  he  has  had  enough  to  do  to 
produce  what  has  been  done  by  othc 
when  hc  has  no  more  to  imitate,  he  will 
able  to  create.  In  point  of  intelligence^ 
well  as  in  the  gênerai  traits  of  charae 
the  Russian  holds  the  middle  place  betwt 
the  Frenehman  and  the  German;  he  bas. 
times^  the  profoundness  of  the  one  and 
brilliancy  of  the  other.  He  is  less  phi» 
xnatic  than  the  German^  and  less  sparkl 
iban  the  Frenehman;  more  practical  t] 
the  former^  less  inconstant  than  the  latt 


NICSOLAS   THE  FIRST.  127 

and  less  a  slaye  to  rontîne  than  eîtherw 

^ÏUisBian^    or    ratha*    Sclavonian    intellect^ 

unités  in  itself  both  thèse  éléments^  and 

conciliâtes  the  two  characters.     I  am  not 

«ne  of  those  who  think  that  he  has  the 

Vocation  to  regenerate  the  world,    for  I 

^  not  belieTe  that  the  world   is  disor* 

ganizing  and  approaching  its  destruction; 

to  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  is  destined  to 

i^cooDcile  the  French  and  the  German  intel- 

fects,  to  complète  the  one  by  the  other,  to 

Wend  and  combine  both,  and  in  time,  per-^ 

i^ps,  to  extend  the  sphère  of  their  action. 

As  I  hâve  before  observed,  it  is  very 
'''îflSciilt  to  define  the  morality  of  any  peo- 
ple,  and  especiàlly  to  state  in  this  respect, 
ïta  gaperiority  or  its  inferiority,  in  juxta- 
Poâtion  with  another.  When  compared 
^th  his  European  neighbours,  the  Sussian 
W  less  of  that  immorality  of  mind  which  is 
^e  finit  of  advanced  civilization;  but  he 
^  also  less  of    that   morality,  founded 


128  RUSSIA    UNDEB 

on  princîple,  whicli  onlj  a  solid  and 

dent  éducation    can    give.      His    se 

immoralitj  bas    neîther  for  its  cau£M 

excuse^    or    omament,    that    imagin 

which  explains  and  redeems  that  of  pol 

nations.    K  he  is  debauched^  he  is  ao, 

to  brutalitj^  through  the  heart  rather 

the  mind;    and  the  séductions  whic 

finds  in  his  countrj  are  not  of  such  a  m 

as  to  cause  or  to  extenuate  his  aberrati 

The  woman,  (I  speak  of  the  woman  o 

great  world,)  is  more  refined  in  her  lici 

thanks  to  the  bitter-sweet  fruits  of  Fr 

romance;  but  she  does  not  take  suffi< 

pains^  or  bas  not  sufficient  tact  to  vei 

intrigues  ;  and  the  want  of  reserve  on 

part  of  some  Russian  ladies  bas  obta 

for  them  European  celebrity.    This  h 

is  more  fatal^  because^  as  it  spreads 

undermines  domestic  happiness^  which  i£ 

only  refuge  of  the  Bussian,  who  is  so  : 

in  pleasure  and  comforts^  and  contribut^ 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  129 

destroy  familj  ties,  which  other  causes  ren* 
der  rery  insecure. 

The  Russîan  bas  great  strength^  both  of 

body  and  mind;  he  readily  endures  fatigue 

ind  privation^  and  could  easilj  bear  ail 

^ds  of  suffering  if  bis  moral  wcre  equal 

to  his  pbysical  strengtb;    bis   equanimity 

*ûd  persévérance  often  give  bim  an  indis^ 

pntable  superiority  over  otber  nations;  but 

^  noncbalance  and  bis  carelessness  are 

perfectly  ABiatic.     Tbey  are  tbe  eflfects  of 

tte  want  of  civilization,  and,  in  tbeir  tum^^ 

toe  of  tbe  causes  wbicb  check  improve- 

^^nt.    Tbe  Sussian  bas  zeal  and  applica^ 

^on  only  by  fits  and  starts,  and  bis  idleness 

^  Oûe  of  tbe  cbief  obstacles  to  tbe  de- 

"^^opment  of  tbe  powers  of  tbe  country. 

He  is  more  ambitions  tban  men  of  otber 
^"^es;  tbe  political  organization  of  bis 
'^Untrymakes  it  imperative  on  bim;  but 
^  it  at  tbe  same  time  paralyzes  bis  zeal 
^d  represses  tbe  exercise  of  bis  capacity^ 
^'^^re  is  no  country  wbere  tbere  are  so 


150  RUSSIA   UNDER 

manj  instances  of  persons  who  bave  fail^4 
in  their  career^  or  been  disappointed  in  tb^xJ 
ambitions  projects,  or    wbere    discontenl^ 
nnable  to  find  vent  in  legitimate  and  opeir 
opposition^  terminâtes  in  melancboly  apathy 
or  inévitable  ruîn.  It  is,  bowever,  consobitorj 
to  see  that  wbile  some  sacrifice  everytbing 
to  their  career,  their  honour^  and  even  tbeir 
relations,  there  are  others  who  do  not  tbink 
that  the  giffcs  of  Goverment  can  compensate 
for  the  humiliations,  Tiith  which  its  favom 
are  accompanied. 

The  Êussian  is  pions,  bospitable,  and 
gênerons  ;  qualities  which  are  common  to 
primitive  nations,  and  which  cîvilization  un- 
fortunately  tends  to  weaken.  But  his  piety 
is  closelj  allied  to  superstition,  and  consista 
àlmost  entirely  in  the  scrupulous  obsenrance 
of  religious  forms.  I  hâve  seen  a  thief  wifli 
with  one  hand  pick  the  pocket  of  a  pas* 
senger,  and  with  the  other  make  the  sign 
of  the  cross  at  the  sound  of  the  vesper  belL 
The  Russian  perpetually  makes  the  sign  of 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  ISl 

ftc  cross;  he  dœs  ît  in  front  of  every 
t^tirch  and  ererj  image^  when  entering  a 
ït)om  or  leaving  ît,  when  sitting  down  to 
table  or  when  rising  from  it,  when  retiring 
to  bed,  and  when  getting  np. 

Kert  to  the  King  of  heaven  the  Czar  îs 
the  object  of  the  adoration  of  the  Bussian. 
He  is  in  his  estimation  the  représentative 
tnd  tiie  elect  of  God,  as  he  is  the  head  of 
ffisChurch,  the  source  of  ail  the  heatitudefif^ 
tAd  the  first  cause  of  ail  fear.  His  hand 
distributes  as  bounteouslj  as  his  arm  strikes 
Iwtvfly.  Love,  fear,  and  humble  respect,  are 
Uended  in  this  déification  of  the  monarch, 
^cb  most  frequently  serves  only  to  mask 
the  cupidity  of  some  and  the  pusillanimitj 
^others.  The  Czar  is  the  centre  of  ail  the 
^3fB,th€  focus  to  which  every  eye  is  dî- 
'^^cted;  he  is  the  red  mn  of  the  Sussians, 
for  they  thus  designate  him;  while  they 
^the  vestibule  of  the  Kremlin,  where  the 
•^'^t  Gzars  showed  themselves  to  the  peo- 
P^  tbe  Red  Vestibule  ;  Krasnoîé  Kryltzo. 

k2 


1S2  RU88U  UNDER 

In  public  evcry  eye  îs  directed  toi 
Emperor;  in  the  drawing-room  tibi 
Bation  turns  solelj  upon  Mm  a&d  hi 
even  in  private^  men's  thonghts  ai 
engaged  about  him.    AU  that  hc 
well  done^  and  worthy  of  imitatioii 
body  walks  in  the  promenades  at 
that  he  walks  ;     everybody  loves 
because  he  is  fond  of  it;    and 
no  person  who  does  not  admire  i 
tary  service,  because  the  Emperor 
lous  advocate  for  it.    The  Czar  is 
of  the  whole  nation^  and  no  or 
relation  that  can  be  named  in  th 
with    the   Emperor.     When    1 
speaks,  every  other  voice  is  huf 
The  relations  of  the  conspir/ 
were  dancing  while  those  unf 
were  made  to  pass  through  t" 
îs  difficult  to  say  whether  t 
accepted  300  rubles  as  a  r& 
.given  up  her  son,  who  was  t 
Emperor,  who  gave  them 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  13$ 

niostlike  h  Spartan.  There  is  abundance 
of  liberalism  with  closed  doors^  but  stones 
w  thrown  at  hîm  who  revolts^  and  a  libéral 
wko  is  compromised  îs  shunned  like  a  leper, 
Those  men  who  at  différent  times  bave 
sacrificed  themselves  for  the  public  good, 
hire  reaped  more  indifférence  and  hatred 
ttan  sympathy.  Instances  are  not  wanting 
of  relatives  wbo  bave  abandoned  their  sons 
wd  their  brothers  in  Siberia  without  an 
«ttempt  to  save  them,  and  ihen  enjoyed  the 
pfoperty,  to  which  they  had  become  the 
leirs  by  their  condemnation  ;  nay,  and  who 
•ftenrards  were  reluctant  even  to  carry  on 
»  correspondence  with  them  ;  and  whose 
Peeling  conduct  bas  been  the  severest 
Pttt  of  the  fate  of  thèse  poor  sufferers. 
îfr.  L.  having  one  day  brought  letters  from 
ttese  exiles  to  their  relations^  they  refused 
to  take  them,  because  they  had  not  come 
'flmmgh  an  officiai  channel.  It  is  conso* 
ïitory,  howeyer,  to  say  that  such  bas  not 
W  the  line  pursued  by  ail  ;  and  history 


134  RUSSLl   UXDEB 

will  religioualy  préserve  the  memory  of  Prii^ 
eess  Tnibetzkoi  (née  Countess  Laval);  ^ 
Madame  Larîschkin  (née  Karyschkin);  an^ 
of  Madame  Rosen^  who  refused  to  séparai^ 
their  fortunes  from  those  of  their  husbandi^^ 
France  can  boast  of  having  at  ail  time^ 
and  in  àll  places  taken  a  noble  share  in  aetfe^ 
of  similar  devotedness.    A  French  lady,  thcr 
companion  of  Madame  Ivaschef^  after  hav- 
ing concealed  from  every  eye  her  attach- 
ment  to  the  son  of  that  lady,  went  to  Siberia. 
to  offer  him  her  hand,  where  from  the  rank 
of  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Guards^  hc^ 
had  been  reduced  to  the  condition  of  aiu 
nnhappy  slave.    She  gladly  lightened  the- 
burden  of  his  sufferings  and  bas  just  re — 
tumed  with  him  to  Russia. 

!N^othîng  is  comparable  to  the  happinesB- 
ef  a  Russian  when  the  Emperor  conde- 
scends to  speak  to  him.  It  is  in  trotL 
curious  to  see  how  the  courtiers  are  on  th^ 
watch  for  every  word  that  falls  from  Un» 
Lnperial    lips.      They  stand  waitixig  £d^" 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  IZS 

%  irord,  qnite  motionless^  listening  with 
Ûkà  most  eager  attention  and  riveted 
hASf  instantlj  crowd  round  hîm  who 
hs  been  bo  fortunate  as  to  reçoive  it^  or 
vithdraw  with  long  £Eu:es  and  chagrined 
looks,  when  tliej  hâve  been  disappointed  in 
iiieir  expectation.  The  Commandant  Bas* 
l^tzky  asked  the  Emperor  Alexander  as 
the  only  favour  he  wanted^  that  every  time 
^  saw  him  at  Conrt^  he  would  whisper  into 
J"Î8  car  the  word  "  imbécile/' 

A  French  Ambassador^  being  désirons  to 

V^  to  Panl  I.^  and  vexed  at  seeing  him 

^tbually  address  one  of  his  favonrites^ 

^,  •'Sire,  that  is  apparentlj  aome  great 

'^  of  yonr  empire?"     "Know,"  replied 

^  Czar,  '^  that  there  is  no  great  man  but 

^  io  whom  I  speak,  and  that  only  as  long 

^  J^  spedk  to  himl" 

-l^ere  is  still  something  which  surpasses 
^  lumour  of  a  conversation  with  the  Sove* 
^^'^^iiy  namely^  one  of  those  liasons  which 
to.  approximate  to  his  âunily  .those 


189  BUSSU  UNDEB 

who  are  h<moured  by  it;  but  it  i8  nol 
ererybody  that  can  obtain  it.  If  they  d^ 
not  go  so  far  at  Court  as  to  congratulit^ 
the  husband  who  bas  been  deceived  by  ^ 
member  of  tbe  Impérial  family^  it  is  a 
much  from  jealousy  as  from  décorum;  bo 
they  seldom  fail  to  envy  bis  lot,  and  h 
himself  is  so  little  master  of  bis  happinea 
as  openly  to  boast  of  it. 

Barbarism,  tyranny,  and  immorality  ai 
bom  and  thrive  in  unworthy  promiscuoui 
ness.  They  are  so  closely  allied,  that  it 
difficult  to  distinguish  the  mother  from  il 
offspring;  the  one  produces  and  maintaii 
the  other.  Tyranny  is  established,  ai 
subsists  by  means  of  the  barbarism  whii 
it  propagates,  and  sustains  in  its  ton 
while  immorality  necessarily  succeeds  «a 
crowns  the  work.  To  study  the  melanchd 
effects  of  this  combination  of  thèse  tfar 
éléments,  we  must  go  to  Sussia.  The  B« 
dian  does  not  understand  how  to  stop  at  ti 
ILmits  of  obédience,  he  confounds  it  wi 


mCHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  IB^ 

senilitj,  and  order  wîth  slavery;  he  sees  în 
libeialigm  a  want  of  calculation  and  good 
seose,  whenever  he  does  not  dare  to  desig- 
lUite  it  as  treason.    Few  persons  are  to  be 
found  in  Sussia  capable  of  comprehending 
that  libertj  is  a  condition  and  an  effect 
•f  the  dignit  j  of  man,  and  the  Russian  is 
generallj  ignorant  that  moral    and  civil 
courage  are  fiilly  as   diflicult  to  acquire, 
tod  equallj  as  honourable  as  purely  phy- 
fical  courage.    The  great  majority  of  Rus-- 
tm  libérais  are  merely  malcontents^  and 
tbanks  to  the  fatal  conviction  that  an  abso- 
lue Grovemment  is  the  only  Government 
vluch  is  at  présent  adapted  to  their  coun* 
ty,  enlightened  men  contrive  to  live  at 
peice  with  their  conscience.    They  will  not 
ittderstand  that  even  if  it  were  so,  it  is  the 
tttred  duty  of  an  honest  man  to  centri- 
ste, to  the  utmost  of  bis  power,  to  the 
%vead  of  civilization,  and  to  hasteu  the 
•rier  of  things,  from  which  it  necessarily 
^wrs;  for  if  a  free  Government  be  an  eflTect 


138  RUSSIA   UNDBR 

of  civilization^  it  is  likewise  a  cause  of  i 
and  I  believe  that  we  mîglit  as  well  b^ 
with  thé  one  as  with  the  oiher.  Bussia  ia 
land  of  serfs  and  men  in  office;  the  virtn 
whîcli  accompany  or  flow  from  liberty  a 
unknown  hère.  It  is  the  Grovemme 
which  makes  the  Eussian  what  he  ia^  ai 
which  ought  to  bear  the  responsibility 
ail  his  defects.  It  is  to  the  Govemmei 
much  more  than  to  the  character  of  tl 
BussianS;  that  we  must  attribuée  the  hatr< 
which  is  felt  towards  them  aâ  a  natvoi 
and  this  hatred  is  so  strong^  so  gênerai 
foreign  parts^  that  I  hâve  met  with  scm 
of  my  fellow  countrymen  who  did  not  àm 
to  confess  to  what  nation  they  belonged. 
It  is  an  error  to  believe  that  hatred 
slavery,  love  of  liberty,  and  contempt 
tyranny  are  exclusively  the  effect  of  civi] 
zation;  they  arise  solely  from  a  sentimp 
of  dignity,  and  are  met  with  among  wfm 
races,  as  well  as  among  the  most  dviliM 
people. 


NIC]QK>LAS  THE  FIRST.  )S9 


CtaAPTER  V. 


MODE  OF  LIFE. 


The  Eugsian  is  verj  sedentary^  for  the  clî- 
^^^  compels  him  to  be  so^  and  his  mail- 
la are  in  conséquence  as  indolent  as  those 
rf  the  Oriental.    He  prefers  lying  down  to 
^tandingy  and  riding  in  a  carriage  to  walk- 
iog  on  foot.    Idleness  is  a  gênerai  defect 
tf  the  naticm.    An  équipage  is  an  article 
if  the  first  necessity;  fEughion  prescribes  it 
M  a  lair^  and  the  great  distances  to  be 
tnnened  in  the  towns^  render  it  ahnost 
indiipensable;  while  the  cheapness  of  horses 
and   of  forage,  and  the   fieudlities  which 
the  noUes  hâve  of   takîng   their  coach- 


140  BUSSIA   UNDER 

men  £rom  among  their  serfs^  makes  ît  ye: 
înexpensive  to  keep  a  carnage.  Accor 
ingly,  there  is  no  gentleman^  however  smi 
his  fortune^  who  does  not  sport  a  carria^ 
and  no  wretch,  however  poor,  who  ca 
not  boast  of  a  vehicle.  The  nmnber 
carriages  on  the  public  roads  îs  therefo 
positively  countless;  but  for  that  very  re 
son  they  are  seldom  worth  looking  at,  T 
horses  are  scarcely  ever  well  matched,  a 
certainly  the  Eussian  coachmakers  canr 
yet  rival  their  foreign  neighbours. 

At  St.  Petersburg  the  number 
droshki  and  hackney  sledges  is  incalcul 
ble;  besides  those  which  are  stationed 
certain  stands^  and  which  are  the  be 
thousands  circulate  in  ail  parts  of  the  cil 
In  the  winter^  ail  the  peasants  who  hâve  : 
work  in  the  country,  corne  with  their  hoi 
and  a  wretched  sledge^  to  drive  the  inhal 
tants  of  St,  Petersburg,  on  excessive 
moderate  tenus.  There  is  not  any  fix 
scale  of  priées  for  thèse  hired  carriag 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  I4l 

wiich  gîres  occasion  to  perpétuai  disputes, 
^tercations,  and  even  blows. 

The  long  droshkî  are  the  rudest  carrîages 

ûoaginable,  the  lightest  and  the  most  in^ 

convenient.    They  consist  of  a  long  plank 

placed  on  sprîugs,  home  on  four  wheels, 

close  to  the  ground,  covered  with  a  cushion^ 

^d  flanked  with  latéral  boards^  which  afford 

t>iit  slight   protection    against   the    mud; 

^oineiîmes  there  is  a  small  seat  in  front  for 

'^c  coachman^  but  oftener  there  îs  none.   In 

**^  case  the  driver  seats  himself  astride  on 

^*^ô  droshki,  t^visting  bis  robe  round  bis 

^ffB,  and  supporting  bis  feet  by  the  side  of 

*^^   wheels,  which  splash  him  unmercifully. 

-^  Aq  master  likewise  sitting  astride^  takes 

^^  place  behind  him,  and  may,  in  case  of 

^^îessîty,  place  another    person   between 

^^^Melf  and  the  coachman.     This  man  holdg 

^^  as  tightly  as  he  can,    at  the  risk  of 

^^ing  thrown  ont  at  the  first  jerk. 

The  round  droshki  is  an  approach  towards 
^e  cabriolet.    There  are  likewise  covered 


142  'RUSSIA   UNDER 

droshki^  which  are  a  shade  more  resfiect — 
able^  but  they  are  going  more  and  more^ 
oui  ôf  fELshion^  whereas  thej  are  becoming- 
more  common  at  Berlin  and  at  Paris. 

The  houses  are  seldom  kept  in  good  con*- 
dition,  especially  in  Moscow,  and  you  are 
sm'e  of  finding  some  dirty  hole  in  almost 
ail  of  them.  Gomfort  and  élégance^  taste 
and  luxury,  are,  howerer,  making  great 
progress  in  the  fumiture.  The  number  of 
domestics  is  overwhebning;  but  they  are 
for  the  most  part  iU-fed,  ill-clad,  and  badly 
paid.  The  antechambers  are  crowded  ydÛL 
them,  and  they  contribute  rather  to  the 
iilth  than  to  the  neatness  of  the  house. 

It  is  easy  to  protect  yourself  from  the  cold 
in  Bussia,  thanks  to  the  abundance  of  fins 
and  the  cheapness  of  firewood.  St.  Petei»- 
burg  is  indebted  for  the  latter  advantage  to 
the  great  number  of  barks  which  arriye 
from  the  interior,  and  which,  when  they  are 
unloaded,  are  broken  up  to  serre  as  fael  for 
the  city.    Hence  fuel  is  only  half  as  dear 


KICHOULS   THE  FIRST.  118 

M  it  Moscowy  Tfhich  has  no  inland  naviga^ 
tkm. 

In  the  winter  the  doors  are  double,  and 

vell  listed;  tlie  stores  are  of  immense  size^ 

^  constnicted  upon  a  System  wbich  so 

i^Qghly  condenses  the  heat^  that  it  is 

ittfficient  to  make  up  a  good  fire  once  in 

^  daj  constantly  to  maintain  a  very  high 

^perature.     Borne  persons  believe  that 

^  great  beat  wbich  prevails  in  the  Bossian 

^iNuliments  is  unfaTourable  to  their  health, 

^V^dally  in  the  bed  rooms;  others  think, 

*îft  M.  Vîrey,  that  it  is  the  cause  of  their 

l^onate    dispositions!      What    is   more 

^^/oiious  to  health  than  the  beat  of  the 

^'i^itses  is  undoubtedly  the  humidity  of  the 

^'••ïdiy  tracts  wbich  surround  St.  Peters- 

^^.     It  18  presumed  to  be  the  first  cause 

^  the  ficrofulous  affections  to  wbich  the 

^^ple  are  subject. 

Ciarpets  and  chinmeys  are  a  luxury  which 
^  not  yet  become  gênerai.  The  pelisses 
^^^CMd  complète  shelter  agûnst  the  rigour 


144  RDSSIA  UNDEa 

of  the  climate  ;  whence  you  are  better  ]^ 
tected  hère  from  the  effects  of  the  severe 
frosts  than  in  other  countries^  where  i 
cold  often  takes  the  inhabitants  b j  surprL 

The  Russian  cookerj  îs  very  indigesiih 
and,  with  the  exception  of  some  disk 
cannot  be  touched  by  délicate  persons.  . 
is  therefore  banished  to  the  inferior  classe 
and  is  replaced  among  the  nobility  1 
French  cookery. 

Two  or  three  kinds  of  soups,  gruel,  u 
Russian  cakes^  are  the  only  dishes  whi 
retain  their  privilège  of  appearing  at  i 
best  tables.  Generally  speaking  peo] 
live  very  well^  and  the  meals  are  nun 
rous  and  sumptuous.  The  consumption 
Champagne  is  immense.  It  is  said  tl 
more  Champagne  is  drunk  in  Russia  than 
made  in  France;  and  the  Russian  infii 
leams  the  name  of  cliquet  at  the  same  tii 
as  the  words  father  and  mother.  This  m 
cosis,  however^  twice  as  much  as  at  Pai 
because    the  Russian   exchequer  takes 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  145 

gl«B  for  erery  one  drunk  by  a  prîvate 
person. 

The  best  Bordeaux  wines  are  sent  to 
Bnsgia;  but  Burgundy  will  uot  stand  tbe 
pwBage  by  sea.  Several  wines  of  the 
Orimea  rival  those  of  France,  and  migbt 
prore  a  great  resource,  if  proper  advantage 
were  taken  of  tbem.  Nevertheless,  the  use 
of  wme  is  not  yet  gênerai;  hwas  and  brandy 
siipply  its  place  in  modcrate  establishments. 

Tea  is  a  favourite  beverage  of  the  Bus- 
>itti8,  and  some  people  drink  it  ail  day 
^%)  just  as  the  Spaniards  do  their  choco- 
^.  A  Gennan  tourist  remarked,  that 
^'^e  civilized  Europe  loudly  calls  for 
^^  the  BuJBsian  calls  for  tea." 

TheBussians  are  much  addicted  to  smok^ 
*?,  and  their  tobacco  is  of  a  pretty  good 
^^tjr,  the  excise  not  having  yet  interfered 
^h  it.  The  young  men  carry  the  mania 
*  smokinfi^  to  a  great  excess,  and  bave 
^ts  in  their  service,  specially  appointed  to 
'^  and  light  their  pipes.    K  the   master 

VOL.  I.  L 


146  RUSSIA   UNDER 

enters,  or  rings  his  bell,  they  do  not  a; 
what  he  wants,  but  immedîately  liasten 
hîm  with  his  pipe  and  light.  Formel 
there  was  much  ostentation  displayed 
their  pipes^  and  in  the  amber  mouth-piecc 
now  quantity  has  supplanted  quality;  ai 
the  cigar  is  already  beginning  to  assert  h 
rîght  over  the  pipe. 

The  vapour  baths  are  nearly  the  same  9k 
they  hâve  been  from  time  immémorial 
they  are  at  once  a  luxm*y  and  a  pleasure 
promotiug  eleanliness  and  health.  The  a» 
of  lînen  is  not  so  gênerai  as  might  b 
desired  ;  nay^  it  is  still  a  mark  of  distinctîoi 
of  the  higher  ranks.  Many  persons  change 
ît  only  when  they  go  to  the  baths — once 
or  at  most,  twice  a  week. 

*'  So  you  put  on  clean  linen  erery  day, 
said  a  Kussian  officer  to  his  comrade,  wb 
had  been  accustomed  to  Parisian  habiti 
*'  And  you  ?"  inquired  the  latter.  "  I  kee 
that  for  fcJaturday,"  replied  the  other^  wîi 
great  naïveté.     In  faet  there  arc  peiBoa 


NICH0LA8   THE   FIRST.  lé? 

wio  prefer  coloured  linen,  because  it  ig, 
^  liable  to  become  dirtj^  or  at  least  to 
-^ppearao. 

Cards  are  the  usiud  resource  and  amuser 
>B^  of  the  Busaians^  and  fiU  up  their 
c^enings  more  than  dancing  and  conver- 
sation. Whist  and  Préférence  bave  super- 
^ed  Pharao  and  Lansquenet;  and  the  cvvtI 
^^fficers^  in  particular,  bave  acquired  great 
^  in  thèse  games. 

Bconomy  is   a   thing  unknown  to   the 

^ïïsaians  ;  they  are  either  covetous  or  avar 

^ons,  and  the  former  more  often  than  the 

^^r.  Some  merchants  deprive  themselves 

^eTery  pleasure  in  life  to  hoard  up  their 

'^^th,  and  succeed  thereby,  rather  than 

y^  ^uccessful  spéculations^  in  amassing  im- 

^^îse  fortunes,  which  the  sons  squander 

^^^y  more  rapidly  than  their  fatbérs  baye 

*^^uired  them. 

^ïhe  nobles,  on  the  contrary,  generally 
^^^  fer  beyond  their  income,  and  conse- 
^^«ntiy  contract  immense  debts,  of  which 

L  2 


148  RUSSIA  UNDER 

they  defer  the  pajment  till  the  time  < 
their  marriage,  or  theîr  promotion  în  il 
service.  It  is  considered  fashionable^  an 
a  mark  of  good  breeding,  to  get  into  del 
and  to  send  the  creditors  about  the 
business  if  they  venture  to  apply  for  the 
due.  The  public  service  créâtes  a  ih 
of  right  in  this  respect,  by  securing  ti 
military  and  civil  officers  against  certa 
légal  annoyances;  and,  accordingly,  thei 
is  no  country  in  the  world  where  it  is  moi 
difficult  to  get  paid,  and  where  crédit  is  les 
extended.  Those  who  are  wise  withdnw 
betimes  to  their  estâtes,  in  order  to  repaî 
the  breaches  which  a  résidence  in  the  ca 
pital  bas  made  in  their  fortunes. 

The  nobleman  may  choose  between  a 
tering  the  public  service,  living  on  h 
estâtes,  and  goîng  on  foreign  travel.  E 
who  enters  the  service  must  renounce  a 
individuality  and  independence,  arm  hin 
self  with  patience,  indifférence,  and  inseï 
sibility,  and  hope  for  promotion  onlj  t 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  149 

persévérance  in  aJl  thèse  melancholy  élé- 
ments of  success.  He  must  alwajs  flatter 
*ûd  cringe,  but  never  complain  ;  still  less 
^y  he  allow  himself  to  hâve,  or  to  give,  an 
opinion  of  hîs  own. 

Ifo  person  can  réside  at  St.  Petersburg 
^ithout  being  in  the  service,  at  least  for 
forin's  sake — that  is  to  say,  without  being 
^scribed  in  some  branch  of  the  Administra- 
^on;  but  in  the  Provinces  it  is  extremely 
^ifficult  to  escape  serving  in  élective  offices. 
The  life  of  the  landowner  is  monotonouâ 
^^  insipid  in  the  extrême  ;  winter  espe- 
^^^î^y  is  insupportable  in  the  country,  and 
^^etybody  in  tolerable  circumstances  spends 
^*  ^t  Moscow,  or  at  least  in  the  capital  of 
*^  province,  where  he  has  the  resource  of 
^^bs,  of  some  balls  given  by  the  nobility, 
*^^  of  gambling.  The  country  seats  lie  very 
^^^ttered,  and  their  owners  see  each  other 
"^t  seldom,  and  whenever  they  do  meet^ 
^^y  always  pass  several  days  togethen 
^^^nting  and  fishing  parties  are  rare  ;  the 


150  RDSSIA   UNDER 

newspapers  go  round  in  a  limîted  circle,  i 
conversation  languishes  or  toms  onlj 
nninteresting  subjects. 

The  most  civilized^  the  most  diseontenl 
or  the  most  wealthy,  go  to  amnse  or 
console  themselves  in  foreign  countr 
where  a  résidence  seldom  fails  to  be 
great  advantage  to  their  mînds^  e 
though,  on  their  retum,  they  résume  tl 
former  habits. 

Travelling  is,  however,  often  resoried 
by  the  Eussians  as  a  source  of  econo 
as  well  as  of  luxury  ;  but  this  does  not  j 
vent  the  Czar  from  using  every  effort 
his  power  to  hinder  the  visits  of  his  suljc 
to  foreign  countries,  The  difficultés  wl 
he  throws  in  their  way  enhance  the  tei 
tation,  and  the  émigration  of  the  Rus6 
nobles  bas  become  quite  systematic.  Tl 
save  up  money  only  that  they  may  be  a 
to  go  abroad,  where  they  remain  till  tii 
resources  are  wholly  exhausted,  or  tîll 
expiration  of  the  term  for  which  their  pi 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST,  161 

port  is  granted^   \tz.,  five   years  for  the 

Jw>bleinan,  and  three  years  for  the  citizen. 

^  latter  is  presumed  to  be  more  diligent 

or  more  dexterous  in  his  affairs^  or  to  hâve 

^^  important  business  than  the  nobleman, 

^^0;  in  fact^  has  no  business  save  his  plea- 

^^e.    The  mania  for  travelling  is  stronger 

^  the  courtiers  than  their  complaisance  for 

**^€ir  Sovereign — ^nay,    the    Grand    Duke 

Mjchael  himself  said,  that  if  he  were  merely 

^  Sossian  gênerai^  he  would  not  fail  to  go 

*o  Paris. 

The  life  of  the  merchant  is  very  différent 
^^01  that  of  the  nobleman.  He  plays  at 
^'^iUights  instead  of  cards^  rides  in  a  car 
^^••tead  of  a  chariot^  and  has  the  liberty  to 
^^^  a  long  beard^  an  omament  whieh  uq 
^bleman  is  permitted  to  indulge  in.  He 
^  lûthful  to  the  Bussian  cookery^  drinka 
^^  ehampagne^  and  sips  his  tea  in  the 
•Micer  instead  of  the  cup.  He  employa 
l^B  soperâuous  wealth  in  omamenting  the 
^'^M^  of  bis  patron  saint^  and  in  adom- 


152  RUSSIA   UNDER 

ing  hîs  wife;  tbe  whole  in  the  worst  tafiU 
imaginable.  His  children  hâve  notliin;. 
more  at  heart  than  to  throw  aside  the  ne 
tional  costume^  and  to  dress  like  petiZ 
maitres. 

The  vanity  of  the  peasant  is  displayed 
the  omaments  of  his  cottage.  The  Ses 
sian  huts  hâve  a  great  resemblance  to  til 
Swiss  cottages;  the  handsomest  are  tw 
stories  in  height,  and  are  covered  with  j 
great  profusion  of  carvings  in  wood,  anC 
sometimes  they  are  painted  with  verybrilliaiif 
colours.  Those  peasants  who  are  in  toler- 
able  circumstances  préserve  very  great 
neatness  in  the  interior  of  their  dwellings, 
and  this  extends  even  to  the  TarracaiM^ 
which  a  popular  préjudice  has  stamped  ai 
guests  that  bring  good  fortune.  The  stoT€ 
and  the  bed  are  curions  articles;  the  formfli 
occupies  the  middle^  or  the  largest  part  od 
the  room^  and  the  bed  is  a  wooden  stagi 
on  tressels,  and  forms  a  kind  of  second 
ceiling  where  the  whole  family  sleeps,*  naj 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  153 

sometiffles  several  familles  sleep  under  the 
«une  roof,  by  the  side  of  each  other. 

TheEussian  peasant  likes  to  marry  while 

yonng;  indeed  a  wife  is  indispensable  to 

lûm.    She  is  bis  workwoman,  bis  servant^ 

*nd  his  bousekeeper.    He  does  not  abso* 

fetelyinsist  on  ber  virtue,  and  bence  the 

young  villagers  almost  always  bave  lovers 

l^fore  tbey  bave  a  husband.      There  is 

8omething  extremely  pleasing  and  delight* 

^  in  the  politeness  and  candour  of  a  Bus- 

rian^peasant;  he  saintes  ail  he  meets,  and 

^  a  kind  word  for  everybody.    K  he  finds 

*  ixian  at  work,  he  says  '^May  God  assist 

J^nÇ'  and  if  he  sees  any  one  eating,  he 

^es  "Bread  and  sait!" 

On  holidays  the  villages  présent  a  very 

^'^û[^ted    appearance,    the    people    dress 

**^^5i8elves  in  their  best,  the  grey  caftan 

^   ^perseded  by  the  blue,  and  the  bark 

S^Sings  are  laid  aside  for  the  boot  or  shoe. 

*^^  women  pnt  on  their  smartest  cap,  or 


154  BUSSIA   UNDER 

chacot  of  stuff^  more  or  less  fine,  om^ 
mented  with  ribbons  and  beads. 

The  assembled  population  amuse  tbeiz 
selves  with  singing  and  dancing,  to  whid 
gambling  is  sometimes  added.  The  spngf 
are  of  a  rather  melancholy  east,  and  of  a» 
equivocal  character,  but  the  choruses  M 
very  agreeable. 

The  ha-lor-laîka  supersedes  the  guitai 
as  an  accompaniment  both  to  the  voice  and 
the  dance^  in  which  the  heels  and  arms  oi 
the  perfonners  act  the  principal  part.  Thi 
garciïke  is  a  very  gênerai  and  very  inno* 
cent  game;  the  dancers  arrange  thernselvoi 
in  two  rows  behind  each  other,  the  mei 
giving  their  hands  to  the  women.  At  tlM 
head  is  the  principal  person,  who  harns^  u 
it  is  called,  and  hence  the  name  given  ti 
this  game.  The  last  couple  séparâtes  and 
runs  forward,  he  who  burns  must  endeavoia 
to  catch  the  woman  before  her  partner^  il 
he  succeeds,  the  latter  takes  bis  place,  nà 
so  on. 


NICH0LA8   THE   FIRST.  15S 

^  fiosgian  mountains  afford  a  never* 

cndingdiversîonînthedepthofwmter.  They 

w  bnilt  by  the  street  boys  with  the  first  ice, 

«rfdaring  the  camiyal,  are  erected  even  in 

*fcc  capital  towDB  for  the  use  of  the  populace. 

At  Master,  when  the  ice  has  disappeared, 

^7  are  made  of  wood.     The  hou  ton  hâve 

Diountains  of  their  own  at  St.  Petersburg, 

^^h  they  call  JEnglishy  because  an  English 

«uh  bas  the  direction  of  them. 

T^e  Easter  holidays  are  celebrated  in  a 

^^tgular  manner^  and  continue  at  least  for  a 

^^k,which  is  called  Holy  week.  The  people 

^^  greet  each  other^according  to  establish* 

^  ciistom,  and  embrace  three  times;  som^ 

^^^ver,  do  not  content  themselves  with 

^^ercising  their  privilège  on  their  acquaint^ 

^ces^bot  sélect  pretty  women  in  préférence^ 

^bo  cannot  refuse  with  a  good  grace^  unless 

tikey  belong  to  a  higher  dass  of  society, 

where  foreign  manners  hâve  acquired  an 

aseendancy  over  the  national  usages  and 

lefigious  habits.     The  Ëmperor  embracea 


166  RUSSU  UNDER 

ail  his  courte  and  ail  the  officers  of  Û 
guard^.on  the  first  day  of  the  holidays,  an 
the  Empress  allows  them  to  kiss  her  hani 
On  thèse  occasions  it  is  the  custom  to  sa. 
"Christ  is  risen/*  and  to  answer,  "Eiai 
indeed!"  One  day,  when  the  Emper 
]!^icholas  thus  saluted  a  Jewish  sentin^ 
the  latter  replied,  '^It  is  a  terrible  lie 
The  Czar  very  considerately  ordered  th 
the  Jews  should  not  again  be  made  < 
mount  guard  on  those  days. 

Painted  eggs  and  imitations  of  tha 
in  china^  sugar,  and  wax,  are  offered  an 
received  in  profusion.  The  people  amnï 
themselves  in  breaking  them,  one  agaioi 
the  other,  and  making  them  roll  in  tubes 
the  winner  in  the  first  case  is  he  whose  eg 
breaks  the  other;  and,  in  the  latter,  he  wl 
touches  it. 

Sussia  is  very  rich  in  game  of  eve: 
kind,  and  the  chase  is  excessively  eas 
with  the  exception  however  of  bear-hontiii 
which  is  as  dangerous  as  it  is  divertin 


mCHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  157 

This  animal,  which  îs  pecuKarly  national, 

lus  rerj  singular  habits,  with  which  the 

uttires  are  perfectlj  acquainted.      He  is 

wy  fond  of  wheat,   and  often  goes  into 

Ae  fields  by  night.     The  strawberry  is  his 

fiiTourite  fruit,  and  more  than  one  woman 

^  foond  herself  face  to  âu^e  with  a  bear 

^e  gathering  strawberries.      A  woman 

^  once  surprised  at  seeing  a  bear  just 

^Çposite     to     her,    she    was    excessively 

I     ^uarmed,  and  gave  him  a  violent  blow  on 

I      *ke  head  with  her  basket.    The  beast,  taken 

I      V  surprise,  was  seized  with  a  panic  terror, 

\      ^<i  fled  as  fast  as  he  could.     It  is  said  that 

*®  Iras  found  dead  at  some  leagues'  dis- 

^t,  and  this  is  by  no  means  improbable, 

^^   other  facts  of  the   same  nature  prove 

^^t  this  animal  is  subject  to  sudden  ter- 

^^  which  are  capable  of  causing  his  death. 

In  winter  the  bear  covers  himself  with 

^^^  leaves,  and  remains  lying  on  the  same 

**^^,  sncking  his  paws,  which  in  fact  is  ail 

'*M  noorishment  he  gets.    A  solitary  pea- 


158  RUSSIA   UNDER 

sant  sometimes  Tentures  to  atia<^  tfais  ani 
mal^  armed  only  with  his  huhting  knift 
He  quietly  allows  him  to  place  his  bùm 
paws  on  his  shoulders,  in  order  the  mo2 
easily  to  plunge  the  knife  into  his  be& 
At  other  times,  two  men  go  together^  aruM 
>vith  forks,  and  seek  out  the  bear  in  li 
retreat.  They  salute  him  in  a  firiend 
manner,  call  him  by  his  name^  Michael,  mu 
walk  composedly  for  some  way  by  his  sidi 
Suddenly^  onc  of  them  makes  a  movemea 
as  if  to  attack  the  beast,  which  instantl^ 
falls  upon  him,  leaving  his  side  exposed  t* 
the  other  hunter,  who  plmiges  his  fork  intc 
his  loins,  and  mth  the  assistance  of  ik 
comrade  easily  overpowers  him. 

Sometimes  the  bear  is  taken  by  meau 
of  hîs  defects,  which  are  obstinacy  and  glut 
tony;  snares  of  this  kind  are  particnlaii,^ 
snccessfol  with  the  cubs.  Thus  far  in 
stance,  balls  stuck  mth  nails  are  thrown  s 
them  which  thcy  persist  in  endeavouring  i 
cnish^  and  the  more  pain  the  nails  giti 


NICUOLAS   THE   FIRST.  159 

tfcem,  the  doser  they  drive  them  into  their 
piws;  or  a  barrel  smeared  with  honey  is 
tbownto  them,  which  easily  sticks  fast  to 
titeir  head,  and  they  are  thus  taken  alive  by 
tlie  hontsman. 

When  the  bear  is  wounded,  he  becomes 

^onsy  breaks  the  trees,  or  if  there  arc 

Mne,  tears  up  heaps  of  earth,  which  he 

tosses  into  the  air.    Whenever  he  throws 

^wn  a  man,  he    cleaves   his   skull,  and 

^nsequently,  if  any  one  is  so  unfortunate 

••  to  be  without  defence,  he  takes  care 

^  &11  before  him  in  such  a  manner  as  to 

*%>8e  the  less  noble  part  of  his  body  to 

*"^  bear's  claws. 

W'olves  are  very  common,  in  conséquence 

the  want  of  regular  battues,  but  in  the 

^^em  provinces,  which  are  the  most  void 

^ood,  they,  as  well  as  the  bears,  are 

,    ^oming  more  and  more  scarce.    They  are 

^^ensive  and  timid  in  summer,  but  in 

^^ter  they  approach  the   dwellings   and 

^^^^  man  and  beast.    They  always  fall 


160  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

upon  the  latter  raiher  than  upon  the  forn 
and  above  all^  devour  anj  of  tlieir  < 
troop  that  are  killed  or  wounded.  ! 
parts  whîch  thej  prefer^  are  the  calves 
men  and  the  breasts  of  women.  They 
attracted  bj  the  squeaking  of  a  pig, 
whenever  a  peasant  goes  out  to  hunt  th 
he  fastens  sucking  pigs  to  his  trainei 
whose  squeaking  allures-  them. 

The  moorcock  îs  the  principal  gam< 
Bussia^  which  it  never  leaves^  and  i< 
hunted  both  in  winter  and  summer. 
winter,  a  sort  of  tent  of  boughs  is  buih 
the  forest,  at  the  top  of  which  the  spo 
men  place   impaled  cocks,  that  serve 
attract   the  game.      The  habits  of  il 
birds   deserve    to  be   attentively  stud 
They  hâve  scouts  which  wam  the  banc 
the  approach  of  the  hunter^  upon  wl 
they  instantly  flee  away,  but  do  not 
they  hâve  leaders,  which  are  the  oldest 
most  experienced  among  them,  and  wl 
it  is  extremely  difficult  to  kill,  for  they 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  161" 

the  last  that  suffer  themselves  to  be  caught 
in  the  twp  of  the  impaled  cock. 

^e  deaf  heath  cock  is  two  or  three  iimes 

M  large  as  the  common  cock.    It  is  re- 

DïArkable  that  he  îs  deaf  only  while  he  is 

crowing^  and  that  as  soon  as  he  stops^  the 

^htest  noise  scares  him  away.    The  hun- 

^  is  therefore  obliged  to  attack  him  while 

^6  is  actually  crowing  ;  as  long  as  it  lasts 

^  is  quite  at  liberty,  and  may  even  miss 

^  bird  without  being  heard;  but  he  must 

^frain  firom  the  slightest  movement  when 

^^  cock  is  silent. 

3lie  woodcock  is  foimd  in  great  profusion 

^  ^ussia,  and  the  snipe  exists  in  ail  its 

^*ieties.    The  red  partridge  and  the  phea- 

^^t  are  met  with  only  in  the  south^  and 

^^  very  numerous  in  the  Gaucasus.    The 

^te  partridge  is  as  common  as  the  grey; 

'^^  there  is  an  abundance  of  hares  and 

^Xes,  whereas  rabbits  and  goats  are  ex- 

*^^mely  rare. 

TOU I.  M 


162  BUS8LL  UNDSa 


Chapter  VI. 

THE  RUSSIAN  GOVERNMENT. 

The  distinctive  characteristics  of 
Russian  Groyemment  are  despotism  i 
rapacity.  It  has  never  ccmceiyed  the  i 
sibiliiy  of  reîgning  without  oppression; 
has  it  been  able  to  comprehénd  that  g 
tieness  secures  tiiie  happiness  of  the  pec 
and  the  security  of  the  Govemment^  m 
than  crnelty^  which  in  Sussia^  is  called , 
severity,  while  tyianny  is  confounded  i 
power. 

The  Emperor  !Nficholas  is  the  dedi 
enemy  of  liberty,  and  his  entire  pdiç 
concentrated  to  persécute  it  to  the  atoQ 


NICHOLAS    THE   FIRST.  163 

He  believes  that  liberty  îs  équivalent  to 

discorder,  and  cannot  comprehend  that  order 

<3umoi  exist  withont  it^  and  that  there  are 

^  abuses  of  power  under  the  regimen  of 

sltvery.     IN^ieholas    has  stifled  lihertj  in 

I^ûland;  and  has  done  everything  he  can  to 

^nish  it  in  Bnssia.     In  a  letter  which  he 

^ïrte  to  the  Emperor  of  Austria,  at  the 

^ning  of  the  second  campaign  in  Turkey, 

^  told  him^  that  ''in  order  to  assist  him 

%%inst  liberalkm^  which  was  raising  its 

^^td  even  at  the  foot  of  thrones,  and  which 

^  deplored  as  mnch  as  himself^  it  was  ne- 

^^^aary  that  Francis  U.  should  not  encou* 

'^e  the  résistance  of  tiie   Sultan,  which 

''^iiired  the  employment  of  aU  the  forces 

^  Itussia.** 

^^Rieii  win  soyereigns  be  convinced  that 

^^!^  inierests,  and  those  of  their  peopl^ 

^•^  identîcal  ?    That  without  liberty  there 

^  ^teHher  wealth  nor  civilization  ?    That  to 

^"Kppreas  it  is  to  commit  robbery,  and  that 

^  give  it  is  to  acquire  the  highest  title  to 

m2 


164  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

renown,  and  to  the  gratitude  of  the  wot) 
It  is  not  necessary  to  be  a  Washington  f 
the  accomplîshment  of  this;  it  is  qui 
enough  to  be  an  honest  well-intentiom 
man.  It  is  the  duty  of  a  Groremment,  n 
only  not  to  restrict  the  liberty  of  its  peqpl 
but  to  elevate  them^  and  qualify  them  f 
the  enjoyment  of  it.  Nicholas  often  mak 
a  show  of  frankness  ;  he  says  that  ''a  co 
stitutional  govemment  is  répugnant  to  1 
honourable  feelings,  because  it  commao 
plots  and  intrigues,  of  which  he  d: 
approves."  What  is  there  in  this  to  a 
for  our  admiration?  The  frankness 
despotism  is  only  the  impudence 
vice. 

The  peculations  of  persons  in  office  a 
beyond  ail  conception.  AU  the  functio 
aries^  high  and  low,  steal  openly  and  ifiJ 
impunity,  from  the  amunition  to  the  t 
tiens  of  the  soldiers  and  the  medidnea 
the  hospitals.  Will  it  be  belieyed  that  th* 
actually  conceal  the  number  of  men  irl 


NIGH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  165 

&11  in  everj  action  till  the  end  of  the 

eampaign,  and  thus  continue  to  receive  the 

pt)yiâions   and  equipment  of    those  who 

bre  disappeared  firom  the  ranks,  but  who 

Bevertheless  remain  on  the  lists  till  the 

^d  of  the  war  ?    In  the  Caucasus^  where 

hostilities  are  incessant^    this  abuse   had 

risen  to  an  enormous  excess;  the  ranks 

were  thinned^  yet  the  lists  were  full,  as 

^  were  the  pockets  of  the  officers'*'. 

The  captain  lires  on  his  squadron  or  his 
cwnpany;  the  colonel  on  his  régiment;  the 
S^nend  on  his  brigade;  and  so  on.  On 
giving  up  the  command  of  his  corps,  the 
S^i^eral  cornes  to  an  understanding  with 
'^  successor^  and  nothing  more  is  saidf . 

*  hi  1813  and  1814,  Colonel  P.  took  care  to  indicate 
'"'^^^  the  dead,  the  soldiers  who  prépare  the  gniel  for 
^^  comrades,  because  they  cany  the  iron  pots  used 
^  ^hia  pnrpose  about  with  them,  the  loss  of  which  it 
^  ^^^ceitary  to  replace;  ail  this  was  so  much  gain  for 
/^  insatiable  chief,  who  had  besides  acquired  a  large 
***«>»»€  with  his  wife. 

>   Eadeayonrs  are  now  being  made  to  remedy  thèse 


166  RUSSIA  UNDEE 

The  officers  of  police  who  receive  salaria 
of  1000  francs,   hâve   doaks  mnd  han» 
worth  manj  thonsand  rubles.    The  hea^ 
of  the  police  hâve  houses,  and  thc  goter- 
nors  hôtels.    Persons  in  office  make  their 
fortunes  much  quicker  in  Enssia  than  ii^ 
other  countries,  and  in  some  department^ 
sooner  than  in  others.    One  hand  washes 
the  other.      The    officers,  high  and  low, 
share  their  gains,  and  woe  to  him  who  shaU 
prétend   to  act   with   probity;    the  poor 
innocent  sheep  would  speedily  be  devoured 
hy  thèse  rapacious  wolves. 

By  the  aid  of  money  the  worst  cam» 
are  gained  in  the  trîbunals,  and  money  irill 
purchase  indemnities  for  every  crime.  Does 
any  one  désire  to  institute  a  law  suitf 
He  does  not  inquire  whether  he  has  better 
rights  than  his  adversary,  but  merély  ex- 
amines whether  he  is  richer.     In  that  ca0€^ 

aliiiies,  by  depriyiog  the  mflitarj  chîefii  of  «YcrjtiHig 
relative  to  the  administration  of  the  corps»  md  toi 
it  to  a  q>ecial  commission. 


KIGHOLAS   IHE   FIRST.  167 

teing  certain  of  having  the  judges  on  ïm 
Âle^  he  proceeds  to  act.  The  Emperor 
^imàf  déclares  that  he  is  powerlei»  againgt 
^  scourge^  and  it  ia  well  for  him  if  his 
^nm  fortune  is  not  stolen*. 

0&  the  other  hand,  he  has  confiscated 
^  estâtes  of  the  Pôles  for  the  benefit  of 
tiie  Crown,  and  this  refinement  of  cruelty 

*  Dnriog  my  stay  ai  Berlin,  a  characterlstic  anec- 
*^  vas  în  circulation. 

^  Emperor,  dnnag  one  of  bis  yiaits  to  that  capital» 

ttowed  Prince  Angustuf  a  tauff-box,  which  fais  Majetty 

^<ied  for  M.  Kriiger,  and  which  the  Prince  greatly 

^îred.     After  it  had  been  gîven  to  the  artiat,  bis 

^^  Highoeas  expretsed  a  inab  to  aee  it  again^  and 

^^  was  bîi  surprise  on  finding  a  very  ordinary  snuff- 

^  ÎQ  place  of  the  one  which  had  been  shown  him. 

^  'poke  of  ît  to  the  Emperor,  who,  perceiving  that  he 

^  l>«en  robbed,  replied  that  be  sboald  bave  toc  nrach 

^  if  he  aUempted  to  eradicate  this  vice. 

"^îs  did  not  prevent  the  dégradation  and  banishment 

^e  contractors,  who  bad   so   badly  provided  the 


— I  corps  at  the  renews  of  Karlîecb,  in  ISS^yaad 
^^•^ardf  Prince  D  was  deprived  of  bis  epaa- 

?^^  as  aid-de-camp  to  the  Emperor  in  the  Caucasus, 
.     ^li  were  bestowed  on  his  brother-in-law,  the  Baron 


168  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

cannot  be  jostified  in  our  daj 
Oejelinsliky  made  a  trade  even  i 
Emperor's  signature.  He  was  att 
of  the  Ohancerj  of  the  Commi 
Ministers^  and,  on  the  receipt  o 
bribes,  efiaced  or  altered  the  Impe 
cisions  which  were  written  in  pen< 
was  informed  against  bj  a  clerk  w 
had  dismissed,  and  was  accordingl 
moned  by  the  Emperor,  who  promig 
he  would  be  lenient  to  him  if  he  c< 
his  crime.  He  did  so,  and  was  bro 
trial,  but  when  before  the  Court,  hc 
the  confession  which  he  had  n 
Kicholas.  He  was  degraded  to  the 
a  private  soldier,  upon  which  the  E 
jielding  to  a  culpable  weakness,  h 
admitted  into  the  14th  class,  in  c 
enable  him  to  enjoy  the  property  w 
had  amassed  so  illegally.  Since  tl 
the  décisions  of  the  Emperor,  wr 
pencil,  are  covered  with  a  kînd  of 
which  prevents  their  being  altered. 


NICHOLAS    THE   FIRST.  169 

The  main  spring  and  sole  object  of  the 

Eussian  Govemment  is  îts   own  interest  ; 

the  happiness  of  the  people  it  regards  as 

tf  secondarj  importance.    Their  physical 

wants  are  ail  that  it  endeavours  to  provide 

foT,  and  as  this  is  impossible,  without  the 

dvilization  which  it  dreads,  because  it  does 

Aotcomprehend  it,  it  finds  itself  condemned 

to  the  pnnishment  of  the  Danaids.    *' What 

I  désire  above  ail  things/'  said  the  Emperor 

^cholas,  "is  to  secure  the  tranquiUity  of 

^J^son's  reign  :  "  and  this  son,  on  hastening 

to  meet  and  congratulate  him  on  having 

^sc^d   the    mjsterious    musket-shot    at 

^csen,  which,  according  to  aU  appearances, 

^X'oceeded  from  a  carriage  in  his  own  suite, 

*lie  Czar  reprimanded  him  severely.    "  We 

ïïiTistnot>"  said  he,  ''make  the  people  en- 

^rtain  the  idea  that  it  is  possible  to  fire  at 

the  Czar." 

One  daj  Count  Benkendorf  said  to  the 

l^Uflôan  author  B >  whom  he  lectured 

for  a  patriotic  article,  "  You  must  not  instil 


170  RUSSIA   UNDER 

such  notions  înto  the  people  :  thej  are  the 
cattle  which  serve  to  draw  the  car/* 

In  this  GoYemment  the  Emperor  n 
everjthing  :  ail  moyes  and  livea  only 
through  him.  From  the  colonr  ù£  a  dres 
and  the  button  of  a  eoat^  to  the  moit 
complex  law-suit;  everything  passes^  cr 
is  supposed  to  pass  through  his  banda,  aai 
nothîng  can  be  done  without  his  orders  oa 
his  sanction.  His  interests  ooght  to  b« 
the  rule  and  the  primary  duty  of  erei^ 
person  in  his  service^  and  the  Bnssian  Qam 
vemment  bas  the  simplicitj  to  write  ai  tl^ 
head  of  its  législation  :  the  Emperor  of  a^ 
the  Sossias  is  an  autocrat  monarch,  irhos 
power  is  unlimited.  Grod  himself  orden  ^ 
to  obey  his  suprême  will,  not  only  froca 
fear,  but  from  conviction. — Bwod.,  voL  M 
sec.  i.,  art.  1  *. 


*  The  caCechwin  used  in  the  Polîsh  prorincei 
of  tbe  homage  paid  to  the  £m|>eror  :  it  mys,  that  **  People 
must  submit  to  the  decrees  of  his  justice»  accordiof  ^ 
the  ezample  of  Christ,  who  died  upoB  the  croak"    tf* 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  171 

•*  Hie  power  of  the  Goveminent,"  qmjs 

^  artide  of  the  same  code,  ^^  belongs,  in 

ît»  fbll  extent,  to  the  GrOTenunent.*'    It  is 

the  GoTemment  which  makes  and  whidh 

dnDges  tiie  laws.    The  60th  article  lajs 

^  down  as  a  mle^  that  the  lawB  haye  no  re- 

^lûspectÎTe  force^  but  the  following  article 

^xcepts  ail  those  in  which  it  is  expressly 

'(iied  ibat  thej  api^j  to  times  anterior  to 

^  publication.    The  70th  article  formallj 

'dftes^  that  '^  ererj  distmct  or  spécial  ukase, 

^^ying  to  a  certain  cause,  or  to  a  certain 

^^^der  of  things,  deprires  the  gênerai  laws 

^  their  force  for  thèse  saine  causes;"  and 

îfc  Bààa,  that  ^privilèges  granted  bj  the 

Ikiiperor  to  indiTiduab  or  to  societies,  may 

^onAaîn  clauses   contnij  to  the  gênerai 

lam^  which  lose  ail  their  effeci  as  far  as 

&06e  cases  are  concemed.'^       Everjday 

«xeeptions  to  the  gênerai  laws  pass  under 

iiUMennais  excTaimed  on  this  snbject,  '*Itlia8l>eeii. 
pMilo  tbit  man  to  cnkfg»  tke  Himts  of  bkfphemy T 


172  RUSSIA  UNDER 

the  egis  of  thèse  words,  ^^  ne  v  prit 
drougnim,''  without  application  to  o1 
cases.  Tjranny  bas  never  held  more  6 
language^  nor  shewn  less  reserve  in  pla 
expressing  her  meaning  ;  far  from  blosl 
at  herself^  she  belieyes,  and  would  hâve 
to  believe^  that  she  is  the  guardian  ai 
of  Eussia. 

The  interest  of  the  Sovereign  is  the  • 
which  runs  through  the  labyrinth  of  I 
sian  législation.  It  is  this  which 
Govemors  of  the  Provinces  are  to  att 
to  in  the  first  place:  the  interest  of 
country  is  a  secondary  considération.  ' 
censorship  is  enjoined  to  attend  to  it  al 
ail  things.  In  the  churches^  the  Emp 
is  placed  on  an  equality  with  God.  ' 
Czar  is  prayed  for  more  than  the  hm 
race  and  the  spread  of  the  Grospel 
Christ;  and  the  liberty  of  religion  is 
scribed  in  the  laws,  only  that  (xod  ma] 
prayed  to  for  the  happiness  of  the  S( 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  173 

fâigDy  in  ail  langnages  and  according  to 
*D  religious  forma*. 

The  judicîal   power  appertains    to  the 

Ctar  as  much  as  the  législative  and  the 

executive.     The    Emperor    may    suspend, 

^^•^     modify,  revise,  or  quash  every  kind  of  sen- 

^ce^  ndtigate  or  aggravate  a  punishment, 

*nd  unhappily,  Nicholas  more  frequently 

^"ses  the  latter  than  the  former  of  thèse 

privilèges.    Prescription  is  a  mère  illusion. 

^ai'on  B— ,  an  aid-de-camp  of  General 

^^^bitsch  was  recommended  to  the  Czar  by 

**^^  Field  Marshal,  respecting    an    affair 

^^^ch  had  been  terminated  more  than  fif- 

^^^n  years  before,  and  the  Emperor  ordered 

drocL,  Tol.  I»  art.  45.     '*  Religious  liberty  is  given 

^^^*t  only  to  Christians  of  différent  sectsi  but  also  to  the 

^wi,  the   Mahometans»  and  the  heathens,  in   order 

^^t  ail  nations  residing  in  Russia,  may  glorify  Almighty 

^^od  in  their  différent  languages,  according  to  the  law 

^^d  the  rite  of  their  ancestors,  blesstng  the  reign  ofthe 

^"^lumau  mùnarchsy  and  imploring  the  Creator  of  the 

^^▼«rse  to  mertoH  theproêpêrUy  and  thê  power  of  thê 


megal^   because   they  ha 
courtesans,  and  the  persoi 
this  estate  at  the  auction 
ii  without  any  indemnifical 
The  Czar  is  Président  o 
the  Empire,  but  hia  Tote  i 
oued  as  two  when  there  is  a 
avails  even  against  the  m 
great  that  may  be.    The  w: 
dl  has  no  effect  except  it  be 
is  sufficient  for  one  membe 
opinion^  at  variance  with  th 
Enq^ror  to    give  it    the 
*^There  is  no  evil  without  a 
say  the  Sussians^  who  find 
every  abuse;  and  whenp.vpi- 


NICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  176 

M  difficolt 7  in  finding  at  least  one  voice^  ta 
i^resB  ibe  opinion  which  he  desires  tô  pre- 

^llere  is  no  law  in  Sussia,"  sajs  Pusch- 
kn;  ^the  law  is  nailed  to  a  atake^  and  tbat 
Éàe  wean  a  crown«"  The  Snssian  lawyers 
We  no  idea  of  justice^  and  magistrales  do 
lotbelieve  in  the  sanctity  of  the  law.  There 
M  as  manj  lawa  as  there  maj  be  particular 
enea,  whence  the  Kiissian  l^islation  is  as 
éuiàe  as  the  conscience  of  a  jesnist.  There 
iK  no  laws  in  Bussia:  there  are  onlj  ordi^ 
H&oes^  nkaseSy  emanating  from  the  caprice 
tf  the  master^  or  dictated  hy  isolated  cir- 
citttanceSy  and  such  decrees  do  not  ment 
^Bame  of  laws,  save  when  thej  hâve  the 
^  of  snch*.  Law  has  a  moral  and  rea- 
^tftaUe  baas;  it  flows  from  acknowledged 

*  llie  Empress,  Catherine  II.,  haying  convoked  De- 
Vfc  to  prooeed  to  draw  up  a  code  of  la¥r8,  one  of  them 
'M^icd  if  there  would  be  anj  ukases,  and  being  answeied 
atbeiffinnatiTe,  exclaimed,  that  ''In  that  case  there 
^  Dothing  to  be  done,**  and  immediately  retumed  to 
**  oiB  prorâce. 


176  RUSSIA  UNDER 

facts,  which  frequently  recur,  from  ascer 
tained  wants,  and  is  the  expression  a 
indîsputable  utilitj;  ordinances^  onthecon 
trar 7^  are  onlj  the  inspirations  of  a 
isolated  will,  of  a  transitory  want,  real,  c 
imaginary.  Confiscation  of  property  wa 
abolished  by  Catherine^  but  it  bas  been  rc 
establisbed  by  KTicholas,  in  conséquence  i 
the  Polish  révolution.  Emigration  iw 
tolerated  on  condition  of  a  certain  paymei 
to  Government;  îficholas  bas  caused  it  i 
be  assimilated  to  high  treason^  in  couse 
quence  of  a  Polish  subject  going  to  settl 
in  Switzerland.  Two  charters^  those  û 
Michael  Romanof  and  of  Catherine  H.,  pcr 
mitted  the  nobles  to  réside  in  foreign  comi- 
tries;  Nicholas^  from  antipathy  to  libeitl 
ideas^  limits  their  résidence  abroad  to  M 
years,  imposes  a  tax  on  their  passports^  9sà 
submits  the  delivery  of  them  to  ail  kinds  d 
difficulty. 

The  Bussian  Grovemment    îs   perfed^ 
aware  that  the  unworthy  proceedings  iîB 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  177 

-  i??j  which  it  takes  pleasiire,  cannot  subsist  ex- 
îîSD^  I  oept  under  the  shelter  of  the  grossest  igno- 
^cd  rance  and  the  deepest  immoralit j  :  and, 
rf  J  accordingly,  the  main  secret  of  its  policy  is 
^i  to  brutalize  and  demoralize  the  people* 
^  ^  It  is  whoUy  ignorant  of  the  dignity  of  man, 
^hich  it  makes  to  consist  in  a  blind  obe- 
^ence  to  its  decrees,  and  whoever  has  a 
sensé  of  his  individual  worth  is  considered 
^  ity  as  a  rebel.  It  desires  to  command 
^^tically  and  to  be  servilely  obeyed, 
^  £ukohiick  brought  out  a  play,  called 
^'ïhe  Hand  of  the  Most  High,"  which  was 
'^PXete  with  dassic  Czarism,  The  delighted 
^^ar  sent  for  him;  the  poet,  who  had  a 
^^ther  implicated  in  the  revolt  of  1826, 
^^bled  when  he  appeared  before  the  Sove- 
'^i^,  who  inquired  the  cause  of  his  fear, 
*^^  encouraged  him  by  saying,  ^^  It  is  an 
^^^ly  day  occurrence,  that  of  two  brothers, 
^^^  is  base  and  the  other  honest."  M. 
^levoï  who  ventured  to  find  fault  with  this 
^^ous  play  was  arrested  at  Moscow,  tom 

VOL.  I.  N 


178  RUSSIA   ITNDER 

from  his  family,  dragged  to  St.  Petersbnrg 
and  escorted  by  a  gen-d'armes  in  a  cov 
rier's  car^  and  this  shock  had  so  great  a: 
effect  upon  him^  that  the  libéral  anthor  wa 
transfonned  into  a  fidsome  x>ftrasite  of  tk 
Court,  on  this  occasion,  some  verses  c 
the  following  purport  were  made. — 

"The  Hand  of  the  Most  High"  has  ac 
complished  three  prodigies, — ^it  has  saye 
the  country,  elevated  Knkohiick,  and  ruine 
Polevoï. 

"No  body  in  Eussia  dares  to  differ  in  op 
nion  from  the  Emperor,  even  on  the  ma 
trifling  subject;  on  a  question  of  art,  or 
literature.  When  he  has  once  given  I 
opinion  nothing  remains  but  to  accède  to 
or  to  remain  sîlent.  I  one  day  asked 
joumalist  if  he  would  give  a  review  of  il 
Hîstory  of  M.  Buturlin,  Adjutant-Glen^ 
to  the  Emperor?  he  answered  wîth  mm 
simplicity,  "I  hâve  not  got  two  heads  upe 
my  shoulders." 

The  BuBsian  Government  is  a  militai; 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  179 

govemment  :  strong  and  resolute,  but  brutal 
^i  precîpîtate,  ignorant  and  cruel.  The 
fonns,  irhich  are  otberwise  observed,  are 
Sflperfluous,  and  would,  in  fact,  be  ridîculoug 
tke  moment  they  seemed  only  to  mask  îts 
crueHy.  The  politeness  of  M.  Douvelt  had 
Biide  him  the  buffoon  of  the  secret  police, 
*nd  the  Emperor  whenever  he  wîshes  to 
he  polite  puts  a  constraint  upon  himself  : 
fike  the  sea  and  like  Mirabeau,  a  handsome 
'ï^  is  nerer  so  handsome  as  when  he  is 

tJnder  the  reign  of  the  sabre  and  the 

''^^îstachio,  the  peaceful  citizen  feels  ill  at 

^^.    Talent  is  ont  of  place  where  brutal 

'^ce  prevails;    while  the    latter,    though 

^^ï8hing  at  itself,  fears,  hâtes,  despises,  and 

^^^ïBecutes  ît.     Civîlization  cannot  be  regu- 

^ted  by  beat  of  drum;  this  noise  is  hâte- 

^1,  and  ît  shuns  it,  withdraws  in  despair, 

^^  pines  away  in  melancholy  inactivity. 

Persécution,"  says  a  German  proverb,  ^îb 

^le  fitte  ijf  talent  in  Sussift."    Persécution 

N  2 


ISO  UrsSIA    INDEH 

might  be  endured,  and  talent  iiiight  coiisi- 
der  it  as  a  crown  of  laurels  whenever  its 
power  is  thus  acknowledged  and  honoured; 
but  when  barbarism  swajs  the  sceptrei  î* 
atfects  contempt  for  talent^  as  a  futile  ob^ 
ject  and  the  source  of  déception,  rathe*" 
than  as  a  means  of  success.    It  encourage^ 
only  those  who  amuse  it^  and,  at  the  mosk^ 
endures  him  who  gives  it  no  umbrage. 

In  Russia,  the  term  "leamed  man/'  i^ 
équivalent  to  an  odd  man,  a  poor  devil^a 
sort  of  labourer; — a  prof  essor  is  on  a  par 
with  domestics;  a  literary  man,  one  who 
has  mistaken  bis  vocation.     K  an  artist  is 
welcomed  and  receîved,  it  is  for  the  mofit 
part  with  an  excess  of  enthusiasm  or  indif- 
férence which  exceeds  the  limita  of  pro- 
priety.    The  singer  loses  bis  voice  in  Sua- 
sia;  the  artist  can  paint  only  soldiera  or 
portraits;  an  architect  of  genius  cannot  get 
one  plan  adopted  which  does  not  resemU 
some  édifice  already  known.    The  Emper 
eSaced  a  portrait  by  Eriiger,  beeauae 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  181 

found  eight  buttons  to  his  uniform  instead 
of  nine,  and  sent  it  back  to  the  artist  at 
Berlin  !  Count  Benkendorf  would  not  per- 
mit a  celebrated  painter  to  set  ont  for  Italj* 
^What  would  you  do  there  with  the  pea- 
ttnts?"  said  he;  to  which  the  artist,  being 
doBely  pushed,  replied,  ^*  And  what  hâve  I 
to  do  hère  with  servants?'*  The  Président 
of  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  invited  M, 
B— —  to  go  and  study  the  style  of  an 
obscure  artist  at  Dusseldorf  ;  to  which  the 
oÛier  answered,  ^*  There  is  nothing  în  com- 
Btton  between  us;  he  drinks  water,  and  I 
tonkwine."  Another  Russian  painter  pre-» 
■cuted  some  pictures  for  churches,  which 
W  been  ordered,  and  the  Emperor  not 
oïdy  would  not  receive  them,  but  had  him 
^fled  from  the  Academy,  which  did  not 
•fterwards  dare  to  give  him  much  employ- 
ât as  a  drawing-master. 

M,  Petscherin,  one  of  the  most  distin-- 
S^hed  pupils  of  the  Institution  of  Profes- 
*^tB,went  to  Naples  after  having  completed 


182  RUSSIA   UNDER 

his  course  of  study  at  Berlin.  The  Secre — 
tary  of  tlie  Sussîan  Légation  at  lil'aple^ 
bad  the  imprudence  to  write  a  letter  bj  the 
post  to  a  friend  at  St.  Fetersburgj  telling 
bim  that  he  had  just  become  acquainted 
with  Petscberin^  a  man  of  talent^  but  a 
violent  republican.  The  letter  was  of  course 
opened  and  read  at  the  post-office^  and 
orders  were  given  instanter  to  place  M. 
Fetscherin  under  the  inspection  of  the 
secret  police.  On  his  retum  to  fill  a  Philo- 
logical  Chair  at  Moscow^  he  perceiyed  a  ^j 
attending  his  lecture.  Indignant  at  such  a 
proceeding^  he  asked  leaye  of  absence  ta 
go  abroad^  and  went  to  settle  in  Switzer- 
land.  M.  Strogonof^  the  Curator  of  the 
Universitj  of  Moscow^  vrrote  to  him,  invii- 
ing  him  to  return^  and  promising  to  forget 
what  was  past.  M.  Fetscherin  replied,  thafc 
he  knew  the  fate  which  awaited  him  i& 
Bussia;  that  he  should  bave  gold  and  ^mo- 
rations  lavished  upon  him;  but  that  to  sack 
a  condition^  he  preferred  povertj  and  in^a» 


NICH0LA8  THE  FIRST.  188 

j^^dence.      His   melancholj    forebodings 

^^fe  more  than  realized.     His  relatives 

^edcklj  abandoned  him;   his  father^  who 

^d  the   rank  of   General^  had    alreadj 

refaseà  him  any  sapj^ri,  from  the  moment 

^bei  he  would  not  he  prevailed  upon  to 

^^lyraee  the  militarj  career.    His  profound 

^^c|  yarious  knowledge  failed  to  fumish  him 

^th  measÈB  of  subsistenee;   he  made  an 

^^■^«iccessful  attempt  upon  his  life  ;  and  at 

^i^^th  sfant  himself  up  in  a  Belgian  menas- 

^^ï^r,  where  he  now  hmguisheSé    May  peace 

^Uow  him  there^  and  may  his  name  be 

^^'ï^nded  on  the  forehead  of  the  Russian 

OoTemment! 

The  conntenance  of  the  Sovereign,  and 
l^ïïg  contmned  publie  services,  &r  frqm  se^ 
^^^i^nng  a  managainst  arrogance,  only  expose 
^^^  the  more.  "  Is  it  your  décorations  that 
^'^^ke  you  so  proud?"  said  the  Emperor  one 
^^y  ta  one  of  his  Grenerals;  ^*it  was  I  who 
®^>^  ihem  to  you,  and  I  will  take  them 
^^y/*    "You  cannot  make   your  Cadeta 


184  RUSSIA   UNDER 

march,'*  said  the  Grand  Duke  Mchael  i 
(îeneral  Sch*  *,  and  made  the  vétéran  plac 
Umself  in  the  ranks,  and  march  with  Û 
Btandard-bearers.  Very  recently,  in  184 
the  Emperor  having  entered  the  tent  of  tl 
Prince  of  Oldenburg  during  the  exercise 
the  troopS;  and  perceiving  on  the  carpet 
spot  of  oil,  which  there  had  not  been  tin 
to  remove,  wrote  in  the  order  of  the  da 

*^  I  thank  the  Prince  of for  his  u 

cleanliness,"  which  induced  the  Master 
the  Horse  to  tender  his  résignation.  T 
Prince,  though  he  retired  from  the  servii 
could  not  overcome  his  taste  for  the  Cou 
and  asked  the  Emperor  for  permission 
retain  the  carriage  and  livery  of  t 
Court.  Nicholas  replied,  that  he  had  c 
expected    such  meanness    in    the   Pris 

of . 

It  is  difficult  to  décide  whether  brutali 
and  despotism  exceed  the  baseness  and  8^ 
vility  of  the  Russian  courtiers;  as  they  vc 
tually  support  each  other,  they  are  neceen 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  185 

%  eqaal,  and  deserve  to  be  equally  con- 
temned. 

It  is  considered  a  mark  of  particular 

àvour  if  the  Emperor  condescends  to  ad- 

^ess  any  of  hîs  subjects  in  the  second 

P^tmn  sîngular  ;  and  his  confidants  imitate 

^eir  Sovereign  in  speaking  to  their  sub- 

^'xilnates,  who  do  not  venture  to  use  the 

^^Mne  familiarit j. 

Can  we  be  astonished  after  ail  this  that 

*  Idinister  should  with  impunity,  and  with 

*^is  own  hand^  strike  a  postmastcr?     Every- 

*^^y  in  Bussia  has  done  the  same^  more 

^^^  less,  in  the  course  of  his  life  ;  but  it  was 

^^r  the  heads  to  set  the  example. 

A  gênerai  aid-de-camp  to  the  Emperor 

"^as  very  near  proceeding  to  similar  acts 

Xrf  violence  towards  a  postmaster  in  Ger- 

>nany^  who^  however^  cooled  his  courage 

l>y  threatening  to  treat  him  in  the  same 

manner. 

Ali  the  evil  commîtted  in  Eussia  is  laid 
to  ihe  charge  of  the  Emperor.    This  is 


86  KUSSIA  U5DEE 

a  necessazy  result  of  an  absolnte  GoTem- 
ment  ;  good  or  bad,  example  is  alwaji 
amtagioiis  when  it  cornes  firom  an  an — 
gost  personage;  but,  it  is  no  less  traes 
that^  where  the  good  is  not  executed  in^ 
conséquence  of  the  négligence  of  thi^ 
functionarieSiy  cruel  orders  and  injudidoii^ 
measures  may  often  be  indefinitively  de — « 
ferred.  ^^  Abuses/'  said  an  ingenuous  nuuDK: 
"are  the  salvation  of  Bussia;  it  is  Ter^ 
common  for  unreasonable  orders  to  be  < 
obeyed." 

The  friends  of  justice  and  of  the  count 
frequently  excuse  every  abuse  that  is  coi 
mitted,  by  the  want  of  superior  me 
Such  mon  haye,  however,  never  been 
lacking  to  great  sovereigns.  Peter  X 
knew  how  to  find  in  the  streets  a  Men- 
schikofy  to  raise  a  Schafiro^  to  employ  a 
Dolgorucky,  to  distinguish  a  Scheremetefl^ 
to  honour  a  Golovine. 

Catherine  had  a  Potemkin,  an  Orlctf^  a 
Bumanzoff,  and  a  Suwarof.    Grenias  and 


NICB0UL8  THE  IIBST.  18? 

talent  erowd  round  a  throne  whidi  gÎTes 

tbem  distinctioiiy  but  the j  shirn  that  which 

does  not  appreciate  them.    It  wonld  not  be 

T617  difficile   for   l^icholas   to   find  men 

of  Udent^  if  he  knew  how  to  make  use  of 

Aem.     But  ihej  avoid  the  service,  and 

kry  ihem8elye9  in  their  estâtes,  or  spend 

Aeir  leisore  in  foreign  countries,  because 

th^  are    men    who    require    hononrable 

bettment^    and   will    participate    onlj  in 

o^eriiϔous  actions.     The  Grerman  partj  is 

^I^owerM  in  Bussia,  and  if  the  Baltic 

évinces  are  in  the  proportion  of  three 

^  fi%,  wiih  respect  to  ihe  Bussian  govem- 

^"^^BtB^  the  functionaries  of  Gkrman  (HÎgin, 

^ko  gurround  the  Government,  are,  with 

'^^tect  to  the  Busstans,  in  the  inverse  ratio 

^fifty  to  three.    They  fill  the great  digni- 

^  of  the  empire;  the  parts  of  ministers» 

^^liafiaadorB,  gênerais,  and  superior  officers, 

^^  given  in  préférence  to  Grermans.    When 

^  ^W  c(mquered  the  Oerman  Provinces,  he 

^Xe  thought  that  he  was  subjecting  bis 


188  RUSSIA  UNDER 

own  country  to  them.  If  he  was  fond  o 
foreigners,  it  was  not  those  with  whom  li» 
peopled  Siberia.  The  Gennans^  mop 
civilized  than  the  natives,  conquered  Bns 
sia,  while  they  suffered  themselyes  to  b 
conquered.  This  same  cîrcmnstance  hfl 
taken  place  in  China  with  the  MongolSi  i 
Italy  with  the  barbarians,  in  Greece  wil 
the  Eomans.  The  savage  conquerors  in 
pose  their  yoke  on  civilized  people,  on 
to  submit  in  their  tum  to  be  vanquishe 
But  hère  policy  has  done  more  than  civîlia 
tion.  The  secret  of  the  success  of  il 
Germans  is  not  their  intellect;  the  Busot 
has  a  hundred  times  as  much  as  the  Fin 
and  the  éducation  of  the  Bussians,  thouj 
less  varied,  is  not  less  solid  than  that  of  ti 
Germans.  The  latter  owe  their  success 
their  characteristic  persévérance,  and  Û 
îs  accounted  for  by  the  state  of  destituti( 
which  nails  them  to  their  post,  a  species 
capacity  which  is  admirably  expressed  1 
the  German  word  sitzfleiscK 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  189 

The  secret  of  the  systematic  préférence 

vMch  the  Govemment,  calling  itself  Eus- 

^  gives  to  the  Germans,  îs  the  confidence 

^hich  it  has  in  them  ;  for^  animated  bj  a 

dévotion  to  the  throne,    which    is    proof 

«gainst  every  trial,  they  feel  only  indiflference 

for  the  country,  and  hatred  or  contempt 

for  the  people.     *'  I  do  not  serve  Eussia/* 

said  a  foreigner  of  distinction;   ^^I  serve 

my  master,  Alexander  Paulowitsch."  Hence 

we  may  readily  understand  the  hatred  which 

tte  Bussians  bear  the  Germans,     **  Make 

'ûe  a  Grerman/*    said    Yermalof,  to  the 

împeror  Alexander,  who  ofiered  him  the 

dioice  of  a  faveur.     "  Tour  Tschinn?''  says 

'    »  actor  in  a  play.     ^'  German,"  he  replied, 

*^Before  thinking  of  entering  a  civil  or  mili- 

tary  service,  one  thinks  of  becoming  a  Ger^ 

Aan,"  said  a  father  to  his  son,  and,  when 

tbe  latter  retumed  to  his  country  with  ail 

his  Grerinan  érudition,  he  everywhere  found 

ihe  doors  closed  against  him.     And  why 


190  KDSSIA  TTHINSB 

was  this?  Because  the  Tirtne  indispen 
to  success  under  the  Grovemment  wm 
possessed  by  '  him — ît  îs  an  inherit 
dépendant  an  the  blood^  and  not  on 
intellect. 

The  throne  of  Rossia  is  open  to 
sexes^  but  the  maies  hare  precedence  o 
femaleS;  and  the  elder  sons  of  the  yoa 
At  the  death  of  the  Emperor^  the  se 
descends  to  his  eldest  son^  or  if  he  dies 
ont  maie  heîrs,  to  a  yonnger  brother 
8o  on,  till  the  entire  extinction  of  the 
branches,  after  which  the  «npire  & 
the  female  line,  nearest  to  the  last 
The  hnsband  of  the  Empress  enjoji 
rights  bdonging  to  the  wîves  oi 
Emperors,  except  the  title  of  Im] 
Majestj. 

K  the  Crown  should  fiafl,  by  inheril 
to  a  Princess  who  is  soTereign  in  ax 
country,  she  wonld  haye  to  dioose  be 
the  two  thrones  and  the  two  religic 


NICIK>LAS   THE   FIRST.  191 

^  professed  one  différent  from  that  of 
fiossia.  The  reigning  Sovereîgns  caa  pro- 
feas  Bo  oiher  than  the  Greek  reKgioiu 

llie  issue  of  the  marriage  of  the  Imperûd 
àoulj,  and  an  individual  not  foelonging  to 
^J  reigning  hoase^  cannot  ascead  the 
ftrone. 

Ko  heir  to  the  Crown  is  at  Kberty  for- 
^y  to  renoonce  it. 

The  Sorereign  has  attained  his  majority 
*  Ae  âge  of  sîxteen.  The  minor  who  is 
<^ed  totiie  throne  is  onder  a  tutor  apd  a 
JWRemor,  which  offices  may  be  held  by  one 
^dividiial^  or  by  two  différent  persons. 
^  dioice  of  them  belongs  to  the  Emperor^ 
t)K)  may  nominate  them  in  his  lifetime. 

If  not  oiherwise  provided  for,  thèse  fîmc- 
^^  belong  of  right  to  the  father  or  the 
^"•oUiCT  of  the  young  Sovereign,  and  in 
^ult  of  thèse,  to  the  uncle.  The  Régent 
iimst  be  aasisted  by  a  council  of  six  persons 
tf  Us  own  appointment.    The  membe^rs  of 


192  RUSSIA   UNDER 

the  Impérial  family  may  be  admitted  to  t 
but  they  are  not  an  intégral  part  of  it. 

The    anns    of  the   empire    of   Bussia 
are  a  black  eagle    with  two    heads    and 
three  crowns^   on    a   field  of  gold^   hold- 
ing a  golden  sceptre  in  the  right  claw^  and. 
a  globe  in  the  leffc.    The  shield  bears  the 
anns  of  Moscow;  St.  George  on  a  white 
charger,    piercing    the    dragon    with    Lis 
spear*.     The   right  wing  of  the  eagle  is 
adorned  with   three    shields,    emblazoned 
with  the  anns  of  the  three  kingdoms   of 
Casan,  Astracan,  and  Siberia,  and  on  the 
left  wing  are  those  of  Poland,  Taurida,  and 
Finland.     On  the  breast  of  the  bird  hansrs 
the  chain  of  the  order  of  St.  Andrew. 

The  Empress  receives  600,000  rublc^s  a 
year,  besides  what  is  requisite  for  the  main- 
tenance of  her  household.      She  has  this 

*  This  is  a  false  and  arbitrary  imitation  of  the  pri- 
mitive anns  of  Moscow,  which  represent  only  the  Csar 
himself,  for  whom  St.  George  has  been  gratuîtously 
substituted. 


NICHOLA8   THE  FIRST.  193 

^  80  long  as  the  Emperor  lîves  ;  after 
tke  death  of  her  husband,  she  enjoys  thîs 
mcomewhîle  she  résides  in  Russia,  but  if 
Ae  quits  the  conntry  she  has  only  the  half. 
The  heir  présomptive,  besides  the  main-- 
tenance  of  his  household,  receives  200,000 
mbles  a  year;    his  wife    160,000    rubles 
doring  the  life  of  her  husband,  and  double 
a  she  hecomes  a  widow.     Their  children 
lave  60,000  rubles  each,  till  their  majority, 
cr   their   marriage.     His    daughters  and 
grand-daugfaters  receive  a  million  rubles  as 
their  portion;   the  great  grand-daughters 
300,000  rubles^  and  the  more  remote  de- 
scendant 100,000  rubles  each,  &c. 


YOL.  !• 


194  RUS8IA  UNDEB 


Chapter  Vil. 

ON  THE  RUSSIAN  POLICY- 

The  comer-stone  of  the  Bussian  einp0 
of  its  power,  its  riches,  and  of  its  poliej^ 
Peter  the  Great.  He  is  met  wîth  at  ef€ 
Btep,  and  everywhere  he  is  sublime  • 
admirable.  While,  with  one  hand,  he  4 
persed  the  Swedish  fleet  on  the  Baltic,  wi 
vessels  which  he  had  created  ont  of  nothri 
and,  having  conquered  at  Pultowa,  erect 
upon  impénétrable  morasses,  a  manrellc 
city,  he  indicated  with  the  other  hand  t 
road  to  Calcutta,  founded  settlements  < 
the  Caspian  and  the  Black  Seas,  the  en 
rents  of  which,  ever  since,  hâve  borne  tl 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  195 

^n^ffliian  ships  direct  to  the  walls  of  Byzaar- 
^"^xm.     He  failed,  indeed,  at  Khiva^  and 
^««  reduced  by  the  Treaty  of  the  Pruth, 
'^liiiher  he  had  been  led  by  the  pride  of 
^crtory,  to  raze  Azov,  which  he  had  just 
^^^flwre   taken   from  the    Turks;    but    he 
^^nquered  an  entire  province  from  Per- 
^îa^  and  covered  the  Caucausus  with  a  net- 
work of  fortresses  so  placed  as  to  check  the 
iiuaiisions  of  its  hordes  of  banditti.    Stand- 
^  with  a  firm  foot  in  Europe,  on  the  ruina 
^  tbe  Swedish  power,  he  opened  in  Asia  a 
^i8t  field  of  material  and  moral  conquest  to 
fiossia,  and  advanced  the  first  step  towards 
^i^ersal  empire.    His  successors  foUowed 
^  policy^  but  it  was  too  gigantic  and  too 
^nch  beyond  their  measure,  and  therefore, 
•tatiûs  day,  as  in  the  time  of  Peter  the 
Oroit,  Bussia  is  still  two  steps  from  Con- 
^Uotinople  and  Calcutta,  those  main  points 
tf  uÛTersal  empire,  those  roads  whieh  lead 
tofhe  tomb  or  to  conquest;  two  steps,  for- 

o2 


196  RUSSIA  UNDER 

midable  to  take^  and  whîch^  perhaps, 
sîa  never  will  achîeve. 

It  has  obtaîned  some  conquests  bj 
diplomacj  has  undermined  the  gronnd 
séparâtes  Eussia  from  tbe  Mediten 
and  the  Pacific  Ocean^  but  it  has  hi 
wanted  the  power  to  spring  thîs  im 
mine,  Having  once  entered  on  this 
of  conquest,  Eussia  can  hardly  go  ba 
is  a  rapid  declivity  which  it  is  now  moi 
to  descend  than  to  reascend.  To  o 
or  die,  has  hitherto  been  the  only 
native  of  conquering  Powers,  and  al] 
which  hâve  aspired  to  universal  emph 
failed,  when  they  had  reached  only  hal 
course.  Will  Eussia  be  an  exception 
gênerai  rule  ? 

Considérable  progress,  it  is  tnn 
been  made  on  the  road  pointed  c 
Peter  the  Great.  Poland  no  longei 
rates  Eussia  from  Europe;  Turkey,  si 
of  several  parts  of  its  territory,  îs  no 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  197 

ihn  a  corpse;  and^  with  some  military 
talent,  the  occupation  of  Constantinople 
might  be  easily  eflTected.  Persia  is  subject 
to  the  will  of  the  Bussians  ;  the  Caucasus, 
wlûch  still  mocks  at  their  power,  so  blindly 
6]q)ended  m  that  countrj,  is  not  an  insur* 
moontable  obstacle.  Khiva  and  Bochara 
feel  the  Mnscovite  influence,  so  that  when 
Bttssa  moYesf,  Asia  trembles,  India  is  agi- 
tated,  and  London  in  consternation.  It  is 
to  the  East  that  ail  the  great  questions  of 
policy  converge;  there,  once  more  the  fate 
of  the  world  must  be  decided.  Petersbnrg 
caimot  remain  the  capital  of  Bussia  ;  it  is 
•n  adyanced  camp,  the  founder  of  whîch 
i^ver  intended  to  make  it  a  permanent  re- 
Àdence.  Constantinople  or  Calcutta,  thèse 
are  the  natural  capitals  of  empire*  The 
Colossos  is  checked  in  its  steppes,  without 
^  and  extends  its  arms  towards  the 
<HieaQ.  Will  it  ever  reach  it  ?  If  Bussia 
ô^Tided  the  East,  Germany  would  remain 
^luiged  in  its  léthargie  slumber.    France 


198  KUSSIA   VyVER 

conid  do  nothing  Tvithout  England, 
would  bcsides  hâve  only  to  chose  betwecn  M 
the  possession  of  Aâîa  by  the  Englîsh  or  by  ^ 
the  Rnssians.  England  and  Sussîa  there — 
fore  may  dîvide  the  world  between  them.  , 
The  first  seriouslj  threatened  in  India  j 
would  easîlj  leave  the  second  to  establish  ^ 
itself  in  the  Bosphoros;  but  then  Anstriac 
would  claim  her  share;  France  would  op — 
pose  her  vetOy  and,  if  she  were  indemmfieâ» 
by  the  cession  of  Egypt,  it  would  be  ne-^ 
cessary  to  cède  Poland  to  G^rmany,  whicin= 
would  be  an  exchange  altogether  to  tk^ 
advantage  of  Bussia. 

Hitherto  the  Court  of  St.  Petersburg  ha^ 
endeavoured  to  sever  France  trom  EnglancC 
through  mean  and  personal  views.    It  soe^ 
ceeded  for  a  moment  ;  but  haying  no  mmd 
to  attach  itself  to  France^  its  work  bas  corne 
to  nothing.    It  may  find  occupation  ftf 
France^  and  lull  or  intimidate  Grermanj; 
but  England   is  always    awake^    and  Ûm 
geniuB  of  Peter  the  Oreat  is  not  inberited 


f 


NICH0LA8   THE   FIRST.  199 

ij  his  descendants.    Ail  thèse  questions 

M  therefore  adjoumed,  and  Bussia  would 

lui^e  done  better  if  ^e  had  suffered  them 

^  lie  donnant  till  the  advent  of  the  man 

tho  shall  be  able  to  solye  them  at  once. 

^  unchangeableness  which  distinguishes 

^  Bassian  policy  is  rather  adverse  than 

woQrable  to  it;  by  directing  the  gênerai 

•'Mention  to  it,  secresy  and  surprise,  which 

^^  the  first  conditions  of  success  in  politics, 

*^^  x^endered  impossible. 

^^e  danger  i%  nevertheless,  considered 

S^^t  and  urgent.    In  fact,  if  Bussia  were 

^^^   established  in  India,    the    political 

fiance  would  be  destroyed  ;  the  conquests 

^tiich  she  makes  in  Asia  are  advantages 

^^ed  over  Europe.    Without  doubt  Asia 

^^Ight  not  to  be  tributary  to  Europe,  and 

^  must  eamestly  désire    to  hasten  the 

objection    of    barbarism    to    civilization. 

KTithout  doubt  Asia  would  gain  by  the 

eonquest  of  Bussia  ;  but  what  then  would 

be  ihe  fate  of  the  world — ^what  the  fSftte 


200  RTTSSIA    IJNDER 

of  liberty  ?     Slavery,  and,  above  ail,  miL^* 
tarj  slavery!      As  long  as   Bussia  shair^^ 
seire  under  this    banner,  the  friendB 
liberty  cannot  wish  her  success  in  her 
Hke  undertakings.    The  day  wben  she 
sway  the  sceptre  of  the  universe,  the  liber==^ 
ties  of  the  world  wiU  be  at  an  end.    Eve^' 
then  there  might  be  glorious  wars,  for  their  - 
object  would    be  independence  ;   but  th^^ 
issue  would  be  fatal  to  their  noble  canut  ^ 
Even  affcer  having  triumphed  abroad,  Rnuint^ 
will  succumb  at  home.     It  is  not  with  th^v 
evil  which  ferments  in  her  bosom,  and  which^ 
though  latent  and  dormant,  is  nerertheles^^ 
terrible,  that  she  can  venture  to  hazair^ 
new  conquests.     Her  noblest  conqaests  ar^^ 
at  home.      There  she  may  increase  hes* 
population  tenfold,  civilize  and  enrieh  ifc. 
Under  the  effect  of  a  great  internai  shock 
her  parts  will  become  dislocated,  and  the 
conquered  nations  would  avenge  theniselTes 
by  cruel  reprisais,    Whereas,  after  having 
triumphed  over    intestine    dangers,    aller 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  201 

îiaring  solved  the  questions  of  internai  life, 
die  will  be  able^  with  less  appréhension^  to 
l^re  extemal  dangers.    The  part  which 
Kuflsia  is  destined  to  act  in  Asia  is  secured 
to  her  by  the  power  of  circumstances^  even 
^y  her  geographical  position  alone  :  it  is 
^ble,  it  is  great  and  sublime  ;  but  in  order 
to  accomplish  it  conformablj  to  the  laws 
^f  equitj  and  perfectibility,  she  must  her- 
^If  hâve  progressed  in  the  course  of  civili- 
sation, that  she  may  not  by  new  conquets, 
Commit  acts  of  spoliation  on  her  masters  in 
fctàowledge  and  liberty. 

8ach  is  the  idéal,  and  it  is  always  encou- 

^i^ging  to  hâve  such  a  vast  horizon  before 

Ton,  even  though    you  never    reach  the 

^unds;  but  it  is  not  the  r^Jity; — ^thîs  is 

gloomy  and  hmniliating. 

In  this  point  of  view,  Constantinople  and 
^catta  are  but  chimeras,  and  Warsaw  is 
tîhe  chain  of  the  galley  slave  which  binds 
^tittia  to  a  volcano,  ever  on  the  eve  of  an 
^'^on.      Constantinople  is  to  her  what 


202  RUSSIA   UNDER 

Alexandrîa  îs  to  France,  and  Borne  U 
Austiia.  As  for  Calcutta,  its  occapatk! 
exista  only  in  the  imagination  of  Englid 
agents,  who  would  veil  their  own  intrigue 
hj  disquieting  public  opinion  with  the  pro 
jects  of  an  empire  which  is  vain  enoogh  i 
suffer  such  reports  to  gain  crédit,  and  ui 
wise  enough  not  to  contradict  thenu 

In  order  to  reach  Calcutta,  the  Bussian 
to  whom  heat  alone  is  an  invincible  enem, 
would  hâve  to  traverse  countries  unknon 
and  unhealthy,  and  to  combat  warlike  m 
tions,  who  hâve  often  withstood  very  form 
dable  attacks.  For  such  an  enterpris 
which  demands  more  wealth  than  thej  n€ 
possess,  thcj  would  hâve  to  sacrifice  entii 
armies.  They  want  money,  the  very  ainei 
ofwar,  and  will  long  want  it.  Even  sur 
posing  that  Bussia  could  conquer  IndJ 
what  advantage  would  she  dérive  from  it 
this  moment?  Her  manufistctnres  andb 
commerce  are  absolutely  null;  the  first  cai 
Qot  even  supply  the  wants  of  the  comité 


KICHOLAS   THE   FIÎIST.  203 

^tiie  second  is  in  its  infiincy:  and  it  h 
MoROQS  tfaat  it  i»  miinafactures  and  com^ 
^KfiMaUme  tiutt  render  the  possession  of 
IbUa  important  to  England. 

iarope,  tlien,  may  tnm  her  eyes  from 

Osleotta,  for  it  is  «vident  that  there  can  be 

^  groimd  for  serions  alarm  in  that  quarter. 

^0  seek  Bnssia  on  tliat  side,  renders  one 

-Uable  to  miss  seeing  her  in  other  qnarters 

^H^re  she  more  nearly  threatens  the  fatnre 

^Qttdition  of  the  world.    When  politicians 

^wibe  to  Bussia  a  systematic  tendency 

^^^mrds  the  Pacific  Ocean^  and  admirable 

persererance  in  overcoming  the  obstacles 

'^Mdi  separate  her  from  it,  they  do  more 

^oor  to  her  policy  than  it  desenres.    I 

^  no  other  proofs  of  this  than  the  nn- 

Hniy  end  of  M.  Witkewîtsch.      England 

îiUkgined  for  a  long  time  that  at  Cabool 

irt  Lahore  he  had  acted  conformably  wità 

Ml  instnictionf^  and    yet,  on  his  retnm 

^  the  East^  after  an  audience  of  Couat 

l^^aidrodey  he  blew  ont  his  brains,    Hie 


204  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

Minîster  had  told  him  that  he  shc 
compelled  to  set  him  aside  for  a 
time^  and  assuredly  he  did  not  add^ 
was  to  please  England,  or  at  least 
its  suspicions^  otherwise  the  joung 
would  not  hâve  shot  himself.  The  C 
ment  took  much  pains  to  concec 
event^  and  the  remains  of  Witkewitsc 
disposed  of  like  those  of  a  private. 

Thanks  to  the  vigilance  of  Euro 
project  of  occupying  Constantinople^ 
whollj  abandoned,  is  at  least  adj 
sine  die,  and  we  even  saw  Kicholas^  i: 
support  the  power  of  the  Sultan^  wl 
could  not  destroy,  at  the  moment  y 
threatened  to  crumble  to  pièces  une 
attacks  of  Ibrahim.  Did  he  des 
attach  to  himself  by  gratitude,  thosc 
he  could  only  half  conquer  by  fc 
arms,  or  did  he  fear  to  see  the  O 
Empire  Consolidated  under  the  scej 
the  Pacha  of  Egypt,  and  thus  enal 
brave  his  power  ?    But  the  gratitude 


NICHOLAS  THE  HRST.  205 

Tttris  ÎB  hj  no  means  eqoal  to  their  inve- 
"tente  hatred  of  the  Rnssians  ;  it  wiU  nerer 
8t9e  the  voice  of  their  well-onderstood 
T^imst,  and  the  ancient  policj  which 
voald  leaye  an  enemj  to  ruin  himself  by 
intestine  discorde  is  still  the  best. 

M  for  the  foreign  influence,  which  it 

^ht  hâve  been  wiehed  to  annul  in  Turkey, 

rf  it  sofficed  to  prevent  Bussian  interfer- 

^ce,  it  will  be  able  to  render  ephemeral 

*^y  alliance  between  the  two  Emperors. 

5owever  this  may  be,  the  chiralaresque  pro- 

^feedmg  of  iN'icholas  ended  only  in  a  stérile 

^^oeuvre,  and  in  a  Protectorate,  which, 

^  the  beat,  is  only  illusory.    It  was  not 

trtherwise  in  1840.    At  the  moment  when 

the  Bussian  troops  were  about  to  enter 

Syria  to  support  the  décisions  of  the  Allies 

with  regard  to  Mehemet   Ali,   England^ 

jealous  of  ail  Bussian   intenrention,   had 

rendered  it  unnecessary  by  her  splendid 

succeases  at  sea. 

It  18  an  évident  fact,  that  since  the  com* 


206  RUSSIA  UNDBB 

mencement  of  the  reign  of  l!Iidiolts»lM^ 
sian  policj  bas  become  weaker  andwata* 
It  neyer  was  more  impopiilar,  ot  more  iûÊr 
credited  in  public  opiiii(»i,  tbat  arlMtrw^ 
onr  âge,  wbose  power  is  continnaUj  îa- 
creasing.  It  is  detested  in  Genna^f 
abborred  in  Italy,  roined  in  Greece,  eiilec 
from  Spain,  mute  in  France.  The  anft 
Bocial  principle,  and  its  batred  of  enligbte» 
ment,  undermine  its  strengtb  and  fîitv 
prosperitj.  It  destroys  itself  by  its  tw 
dency  to  absolutism,  and  by  its  haugU; 
language,  whieh  its  power  by  no  me» 
justifies,  and  the  vanity  of  which  is  now  fall^ 
understood.  Bedueed  to  the  friendshç  i^ 
Austria  which,  though  uneasy  at  her  M 
croachments,  unités  with  her,  on  accoont  € 
the  dangers  which  threaten  absolutism  il 
both  empires  ;  looked  upon  with  dislike  evoi 
in  Prussia,  she  maintains  her  ground  i 
Gtermany  only,  by  the  alliances  whidh  ena 
between  the  Courts  :  family  alliances  whia 
are  always  ephemeral.    She  is  as  unpopala 


NICHOLA8  THE  FIRST.  907 

nm^^ihe  SclaT<mian  nations  as  Austria  is 
^"^Bleome;  ihej  prefer  the  Anstrian  to  the 
^wka  Qoveniment^  and  the  conformitj  of 
id^naiid  langnage  is  not  calculated  to 
<^6fcoiiie  the  répugnance  with  which  the 
^^^  inspires  them.  Kicholas^  bj  carrjing 
^  misfortunes  of  Poland  to  the  utmost^ 
w  alieoated  ail  hearts  from  Bussia^  and 
^  tims  created  aformidahle  support  to  the 
^^  of  libertj^  which  will  not  fedl  to  bear 
»<^  fruit. 

The  dignit  j  and  the  resolution  of  Bussian 

policj  are  lauded,  and  indeed,  it  would  be 

liirprising  if  its  language  were  not  explicit 

«id  decisire,  with  a  nation  of  60,000,000 

Mo,    bent    under  the  joke  of   absolute 

fcmtsr,   supported   by  a  numerous    anny, 

wfaidi  may  be  recruited  ad  infinitum,  with- 

0ab  exciting  any  serions  opposition,  seated 

en  a  soil  which  tempts  nobody,  for  nobody 

desires  to  conquer  snow  and  sand;    not 

<90iistrained  in  its  movements  by  national 

eentrol,   the  Bussian  Govemment,  which 


208  RUSSIA  UNDER 

knows  the  warlike  temper  of  îts  peopJ 
which  has  îssued  victorious  from  so  mar 
struggles^  and  Utile  dîsposed  to  endure  ai 
compromise  with  the  enemj,  cannot  az 
ought  not  to  suffer  itself  to  be  intimidab 
bj  anj  menace^  and  is  able  to  menace  in  i 
tum.  But  what  gives  true  dignitj  and  rc 
force  to  a  political  System  is  its  objecta  : 
tendencj^  and  in  this  respect  Bussia  has  n 
alwajs  been  free  from  reproach.  As  for 
means,  she  does  not  invariably  prefer  i 
most  moral^  and  her  perfîdy  passes  impx 
perly  for  ability. 

Her  diplomatists  hâve  the  réputation 
being  able  men^  thanks  to  traditional  qua 
tîes  which  they  acquire  in  the  long  coui 
of  service,  and  which  consist  in  an  habiti 
craft,  a  kind  of  coin  which  wears  a^ 
with  every  dupe.  Bussian  diplomacy  is  c^ 
tainly  that  which  has  most  contributed 
injure  its  cause,  for  none  any  longer  1 
lieve  its  necessity,  and  ail  dislike  its  p: 
ceedings.    It  is  difficult  to  conceire  ^ 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  209 

litile  kindness  which  the  Bussian  légations 
numifest  towards  their  fellow  coimtrjmen, 
ttdy  it  is  affîrmed^  that  it  is  in  order  to  dia^ 
put  ihem  with  yisiting  foreign  countries 
thatthey  refuse  to  show  them  the  least  com- 
plaisance.    One  is  repairing  his  apartments, 
aaother  his  fortune^  and  they  cannot  give 
fiki;  a  third  announces  his  intention  of 
giving  one,  onljwhen  he  foresees  the  death 
of  some  great  person,  which  will  oblige  him 
to  countermand  his  invitations.    A  fourth 
^fB^  to  whoever  will  hear  him^  that  his  re- 
lations with  the  Court  at  which  he  résides, 
tte  toc  precarious  for  him  to  venture  on 
^ddng  it  for  the  slightest  courtesy.    Arro- 
ffuice  is  the  gênerai  rule  of  all^  and  polite- 
1^  only  an  exception. 


^our. 


»t3SSt^ 


TJSOÏ* 


CttAÎ'f** 


^J^' 


O^ 


t^^ 


fte  .'*»*, 


Otx  ov»^   *^  ^ 


itei- 


at 


\e8 


^^'^  t.!  ^^^         .vetvto^ï 


^^etv.-^     ^^^g  -^^^^^_  ^^e 


•boa^ 


tav*^^ 


\>\|S! 


(iïie99 


Vt-w»® 


to 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  211 

^o^withstahding  the  difficulties    and    the 

'-ocïîdents  of  the  voyage,  we  were  punc- 

^^k^lIIj  at  the  rendezrous;  but  the  officer 

^a.»  not^    There  is  a  Bussian  proyerb  whidb 

'«O^fi,  "  Seven  men  must  not  wait  for  one;*' 

•J^€Î  we  were  at  least  seventy,  manj  of 

^Ixom  were  rather  higher  in  office  and  rank 

tti.«ui  the  police  officer,  not  to  speak  of  other 

^s^inctions,  which  are  held  in  less  estima- 

*^oxi  in  Bussia.    His  arrivai  was  the  signal 

^^    our  deliverance;    he   was  immediately 

*^^^ed  by  the  most  urgent,  who  availed 

•^^mselves  of   their   titles,  and  were,  of 

^^^irse,  attended  to  before  the  rest.    Prince 

*^"^ — ,  a  gentleman  of  the  chamber,   ob- 

^^ed  his  passport  first  of  ail,  and  then  the 

>Iiole  of   his  suite.     The    officer  indeed 

made  soiBe  objection  to  the  latter;  but  the 

Prince  persîsting,  he    called  Iiafleur  and 

Erantin  before  the  other  passengeis.    Then 

came  a  tailor,  begging  the  officer  not  to 

make  a  countryman  wait;  the  officer  wms 

a  Ilixnknder,  and  the  tailor  a  Jew.    I  was 

p2 


212  RrssiA  nn>KE 

more  indined  to  laugh  than  to  be  angry  a) 
this  soene^  when  an  incident  foreed  me  U 
become  an  actor^  instead  of  a  mère  looker 
on.  M.  B^  the  councillor  of  state,  cam 
up  to  me^  and  entreated  me  to  procure  lu 
passport  for  him^  as  he  was  attending  upc 
his  wife^  who  had  been  confined  to  her  ba 
during  tbe  wbole  voyage^  in  conséquence 
•an  opération  wbich  she  had  nndergone 
BeraL  I  did  not  doubt  that  such  serio 
reasons  would  enable  me    to  obtain  t^ 

desired  faveur  for  jVIadame  and  M.  B 

and  accordingly  I  approacbed  the  offie^ 
bat  in  hand,  and  as  be  spoke  Frencb,  whi« 
generallj  passes  in  Bussia  as  an  indicatif 
of  some  éducation,  I  calculated  upon  mear 
ing  with  a  courteous  réception. 

*'  Sir,"  said  I,  *^  would  you  bave  tbe  grem 
complaisance  to  give  me  the  passport  tf 
Madame  B —  ?  She  is  very  ill^  and  it  w9 
therefore  take  some  time  to  convey  her  fl 
her  résidence." 

''Sir,"  replied  be  cavalierly;  ''your  laÊ 
may  wait." 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  213 

^^g  thns  disappoînted,  I  replied  that 

^  was  Consulting  his  own  ease.    Imme* 

^tdy  the  other  passengers,  especially  the 

Wies,  who  were  présent  at  this  scene^  ex- 

P^essed  their  regret,  and  the  interest  whîch 

fl^ey  fdt  for  the  invalid  lady.     One  word 

^  to  another,  and  one  of  the  ladies  ob- 

*rved,  '*We  hâve  now  been  waiting  four 

iours;'*  upon  which  the  officer  exclaimed, 

**ft  is  not  true  that  you  hâve  been  waiting 

*>ur  hours." 

I  lost  patience  at  this  impertinence,  and 
^daimed,  '^Nobody  spoke  to  you.  Sir." 
**  What  does  that  mean  ?  " 
^^That  means  that  you  hâve  no  right  to 
^^  in  conversations  that  do  not  concem 

**Who  are  you?" 
I  mentioned  my  name, 
•^Where  do  you  serve?  " 
•*Where  you  do  not  serve." 
•*!  forbid  you  to  go  away  without  m/ 
émission." 


iLÈ 


vett»  I  ^asL  jpvaT  ■■■■■    ■■■>^wy 


Arf   *£t    die    po&ee. 


SfT.'^  saiii  !ie:  "^Tonrârss  step  onjr 
^n^iis  *abnHai  h^  bee&  cbanctcri 
W  A  ^wic  tit'  respect  co  cfae  offirers  of 

*1  iîfcTn»  bt»e«  îjàLj  m  Sevsly**  1  repl 
overcamin^   bj  ùiis  oae  word  the  m\ 
«fifiee    «t*    ziiKiivfiHnr    idess    whîdi 
suppoeed  co  6e  ndbibed  m  foreign  co 

^Ttf)icr  permh  iBemioiis  Helsingfors." 

^Eren  if  I  h^  gone  there,  Genen 
?^honId  not  bave  £^»De  berond  the  limîti 
the  Bossian  empire.*^ 

^  So  maner  whence  joa  come,  jou  oq 
to  respect  the  functioiianes." 

^'  I  assure  joo,  General,  that  I  am  né 
vanting  in  respect  towards  ikoae  who  mi 


NICHOLA&  THE  FIRST.  21S 

**  -And  what  did  you  say  when  you  were 
^^^d  where  you  served?" 

^  ^Ihis  question  was  perfectly  superfluous; 
you^  officer  had  our  passports  in  his  ha^dy 
*^d  mîght  therefore  hâve  known  precisely 
^^re  I  served;  besides^  I  only  answered 
^'^at  was  quite  correct;  for,  in  truth,  I  do 
^^t  serve  where  he  serves." 

**Do  not  you  think  that  that  is  very 
^fieiisive?" 

^*  I  hâve  always  thought^  your  Excellency, 

^^^t  every  kind  of  service    was    equally 

*^^^ourable;  but  the  manner  in  which  we 

^^^nit  ourselves  in  it  imparts  to  it  its  dig- 

^ty  ;  and,  if  your  officer  has  complained  of 

^y  words  because  he  took  them  for  a  re- 

Pi^oach  respecting  the  manner  in  which  he 

P^ormed  his  duty,  I  will  not  be  so  impo>- 

.Ute  as  to   contradict   him  on  this  point. 

^^  you  allow  me  to  explain  what  passed 

Wween  us?" 

**I  will  not  hear  any  excuse," 


niy  side." 

"Complaint?     ] 

lay  it  before  me  in 

*'Ican  do  it  soc 

to  withdraw  when  1 

"Whereareyou 

"  What  is  jour  p 

"  Go  about  jour 

Just  as  I  was  ope 

ont  to  the  clerks  in 

were  net  to  draw  u] 

for  me. 

Some  hours  after 
two  of  thèse  gentlt 
their  services  on  coi 
not  betniy  them. 


NIGBOLA8  THE  FIRST.  21? 

iher;  but  as  I  held  ont  mj  hand^  he 
ned  that  it  contained  a  fee^  and  almost 
tf  the  skin  as  if  he  e^ected  to  find  a 
note  beneath  it.  I  afterwards  met 
one  of  thèse  officiais^  who  told  me^ 
,  most  m  jsterious  air^  that  M.  Kakosch- 
lad  required  the  Govemor-Greneral 
ve  me  put  imder  the  surveillance  of 
»lice.  I  thought  that  this  man  wished 
ece  me  anew,  and  thanked  him  for 
iterest  which  he  testified  for  me.  I^ 
er,  never  leamt  the  resuit,  or  indeed 
anything  more  of  the  matter. 
another  occasion,  at  the  fête  of  Ga- 
enhof,  where  everybody  is  allowed  to 
i,  just  as  I  was  lighting  my  cigar,  a 
-officer,  half  drunk,  came  up  to  me, 
ently  in  the  act  of  striking  me  on  the 
s,  and  said,  '^How  do  you  dare  tô 
3  in  a  place  where  the  Impérial  family 
1  to  walk?"  An  officer  of  the  guards, 
ras  with  me,  saved  me  the  trouble  of 
;  angry,  for  he  in^armly  took  my  part; 


218  RUSSIA  UNDEE 

bat  he  could  not  discorer  the  name  of  t 
<^cer,  who  observed  a  prudent  silence. 

One  evening,  u  I  was  qnitting  the  Freo 
théâtre,  and  drew  near  towards  the  door, 
cold  wind  met  me^  and  accordingly  I  put  o 
my  hat  just  at  the  entrance  of  the  corricb» 
The  police-offieer  who  was  on  the  spot  sai^ 
*'  Sir,  you  put  on  your  hat  too  soon/' 

Another  time  my  pelisse  was  stolen  at 
private  résidence.  The  master  of  the  hous 
immediately  sent  his  serrant  to  the  police 
office,  whcre  he  was  detained  several  ho&R 
waiting  for  the  retum  of  the  commissai] 
On  the  foUowing  day^  the  servant  wi 
again  dispatched,  and  brought  me  the  &1 
lowing  answer:  "Tell  your  master^  ÛA 
since  he  did  not  think  fit  to  wait  for  n 
yesterday,  I  am  not  indined  to  make  ai 
inquiries."  I  must  confess  that  a  suspieic 
affcerwards  crossed  my  mind  that  the  serau 
himself  might  bave  been  the  thief,  and,  i 
that  case,  would  naturally  bave  inventedâ 
proceedings  at  the  police-office. 


NICHOLAa  THE  FIRST.  S19 

One  day,  when  I  related  a  number  of 
^M  pettj  vezaiioDs  to  a  public  officer^  he 
tnswered,  that  I  had  really  been  unlucky, 
ftr  tlut  noihing  of  the  kind  had  erer  hap- 
ye&ed  to  himself .  It  îs  possible^  in  fact^ 
ibt  being  destii^d  to  iinveil  the  infamies 
tf  ike  BnsBian  Oovemment,  it  may  hâve 
hea  the  will  of  £Ebte  to  make  me  know  them 
^  Personal  expérience;  but  to  prove  that 
<Aei8  are  not  exempt  from  similar  annoy«- 
nceSy  I  will  mention  the  foUowing  facta, 
^àiài  hâve  corne  to  my  knowledge^  among 
tiboiisand  others. 

Tke  yomig  Prince  y  *  *  *  had  kept  a 
^nch  mifltresfl^  on  whom  he  had  settled 
Hannuity  after  his  marriage.  This  lady 
■i«equently  reaided  in  the  street  of  Vones- 
iQikiîa^  in  St.  Petersburg^  and  had  the 
irirfortone  to  please  the  police  officer  of 
^qpuurter^  Hia  afisiduities  having  been 
icjected^  his  anger  was  excited^  and  le  per>- 
^■■ited  in  persecuting  this  nnfortunate  lady* 
ïkft  wetch  bribed  the  grocer  at  the  corner 


on  by  a  dissolute  life.     Tt 
immediately  informed  agaîi 
for  haTing  bemten  her  so 
inflirt  woonds.    He  obtam< 
wrest  her,  and  presented 
Tictim,  offering  lier  two  wajs 
secution:  either  to  yield  te 
to  paj   10^000  nibles,  and, 
nandj  rejected  this  base  pi 
lier  seized  in  ber  bed,  and 
sheete  to  the  police  office,  ' 
entered  on  the  list  of  prisonei 
manj  letters  to  Goont  Ben 
bowever,  was  not  in  the  bal 
those  which  were  addressed 
lanfiruifihftd  m  «  isiA-w^  a^^ — 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  221 

io  lier  lord,  who  succeeded  in  obtaining  the 
^Verance  .  of  the  innocent  lady,  but 
^tiioat  procuring  the  punishment  of  the 

A  yoong  man,  on  his  wedding-day^  hired 

^osne  diamonds  for  his  bride  which  were 

^len  during  the  night.    He  waited  on  the 

^Qmissary  of  police,  who,    after  having 

^'^ard  his  eomplaint,  opened  his  desk  and 

^o^ed  him  the  jewels.    The  young  man 

J^^atened  to  take  them.    «There  are  6000 

^^les  to  pay/'  said  the  commissary.    The 

VH^T  young    man   observed    that,  as  he 

^Ved  on  his  salary,  he  could  not  procure 

^ch  a  sum;  upon  which  the  commissary 

•^etly  locked  the  drawer  which  contained 

tlie  diamonds.     The  bridegroom  immedi- 

;  atdy  hastened  to  General  Eakoschkin,  and 

gave  him  the  particulars  of  what  had  just 

transpired. 

^  I  hâve  no  such  officers,"  said  the  chief 
of  the  police;  and  dismissed  him  with  a 
vhanghty  air. 


222  BUSSIA   UVDEE 

A  man  took  a  robber  in  the  yery  act, 
brought  hîm  to  the  police  office.  ^  Oh, 
is  an  old  acquaintance/'  said  the  corn 
sary,  and  let  hîm  go. 

A  certain  physician  had  attended 
fiojnily  of  the  commissarj  of  the  first 
trict  of  St.  Petersburg.  The  latter, 
asking  him  how  he  could  recompense 
for  his  attendance,  the  pbjsician  rq 
^^  K  you  would  do  me  a  great  pleasure, 
me  the  watch  that  is  hanging  up  ag 
the  wall.'*  It  was,  in  fact,  the  very  i 
whieh  had  been  stolen  from  him  some 
previous,  and  had  since  remained  ii 
hands  of  the  police. 

Prince  M  *  *  *  gare  notice  to 
police  that  he  had  been  robbed  of  his  c 
Some  days  afterwards  an  officer  can 
inform  him  that  ail  his  endeavours  te 
his  cloak  had  been  fruitless.  The  p 
went  ont  with  him  into  the  antechai 
and  actually  saw  the  man  put  <» 
own  cloak.    He  was  amazed,  bat  die 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIÉST.  22S 

inake  any  remark  to  the  obliging  police 

officer,    for    it  îs    thîs    name    by    which 

the  catchpoles  are  designated  in  Busffla. 

General  Eakoschkin^  in    particular^  takes 

pleasure  in  bo  designating  them  eyen  in 

^  Russian  langoage.     He  was  désirons  of 

^Naining  for  them  the  right  of  wearing 

^ulettes,  bnt  the  Emperôr  has  had  the 

ffood  sensé  to  refuse  it. 

Coont  Benkendorf  once  lost  1000  mbles 

^   bank   assignats,    and  immediatelj  ac* 

lUamted  the  police  of  it.    General  Kakosch- 

tîn  înstantly    had  them    recovered;  but^ 

lo  and  behold^  the  count's  valet  de  chambre^, 

oii  brushing  his  clothes^  found  the  sum  in 

the  lining  of  his  great  coat  !     The  money 

"^w»  restored  to  Greneral  Kakoschkin^  bnt 

^  vas  not  removed  from  his  office  ;  on 

fte  contrary,  he  had  reason  to  be  gratefîil 

to  the  minister^  who  rendered  him  an  im- 

jortant  service  on  the  foUowing  occasion: — 

I        M.  Perowsky,  Minister   of  the  Interior, 

I     "^  desirons    to   regulate    the  sale  of 


224  RUSSIA  UNDER 

provisions^  caused  the  journal  of  abutcb 
at  St.  Petersburg  to  be  seized  ;  in  tfa 
ledger  there  was  a  dailj  entry  of  the  quai 
tities  of  méat  wbich  he  delivered  gni 
to  the  police  officers.  The  minister  d 
nonnced  this  abuse  to  the  Emperor,  wl 
instructed  Count  Benkendorf  to  institn 
an  inquiry^  but  reconunended  him  at  t 
same  time  to  screen  his  favourite  aid-d 
camp^  Eakoschkin^  in  case  he  should 
found  to  be  too  deeply  implicated.  T 
fatal  book  was  soon  brought  to  M.  I 
rowsky,  with  the  request  that  he  wm 
put  his  seal  upon  it^  a  fonnalitj  which 
had  omitted.  This  being  done^  it  was  fou 
that  the  butcher  had  not  given  anytfai 
to  the  police,  for,  of  course,  the  book 
question  had  been  exchanged  for  anoth 
perfectly  similar,  with  the  omission  of  i 
items  to  the  police,  and  thus  the  afl 
dropped. 

A  person  who  was  travelling  in  one 
the  carriages  on  the  Paulowskj  Bailw 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  22& 

W  his  pocket  picked.  On  arriving  at 
Fetersburg  he  lodged  his  complaînt  in  the 
fiâthfiil  hands  of  a  police  offîcer;  I  saj 
•  fittthful,  because  they  never  give  up  what 
theyhave  once  t^ken.  The  officer  required 
vifaiesses^  aaking  whether  any  one  had  seen 
tfce  thief  in  the  act  of  stealing.  "  I  did,'^ 
ï^lied  an  old  man.     '*  And  who  are  you  ?  " 

Attumded  the  officer^     '^M. ,  Privy 

Gouncillor  of  State,"     "I  beg  your  Excel- 
l«ncy's pardon."     "What  is  there  to  par- 
don? insolence  is  your  trade." 
^  M.  Roidofiiikin^  head  of  the  Asiatic   de-^ 
pirtment,  was  put  into  the  guard-house 
^  having  crossed   a  parade;   when  the 
Polfce  were  about  to  enter  his  name  in 
À  the    book^  he    mentioned    his    titles. 
*Why  did  you  lïot  speak  before?"   said 
AeCommissary.  "  You  did  not  ask  me  any- 
tlong/'  he  replied  ;  and  was  immediately  di84^ 
missed  with  ail  the  respect  due  to  his  rank* 
'  Areteran  officer  one  day  mentioned  in 
Company  at  St.  Petersburg,  that  it  was^ 
VOL.  u  Q 


226  RUSSIA  UNDER 

an  error  to  suppose  that  duelling  was  ^^^ 
hibited  in  Russia;  for  that  he  once  h^à 
the  mîsfortune  to  kill   an    officer  in  lù^ 
régiment  without  having  been   called  É^ 
account  for  it.     Walls  hçLTe  ears  in  Ihî^ 
country,  and  his  words  were  soon  reporte^ 
to  the  police,  than  they  secured  hîm  who  hac^ 
uttered  them,  and  then  commenced  a  seard:^ 
for  the  person  whom  he  affirmed  that  h^^ 
had  killed.    They  soon  discovered  an  indi-^ 
vidual  of  the  same  name  who  had  senre^ 
in  the  army,  but  had  afterwards  enter 
a  civil  employment.    A  colonel  of 
d'armes  waited  on  hinL 

'*  Tour  name  is ?"  said  he. 

"At  your  service." 

*'  Tou  were  acquainted  with^  or  are 
quainted  with  M. ?" 

**  We  were  of  the  same  régiment^  but  m^ 
I  was  an  officer  and  he  an  ensign,  we  wer*^ 
but  slightly  acquainted  with  each  other/* 

''  Can  y  ou  tell  me.  Sir,  how  you  pass  yoo^ 
day?" 


NICHOLAS   THE  PIRST.  22T 

■^otlimg'  îs  more  easy.    I  pass  my  dayiï 

(«1  passr  the  weeks,  montlis^  and  years.    F 

go  daîly   to  my  desk  at  the  post-office, 

€^ry  Saturday  to  tte  baths,  and  every 

Snnday  to  mass.*^ 

^^  Woold  you  be  so  obKgîng  as  to  nndress 
kefore  me?*' 

•^llThy  so,  îf  yon  please?" 

"^  I  cannot  tell  yon,  but  I  mnst  posîtîvely 
*^  you  undressed.** 

**  1  am  a  partîcularly  modest  man,  Sîr, 
®i  you  will  reaUy  oblige  me  by  not  însîst- 
^  xipon  so  extraordînary  a  demand.'' 

**  I  am  extremely  sorry.  Sir,  but  it  must 
^;  1  dare  not  take  a  reftisal." 

"^^  Vell,  îf  it  must  be,  ît  must;  but  I  can 
^f^  think  of  one  expédient:  you  must  come 

^  Saturday  to  the  bath,  and  tben  your 

^osîty  may  be  satisfîed,  whateyer  strange 

**iTe  gires  rise  to  it/' 
The  Colonel  was  punctual  to  the  rendez- 

^  and  after  having  examined  the  body 

(^  tte  ex-offieer,  he  f  old  Um  that  hîs  an- 

a2 


aeiigiited  at  bc- 
superiors,  that  i 
the  assertion. 

General  D.  for 
actress^  who  had 
with  a  young  n 
thousand  rubles. 
rai  to  obtain  thîs 
lover  was  in  fac 
ïï'isclineinovogro< 
pecting  the  cause 
d'anus  in  a  post  < 
wliere  General  I 
debt  in  twenty-f 
obliged  to  do  wit] 
M.    Mîchalows 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.       .  229 

'Oie  officiai  name  of  the  secret  police  in 
ÎMria — ^gave  orders  to  arrest  him  and  con- 
▼ey  him  to  Viatka,  where  he  was  to  pass 
two  years  in  exile.  In  his  stead,  another 
M.  Michalowsky,  a  notary  of  Wilna,  was 
wegted  and  sent  to  Viatka.  When  he 
wrived  there,  he  protested,  and  the  error 
'nis  acknowledged,  but  he  was  nevertheless 
compelled  to  atone  for  the  fault  of  another, 
•ûd  to  suffer  the  penalty  incmred  by  his 
ïïwnesake  for  the  whole  term,  because 
Comit  Benkendorf  would  never  confess  his 
^ûistake  to  the  Emperor,  and  preferred  to 
let  an  innocent  man  bear  the  punishment. 

This  is  by  no  means  an  isolated  fact  of 
â^kind,  and  puts  me  in  mind  of  another 
^hich  happened  during  the  reign  of  Paul  I. 
ïhat  emperor  was  absolutely  resolved  that 
^  certain  criminal  should  be  brought  before 
lin,  whom  the  Govemor-General  of  St. 
Pctersburg  could  not  possibly  discover. 
Being  unable  to  make  his  master  forget  the 
Buitter^  and  dreading  his    anger,    Gount 


230  &DSSU  UNDJBft 

Fabien  caused  a  poor  Gkrman  to  be  ^ 
rested,  just  as  he  was  coming  £rom  hîg  o^ 
countrj,  and  utterlj  unsuspicious  of  e^ 
appeared  ai  the  barrier  of  tbe  capitaL  ]9 
nostrils  werc  slit^  be  received  tbe  knouts  a^ 
lias  sent  to  Siberia. 

The  Ëmperor  Alexander  caused  jostii 
to  be  done  bim,  and  indemnified  bin^l 
bis  request^  by  grantîng  hhn  libçrtj  I 
import  Gennan  files,  duty  fire^  iai 
Bussia. 

Tbe  expulsion    of  M.  Ealergi  likewi 
does  little  bonour  to  tbe  Bussian  Gove; 
ment.    It  is  tbis  Government  wbicb^  bj 
agents^  bas  sowed  discords  in  Greece,  in 
bope  tbat  tbat  kingdom  would  tberebj 
into  its  bands;  it  alone  excited  tbe 
rerolution,  tbinking  tbat^  after  tbe  expi 
of  tbe  reigning  family,  Greece  wou 
obliged  to  place  berself  under  tbe  p 
tion  of  Bussia;  and  wben  tbe  mœ 
prodttced  a  totallj  différent  effect  firc 
whicb  it  expected,  and  gave  a  cons 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  231 

^  Grreece,  the  Bussîan  Govemment  wished 

^  clear  itself  of  tlie  part  which  it  had 

t^keii,  by  ordering  the  brother  of  the  Greek 

huerai  to  quît  the  empire.    "  If  you  insist 

*"*t  I  should  tell  you  wherefore  you  are 

^^t  away,"  SBxà  Count  Benkendorf^  "  it  is 

t^ecause  the  Emperor  thinks  the  conduct  of 

7oiar  brother  unworthy  towards  himself  and 

^^Worthy  towards  his  king." 

**  Tour  Excellency,"  replied  M.  lUlergi, 
J-  do  not  allow  anybody  the  right  to  call 
*^y  brother's  conduct  unworthy.  A  man 
^i^o  bas  served  his  country  twenty  years, 
^*^o  was  covered  wîth  wounds^  who  bas 
'  ^^^Qn  a  prifloner  among  the  Turks^  where  his 
were  eut  off^  cannot  be  other  than  an 
man." 

*  Sir,"  replied  Count  Benkendorf,  "  after 
ttnig  SDch  language>  you  bave  only  to  pack 
np  your  ihings,  and  set  ont  at  once." 

King  Otho  on  being  infonned  of  the  ma- 
nœuvre^ cried^  ''  I  do  not  eomprehend  why 
tibe  Emperor  interfères  in  my  affairs;  M. 


232  RUSSIA  UNDER 

Ealergi  is  my  Adjutant-General,  and' 
sides  this,  my  best  friend." 

M.  J  *  *  *,  at  a  supper  în  Florence, 
Easter  eve^  was  so  imprudent  as  to  ta 
out  his  watch  and  say,  '*  At  this  hour'- 
was  midnîght — "  the  tricoloured  flag  flo 
on  the  walls  of  the  Kremlin^  and  a  i 
conspiracy  has  triumphed  !*'  His  own  un 
informed  against  him  to  Count  Benkend< 
On  reaching  Vienna,  M.  J  *  *  *  was  8< 
to  St.  Petersburg,  and  there  gave 
names  of  innocent  persons^  as  having  ta] 
a  part  in  the  plot^  which  had  no  existes 
save  in  his  own  imagination.  The  Gove 
ment  became  convinced  that  ail  bis  dep( 
tions  were  fictions^  yet,  nevertheless,  sa 
moned  the  persons  whom  he  had  désignai 
One  of  them,  M.  R  *  *,  was  tom  by  gc 
d'armes  from  his  quiet  retreat  on  bis  esta' 
another^  M.  ¥**,  tras  smnmoned  fr 
JSTaples^  and  having  proved  that  he  1 
never  known  M.  J  *  %  was  told  that 
might  go  ba^k  agaîn.    M.  J  '^  *  hinu 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  233 

ifter  having  passed  six  months  in  the  dun* 

geons  of  Schlusselburg,  was  sent  in  the 

igarb  of  a  félon   to  Yiatka.     His  uncle 

liad  been  ordered  to  make  a  domiciliary 

'nsitto  the  résidence  of  his  own  sister^  the 

;  motlier  of  the  young  man,  and  while  he  was 

«onversing  with  her  in  the  drawing-room, 

.bis  agents  forced  open  the  bureau  in  the 

idjoining  apartment;  but  they  found  only 

*P*pei8  which  were  perfectly  harmless.   This 

•tticdfew*  relative  then  presented  himself  at 

Court,  to  receive  the  reward  of  ail  his 

•^^dknies;  but  not  content  with  the  remu- 

'^^^îation  given  him  for  having  unmmked 

^  monster  of  a  nephew,  he  quitted  the 

*^ce,  and  having  retumed  to  his  native 

'^OQntrj  published  a  book  against  Bussia, 

^ch  caused  some  sensation  at  the  time. 

*  ^  is  what  maj  be  expected  £rom  those 

^iedoos  servants  who  regard  neither  good 

iMlh^  fraûly  ties,  nor  country,  and  in  whom, 

ierertheless,  the  Bussian  Government  is  so 

/infttaated  as  to  place  its  confidence.    The 


234  RUSSIA  UNBEft 

.fimiiljr  of  M.  J  *  %  indignant  at  tlie  tiefe 
ment  which  tliey  had  received,  and  fetrf 
of  further  persécution^  sold  their  estâtes 
Bussia»  and  quitted  the  conntry. 

A  Bussian  nobleman^  Crount  K  *  %  v 
vas  living  in  retirement  on  his  estate 
Pskow,  having  gone  to  St.  Petersborg 
présent  himself  at  Courte  was  oyerwhels 
with  astonislunent  at  being  reprimanded 
ihe  Czar^for  some  words  which  he  had  spol 
when  no  person  except  his  son  vas  presc 
After  his  retum  home  one  of  his  friendsi 
entering  on  a  political  conversation^  wl 
he  instantly  imposed  silence  upon  h 
telling  him  to  distmst  his  son  who  y 
in  the  roonu 

The  secret  police  of  Bussiahas  îts  raio 

.  cations  both  among  the  upper  and  the  kn 
classes  of  society*  Kay,  many  ladies  i 
toriously  act  as  spies^  and  are  yet  recer 
in  Society  and  hâve  company  at  hoi 
even  men  who  are  stîgmatized  with 
same.  réputation^  are  not  tiie  woise 


l 

NIGHOLiJ  THQB  fIRST,  286 

M  that  account^  and  bear  their  dii^ace 

^  a  kind  af  hauglity  dignitj.    There  is 

^  a  single  régiment  of  the  guard  whidi 

^  not  seyeral  spies  ;  in  the  théâtres»  and 

^Veciallj  in  the  French  théâtre,  there  are 

^wea  a  larger  number  of  spies  than  of  mère 

•9^ctatoE8.     In  short,  there  are  so   many 

^^  tbat  people  imagine  thej  see  them 

^^ejywhere,  an  appréhension  which  admi- 

•*t^jr  serves  the  tum  of  the  Government. 

^  it  ia  impossible  to  be  on  one's  guard 

^^f^inst  everybody,  those  persons  who  are 

^^^  inclined  to  be  suspicions,  soon  lose  ail 

^^  terror,  and  confounding  spies  with 

'^^^D  of  honour,  suffer  themselves  to  be 

^^^wn  into  confidential  conversations,  ^rhich 

^^^n  prove  very  dangerous  to  them;  the 

^^'ority,  on  the  ccmtrarj,  distrusting  every- 

^^Jx  f^  themselves  shackled,  and  are  so 

leserved  in  their  intercourse,  that  it  is  im* 

possible  to  conçoive  any  conversation  more 

inaipid  than  that  which  is  carried  on  in  the 

.drawmg-rooms  of  St.  Petersburg. 


236  RUSSIA  UNDER 

Frivate  correspondence  bears  the  sai 
fitamp^  in  conséquence  of  the  precautK 
taken  by  the  Goverment.  The  post-offic 
bas  a  secret  department^  whose  spécial  \m 
ness  it  is  to  open  letters;  those  of  suspecte 
persons  are  alwajs  opened^  as  well  as  Û 
greater  part  of  those  coming  from  abroa 
Of  the  remainder  about  a  tenth  part  a 
opened. 

Spies  are  divided  into  several  dassi 
Some  receive  salaries^  others  act  in  cons 
quence  of  agreements,  or  in  expectation 
the  liberality  of  the  Government.  Son 
again^  are  mère  complaisant  parasites^ 
gossips^  of  whose  services  the  GovemnM 
is  glad  to  avail  itself  ;  while  others  are  i 
flammatorj  agents^  who  fill  a  more  or  1< 
distinguished  position  in  society.  The  f 
lowing  is  the  portrait  of  one  of  them.  1 
is  a  councillor  of  state,  the  father  ol 
family^  and  a  man  of  large  fortune.  At  1 
time  when  the  Polish  révolution  bad  j 
broken  out^  he  had  an  evening  party^ 


NICHOLAâ  THE  FIRST.  237 

irlâckfe.     he    invited    several    inexperienced 
yWi^  men.    As  it  was  his  trade  to  soiind 
(ubllo  opinion,  lie  of  course  tomed  the  con- 
veisa^tion  into  this  channel;  greatly  blamed 
^^  Kussian  Goyemment,  sa3dng  that  its 
conduct  to  the  Pôles  could  not  be  charac- 
^^nzed,  and  uttered  thèse  words  in  a  man- 
der ^liich  was  calculated  to  catch  somebody 
^  lus  net.    M.  B  ♦  ♦  *,  Secretary  of  State, 
^^ignant  at  such  conduct,  went  boldly  up 
^  liim,  and,  addressing  him  in  a  loud  voice, 
*^d,  "Pray,  Sir,  will  you,  who  are  an  autho- 
^^y  in  the  Bussian  language,  be  so  good  as 
^^  tell  me  how  to  translate  the  French 
'^t)rds,  '  Agent  provocateur  ?' '* 
-     There  are  spies  in  nniform;  thèse  are  the 
%ens-d'annes:  spies  in  disguise;  thèse  are 
^e  police  offîcers:  fashionable  spies;  tra- 
Telling  spies,  who  réside  abroad,  or  are  sent 
on  spécial  missions:    certain  functionaries 
are  spies  ex-officio.    For  instance;  the  go- 
ramprs  of  provinces  are  bound  to  make 
perîodical  reports  respecting  those  persons 


BtlTT' 


eSB»»* 


ce, 


or 


t1i0 


^ 


-r-TSi^^rs^ 


ovet 


esç^^riutt» 


xaetx<^*^"r^î«»î'^".;«te»o^ 


lot 


»,t\otv 


oî  ^^* 


■Stossi»^ 


Oc»«* 


\ïï 


,\CI*    «^^.A    \^  ^ 


L 


t.Yel^t*' 


^>>\)ig 


\vt»g* 


oîtise 


tary» 


a» 


^  •*  T'tl*^  ^**  " 


iïi« 


-     It 


ti«» 


^t; 


KICHOLAS  THE  FI8ST.  239 

awcte  the  ciRcer,  who  instantl j  begau  to  tum 

o\er  tlxe  leaves  of  a  large  book^  constantly 

Ti^eatbg  1Û3  name^  wUch  he  had  just  asked^ 

ai  eteiy  repetitioit  of  which  made  the 

Mcretaij  tremble^    At  last  he  rentared  to 

^f  ^Wbat  book  is  that  which  yen  are 

<»mimng  so  carefiilly?"     ^'Sir/'  replied 

*ûe  oficer^  *<ît  îs  such  a  book  that  who- 

^^k  inscribed  in  it  is  not  permitted  either 

^  8^  ont  or  come  in.    I  do  not  find  your 

^^^in  h."    He  was  thankful  enough  to 

°^  delivered  from  ihis  first  danger,  but  hisr 

^*^*ïïd  was  not  completely  relieved  till  he 

*^  Count  Nessekode,  who  allowed  that 

^  superior  had  been  too  suspicions^  and 

fi^^e  him  a  post  at  Constantinople. 

^^t  part  of  the  Bussian  législation^  the 
^^Qcution  of  whieh  is  especially  intrusted 
^  the  polic^  contains  régulations  too  curir- 
^*^  xiot  to  be  reported.  Hère  we  may  di»» 
'^^ae  with  ail  comments^  and  confine  oor-i 
^v^  to  copying  a  few  extracts  at  random 


240  RUSSIA   UNDER 

from  Vol.  XIV.  of  the  Swod.    The  sixteent ï^ 
article  is  as  foUows  : — 

"Drunkenness  îs  prohibited  to  eachan-^ 
to  ail.''  Art.  219  directs  that,  "Whoe?»^ 
passes  more  time  in  the  course  of  a  yea^ 
in  a  state  of  drunkenness  than  in  a  state  (^' 
sobriety,  shall  be  confined  in  a  house  c^ 
correction  till  he  amends."  Art.  227  pr^ 
scribes  a  fine  équivalent  to  half  a  day^^ 
support  in  the  house  of  correction  on  ai»- 
man  who  shall  enter  a  public  bath  for  ik3 
women,  and  on  any  woman  who  shall  ent^ 
â  public  bath  for  the  men.  Those  wfci 
may  be  unable  to  pay  the  fine  are  oblig*^ 
to  beat  the  stoves  in  the  house  of  corre^ 
tion. 

Women  who  bave  contracted  diseases  Tf/ 
a  dissolute  course  of  life  are  taken  into  tb^ 
hospital,  and  when  cured^  are  sent  back  to 
their  homes.    The  wives    of  soldiers  aie 
delivered  to  their  husbands^  who  are  obliged 
sign  a   written    engagement   to    restrain 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  241 

them  in  future  ;  and  the  wives  of  serfs  are 
sent  to  their  lords,  who  are  called  upon  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  cure,  and  in  case  they 
refuse  to  do  so,  the  women  are  sent  to 
Siberia. 

Tho  3rd  Article    is   in     the    following 
terms  : — ^^'All   ought  to  be    respectful  at 
churcîi,  and  enter  with  dévotion  and  with- 
out  constndnt." 

The  7th  Article  orders  people  to  stop 
Wore  the  holy  images,  as  décorum  and 
Ûie  aanctity  of  the  place  require. 

The  8th  Article  commands  the  *'wor- 
^>ippers  not  to  talk  during  divine  service, 
^U>  change  their  seats,  or  disturb  the 
attention  of  the  faithful  by  any  word, 
•ctioB,  or  gesture,  but  to  déport  themselves 
^h  humility,  silence,  and  respect." 

Article  13  directs  that  "  even  those  shall 

fcc  sent  before  the  tribunal,  who  merely  go 

io  church  by  constraint,  whatever  may  be 

tbeir  rank." 

Article  24  says  ^'Every  orthodox  person 

TOL.  I.  R 


242  RCSSIA   UNDEB 

is  to  confess  and  to  receive  the  Sacrai 
at  least  once  a  year^  after  the  âge  of  s< 
years." 

Articles  33  and  34  are  intended  to  e: 
the  remains  of  idolatry  and  of  Pagan 
dîtions. 

Articles  35  and  36  prohibit  false  pn 
tions  and  necromancj. 

Article  46  is  of  the  following  teno 
'^Persons  bom  in  the  orthodox  relij 
and  those  who  are  converted  to  it,  are 
hibited  from  embracing  another  reli| 
even  though  ît  be  Christian.'^  Those 
commit  this  crime  are  brought  to  i 
their  orthodox  serfs  are  placed  n 
guardianship^  and  they  cannot  résida 
their  own  estâtes. 


mCEOLAB   THE   FIRST.  243 


Chaptee  IX. 


NICH0LA8  I. 


^HEN  we  vîsît  the  gallery  of  the  portraits 

^  tlie  Bomanoffis^  the  eye  dwells  with  plea- 

*^e  on  the  manly  and  national  featnres  of 

^^ter  I.,  whose  defects  were  those  of  hîg 

^^^^'txntry  and  his  âge,  and  whose  intellectual 

î^^^litîes  were  those  of  genius.    Further  on 

^^  rejoîce  to  trace  them  în  Anna  I.,  whose 

^^es  we  pardon  for  the  sake  of  her  uncle^ 

^^^«i  if  we  do  not  attribute  them  to  her  iin- 

^^Tthy  courtier,  the  Kourlander  Biren  ;  but 

*^  resemblance  to  the  Great  Czar  is  lost  in 

^^r  ni.,  and  the  Bussian  asks,  ^*  Whence 

^^  he  corne  ?"    He  gazes  upon  thèse  fea- 

b2 


244  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

tures,  and  this  air,  and  they  appear  to  lu 
to  be  those  of  a  German,  and  he  mutte 
the  name  of  Holstein  Gottolf  !  His  mont 
wîll  never  accommodate  itself  to  this  dis 
sonance  ;  tlie  Eussian  will  never  £ajniliariz« 
himself  wîth  the  idea  that  he  îs  govemec 
by  Germans.  Great  care  îs  taken  net  t( 
dîsclose  to  him  that  his  Sovereigns  an 
of  foreign  origin,  and  every  thing  is  done  t( 
préserve  the  beloved  and  revered  name  o 
the  Komanoffs.  The  word  nemetz,  Ger 
man^  is  odious  to  the  Eussian  ;  its  significa 
tion  is  duniby  and  it  was  formerly  th 
gênerai  appellation  which  designated  a^ 
foreigners,  even  him  who  called  hirnseî 
the  Selavonian,  or  Vhomme  de  la  parole*. 

But  to  retum  to  our  gallery  ;  after  ai 
Peter  III.  is  the  grandson  of  Peter  L,  an 

the  Eussian  bears  an  affection  without  lim 

• 

*  This  antipathy  of  the  Russians  to  the  Gennani^ 
partîcipatcd  hy  the  Pôles,  who  hâve  a  proverb,  *•> 
long  as  light  shall  be  light,  the  Pôle  ^*ill  not  be  ^^ 
brother  of  the  Gennan.** 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  245 

^^à  without  end  to  his  Ozars,  theîr  grand- 
sons,  and  theîr  great  grandsons.  Bnt  since 
^hat  tîme  does  a  mother  transmit  the  name 
^f  lier  ancestors  to  her  children,  and  why 
^e  the  Holstein  Grottolfs,  Romanoffs  ? 

Xid  us  pass  over  Peter  III.;  after  T^îni 

^ïïies  his  wife  Catherine  II.,  and  the  Rus- 

^B,  remembering  that  he  owes  to  her  the 

Crîmeaand  Lithuania,  conceives  a  friendship 

for  this  powerfiil  woman,  whom  he  endows 

^th    his    favorite    name    of   matuschJea, 

Mother.    But  at  the  sight  of  Paul  I.  he  is 

P^trified.    Thèse  features  do  not  touch  his 

keart,  they  are  not  those  of  Catherine,  nor 

^^  Peter  HC,  stiU  less  are  they  those  of  the 

^omanoflFs.    The  infirmity  of  the  chief  of 

*^e  Holstein  branch  is  well  known,  and  the 

^^der  given  by  the  Senate  to  Catherine,  to 

•"djûit  Soltikow  to  the  Impérial  bed,  was  a 

^itiel  order,  if  that  nobleman  resembled  her 

^^    How  could  the  Senate  commit  such  a 

"Ixinder  as  to  make  an  offer  like  this  to  a 

^oman  who  was  so  good  a  judge  as  Cathe- 


246  RUSSIA  UNDER 

rine!    Wliat  a  singular  sport  of  nature' 
Paul  exactly  resembled   a   Finnlander  ^ 
Strelna,  and  his  red  hair^  bis  pug  nose^  aiB^^ 
his  proverbial  obstinacy  gave  rise  to  mot"* 
than  a  suspicion  of  some  strange  substiti^^ 
tion,     The  Senate  ordered  that  Catherin-^ 
sbould  bave  a  son^  but  wbat^  if  sbe  ha»^^ 
onlj  a  daugbter^  and  tbat  dangbter  still-^ 
bom  ?     The  need  which  the  country  had  c^* 
an  heir  to  the   throne^   tbe  ambition  c^^ 
Catherine  to  retain  power,  the  proximity  C^ 
the  orphan  house^  where  there  are  so  mbSL^ 
diildren  of  Finnland,  give  ground  for  suj^' 
positions  which  may  be  realities^  and  wc  ac*^^ 
tempted  to  believe  that  the  child  of  boui^  ^ 
honest  Finn  was  substituted  for  a  siill-boi — ^ 
daughter  of  the  Empress;  for^  once  mor 
why  this  pug  nose  and  this  red  hair,  a] 
above  ail,  whence  the  invincible  hatrëd 
Catherine  to  her  son  Paul  ? 

Puschkin  delighted  to  represent 
nationality  of  the  reigning  family  in  a 
eccentric  manner;   he  took  a  goUet  ant^ 


NICH0LA8   THE  FIRST.  247 

poured  into  ît  a  glass  of  pure  red  wîne  in 

lionour  of  Peter  L,  whose  Eussian  origin 

could  not  be  disputed,  and  added  a  glass  of 

water  for  the  fatàier  of  Peter  m.  ;  hère  he 

<^lit  to  bave  stopped^  and  to  bave  tumed 

^e  goblet  upside  down^  but^  ûdtbful  to  tbe 

^inciples    of    tbe    Sussian    Govemment, 

^bieh  makes  tbe  Gottolfs  pass  for  Soman-- 

^^  be  poured  out  anotber  glass  of  water 

^  honour  of  Catherine  H.,  a  Princess  of 

^i^t.      Tbis  time  be  sbould^  perbaps, 

'^Te  added  a  glass  of  wine,  but  fearing 

^  compromise  bimself^  be  proceeded  and 

P^iired  a  fourtb  glass  of  water  for  JVIaria 

*^oroyna»  tbe  motber  of  Nicbolas  I.; 

**^U  a  fiftb  for  tbe  reigning  Empress,  by 

^lûcb  time  tbe  liquor  was  so  fEiintly  tinged 

^th  red,  tbat  be  raised  a  gênerai  laugb  by 

^^*king  tbe  company  to  décide  wbetber  it 

^^  wine  or  water,  and  wbetber,  by  corn- 

Pteison,  tbe  présent  Czars  were  Bussians  or 

^iermans? 

Maria  Feodorovna,  tbe  wife  of  Paul,  a 


248  RUSSIA  UNDER 

Princess  of  Wurtemburg,  was  as  much  di^ 
tinguished  for  her  personal  beauty  a» 
mental  qualifications,  as  Paul  was  for  bis  de€ 
ciency  in  botb  tbese  respects.  The  cbildre=ï 
of  tbis  marriage  were  Alexander,  wbo  inhcs 
rited  tbc  personal  beauty  as  well  as  th 
mind  of  bis  motber;  Constantine,  wbo  wa. 
an  exact  counterpart  of  bis  fatber,  ugly  ir 
person  and  wayward  in  disposition;  Kicbolas 
wbo  can  boast  only  of  personal  beauty;  an- 
lastly,  Micbael,  wbo  is  neitber  very  goo- 
nor  very  bandsome. 

Next  to  ber  usurpation,  wbîcb  was 
crime,  according  tbe  words  of  Nicbola 
bimself,  wbo  was  astonisbed  tbat  she  sbooL 
be  called  Great,  after  ber  licentiousnesc 
liistory  must  reproacb  Gatberîne  II.  wifc 
tbe  bad  éducation  wbicb  sbe  gare  ber  chîl 
dren.  Sbe  detested  Paul,  as  a  son  un 
wortby  of  ber,  and  could  not  reconcile  hei 
self  to  tbe  idea  tbat  be  was  to  succeed  hc 
on  tbe  tbrone  ;  sbe  consequently  neglecte 
bis  éducation,  wbicb,  added  to  bis  extrava 


NICH0LA8   THE  FIRST.  249 

8^t  character^  was  the  cause  of  his  violent 

^^th.    Catherine  devoted  ail  her  care  to 

^^  ^andson  Alexander  ;  but  his  éducation 

^•s  toc  alieu  to  the  manners  of  his  country 

^d  to  the  genius  of  his  nation.    He  always 

^^ted  courage  to  carry  into  eflfect  what  his 

^'^d  had  recognized  to  be  just  and  usefiil. 

^Ually  weak  and  good,  equally  crafty  and 

itérai,  he  could  only  scatter  among  the 

P^ople  germs  of  liberty  which  his  successor 

*^^s   delighted  in  destroying  or  eradicat- 

Struck  with  the  troubles  which  his  bro- 

*'*^^r  had  bequeathed  to  him,  Nicholas  im- 

^Sixied  that,  in  order  to  reign  well,  it  would 

^^^fiBce  to  act  in  every  case  the  opposite  part 

^^ch  Alexander  would  hâve  taken;  to  per- 

^^<ïiite  liberty  to  the  utmost,  to  endeavour 

^   le  as  national  as  his  predecessor  had 

"^^n  foreign^  as  orthodox  as  the  other  had 

"^^n  catholic.     Thus  he  disappointed  the 

*^^pe8  and  the  expectations  which  he  had 

Siven  on  his  accession  to  the  throne,  in  his 


'-l'^e  educatiot 

cient  as  tliat   oi 

were  not  destinée 

During  the  wl 

te  did  not  rise  a 

of  Division,  and  [ 

anarrownessof  m 

the  mîlitary  servie 

ried  to  a  ridicuIoB 

rant  that  he  writea 

*  The  Grand  Duke 
words  in  Riwsian,  alth< 
wdl.  I  hâve  heard  tlia 
into  banishment  becauH 
which  he  had  formed,  th 
Mîchael,  whîch  waa  si 
^^nevoUni^m  Eusaia.  n 


NICHOLA8   THE  FIRST.  251 

accent^  which  is  équivalent  to  writing  Ni^ 

diolas  in  French  withont  an  s;  and  his 

despotism  is  Buch,  that  no  siatesman  has 

Hiherto  dared  to  tell  him  of  this  fault  in 

speDing  which  lie  so  frequently  commits. 

It  is  astonishing  that  no  Bussian  author  has 

yet  taken  it  into  his  head  to  abolish  that 

^ïûhappy  letter,  were  it  only  to  pay  his 

«ODit  to  the  Sovereign. 

The  £B.vourite  and  daily  reading  of  Wi-- 

cholas  is  the  AbeiUe  du  Nord,  the  most 

iofignificant  journal  that  ever  was  published 

in  the    two    hémisphères.    His    Majesty^ 

lererthelessy  takes  pleasure  in  it,  and  writes 

lemarks  in  pencil  on  the  margin.      On  one 

of  thèse  papers,  which  are  ail  carefuUy 

d^osited  in  the  Hermitage,  we  read  that 

the  names  of  the  tribunals  of  the  govem* 

ments  of  districts,  &c.,  ought  to  be  printed 

in  ]arg6  capitals  ! 

The  ship  of  the  Une  called  '^  Bussia,"  is 
an  OTerwheliping  proof  of  the  despotism  of 
Hicholas.  'On  yisiting  tbe  vessel  while  on  the 


252  RUSSIA  UNDER 

stocks,  lie  thought  that  there  was  not  sufr 
cicnt  room  to  walk  about,  and  accordingly 
commanded  the  space  to  be  enlarged;  even 
enforcing  his  opinion  against  that  of  coiû- 
petent  judges.  By  conséquence,  this  vessel 
is  tlie  very  worst  sailer  in  the  whole  Russian 
navy,  and  is  very  seldom  employed. 

When  he  takes  it  into  his  head  to  com- 
mand  the  movement  of  a  shîp,  whiA 
he  does  almost  every  time  he  goes  to 
sca,  the  captain  of  the  rcssel  takcs  caïc 
always  to  keep  behind  him,  în  order,  by 
counter  signais,  to  prevent  the  strict  exécu- 
tion of  his  Majesty's  orders,  which  wouli 
înevitably  lead  to  the  loss  of  the  ship  and 
its  august  passenger. 

His  cannon  shot  at  Shumla  is  the  parodj 
of  îfapoleon  at  Montereau,  An  artilleiy 
officer  thought  that  the  mark  was  toc  dis- 
tant— ^but  Nicholas  ordered  him  to  fixe» 
and  the  bail  fell  short. 

The  campaign  in  Turkey  has  imposed 
silence  on  the  courtiers,  who  had  always  made 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  253 

a  point  to  endeavour  to  extol  the  military 

âlents  of  Kicholas.    We  must  do  him  the 

justice  to  say,  that  he  has  since  had  the 

good   sensé    to    relinquish    making   war, 

*ûd  to  confine  himself  to   presiding    at 

reviews.    It  îs  impossible  for  any  man  to 

command  with  more  grâce  and  élégance 

of  nutnner  ;  his  voice  rises   above   every 

^er;  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  exercise 

^^  troops  better  than  he  does.     He  îs 

•^™ired  for  his  quick-sightedness — ^for  the 

^^ly  with  which  he  distingnishes,  even 

^  the  most  distant  ranks,  the  slightest 

*^^ct  in  the    dress  of  a  soldier  or  an 

^fficer;  not  a  button  or  a  buckle  escapes 

^  vigilance.    This  is  a  talent  possessed 

^  ail  the  Impérial  Family;  and,  on  ob- 

^^'^îxig  his  penetrating  look,  philanthropists 

^^    often  said  with  a  sigh,  that  if  this 

J*î*^<dty  had  been  applied  to  objects  more 

^Portant,  more  worthy  of  the  attention 

^   Sovereign,  the  country  would  hâve 

^Ved  valuable  advantages  from  it. 


"Sire,"  replîed  the  i 
hâve  never  been  beat  en 

The  gênerai  in  fact 
completely,    and   Nichol 
him. 

«  What  do  yon  thmk 
men  ?  "  asked  he,  when  l 
his  corps. 

*'  Sire/'  replied  Muravi 
frankness^  **  you  should  1 
fortnîght  ago,  when  they  ; 
homes;  they  then  looke^ 
beggars.^ 

The  Emperor  revengec 
On  the  f oUowing  day^  whei 
commanded  bv  Mn^oiri^^ 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIBST.  255 

cûited  the  service,  and  the  country  saf- 
ered  doublj  bj  not  having  in  liï^icholas  I. 
i  fVederick  II. 

T¥haty  in  £Euri^  are  thèse  soldiers  (Licefir- 

fies)  Irai  one  of  the  most  unhappj  concep- 

lions  that  can  be  imagined  ;  the  truth  may 

Mt   be  spoken  at  ail  times,   and   everj 

fMt  mnst  not  be  rerealed;  bnt  iiiien  the 

eonntry  snffers  in  conséquence,  it  cannot  be 

procUimed  too  loudly. 

The  Emperor  bas  rednced  the  active 
■errice  of  the  soldier  firom  twenty-five  to 
t^entjr-two  years  in  the  régiments  of  the 
I<ne  ;  and  from  twenty-two  to  iSfteen  years 
^  the  Goards  ;  and  during  the  remainder 
of  the  tîme,  the  soldiers  are  liable  to  be 
called  ont,  are  obliged  to  attend  the  reviews 
^erj  year,  and,  in  case  of  war,  to  retum  to 
âieir  standards;  but  the  principal  thing 
ktt  been  overlooked,  namely,  to  provide 
fir  their  support.  Having  ceased  to  be 
good  villagers  when  they  entered  the  ser- 
Oce,  they  cease  to  be  good  soldiers  when 


2r»G  RUSSIA    TNDER 

they  quit  it:  useless  to  the  ariny,  the" 
becoine  a  burden  to  theîr  districts;  an 
finding  it  diflBcult  to  procure  a  lirelihoocd 
they  excite  trouble  and  discontent  in  ti^ 
rural  population,  Tbe  landowners  fesi 
them,  the  peasants  reject  them,  and  thi.' 
Government  has  thus  created  a  class  o 
dangerous  and  warlike  petty  landholdcrsa, 
instead  of  wcll-disciplincd  soldiers, 

A  quality  which  îs  most  generally  allow^ed 
to  Kicholas,  is  that  strength  of  character 
which  it  is  affirmed  he  manifested  in  a  hîgfc 
degrec  on  the  very  day  of  his  accession 
to  the  throne.     But  it  appears^  neverthe- 
less,  that  he  mtli  difficulty  could  be  per- 
suaded  to  shew  himself  to  the  insurgente, 
and  it  is  certain  that  before  leasing  the 
palace   he   prayed  to    God  with   fenonr. 
Was  this  piety,  or  was   it   fear  ?    He  is 
deemed  quite  enough  of  a  dissembler  to 
dîsplay  the  one  and  to  conceal  the  other. 
In  the  square  itself  he  was  observed  to  be 
pale  and  trembling^  while  his  satellites  cried 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST«  25? 

'^'^  îs  lost,"  at  the  moment  when  ail 
^a»  going  on  as  well  as  possible»  The 
D^suigents  having  no  mîlitary  chief,  re-* 
lûained  inactive  the  whole  day,  and  Kicholas 
^à  not  take  courage  till  the  evening,  when 
*^dve  pièces  of  cannon  were  brought 
^&mt  1300  men;  whereas>  there  were 
more  than  13,000  faithful  troops!!  The 
^ïïsiirgents  were  fired  upon  at  a  distance 
of  a  hundred  paces.  The  guns  were  then 
^ed  upon  the  people  along  the  street 
^  the  gallejs  and  the  quays.  A  woman  who 
^  at  this  moment  looking  out  of  her 
^dow,  had  her  head  carried  off  by  a 
<î^on-ball«  "What  a  melancholy  com- 
mencement of  a  reign,"  exclaimed  lï^icholas^ 
^  his  retum  to  the  palace.    His  former 

^tor,  Baron  D ,  one  day  asked  him  how 

^  liad  acquired  so  much  firmness,  as  he 
«»à  always  known  him  to  be  so  weak.  '*  My 
*own  was  at  stake/'  he  answered,  '^  and  it 
*te  well  worth  while  for  me  to  appear 
Wnrageous."  ^*I  onlydid  nayduty/'  saîd 
YOL.  h  s 


258  BUSSIA  UHDEB 

he  to  the  Marquis  Custine,  in  a  stnmge  i 
of  modesty. 

An    officiai   journal    bas    related^ 
meeting  in  the  palace  a  company  ci 
insurgent  grenadiers,  who  did  not  retiaxr 
his  salutation,  Xicholas  told  tliem  that  ik/ej 
liad  mistaken  their  way,  and  that  they  bmJ 
better  go  and  join  the  mutineers  in  IBM^- 
square.     The  courtiers  go  fnrth»;  and  s^ 
that  he  had  commanded  the  service  of  ik 
guards  in  the  palace,  had  made  them  poiat 
their  muskcts  at  him,  had  confronted  tbeir 
looks,  and  had  made  them  lay  down  ùéà 
arms. 

AVljeû  the  rébellion  was  at  length  qnaahfidt 
and  the  Boldiers  of  the  régiment  of  Moscov 
led  the  piisoncrs  away,  bound  and  faandcaffed, 
the  Grand  Duke  Mchael  appeared  for  tfae 
first  time  on  that  day,  and  reproadied  tli€tt 
in  the  coarsest  tenus  ;  one  of  thaa  haviqg 
kept  on  his  cap,  received  a  blow  in  his  : 
by  the  fist  of  his  Impérial  Highaeas*. 

*  The  soldier  who  was  «n  eye-witneu  «F  thi 


NICH0LA6  THE  FIRST.  289 

-Âfter  tiàe    yictorj,  Kîcholas    exercîâed 

cLemency;  ihe  pénal  commission  had  con- 

^<^:imed  ihe  principal  conspirators  ta  be 

cpurtered:  ihe  Gzar  commuted  tbeir  pu* 

Biahment  for  that  of  the  gallows.    Tlie  gai- 

lo^?8  was  then  unknown  in  Sussia,  and  the 

iMnoiur  of  introducing  it  was  reserved  to 

Hiciiolas.    Ko  hangman  was  to  be  found 

hà  the  empire,  and  one  was  accordingly 

^lirtuned  from  Sweden«    In  the  course  of 

^e  exécutions  tbe  ropes  broke,  and  three 

^  ihe  soflEerers  fell  to  the  ground,  still 

^e.    A  meaaenger  was    instantly    des- 

lit^ed  to  Kicholas  to  inquire  what  st^s 

«ère  to  be  takea.    '^Hang  them  again '*'!'' 


1  it  tp  me  on  hb  death-bed^  manifesting  the  iocBg- 
I  of  a  true  soldier,  not  to  «ay  of  a  real  gentleman. 
*  The  Kmg  of  Denmark  displayed  more  humanîty 
'm  a  «oinewhat  «nukr  occasion,  having  atopped  the 
jflMhment  of  a  criminal  jost  ae  he  had  laid  his  head 
oa  the  fcaffold  ;  he  afterwards  foand  that  he  had  well 
detryod  death,  hat  he  nevertheless  pardoned  him,  m 
coonderation  of  the  terron  which  he  had  already 
cDihired. 

s2 


After  ail  thèse  executic 
an  immortal  stanza:  "] 
mounted  the  throne  whe: 
character;  heerectedfive 
an  hundred  people  into  ex 

Bjléîéf,  the  finssian  Gh 
those  who  were  hanged  ; 
Rnssîan  nobilîtj  was  ci 
mercj  ;  and  what  did  the 
at?  A  constitution; 
himself  had  ardentlj  de 
giving  one  to  Foland^  l 
deep  regret  at  not  beinj 
same  for  his  own  count 
perhaps  there  were  amon| 


NICHOLAS  THE  J-IRST.  261 

The  ex-Ambassador  Markopff  vras  on  hîs 

death-bed  when  his  nephew  came  to  relate 

the  détails  of  the  revoit^  and  ended  his 

ïecital  by  saying^  "  At  length  it  is  just  as 

iû  France!"     "Tou  mîstake/'  replied  hîs 

tocle;    ^Hhere    cobblers    would  fain    be 

piinces:  hère  princes  would  be  cobblers!" 

If  this  were  not  a  reproach,  it  might  be  f^ 

^mmendation. 

One  day  the  Emperor  sent  for  one  of 
^  gênerais  ;  he  was  quite  beside  himself. 
^Have  you  any  knowledge  of  this  pam- 
Wet?"  inquired  he  eagerly,  giving  him  the 
wunght  of  a  constitution  for  Eussia,  which 
W  just  been  discovered  among  the  papers 

tf  Constantine* 
** Ko,  Sire,"  replied  the  gênerai;  "and 

your  Majesty,  can  you  haye  yourself  been 

«norantofit?" 

'  ''Could  I  otherwise  hâve  judged  the  con- 

^pintors  of  the  14th,  as  I  did,"  cried  the 

^peror,  quite  bewildered  ;  "  tell  me,  who 

(îrewitup?" 


LIT  allrTiaîed  in  conseqnen 
Teij.   Thfce  bappj  eTeiits  ttîi 
the  circle  of  the  Impeml  £ 
prises  wldd  ha  need  of 
bowerer.  to  some  amelianl 
dhkm.    Unis,  on  Ike  dé 
against  Tnrke j^  Nicboks, 
of  the  dniTch  of  CMen^ 
Benkendoif  to  rdease  firm 
persons  condenmed  for  th* 
Mted  in  1826.    Bot  at  t 
tibe  time  fonrhidi  tlieywi 
hard  kbour,  the  Coant  ^ 
Aem  the  princ^al  town 
mideiice^  ^in  order^ 


NICHOLA8   THE   FIRST.  26S 

^^^^"^  ^oy  iheîr  lires,  in  the  great  centre 
ot  the  population?"  snd,  taking  a  map  of 
8îkc™^  he  marked  with  his  own  hand  the 
«*t  désert  and  the  most  remote  part  of 
^•^  dïeary  coontry,  as  the  places  where 
*^  diould  réside.  Accordingly  ail  those 
■^^M^tonate  men  suffered  even  more  by  the 
^'^■^ïïient  in  the  colonies  than  by  their 
^'^  Ulhour,  wUch  in  itself  was  not  severe, 
*^^  ïixoreover,  at  least  aflForded  them  tiie 
^'«fort  of  living  together. 

^  is  true,  tiiat  on  the  first  complaint 
^t^^  the  person  who  had  the  care  of  the 
FWiiers  at  K'ertsehink,  and  who  had  re- 
^^  them  in  his  dressing-gown,  and  said^ 
*What  hâve  you  been  plotting?  yon  wiH 
Won  be  cnred  of  your  turbulent  humours 
^f*  Nieholas  cashiered  him,  and  put  in 
Ki  place  General  Lepars^,  a  good  aad 
«il^htened  man,  formerly  colonel  of  the 
ngimest  of  chasseurs  on  horseback,  whâdi 
Un  his  name,  and  with  whom  the  exSes 
àMl  erery  reason  to  be  satMed* 


264  RUSSIA   UNDER 

We  will  hère  mention  another  fiact,  whk 

does  honoùr  to  Nicholas.   Prince  Ohnlendr ^. 

one  of  the  conspirators^  was  his  persoi 
enemy;  he  had  answered  every  question  i 
French,  and  eren  went  so  far  as  to 
liim  by  no  other  title  than  that  of  Monsieur 
The  Commission^  to  please  the  Empc 
condemned  the  Prince  to  death;  IfichoL 
struck  out  his    name^    saying,    '^It   is 
meanness  !" 

But  the  colonel  of  a  régiment  of  Moa 
cow,  with  whom  îficholas  had  had  soi 
diflTerences  in  the  service,  was  worse  treat 
than  the  others,  and  had  the  smallest  sha:^^^ 
of  the  rare  and  restricted  favours  of  his  f(>:*C'-i 
mer  colonel. 

"What  has  your  Emperor  doue  to  you^T 
said  Nicholas,  to  one  of  the  conspiratorr^*» 
when  he  did  them  the  honour  to  examîc»^ 
them  himself  ;  "  We  had  not  an  Emperor^  ^"^ 
they  replied;  '^we  hâve  had  two,  one  iri»^ 
your  brother,  and  the  other  Arakhtschdef^^ 
and  as  he  continued  in  this  strain,  the  GrUA^ 


mCBOLAS  THE  FIRST.  265 

Txke  Michael,  who  was  présent^  exclaimed^ 
X%at  man  should  liare  his  mouth  stopped 
itJi  a  bayonet/'  ^^Tou  înquired  just 
>ipv,"  said  the  accused^  ^'why  we  wanted  a 
^Institution;  it  is  that  such  things  may 
>-t  be  said.'* 

Sis  first  succès»  emboldened  î^icholas^ 
cxd  rendered  him  still  more  intractable, 
te  also  proceeded  with  more  resolution  on 
&SS  important  occasions. 

^t  the  time  of  the  revolt,  during  the 
^îiolera,  he  drore  in  an  open  carriage  to  the 
^ymarket,  in  St,  Petersburg.  When  he 
^^ed  there,  he  told  an  assemblage  of  the 
"^Pulace  to  pray  to  God;  and  they  took 
^  *^lieir  caps.  He  told  them  to  fall  upou 
^^ir  knees  ;  and  they  did  so.  Accordingly 
^  lËmperor  bas  been  represented  on  thîs 
^^^orable  occasion  in  water  colours  and  in 
»  but  it  is  forgotten  that  he  addressed 
^  assemblage  in  thèse  words  :  ^' Are  you 
^^Xichmen  V*  B^either  is  it  said  that  the 
'^^Xiues  were  guarded  by  the  military. 


26€t  BUSSU  UNDEB 

Ai  !I^oTgorod  he  appeared  aceompani^ 
only  hj  Orloff^  and  armed  merely  with 
sword  among  the  revolted  cdionistSy 
made  them  retum  to  order  hj  an  energetic^^ 
oath.    "An  oath/'  says  the  Rnssian^  "is   ^ 
butter  to  the  gruel^  sait  to  the  sauce^  and      * 
on  that  daj  the  Holstein  was  eqnal  to  a 
Bomanoff."    But  the  exécutions  which  fd^ 
lowed  this  insurrection^  equalled  in  cnielty 
the  excesscs  which  iiad  been  comniitted  bj 
the  insurgents.    If  the  colonists  flayed  some      t 
of  their  officers   alire^  there  were   some    e 
among   them  who   received   as   manj  ai  ^ 
12^000  stripes  with  the  rod. 

One  day^  as  iN'icholas  was  exerciang 
troops^  a  storm  arose;  the  Emperor  tami 
pale^  drew  his  hat  over  his  eyes^  and  t\ 
his  Yoice: — Ne  «rot  brat  ne  sehautit, 
the  soldiers  maUciously,    which    may  b» 
translated  by  thèse  words  :  '*  He  who  is  om 
high  is  not  one  of  us,  there  is  no  joknig 
with  Him.» 

Obstinacy  and  cruelty  cannot  be  eaDeâ 


NICEKH-AS   THE  FIRST.  287 

ste-«Bgth  of  elmractef  :  a  man  of  a  reaDj 
crtx'oiig  mind,  and  who  is  eonscious  of  Im 
strength,  is  naturally  mild;  NîcholM  was  as 
as  he  waa  cruel  before  he  became 
or.  He  tore  off  the  mnstachios  and 
^^^Itiflkers  of  the  soldiers  of  his  brigade^  and 
^s^exnbled  in  Use  ante-chamber  of  Alexander^ 
^*ofe  daring  either  to  go  forward  or  to  enter; 
^^^  and  Miehael  pnshed  eadi  otber^  eack 
^tt«mpting  to  make  the  other  go  first  into 
*k^  Emperor's  cabinet. 

-A  floldier  of  the  engineers  was  condemned 

*^   Tun  the  ganntlet.     Nicholas,  who  waa 

^^^«n  a  colonel  of  engineers^  wrote  down  a 

9f^S9àet  nmnber  of  bloirs  than  the  man  waa 

^^ï^tenced    to    receive,     upon    which    M. 

•^  ** *  %  hi«  aid-de-camp^  observed  thai it 

^^9  nseless  to  make  anj  altération  in  the 

*^*iteBce,  for  it  was  Tciy  nncertain  whetber 

^'^  imfortonate  culptit  would  not  die  under 

^mllict««,iritlKmt«yaddifcion.    2îicho- 

^^^yiddedto  this  argument^  bot  what  moit 

^Klonished  his  aid-de-camp  waa^  tiiat  he 


268  RUSSIA   VXDEK 

spoke  of  the  matter  as  something  total)  ^ 
indiffèrent.  Xero  wept  when  signing  ^ 
sentence  of  death. 

AITe  must  attribute  to  a  Tvant  of  kncwT^^^ 
ledge,  as  much  as  to  a  want  of  energy,  ih^^ 
failure  of  the  laudable  plans  whîch  Nîchola^^ 
bas  conceived  sînce  bis  accession  to  th^^ 
tbrone.     He  was  anxious  to  abolisb  tbc^ 
tschinnSy  to  give  publicity  to  tbe  proceed-^ 
ings  of  tbe  tribunals^  and  be  recoiled  at  tbe 
bare  word  advocates,  wbom  it  would  bave 
been  necessary  to  appoint.      It  îs  more 
tbrougb  ignorance  tban  tbrougb  fear  of  tbe 
nobility  tbat  be  suffers  tbe  project  for  tbe 
émancipation  of  tbe  ser&  to  remain  a  dead 
letter. 

!N^icbolas^  annoyed  at  bis  German  origin, 
does  bis  best  to  pass  for  a  Russian;  thus  he 
often  calls  tbe  Empress  by  tbe  name  of 
Baba  (a  peasant's  wife).  One  day^  as  she 
was  going  with  bim  to  tbe  barracks  of  ihe 
Prosbrajensky  régiment^  be  said  to  the  sol* 
diers^  ^^I  tbink  tbis  is  the  first  time  since 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  26^ 

t3iza1)eth,  that  a  Baba  Czarine  vîsits  the 
IwuTacks." 

He  bas  the  pretension  not  only  to  equal^ 

l>^t  to  surpass  Peter  the  Great.    He  would 

Vpear  more  national  than  Peter,  and  retain 

the  usages  which  he  had  violently  pro- 

scribed.    ^'  I  haye  seen  you  with  a  beard," 

"^  observed  to  a  merchant,  "why  hâve  you 

shaved  it?   we  ought  not.to  abandon  the 

customs  of  our  forefathers."     Then,  by  a 

strange  contradiction  he  issued  a  ukase  in 

1837,  forbidding  the  civil  officers  to  wear 

ïûnstachios,  or  beards,  in  the  Jetcish  or 

JPrench  fashion.     He  artned  at  wit,  and 

foigot  that,  while  Peter  shaved  the  beard  of 

barbarism,  Mcholas  shaves  that  of  civiliza- 

iion.    On  the  other  hand,  the  mustachio 

"iras  ordered  for  the  whole  army*. 

The  Emperor  retuming  from  a  joumey, 
caïkie  home  with  a  slight  mustachio.  The 
jElmpress  complimented  him  on  this  innova- 

*  Tin  that  tîme  it  had  been  worn  only  by  the  Light 
C&Tilry. 


270  RUSBU  UNDER 

tion^  and  expressed  a  wish  ibst  he  wofm 
rctain  it  ;  to  please  her,  he  caused  ib  U^  j 
adopted  in  the  anny.  '^  I  hâve  oiq^osed  it 
said  the  Grand  Duke  Michael^  ^'but  fiiiioe  it 
the  Ëmperor  positivelj  wishes  it,  I  w31  let  mj 
mustachios  grow  an  ell  in  length;"  and  bt 
kept  his  Word,  and  set  the  ezimple  to  tbe 
courtiers. 

What  can  be  more  national  thaa  the 
head  drcss  à  la  jeune  Frcmce,  which  M 
likewise  called  à  la  Moujik;  but  it  M 
Bufficient  that  it  was  adopted  at  Paris  vià 
the  Court,  for  î^icholas  to  tum  it  to  lidir 
cule.    One  daj,  meeting  with  M.  Jakoik 
wearing  his  hair  and  dress  in  theEratf 
fashion,  the  Emperor  signed  faim  to  i 
proach;  ordered  him  to  get  into  fais  carrii 
and  drove  him  to  the  palace,  wfaere  he  j 
sented  him  to  the  Empress.    ^'I  preseï 
you/'  said  he,  '^the  most  élégant  m 
mj  empire!"    Then  tuming  to  the  j 
man,  he  cried:  "Tou  may  go!**  and, 
hanng  scratched  fais  face,  fae  orden 


NIGHOIAB  THE  FIRST.  271 

^  Ço  and  be  shayed.  lliis  anecdote  was 
^eulated  a  long  time  by  the  conrtierB,  as 
^  instance  of  the  Emperor's  famnour,  bot 
^^^  they  Bam  that  iheîr  hearers  shrugged 
^^  sboaldars,  tbey  attempted  to  deny  it, 
^Q  it  ivas  too  late. 

In  imitation  of  the  Czar,  a  lady  of  mok 
«ae  day  sent  for  a  Erencb  hairdresserat  St. 
Petersbnrg.  He  was  introduced  into  tbe 
ibawing-room^  and  the  nûstress  of  the  house 
jpres^xting  him  to  the  company,  said,  ^'See, 
iadies  and  genUexnen,  this  is  a  coiffeur  à  la 
mcpjikJ^  The  hairdresser  who  related  this 
dxcmnstance  to  me,  added,  that  he  was 
tempted  to  show  them  something  else,  bat 
Ihat  he  had  been  deterred  by  the  example 
of  his  c<Hniade  at  Moscow,  who  was  merci- 
fanly  flogged  by  the  servants  of  a  Bussian 
frinoe,  before  whom  he  had  ventured  to 
q^pear  without  a  great^oat  at  the  moment 
vlien  his  Excellency  and  his  lady  had  en* 
tored  the  shop. 

lîididias  was  less  fortmate  wîth  Gonnt 


272  RussiA  uin>ER 

Samoîlof  ;  his  mg,  wliich  had  latelj  amvej 
from  Parîs^  greatlj  displeased  him,  and  h\ 
caused  him  to  be  represented  on  the  stagi 
of  Moscow.  The  Count  requested  the  actof 
to  call  iipon  hhn^  compUmented  him  on  hifi 
talent^  and  presented  him  with  three  diar- 
mond  buttons^  with  the  proceeda  of  whîcb 
he  purchased  a  house  in  the  subnrbs  of  tb^ 
city. 

IsText  to  Peter  the  Great,  S'apoleon  is  ih^ 
hero  whom  Kicholas  wishes  to  resemUe^ 
and  if  he  does  not  succeed^  it  is  assnredly 
not  for  want  of  good  will.    In  de&ult  o 
great  victcries^  he  imitâtes  him  in  certa' 
peculîarities  of  manner.    A  soldier  in  t 
Caucasus  having  blown  up  a  fort  wl 
was  on  the  point  of  being  taken  by 
Circassians,  the  Emperor  ordered  that 
name  of  the  brave  man  should  be  c 
over  in  his  régiment^  and  that  a  grei 
should  answer  in  his  stead^  ^'Dead  £ 
glory  of  the  Bussian  arms!"    We  v 
hère  institute  anj  parallèle  ont  of 


^ 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  275 

for  the  great  man  ;  we  will  sélect  one  fact 
from  the  life  of  Buonaparte.  An  author 
^te  a  virulent  pamphlet  against  him; 
JSfnpoleon  gave  him  epaulettes,  sajing, 
^XTse  your  sword  for  me,  as  you  hâve  used 
your  pen  against  me."  Compared  with  this, 
*^^o\à  Nicholas  going  about  at  twilight  ta 
examine  the  booksellers*  stalls,  to  see 
^hether  he  can  find  the  Mémoires  d'un 
^^(tre  d'Armes,  by  Alexander  Dmnas;  and 
^hen  he  sees  them  in  the  hands  of  the 

^^ce  of  Darmstadt,  who  had  lately  arrived 

**    St.    Petersburg,    exclaiming,    "Know, 

^t  prohibited  books  are  not  to  be  read  in 
y^  dominions  !" 
Axiother  time  he  saw  Paroles  d'un  Croy^ 

***>  in  the  hands  of  the  heir  to  the  crown, 
^d  finding  that  it  came  from  Bellizard's 

*^ïiU7,  he  caused  him  to  be  prosecuted. 
*^  man  escaped  by  paying  a  heavy  fine, 

^^  the  words,  "Bookseller  to  the  Court'* 

^^^>i^peared  from  hîs  shop. 

Civilisation  is  the  mortal  enemy  of  M^ 

TOL.  I.  T 


274  RUSSIÂ   UNDEB 

cholas^  and  liberty  is  the  bugbear;  henoe 
France,  wliich  represents  both,  is  the  un- 
varying  object  of  his  animosity.    The  rela^ 
tions  of  that  country  wîth  Itussia^  whic" 
werc   80  friendly  during    the  restoratioE 
hâve  become  much  estranged  since  the  revo 
lutîon.    On  the  accession  of  Louis-Philippe 
Mcholas  exclaimed,  that  ''he  would  rathei 
hâve   one  of  iN^apoleon's  soldiers  on  the 
throne."    When  the  news  of  the  Jtdy  révo- 
lution reached    St.    Petersburg,    Nicholas 
addrcssed  the  French  Ambassador  in  thèse 
words,  "Your  Bourbons  are  ninnies:  ûef 
hâve  got  themselves  driven  from  France&r 
the  tliîrd  time."    Then,  shutting  himself  q! 
with  Prince  Lieven,  he  dictated  to  him  tf 
order  to  ail  Eussians  to    quit  Paris  in 
twenty-four  hours;  and  another^  forbiddi^K 
vessels  bearing  the  tri-coloured  flag  to  enttf 
the  Russian  ports.    A  fortnight  aiier,  A^ 
Minister  of  Finance  represented  to  U* 
that  commerce  was  impeded  in  conseqoeDO^ 
of  this  prohibition;  '^Well^  then,  let  it  ^ 


KIGSOLA8   THE  FIRST.  275 

Irawn/'  Baid  he^  wîth  perfect  coolness* 
^onduct  towards  Louis-Philippe  bas  al- 
been  brutal:  that  of  Louis-Fliilippe  <m 
Miet  lumd  bas  been  distinguisbed  by 
1^,  and  bas  invariablj  been  délicate 
ibHging.  Everybodyknowstbebaugbiy 
'  of  tbe  Gzar  to  the  affectîonate  letter  in 
ï  Louis-Philippe  inf  ormed  him  of  bis  acr- 
»!  to  tbe  throne.  Subséquent!;  bewitb- 
bis  Ambassador^  and  sent  a  mère  Chargé 
lires  in  bis  stead.  It  bas  been  said  that 
WBS  only  a  measure  of  economy,  and 
he  same  bad  been  done  with  respect 
ngland  and  Austria.  But  Messieurs 
ïw  and  Medem  are  Minîsters  Plenîpo- 
Tjy  and  Mr.  Eisselef  is  merely  a 
fé  d'Affaires.  "France,"  said  tbe 
ïTor,  *'  is  not  a  Power  worthy  to  bave 
f  my  Ambassadors." 
10  bas  suffered  by  tbis  measure  ?  Jn 
irst  place,  the  Russians,  wbo  are  now 
Qger  represented  in  France  as  tbey 
t  to  be;  and  whence  does  sncb  pre-^ 

t2 


576  RUSSIA   UKDER 

sumptîon  arise  ?     "  I  am  able,"  said  Ificko- 
las  to  Fabien^  when  he  appointed  himto  ib^ 
post  of  Ambassador  to  Paris,  "I  am  àbi^ 
to  support  you  by  100,000,  or  if  necessai^f 
by  200,000  bayonets.'*    ïTow,   tbese  trO 
numbers  aretoo  small  to  give  somuchtitiefr^ 
arrogance,    *'  Louis-Philippe,"  saîd  Nichai*^ 
one  day,   "cannot  do  without  Guizot  an» 
Thiers,"    "AVhat  would  you  bave,  Sirer^ 
replied  the  Minister;  ^'  one  is  bis  right  banl^ 
and  the  other  bis  left.'*    "  Judging  by 
way  in  which  matters  go  on  in  France,"  ] 
plied  the  Emperor,  "  it  would  appear  thatth^^ 
King  of  the  French  bas  two  left  handB." 

'^  We  are  indebted  for  the  July  rcYolu— ^ 
tion  to  civilization,"  said  Count  Benkendoi^^ 
to  the  Emperor,  during  their  tour  in  Enn— •'^ 
land.     "I  begin  to  perceive,"  replied 
Emperor,  "  that  we  must  oppose  bamen  i 
civilization;  a  well-informed  man  will 
like  to  obey  an  ignorant  cbief." 
of  civilizing  the  chiefs,  he  would  bmtalii^^ 
ererybody  !    God  will  not   permit  saeh  ^^ 
crime. 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  277 

**  Liberty  is  a  very  fine  thing,"  said 
aicliolaSy  one  day  after  dînner,  in  the 
AnitseUdn  palace,  where  he  had  withdrawn 
û^to  his  Cabinet  with  some  of  bis  sélect 
ôiends,  *'but  I  ask  you  what  bave  tbose 
g^emen  beyond  tbe  Bbine  done  with 
it?"  And  you  yourself,  Sire,  wbat  bave 
yoQ  done  for  it? 

He  would  bave  given  anytbing  to  bave 
l^en  off  ail  connexion  witb  France. 
Twenty  times  be  resolved  to  make  tbe 
^Qssians  quit  Paris,  It  is  said  tbat  Count 
fthlen,  on  receiving  sucb  an  order,  an- 
«rered,  ^'  I  am  your  ambassador,  and  not 
V^  police  magistrate."  J£  tbese  were  not 
^  very  words  of  tbe  ambassador,  tbey  are 
ftdi  as  be  migbt  bave  used  on  tbat 
<Mafiion. 

Admirai  Tscbitscbagof  baving  replied  to 

tt  injunction  to  départ,  tbat  be  bad  le^ 

cnved  permission  £rom  tbe  Emperor  Alex* 

ifider  to  réside  in  France,  Nicbolas  struck 

U$  name  firom  tbe  list  of  tbe  members  of 


278  BUSSIA  UNDEB 

ibe  Council  of  the  Empire,  on  whidi  th^ 
Admirai  sent  him  back  hia  diploma%  ivU^^ 
aecured  him  a  pension  of  50,000  ruble^^ 
The  noble  Yojard  preferred  Imog  in  ^ 
to  obeying  absurd  orders. 

If o  passports  are  delivered  for  Paris,  i 
ail  the  Russians  who  are  there  corne  daa^*' 
destinely  ;  but  as  forbidden  firuit  ia  nhmj^^ 
the  sweetest,  thej  resort  thither  ia  greaie  '^ 
numbers  than  if  the  prohibition  did 
exist. 

Persons  high  in  office,  who  visit  Fa 
take  care  not  to  be  presented  at  Coar^ 
and  the  most  distinguished  do  not  even  i 
tiieir  foot  in  this  city  of  perdition. 
Gount  Woronzow,  Govemor-Grenetal  ^^ 
Odessa,  on  his  last  visit  to  France,  didn.^'' 
go  bejond  Eouen,  whither  the  authoiitiis^ 
and  eminent  Eussians  repaired  to  pay  th^i' 
respects  to  him. 

The  Treaty  of  the   Idth  of  Joly 
made,  according  to  the    expresBÎaa  oC 
Sussian  diplomatist,    only   to  annoj 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  279 

^-Pcnch  GrOTernment.  This  whim  bas  cost 
na  mnch^  and  bas  availed  her  nothing. 
bas  bad  tbe  good  sensé  not  to  be 
mncb  burt  by  tbe  ill  conduct  of  its 
■^ûnical  frîends^  and  Rossia  bas  been  frus^^ 
^"ifcted  in  ber  expectations  of  a  gênerai  war 
^S^sinst  iVance. 

"Wbence  cornes  tbîs  anîmosîty  of  îficbolas 

tc^   tbe  djnafitj  now  reignîng  in  France? 

^dfce  July  révolution^   a  necessary  conse- 

ï^siiMice  of  tbe  violation  of  tbe  constitution 

L  tbe  allies  tbemselves  bad  guaranteed^ 

wbicb  bas  done  great  service  to  tbe 

of  monarcby   by    maintaining    tbe 

*ï*»cme  ;  and  tbe  blâme  of  tbe  Polisb  revo- 

**itf«»i  lies  in  tbe  Sussian  Government,  and  ' 

^^Bttuilynat  in  France. 

'Ske  cmeUies  of  Mïcbolas  towards  tbe 

^^lis  make  ail  bearts  bleed.    Tbe  Russians 

^•Bttot  désire  tbîs  conquest  at  tbe  price  of 

^  diabonour  wbicb  tbese  persécutions  cast 

^>V>ii  Aem.    Tbe  Sussian  poet  Pouscbkine' 


280  RUSSIA  UNDER 

exclaîmS;  in  tbe  ardour  of  Iiis  patrîotisxtt^ 
^'Hewho  falls  in  the  struggle  is  sacred; 
we  never  trample  under  foot  the  eneiaies' 
whom  we  hâve  thrown  down/'  K  Alex-" 
ander  knew  how  to  respect  the  rights  of 
conquered  nations,  why  cannot  NichalAB 
do  so?  ff  he  is  not  able  to  sway  tl»^ 
sceptre  of  Poland  with  humanitj,  to  oigf ar- 
nize  a  free  and  enlightened  govemmen^ 
let  him  renounce  it.  The  order  whîcl* 
prevails  at  Warsaw  îs  worse  than  the  moB* 
complète  anarchy,  We  no  longer  lire  î**^ 
the  âge  of  barbarous  invasion,  and  the  t?^^ 
victis  should  be  erased  from  the  law  ^>* 
nations.  Whj  should  brethren  be  made 
tear  their  fellows  to  pièces?  Why 
the  friends  of  their  country  and  of  ind^ 
pendence  worse  than  prisoners  of  war,-^ 
more  harshly  than  criminals  ?  The  ! 
has  been  avenged  at  Prague  :  to  go  bey<^^^^ 
îs  proceeding  to  the  auto  da»fé.  If 
Gallic  cock  can  do  nothing  for  Poland  l>i 


HICHOLAS  THE  FUtST.  281 

v;  if  the  French  eagle  bas  onlj  crushed 
in  its  protecting  talons,  why  should  not 
sia  raise  her  again,  after  hayîng  had  the 
y  to  conqnerlier? 

he  récent  persécutions  of  the  Roman 
tiolics  and  the  Jews  bave  destroyed  the 
'  liberty  which  has  hitherto  done  honour 
lie  Bnssian  Government — ^the  liberty  of 
fîon*  The  united  Greeks,  (Catbolics 
M  service  is  performed  in  Sclavonian), 
^  been  incorporated  by  force  with  the 
ek  Gborch.  Mixed  marriages  bave  been 
cet  to  the  obligation  to  bring  up  the 
âren  in  the  Greek  religion,  contrary  to 

old  law,  by  which  the  sons  were  to  be 
ight  up  in  the  religion  of  their  father^ 

the  daughters  in  that  of  their  mother. 
midation,  cupidity,  violence,  irony,  stra- 
Bm,  bave  been  employed  to  increase  the 
iber  of  prosélytes  to  the  prevailing  reli* 
3  îu  Bussia.     The  Polish  priests  bave 

had  the  energy  of  martyrs,  and  those 
^Xig  them  who  are  more  attached  to 


282  xnssiA  ukdbe 

their  faith  thaa  their  Gkiyemment  ïmr 
been  dismissed,  and  their  place  is  fiDed  11 
ecclesiastîcs^  who  were^  or  pretended  to  \^ 
dcvoted  to  the  Emperor.    Is  it  hatred  ^ 
ihe  Boman  Catholic  religion,  or  hatred  ^ 
Poknd,  which  impels  Mcholas  to   thea 
atrocities  ?     He  is  conaidered,  if  aDythin 
to  be  indiffèrent  to  religion  ;  in  this  respe 
he  dépends  whoUy  on  the  Procuration   < 
the  Synod^  who  places  ail  bis  confidence  i 
a  M.  Skriptzjn,  head  of  the  department  c 
foreign    religion,    and    in  M.   Engelhan 
civil   govemor   of  Mohilew,  whose   bitte 
animosity  to  the  Bonum  Catholic  religk 
is  carried  even  to  fanaticism,  and  bas  be 
equalled    only    by    the  hatred  of  Fn 
Khavonsky,  the  former  goyemor-genen 
the  landowners  of  White  Ruasia. 

The  poor  Jews  bave  been   snbjec 
every    kind    of   vexation.     At   Mat 
contraband  goods  having  been  seis 
their  bouses,  the  Jews   committed 
excesses,  repulsed  a  company  of  Ir 


NIGHOL^S  THE  FIRST.  382( 

ninded  aérerai  of  them,  and  recovered 
gDods.  The  Emperor  ordered  a 
teatli-pait  of  the  inhabitants  to  be  taken 
***  BoIdiersL  The  Jews  rose,  intrigued,  and 
a^GKÎficed  cflfnaiderable  sums,  which  disposed 
^e  authorities  to  represent  the  fact  as  of 
Itsa  knportance,  and  to  screen  the  guilty. 
^  ozder  to  put  an  end  to  smuggling  at  one 
*^w,  Kichobia  cansed  the  conntry  to  be 
^•^ed  to  the  extent  of  sixty  wersts  from 
^^  firontier^  thns  reducing  the  land  to  a 
^^iierty  and  the  poor  Jews  were  banished 
^m  thfiir  EL  Dorado. 

^ot  content  with  thîs  atrodous  measnre^ 
^^Ul  adding  ridicule  to  crueltj,  he  bas  just 
^^Hmanded  the  Jevm  to  assume  the  national- 
^^'^'tunieu 

^Sffho  can  retrace  ail  the  persécutions  to 

the   innocent  bave   been   exposed 

r  fhia  unhappy  reign  i  Who  can  count- 

^  the  cruel  acta  of  Ifichoka  ï 

*  2L  H.^.in  a  private  letter  which  he  joA 

the  poBt-oiffitfe^  related  a.  &et  whidi». 


i 


384  RUSSIA  rXDER 

was  cnirent  ail  over  Pet€rsbiiig^  namé^ 
that  a  boutoschnik  had  assassinated  a  mes 
chant.  He  was  iaken  ai  night  firom  )a 
bed  bj  the  side  of  bis  pregnant  wife,  ^ 
bad  a  miscarriage,  and  he  bimself  passe 
three  vears  in  banishment. 

M.  Jakoolef,  one  of  the  richest  men  i 
Sussia^  lost  100^000  râbles  at  kigles,  in  ifa 
English  clnb  in  St.  Petersburg.  Ordei 
were  îmmediately  given  to  transport  him  t 
Yiatka^  and  were  revoked  only  because  h 
father  presented  100^000  rubles  to  Ik 
charitable  institutions^  the  head  of  whic 
is,  at  the  same  time^  bj  a  strange  incoi 
sistency^  also  the  head  of  the  secret  polio€ 
a  police  which  is  not  equalled  in  China  « 
Japan^  and  is  the  most  pemicious  of  m 
institutions. 

M.  Kologrivof  was  driven  awaj  froi 
Paris  bj  an  unworthj  subterfuge^  and  mad 
a  private  soldier  in  the  Caucasus^  for  haTÎn 
taken  part  in  the  July  révolution.  ''  Yc 
hâve  a  taste  for  the  army/'  said  the  Bn 


KICHOLAS  THE  HRST.  285 

peror,  ^'  go  and  serve  me  in  the  Caucasus.'' 
^  order  to  draw  hîm  away  from  Paris,  hîs 
oiother  had  solicited  his  pardon  ;  the  Em- 
peror  replied  that  he-  should  retum  on  the 
^^Bditîon  only  of  entering  the  service,  and 
tt^  service  was  that  of  a  private. 

M.  D.  shared  a  similar  fate,  for  having 
^i^aged  in  the  Foreign  Légion  in  AJgeria, 
^hich  he  was  impelled  to  do  by  a  want  of 
'"^oney. 

A  fashionable  spy  denounced  a  noble 
^^urlander  who  had  attended  political  so- 
^^ties  at  Paris,  and  gave  him  up  to  the 
^^issîon  authorities,  who  banished  him  to 

fiestuchef,  who  had  rendered  the  name 
^*  Itfarlinsky  famous  in  literature,  a  name 
^«îch  he  assumed  on  his  exile  to  Siberia, 
*^B  sent  as  a  private  to  the  Caucasus,  and 
^^  the  day  when,  after  having  gained  his 
^^ulettes  at  the  point  of  his  sword,  he 
^**Onied  to  sodety,  on  that  very  day  he 
sent  with  some  men  against  a  corps 


i 


286  BU5SIA  UNDEB 

of  Circassîans  ten  tîmes  as  noinerotiâ^  nhO 
eut  them  ail  to  pièces. 

M.  Madvinof  was  deprired  of  hîs  offie^ 
for  having  authorized  the  publication  of  1 
portrait  of  Bestuchef  ;  not  of  Bestuchef  ^ 
had  becn  degraded  for  Iiis  participation 
the  revolt  of  1625^  but  of  Marlins^  who 
regained  the  rank  of  nobility  by  hîs 

M.  Tschedaeff  was  declared  mad  bj  ord^ 
of  his  Impérial  Majesty,  for  having 
tured  to  ^vrite  in  a  Moscow  Seview  tiiat*^     ^t 
was  not  possible  to  pass  four-and-t 
hours  in  a  reasonable  manner  in 
because  the  Eussians  are  not  Enropuiiat  g  » 
because  one  Czar  bas  opened  for  thena.        * 
frozen  window  towards  Europe; 
another  bas  led  them  about  at  beat 
drum  ;"  and^  lastly^  for  having  added 
''  Russia  bas  retarded  her  advance  in 
zation  by  preferring  the  Greék  to  the 
man    Catholic    religion."      Boldore^ 
eensor^  who  had  snffered  this  artide 
pass^  was  banished  to  the  Monagtny 


NICHOLA8   THE  FIBST.  287 

dlewak^  and  M.  Tschedaeff  was  subject 
i  dailj  YÎsit  from  a  physician,  who 
ed  a  glasB  af  cold  water  upon  hig 
L 

ngel^  a  subaltem  offîcer,  was  condemned 
i  court-martial  for  some  act  of  insub- 
nation,  and  the  Emperor  enhanced  the 
ishment. 

.  grenadier^  wbo  seemed  disposed  to  kill 
captain,  who  frequentlj  struck  bim 
eut  reason^  was  condemned  to  nm  tbe 
itlet.  The  Emperor  wrote  with  bis 
hand,  that  the  first  1000  Ihvos  shotM 
iven  htm  on  the  head. 
tince  Sanguscbko  was  condemned  to  be 
eported  to  8iberia^  for  baring  taken 
rt  in  tbe  Polisb  Révolution.  The  Em« 
r  added  to  tbe  sentence,  ^Hhat  he 
Hdperform  thejoumey  anfooV^ 
adame  Gracbolska  went  with  ber  son 
Isit  ber  bnsband,  wbo  bad  emigrated  ta 
zerland,  and  tbe  cbild  begged  that  he 
bt  stay  with  bis  father.    The  EmperoT: 


288  EussiA  mn>EB 

caused  the  mother  to  be  brought  to  trial  (A 
her  retum  to  Eussia.  The  nobles  of  tte 
govemment  of  Podolia  made  a  subscription 
to  fumish  her  with  means  to  perform  the 
joumey  to  Siberia,  whither  she  was  sett- 
tenced.  The  subscription  amounted  to 
14,000  rubles.  Xichoks  ordered  13,000 
rubles  to  be  kept  baek  for  the  benefit  of 
the  invalids,  saying  that  1000  mbles  was 
ample  for  the  joumey  in  the  Polish  cam- 
paign! 

The  dilatoriness  of  Diebitsch  obtained 
for  him,  from  the  Prussians,  ihe  nick-name 
of  "  Icannot  so  soon,''  which  is  a  parodj  rf 
his  title  Zabalkanski  (the  Transbalcanian)* 
It  appears  that  the  cause  of  his  indedaioD 
was  his  mistress,  a  Polish  lady,  who  paiar* 
lyzedhis  movementsandpreyentedbistaking 
advantagc  of  his  victories;  unless^  indeed, 
we  regard  him  as  the  instrument  of  an 
intrigue  in  a  high  quarter.  Nicholas  had 
not  the  courage  to  dismiss  him,  and  Die- 
bitsch died  of  the  choiera,  or  of  poiacniy 


NICUOLAS  THE  FIRST.  289 

taken  either  by  choîce  or  compulsion^  a 
point  which  history  has  not  jet  been  able 
toi  dear  up.  The  death  of  Constantine 
fcllowed  soon  after^  at  the  very  moment 
^n  he  was  about  to  become  an  object 
^constraint  to  his  brother.  His  physician 
^  not  présent  at  his  death^  and  his  place 
^  snpplied  by  the  physician  of  the  city, 
^  received  an  order  of  knîghthood  ;  the 
governor  of  the  province  was  also  recom- 


It  suffices  for  the  death  of  an  individnal 
^  be  adyantageous  to  the  Sovereign.  He 
*  immediately  accused,  if  circumstances 
^ordthe  slightest  pretext  for  it.  Princess 
**ntz  died  just  at  the  moment  when  some 
^^barrassment  arose  respecting  the  eti- 
Çiètte  with  which  she  was  to  be  received 
•t  tiie  court  of  St.  Petersburg.  I  am  aware 
^  there  are  obsequious  servants  who  go 
iejrond  the  will  of  their  masters^  but  in 
Mh  deaths  frequently  happen  hère  quite 
roL.  I.  u 


i^ 


«^o>  jlII  bounds.    He  i 

tarv  ^.jjz  is  St  tor  every 

cdkntkted  than  m  citize 

Moi>t  ol  hb  niiiiâters  1 

în  the  araaT.    Count 

]M>l  e^c«ped  the  fblly 

rank.  aiid  w^  made 

lequesi.    Rrmakingli 

SlTv^^iKriL  Minister  of 

peror  bas  reiiden?d  ill  i 

as  well  as  to  the  com 

iKmest  maiu  rather  Û 

CJount  PâUen  was  ai 

Uicholas  gave  a  civil  a 

saidthecount^  ''Ihai 

ihe  prof  esâon  of  arms 

firnttDOSt''    "Look a 


KICHOLAS   THR  FIRST.  291 

iM5qtiitted  myself  pretty  well,  as  you  know." 
In  Poland,  the  post  of  Minister  of  Public 
ïûstruction  was  at  first  filled  by  General 
Golovine,  and  then  by  General  Chipof, 
lH)tli  of  whom  acquitted  thernselves  very 
indifferently.  The  Principal  of  most  of  the 
^ersities  are  military  men;  and  General 
ïrafostrom,  the  Principal  of  Dorpat,  passed 
*t  once  from  the  command  of  a  brigade  to 
fluit  of  a  university,  thus  realizing  the 
»ying  of  Griboiédof,  "I  will  give  you  a 
seijeant  for  Voltaire."  The  students  relate 
ttecdotes  of  him,  some  of  which  are  too 
■ûgular  to  be  passed  over  in  silence  hère. 

In  the  Latin  examinations,  whenever  he 
^ught  the  Word  curator,  he  immediately 
*08e  from  his  seat,  thinking  that  he  him- 
>df  must  be  the  person  spoken  of,  and  of 
ïecessity  in  very  flattering  terms,  he  gra- 
cbusly  saluted  the  individual  who  had 
irttered  the  word. 

/'How  many  years  hâve  you  been  in  the 
jBiervice  ?"  said  he  one  day  to  a  Professer  of 

u  2 


indirectly  holtli; 
to  thc  teachcr 
ignorant  that  i 
priest  by  havin 
church  bells. 

*'AU  thèse  fl 
equal  size/'  saie 
fessor  Ledebuhr, 
ther  in  the  Bot 
that  be/'  said 
cutting  the  pla 
hâve  them  eut." 

"Let  that  stu( 
cried  he^  on  se( 
dress  of  a  citizei 
-sitj  cap.     ^'He 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  293 

**The  laws  hâve  no  retro-actîve  force/' 

bjected  a  student^  in  the  hope  of  maintain- 

^gliîs  right.     ''Ton  aflSrm  thatthe  laws 

oilûs  Majestj  hâve  no  active  force  ?    You 

»e  a  rebel,"  cried  the  General,  and  drove 

fte  young  man  from  his  présence. 

•  The  chiefs  of  the  police  are  military  men, 

^i  it  is  notorious  how  rudely  thèse  gentle- 

Dien  act. 

''Great  complaints  are  made  of  the 
poKce,"  said  Nicholas  one  day  to  Eakosch- 
kin,.the  Grand  Master  of  the  Police  at 
ï^etersburg.  "They  are  said  to  be  too 
Hncivil."  **Sire,"  replied  the  Adjutant- 
Gcneral,  "  if  they  were  othenvise,  they 
^ould  not  be  so  vigilant."  The  Emperor 
^nothing  in  reply,  nor  did  it  occur  to 
^  to  say  that  the  police  ought  to  be  civil, 
^  at  the  same  time  vigilant 
-  As  a  consummation  of  the  ridiculous,  the 
^^  has  been  placed  under  the  hussards 
^  Protassof  has  been  created  Chief 
^focurator  to  the  Synod;  albeit,  there  is 


294  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

perhaps  no  reason  to  be  surprised  at  this, 
since  the  Czar  himself  is  the  Patriarch. 
He  makes  and  unmakes  saints  at  pleasore. 
He  bas  canonized  Mitrophanes^  to  dirert  the 
people  and  to  enricli  the  provmce  of  Voro^ 
nesch.  Hc  added  Stanislaus  to  tbe  saints  of 
the  Greek  church;  because  when  ît  was  pro- 
posed  to  introduce  the  Polish  order  of  SL 
Stanislaus,  the  clergy  observed  that  theie 
was  no  such  saint  in  the  Eussian  calendar. 
**Very  well,"  replied  the  Emperor,  **theii 
the  order  need  not  be  given  to  the  priests;" 
and  so  the  affair  was  settled. 

While  speaking  of  Russian  orders^  we  will 
saj  a  Word  on  that  of  the  BucJele,  înstîtiited 
hy  ^NTicholas.  It  is  intended  as  a  maik  of 
distinction  for  those  who  hâve  served  ine* 
proachablj  for  the  period  of  fifteen  yeais  Hft 
more.  Are  the  instances  of  sernng 
proachahly  so  rare  in  Sussia,  that  it  is  ; 
cessarj  to  distinguish  an  individual 
conduct  bas  merited  it? 

It  happened  one  daj^  in  the  caintal  «f  à 


KICH0LÀ8  THE  FIRST.  295: 

lall  German  state,  that  the  Chargé  d'Af- 
ires  of  France  was  playing  at  whist  witit 
10  Bnssian  Chargé  d'Affîdres»  who  wore 
ois  mark  of  distinction.  The  Frenchman 
legged  to  be  informed  of  the  meaning  of 
lus  badge;  and  when  he  leamt  that  the 
aumber  on  the  breast  of  his  partner  indi- 
cited  the  nomber  of  years  he  had  been  in 
^  service^  replied,  ^'Well,  then,  you  are 
Ottked  like  cattle."  This  nearly  led  to  a 
dad,  and  the  Bussian  was  recalled  for  har- 
^  brought  contempt  upon  the  Impérial 
hidge. 

A  man  who  was  waiting  at  table  with  the 
■*àle  attached  to  his  button-hole,  indi- 
*tiûg  twenty  years*  service;  "This  man 
^  certainly  not  upset  a  dish  upon  us^" 
•il  a  ynt,  who  was  immediately  summoned 
^  SL  Petersburg,  where  Count  Benken- 
Qrf  gave  him  a  severe  reprimand. 

One  thing  was  wanting  to  complète  this 
diculoos  aflfair — ^namely,  to  confer  this 
^^tinction  upon  women;  and  accordingly 


296  RUSSIA  UKDEK 

Kicholas  has  not  failed  to  do  so:  h 
instituted  the  MarJe  of  Mary. 

The  Emperor  carefiillj  conceals  froi 
wife  his  little  and  great  înfidelîties. 
Empress  has  the  more  merit  not  to  ob 
that  she  is  deceived^  or  at  least  not  to 
that  she  sees  it;  although  the  lady  in  wa 
who  for  the  moment  is  honoured  witl 
good  grâces  of  the  Autocrat,  is  frequ 
in  attendance  upon  the  Empress^  an< 
not  always  sufficient  tact  to  hide  the 
ference  of  wliich  she  is  the  object. 

We  must  do  Uicholas  the  justice  t< 
that  he  is  nevertheless  pretty  consta 
his  illicit  connexion^  andkeeps  his  misti 
u  long  time^  though  he  indulges  in 
caprices.  His  présent  favourite  cl 
him  by  her  wit  and  amiability^  rather 
by  her  beauty.  Thèse  things  are  na 
enough^  and  perhaps  excusable,  if  we 
sider  that  the  Emperor  is  still  in  the  ; 
of  life,  and  that  the  health  of  the  Em 
is  completely  shattered^  so  that  her  p 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  297 

dans  hâve  enjoined  her  to  keep  quîte  apart 
from  her  husband,  and  this  not  for  the  pur* 
pose  of  pleasing  the  Czar*. 

îïicholas  is  less  indulgent  to  others  than 
to  himself  ;  and  has  often  proceeded  with 
great  rigour  against  irregularities  of  thîs 
kind.  He  compelled  the  General-in-Chief 
fi  *  *  *  to  marry  his  mîstress,  whom  he  had 
j^een  riding  in  a  carnage  bearing  the  Géné- 
rales anns  ;  and  constrained  Prince  S.  T.  to 
marry  a  young  lady  in  waiting,  whom  he 
abandoned  ahnost  immediately. 

A  colonel,  who  was  both  ugly  and  un- 
amiable,  married  a  beautiful  and  impas- 
sioned  Italian  lady.  The  resuit  of  this  ill- 
assorted  union  was  such  as  invariably  hap- 
pens  in  like  cases.  This  fascinating  wife 
formed  an  intimacy  with  a  young  man 

*  "  Does  he  who  is  hlameless  in  the  sight  of  the 
Chut  commit  a  sin  in  the  sight  of  God  T  said  M.  ■  f 
to  his  wife»  afler  having  ascertained  the  fact  that  she 
was  unfaithful  to  him»  and  favoured  the  Czar.  Such 
laxity  of  morals  in  subjects  accounts  for  many  faults  in 
princ6fl» 


the    old  scliool,  in 
ject,  "thcy  know  n 
their  husbands,  but 
more  beeddes."    Th 
soon  offended  at  t 
colonel  bestowed  u; 
bim   tbe   plain  tral 
beside  bimself,  and 
the  case  to  the  Et 
does  every  thing  a 
ordered;  the  Italiai 
countiy  with  her  s 
throwninto  prison,  ; 
service:  for  the  ser 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIBST.  299 

INcholaB  is  a  good  father;  but   is  that 

^virtae  which  merits   to  be   so  laudedf 

not  thé  most  ferocious  animais  love 

tl^eir  yomig  ?      If  the  ladies  consider  the 

T^SiTi.peror  Kicholas  a  handsome  man^  the 

ptix>enologist8,  on  the  other  hand,  hâve  no 

"^^sry  exalted  idea  of  his  cranium^  and  say 

'^^KAi  it  bas  little  of  the  organ  of  causality  ; 

^'^^^u^  phyeàdans  affirm  that  his   skull  con- 

**îiis  water;  whfle  hîstorians  prétend  that 

*J*«   members  of  tiie  fiimily  of  Holsteîn 

^^t<>ttolf  lose  their  sensés  after  the  âge  of 

*br^.    But  on  thîs  point,  perhaps,  as  on 

^>^«ny  others^  the  fair  sex  alone  are  in  the 

^'^Siit:  this  much  is  certain,  that  the  Em- 

P^!Kx>r  is  a  tall  man,  but  there  are  hundreds 

^  grenadiers,  cuirassiers,  and  even  cadets, 

^lU)  hâve  ihe  great  honour  to  equal  him  in 


His  eye  is  that  of  a  despot,  and  nothing 
^<c£^ts  bim  more  than  to  see  people  stand 
^  awe  of  him.  The  man  who  looks  at  him 
^■^^  a  steady  eye  will  never  be  one  of  hiii( 


300  RUSSIA   UNDER 

favourites:  as  a  proof  of  this  I  will  mention 
the  following  anecdote.  A  young  fiancé 
was  walking  in  the  gardens  of  Alexan- 
drovka,  tlie  Trianon  of  Peterhof,  which  îs 
the  Eussian  Versailles,  dreaming  of  love 
and  of  his  future  bliss;  he  unconscioualy 
entered  into  the  avenues  reserved  to  the 
Impérial  family.  Two  grenadiers  addres 
him  rudely,  and  desired  him  to  retire  ;  bul 
the  young  man  pointed  to  his  miifor 
which  was  that  of  the  Impérial  Chancei 
and  the  soldiers,  whose  orders,  or  whos  ^ 
understanding,  were  not  up  to  this  str 
tagem,  suffered  him  to  pass  on. 
boldened  by  this  unexpeeted  success, 
ventured  yet  further.  On  a  sudden 
Emperor  stood  before  him,  and,  looking  ^^^^ 
him  with  an  air  of  dignity  and  menac^^^ 
fixed  his  eagle  eye  upon  him.  The  yon^»^ 
man  was  confounded,  tumed  pale  a*»-^ 
speechless,  and  his  knees  gave  way  vndt^^^ 
him.  His  sudden  and  great  fear  calm::^^^ 
the  Emperor,  and  prevented  the  exploai*-*^ 


NICH0LA8   THE  FIRST.  301 

of  lug  wrath;  but  the  young  man  was  so 
fieriously  affected   by  the  rencontre  that 
^^    became  extremely  ill.     His  affianced 
*>Hde  was  annoyed  at  the  conséquent  delay 
^^  fixe  marriage,  and  as  she  had  no  inclina- 
tion to  wait  for  his  recovery  she  actually 
^^pcusedanother.  Her  faithlessness  affected 
*»e  patient  so  deeply  that  he  grew  worse, 
^^^s  obliged  to  quit  the  service,  and  to  scek 
^^  fbreign  countries  means  for  the  restora- 
^^    his  health,  and  escape  from  the  effects 
^^  iis  despair. 

Itepnin,  the  govemor-general  of  Little 
"''^ïasîa,  committed  great  embezzlements 
^Uiîng  his  administration.  The  remon- 
^*^^Bnce  of  Count  Benkendorf  produced 
^^ch  an  effect  on  him,  that  décorum 
*^t*î)îd8  me  to  speak  more  plaînly.  The 
^^^Vrs  of  it  satisfied  the  Emperor,  and  gra- 
^^^cd  him  80  much,  that  he  ordered  ail 
^^^^oceedings  against  the  culprit  to  be  sus- 

One  of  the  Emperor's  aides-de-camp  was 


302  RUSSIA  UNDEB 

dismîssed  for  having  gesticulated 
speaJdng  to  hîm.  Another  was  trans 
from  the  cavalry  to  the  infantry,  froi 
régiment  of  horse-guards  to  that  of 
brajenski  for  a  misérable  pmi,  as  som 
or  as  otbers  hâve  it^  for  having  allowec 
self  an  air  of  too  great  familiarity. 

Two  students  who  omitted  to  salai 
Emperor  were  confined  in  the  guard-! 
and  summoned  to  appear  before  hi 
jesty,  to  whom  they  declared  that  the 
only  just  arrived  from  their  Province 
had  not  recognized  the  Sovereign. 
explanation  appeared  to  him  so  satisfa 
that  !N^icholas  made  them  dine  in  his  p 
and  the  sensation  throughout  the  dl 
great,  that  ail  were  loud  in  their  prai 
the  Emperor's  conduct. 

As  I  am  above  ail  things  desirons 
impartial,  and  even  lenient,  I  hâve 
appliedto  the  best  informed  personi 
to  the  most  devoted  courtiers,  and  req[i 
them,  as  a  favour,  to  point  ont  to  i 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  303 

least  one  laudable  action  of  ^NTicliolas,  and 

I  was  ready  to  feel  for  him  ail  the  enthu- 

siasm  which    noble    actions    can    inspire. 

Some  stammered  ont  a  few  monosjUables 

andsiopped  short;  and  others  directed  my 

attention    to    tbe  dignity  of  his  foreign 

policy,  and  uttered  some  vague  expressions 

about  the  élévation  of  his  sentiments,    I 

however  met  with  some   individuals  who 

çuoted  several    traits  which   they    called 

^^^^ekresque.     The  following  are  amoog 

«^e   numbers  of  those  which  I  hâve  col- 

ï^cted. 

A.  colonel  boxed  the  ears  of  his  ensign, 
^Pon  which  the  latter  drew  his  pistol  and 
**^ot  him  dead  on  the  spot.  The  Emperor 
*^ed  whether  the  pistol  was  loaded  at  the 
^^Hient  when  the  insuit  was  oflTered,  and 
"^Uxg  answered  in  the  aflirmative^  pardoned 
*he  murderer. 

An  ofiBicer  did  the  same  to  his  colonel^ 
^ko  had  only  insult^d  him  bj  words.    Ni- 


S04  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

choks  exclaimed^  that  his  death  would  lie 
hea\7  on  his  conscience. 

Another  officer  who  had  permitted  a 
serions  offencc  which  he  had  received  firom 
one  of  his  comrades  to  go  unpunished,  was 
excluded  from  the  régiment  by  suprême 
authority. 

Thèse  are  trifling  facts/and  hâve  been 
collected  with  much  difficulty,  while  nu- 
merous  others  présent  themselves  to  mj 
mind  and  pen^  which  prove  that  thèse  laud- 
ablc  traits  were  only  the  offspring  of  caprice, 
and  not  founded  on  fixed  principles. 

Captains  Issakof  and  Likatschef,  of  the 
artillery  of  the  guards^  had  an  altercation 
vnXYi  a  captain  who  had  passed  from  the 
Polish  into  the  Sussian  service,  and  one  of 
them  told  him  "  He  was  a  traitor.'*  They 
were  brought  to  trial,  and  the  trîbmud  de- 
cided  that  their  previous  imprisonment 
should  be  accounted  a  sufficient  poiiisb- 
ment.     The  Emperor  cansed  the  triboDil 


«  KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  305 

fco  1)6  rëprimanded^  appoînted  a  commissioD^ 
^nd  had  the  accused  officers  sent  to  distant 
Rortrosses  as  ofiBicèrs  of  the  Une. 

^  degraded  nobleman  in  the  Caucasus^ 

^Hîle  in  the  ranks  received  a  blow  with  the 

fist  firom  hîs  seijeant^  upon  which  he  imme- 

dîa^tely  thrust  him  through  with  his  bayonet. 

H^  was  condemned  to  run  the  gauntlet,  and 

^^^neral  Laventzof  ordered  ail  the  degraded 

^^bles,  who  are  very  numerous  in  the  Cau- 

^^^siiSy  to  be  présent  and  take  a  share  in  in- 

flîcting  the  punishment^  thus  making  them 

^^  the  part  of  executioners. 

^otwithstanding  ail  that  I  hâve  said^  I 

*lo  not  think  that  Nicholas  is  a  tyrant  by 

*^tnre  but  only  from  conviction.     He  is 

pcrsuaded  that  if  he  acted  otherwise,  public 

^ffidr»  could  not  succeed^  and  he  is  very  well 

^rtisfied  with  the   manner   in  which  they 

^▼e  gone  on  during  his  reign.    The  habit 

f  goveming  upon  this  principle  has  given 

^  a  taste  for  cruelty,  for  the  habit  of 

^oi^  1.  X 


306 


BUSSIA  miDi 


tyrimniring  makes  xnan  a»  tjxsttL 
RmaJans  saj  that  it  requiresan  iion  1 
govem  Eussia,  but  that  his  liand  an 
glcnred.  Kicholas  bas  the  iron  luuid 
has  forgotten  the  glove. 


NIGHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  .'SOT 


Chapter  X. 

;  FAMILY  AND  COURT  OF  THE  CZAR. 

Ds  Ehpress  bas  alwajs  exercised  a. 
ficial  influence  oyer  her  husband,  by 
^ering  his  passion  and  his  excesses^  and 
3  isy  consequentlj^  a  great  appréhension 
le  resolts,  if  she  shonld  die  before  bim^ 
h  appears  but  too  probable.  It  is  pre*- 
^  tbat  her  death  will  produce  the  same 
i  upon  Ificholaa,  as  the  loss  of  his  first 
did  upon  Ivan  TV.  Though  she  does 
possess  anj  superior  qualities,  the  at- 
phere  in  which  she  lives  bas  not  been 
to  efiaee  the  good  principles  which  she 
bed  at  the  Court  of  Prussia. 

X  2 


308  RUSSIA   ITNDER 

The  Grand  Duke,  heir  to  the  Throne 
îs  not  a  very  promisîng  character,  if  we  ma; 
take  the  word  of  those  who  are  the  mœ 
about  him;    but  those  who  promise  tt 
most  do  not  always  perform  most  ;  and  Im 
father,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  govem 
will  hâve  greatly  facilitated  his  task  ;  an(L 
will  be  comparatively  easy  for  him  to  coi 
tent  a  people  who  hâve  been  subject  to   f 
rîgorous  a  reign.     It  is  certain  that  he  is  € 
an  amiable  disposition,  and  this  is  much  fc 
go  upon.    While  still  a  child,  his  fatli^ 
asked    him   how  he  would    hâve    treat^ 
the  conspirators  of  the  26th  of  December 
**  I  would  hâve  pardoned  them,"  he  i^ 
plied.     The  young  Czarwitsch  is  thought  ^ 
be  a  great  deal  like  his  uncle  Alexand 
and  this  too  is  in  his  favour.     Hîs  e 
cation   has  not   been  so  brilliant  as 
father  imagines,  who,  in  fact,  has  w 
taken  to  finish  it  himself,  but  it  is  ' 
hoped  that  he  will  not  succeed  in  mod 
him  according  to  his  own  likeness. 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  809 

The  young  Grand  Duke  Constantine 

ÎS'icHOLOWiTSCH  is  the  phœnix  of  the  family, 

^or  he  is  said  to  be  possessed  of  great  intel- 

l^ctual  powers,    At  the  conclusion  of  the 

fii^t  lesson  in  the  Eussian  language  which 

^^  received  from  M.  Pletnef,  the  latter  was 

«►bout  to  Yrithdraw,  when  the  Grand  Duke 

stopped  him,  saying,  that  he  wished  to  go 

^ï^  a  little  longer.     One  day  he  addressed 

*ï^  officer  of  the  Horse  Guards,  and  said, 

*  How  is  it  that  there  is  not  a  day  but  what 

ï  see  you  in  a  green  dress,  that  yesterday 

^vening  you  wore  a  red  one,  and  now  a 

^hite  coat?"  The  officer  set  about  explain- 

^  this  transformation  ;  to  which  Constan- 

*^e  replied,  ''  Oh,  I  see  !  you  do  exactly 

*4e  the    clown  on   the   stage."      In  his 

^«aracter  of  Admirai,  he  took  pleasure  in 

Vresting  his  elder  brother,   who  was   on 

Wrd  his  ship,  for  which  he  was  himself  put 

^der  arrest  for  a  considérable  time  by 

«rder  of  his  father. 

[         The  Grand    Duke  Michael^  the  Em-» 


310  BUSSIA   UNDER 

peror's  brother,  bas  a  kind  disposition,  but 
a  rongh  exterior^  and  bas  a  propensitj  to 
Hiake  pnns.  It  is  affirmed  tbat  be  bas  been 
seen  to  weep  at  seeing  Russian  soldien 
slain  in  Poland^  while  bis  brotber  Gonstan- 
tine  rubbed  bis  bands,  sajing^  **  Wbat  do 
you  tliink  of  my  Pôles  ?"  It  is  not  arid 
wbetbcr  Micbael  sbed  tears  for  tbe  soldieis 
wbom  be  sacrifîced  at  Braîlow,  but  it  is  pre- 
tended  tbat  be  would  not  wear  tbe  order  of 
St,  George,  conferred  upon  bim  for  tbe  dé- 
plorable siège  of  tbat  place.  He  is,  bow- 
ever,  tbe  greatest  courtier  in  Bussia;  in 
public  be  is  always  seen  bent  double  while 
speaking,  witb  manifest  vénération,  to  bis 
brotber.  He  is  tbe  first  servant  of  tte 
Czar.  I  once  beard  bim  say,  with  r^gret^ 
at  a  bail,  "  AU  my  colleagues  bave  preceded 
me  in  tbe  service."  At  one  time,  hxment, 
tbere  was  a  coolness  between  tbe  two  bw* 
thers,  afler  wbicb,  Micbael  went  to  Moseov 
or  abroad,  where  be  pretended  to  aniM 
biiiifielf  excessively,  and  sougbt  popuhri^i 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  311 

imot  onlj  among  the  nobles^  but  likewise 
msKong  ihe  officers.  The  Emperor  repri* 
nBanded  faim  severelj  for  fratemizmg  with 
l^is  inferioTSy  to  which  he  answered^  tliat  he 
li^bd  not  expected  to  be  so  treated  bj  his 
W^other  and  his  Sorereign. 

Sis  wife^  ihe  Grand  Duchess  Helen,  is 

^  ^^oman  of  superior  understanding^  whidi 

<>!fteii  exposes  her  to  a  degree  of  jealousy 

^>^  the  part  of  the  Empress,  which  îs  be- 

**^jed  in  fréquent  petty  domestic  quarrels» 

^^ïx  one  occasion^  when  the  Grand  Duchess 

''^^t^amed  from    abroad,  her   trunks  were 

'^^ictly   examined    at    the   custom-house^ 

^^^^  alihough  her  new  dresses  lost  some- 

*^iiig  of  their  freshness^  they,  neyerthdess^ 

^^i:qised  ail  others  at  Court  by  their  novelly, 

'*^H  us  proceed  to  the  Ministers. 

Aeren  cities  in  Greece  contended  for  the 

^oiuyiir  of  having  given  birth  to  Homer;  80> 

^^rEoropean  Powers  might  ckdm  the  gloiy 

^  liavîng  GouHT  If esselrode  for  their  subr 

l^ck   He  was  bom  in  sight  of  Lisbos,  on 


l 


312  RI3SSIA  UNDER 

board  an  English  shîp^  of  German  parents^ 
in  the  service  of  Russîa.  As  there  was  no 
Lutheran  clergyman  on  board  the  veBsdy 
the  infant  diplomatist  was  baptized  accord- 
îng  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England. 
He  might,  therefore,  be  claimed  by  Great 
Britain^  since  he  was  bom  under  herflag, 
sinee  the  vessel  of  a  Power  is  always  con- 
sidered  as  part  of  its  territorj;  England, 
however,  is  rieh  enough  in  statesmen  to 
givc  up  one  to  Russia  without  much  détri- 
ment. 

His  family  is  of  Westphalian  origin;  the 
Nesselrodes  are  counts  of  the  Empire,  *nd 
thcreforc  the  Chancellor  has  always  poa- 
tively  refused  the  title  of  Russian  Connt, 
vrhich  the  Emperor  has  repeatedly  offered 
him.  It  is  not  thus  that  Sussians  acted^ 
who,  like  him,  and  long  before  him,  irei» 
Counts  of  the  Holy  Roman  Empire;  tiie 
Golovines,  and  the  Menschikofs,  havenevtf 
hesitated  for  an  instant  to  accept  the  titlcs 
of  their  country,  but  Count  JS'esselrode  is 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  S13. 

not  enough  of  a  courtier  to  be  national, 
and  thinks  that  a  title  of  the  Holy  Empire 
18  higlilj  préférable  to  an  équivalent  Russian 
title.  Nevertheless,  he  would  doubtless  do 
riolence  to  bis  feelings  and  accept  the  title 
of  Prince  if  it  were  offered  to  him.  Mean- 
time  be  is  waiting  patiently^  obtaining  vast 
estâtes  in  tbe  soutb  and  east  of  Russia, 
wbere  be  pays  a  great  deal  of  attention  to 
tbe  breeding  of  sbeep. 

Count  Kesselrode  was  first  a  seaman^  and 
tben  a  cuirassier^  and  an  officer  in  tbe 
Horse  Guard,  but  tbe  Emperor  Paul  tbougbt 
ibat  be  looked  like  a  diplomatist,  and  ac- 
cordingly  transferred  tbe  count  to  tbe 
department  of  Foreign  Affairs.  It  is  well 
known  tbat  Paul  was  no  pbysiognomist  ;  be 
Beveral  times  made  bis  subjects  intercbange 
parts,  transfonning  masters  into  servants, 
and  servants  into  masters,  from  mère  ca- 
price. Having  become  a  Diplomatist  by 
order  of  tbe  Czar,  J^esselrode,  like  so  many 


S14  RUSSIA   UNDER 

others^  made  his  fortune  through  the 
sex^  though  the  woman  to  whom  he  paid  bis 
addresses^  or  who  addressed  hîm,  waa  mcyft 
distinguîshed  by  lier  beauty.  For  a 
essay,  thîs  was  a  master-stroke  ;  ît 
playing  with  the  certaînty  of  winning,  aa^ 
the  conditions  of  the  bargaîn  were  fixc^^ 
beforehand.  Countess  Gurief,  danghtcrc^^ 
the  Minister  of  Finance,  after  having  i^^ 
vain  intrigued  for  several  good  mat 
where  her  riches  were  not  considered 
compensation  for  her  ugliness,  tumed 
attention,  for  want  of  doing  better,  to  Nes- 
sebode,  who  brought,  by  way  of  portion, 
the  powers  with  which  she  midertook  to 
invest  him.  His  wife  has  ever  since  ezer- 
cised  nnlimited  influence  over  him;  and 
no  person,  unless  sure  of  her  assent^  can 
rely  upon  any  favour  firom  him.  To  pleaae 
the  countess,  ît  is  necessary  to  flatter  lier 
taste  in  the  fine  arts;  she  is  a  great  admirar 
of  pictures  and  busts,  and  does  not  diadam 


XICIIOLAS    THE    FIRST.  315 

either  copies  or  originais.      The  count  is 

aliort  and  resdess^  and  generallj  wears  the 

csxws  of  8t.  Andrew  on  his  coat^  with  tibe 

0«dal  of  the   Turkish  campaign^  a  very 

m^œt  mode  of  paying  his  court  to  the  haro 

oC  Tama.    He  is  passionately  fond  of  cards^ 

ttnd  people  say  that  he  has  lost  his  heart  to 

tl&cm,  but  he  has  lost  nothing  else^  for  his 

Mérinos  thrive  admirably. 

Coimt  IN'essebrode  is  the  chief  of  the  Grer- 

■^«^  party  ;  two-thirds  of  the  officers  in  the 

'  ^H^ign  Department  are  Germans^   lipp- 

■**iU[i,  Ostensacken^  Beck,  Molcke^  and  Fuhr- 

^^'^^lUi;  and  Sussia  is  represented  in  Eng- 

■>id  by  Brunnow^  in  France  by  Pahlen^  in 

ft^aasia  by  Meyendorf,  in  Austria  by  Medem^ 

^  Stockfaohn  by  Kriidner^  at  Berne  by 

Sioiiher  Erîidner^  at  iSamburgh  by  Struve, 

at  Copenhagen  by  Kicholai^  at  Dresden  by 

Sdiidder,   and  at  Téhéran   by  a   second 

MeàeoL     Somebody  once  adyised  Count 

iTenefarode  to  endeayour  to  place  Bussians  in 


316  RUSSIA  UNDER 

officiai  stations  abroad^  to  which  he  cooE 
replied,  "  The  Russians  hâve  never  done  at 
thing  but  make  blunders."  He  alluded 
M.  Kakoschkin^  who,  in  fact^  seems 
hâve  made  some  gross  mistakes  at  TurL 
but  what,  it  may  be  asked,  has  Count  Ne 
selrode  himself  done?  The  treaty  of  tJ 
15th  of  July, — a  bravado  which  has  becom 
ridiculous, — ^and,  the  abandonment  of  oa 
constant  policy  towards  Turkey .  "  We  hav* 
too  much  to  do  with  Poland  to  attend  U 
Turkey,"  say  the  Russian  diplomatists.  On 
relations  with  France  are  endangered 
^^  Such  is  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Ëm 
peror,"  they  reply.  ''  The  Chancellor  ca 
do  nothing — our  interests  are  often  sacri 
ficed  to  England — ^we  make  advances  by  : 
— ^Russia  complains  of  our  conduct  towait 
her — the  country  above  ail  things,"  sa 
the  créatures  of  the  count.  We  shall  see  ! 
Count  Bënkendorf  was  a  good  man  i 
the  full  sensé  of  the  expression^  for  he  wa 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  3l7 

^  gcod  as  he  was  incapable.  In  order  to 
avance  his  own  fortune^  he  made  drawings 
^f  firigates  in  the  Emperor  Paul's  album^ 
which  obtained  for  him  the  epaulettes  of 
the  aid-de-camp  to  the  Czar.  He  was 
û^neral  of  Division  at  the  accession  of 
^icholas,  who  placed  him  at  the  head  of 
^^  Secret  Police,  that  infernal  machine, 
the  ojBTspring  of  fear  and  insanity.  Every 
*^y  agrées  in  saying,  that  Count  Ben- 
k^ndorf,  in  this  melancholy  post,  did  as 
little  evil  as  possible,  which  is  a  pretty  con- 
sidérable négative  merit.  But  an  nnskilM 
^^nd  is  worse  than  an  intelligent  enemy, 
**^d  the  incapacity  of  the  count  has  imdone 
•'^^^^iiy  persons,  whom  more  clear-sighted 
^^u  might    hâve   saved  and  even  made 

The  oflScîal  title  of  the  office  which  Count 
^ïikendorf  held,  is  that  of  chief  of  the 
^^î>8  of  gens-d'armes,  which  means  that  of 
^*^ef  of  the  spies.  The  Emperor  has  placed 
^    superior  officer  of  the  gens-d'armes  in 


818  RUSSIA  UKDER 

everj  provincial  city^  to  watch  orer  te 
magistrates  and  people.  ^  I  liare  tini 
found  some  valuable  men,"  said  he  one  dq 
to  Prince  Vassiltschîkof.  **Why  dcm'^ 
yon  make  them  govemors?"  replied  tbi 
Président  of  the  Council.  He  mîglit  m 
well  hâve  said,  "  Why  dont  you  place  thcn 
in  the  Council  of  the  Empire  ?**  If  you  bq 
a  rogue  to  watch  a  rogne,  they  combina 
and  in  order  to  render  their  gains  sofficieui 
they  double  their  extortions.  This  is  ^àm 
happened  on  the  présent  occasion.  TIl* 
saperintendents  placed  themselves  on  J 
footing  with  the  saperintended,  and  nm 
soon  in  connivance  with  ail  thèse  officen 
who  grew  rich  at  the  ezpense  of  tiie  poUie 
The  f ollowing  is  an  instance  which  faappenoi 
at  îf ovgorod.  M.  Sukovkin,  .the  GoveiiMi 
of  that  Province,  had  committed  great  em 
beszlementsy  which  came  to  Hie  knoiwiedgi 
of  the  Emperor,  without  any  ncftice  hMma{ 
been  given  to  the  compétent  anthoritiM 
ihanks  to  the  rektionship  of  IL  &  whi 


NICBOLAS  THE   FIRST.  319 

Kleixuniclie],    who    was   alreadj  ia  great 

&voiir  with  ^icholas;  his  Majestj  informed 

^  Slndoi^  who  acquainted  Oount  Ben- 

l^eadoif  with  the  matter.    The  Minister  of 

Pdlioe  immediately  sei^  a  severe  reprimand 

^  the  colonel  of  geQS-4'armes   at   IN'ot- 

ff^^^  who  had  not  made  anj  report  to  him 

^  the  abuses  which  were  committed  in  the 

^^^^tle  under  his  inspection.     The  colond 

*^a  Grerman;    and  ^^a  Grerman,"  as  the 

*^iiBians  say,  ^'is  nev»biimt  nor  drowned.'* 

**^  went  and  threw  himself  at  ihe  feet  of 

^^mitess  Orloff^  who  was  then  performing 

*^ï  doTotions  in  a  convent  at  liTovgorod, 

^^dl  whose  piety  disposed  her  to  demency. 

-'^^  artfnl  colonel  Towed  to  her  that  it  was 

Ma  amiable  disposition  which  rumed  him, 

^^àd  that  it  was  from  pmre  good  nature  that 

^  kad  winked  at  ail  the  abuses  which  were 

^^aaitted  in  the  Province.     The  countess 

^^«te  to  her  husband,  and  the  colonel's 

^^idon  was  secure. 

latterly^  Count  Benkendorf  lost  both  his 


320  RUSSLà  UNDER 

memorj  and  inclination  to  ^orL  He  did 
not  even  read  the  letters  wliich  were  ad- 
dresscd  to  him,  and  overlooked  the  moflt 
important  matters.  He  has  forgotten  rnsoj 
in  exile,  and  others  in  prison.  (Jenttsl 
Douvelt  was  his  factotum,  who  took  witli 
both  hands,  and  it  was  therefore  more  tiui» 
once  in  contemplation  to  dismiss  him  ;  bu* 
Coimt  Benkendorf  having  declared  that  itï 
that  case  he  would  immediately  quit  fl»^ 
service,  the  Court  shut  their  eyes,  waiting 
for  the  time  when  the  count  should  do  th^ 
same  ;  but  after  his  death  they  forgot  t4> 
open  them. 

It  is  well  known  that  Count  Benkendo^ 
was  the  director  of  several  steam  navig^^ 
tion  and  other  companies,  which  was  * 
source  of  revenue  to  him,  and  a  more  CP^ 
less  illicit  protection  to  the  parties  înt^^ 
rested.  He  did  not  disdain  the  most  triflii^^ 
présents,  if  they  were  adroitly  made,  "^^ 


we  know  of  a  certain  cmerald  necklaC^ 
which  obtained  for  M.  L.  the  order  of  I 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  321 

Stanislaos.    We  could  also  name  some  dia- 

*M)nds  which  were  offered  on  the  occasion 

tf  a  marriage^  and  to  which  Count  B<  is 

ïûdebted  for  retaining  his  title,  which  was 

•'ïongly    disputed.      "His    family    being 

^naDy  rich  and  powerful,  it  would  not  hâve 

"^en  advisable  to  deprive  him  of  it,"  was 

the  plea  urged  by  Count  Benkendorf  to  the 

^peror,  and  there  the  matter  dropped. 

^^  I  will  not  dwell  on  thèse  petty  matters^ 

^hich  are  so  common  in  Eussia,  where  it  is 

toiifiîdered  a  merit  to  take  but  little  and  to 

^eive  indirectly. 

Count  Benkendorf  died  in  the  bosom  of 
Ûie  Catholic  church,  through  the  influence 
tf  liladame  Krudner,  to  whom  he  latterly 
fcvoted  his  fortune,  his  time,  and  his 
repose.  He  had  conceived  for  her  that 
•Section  of  an  old  man,  which  ends  only 
^  life,  a  platonic  and  unhappy  afiection 
^iich  hastened  his  end.  His  conversion 
^  Uot  made  known  till  after  his  death, 
^^  greatly  scandalized  the  Emperor  and 


Madame  Krudner  de 
man  in  the  world;   a 
become  that  of  the  wl 
my  own  part  I  take  pi 
dicting  H,  especially  c( 
i»Wch  the  Count  may 
CooNT  Oelofp,  wh 
Gount  Benkendorf,  is 
of  his  Majesty.    He 
erents  of  the  26th 
Seing  at  that  time  ce 
of  horse  guards,  the 
nearest  to  the  palact 
^Ace  himself  at  the 
march  to  Isaac  Squai 
loaded  with  favours 


KICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  82S 

oldy  and  had  need  of  repose.  '^N'ever 
mind  ihat/'  answered  the  Czar^  ^^go  where- 
eirer  joa  please."  Orloff  was  confoonded, 
he  immediately  redoubled  his  assîduity  and 
attention  to  the  Autocrate  who  soon  forgot 
ihis  incident^  but  said  on  another  occasion^ 
•'ISTobody  is  so  indispensable  to  me,  Tscher- 
nyschefl"  Count  Orloff,  when  he  was  made 
Ifinifiter  of  Police,  made  a  profound  obser* 
vatîon  :  ^'I  do  not  comprehend  the  utilitj 
«f  aU  this  institution."  Maj  the  Count  one 
day  see  its  total  inutilitj,  and  contribute  to 
abolish  it. 

TsGHERNTSCHEF,  Miuister  of  War,  owes 
ïm  rise  to  the  skill  with  which  he  searched 
flie  archives  of  France,  in  1811,  and  pro- 
eured  the  plans  and  the  projects  of  the 
eampaign  of  1812.  Being  raised  to  the 
laak  of  General,  he  entered  Cassel,  and 
nnce  that  time,  the  expression,  ^^When  I 
took  Cassel!"  is  always  in  his  mouth. 

At  the  accession  of  the  Emperor  !N'i- 
tiiolafl^    he    manifeated    cruel    energy  in 

t2 


anger  towards  him,  an 
was  worse  dealt  witli  tl 
himself  superintended  t] 
Count  Tschemyschef,  îi 
session  of  hîs  property. 
and  presented  him  to 
accused^  and  endeavour 
to  adopt  him,  but  this  w< 
that,  though  she  gladlj 
jesty*s  Adjutant-Genen 
never  look  upon  him  a 
affair  was  then  brought 
of  the  Empire,  and  w 
secretary  stated  that  h< 
law  in  support  of  the  ( 


.-J-.   i» 


NICIIOLAS    THE    FIRST.  325 

'^lio  secretary  persisting  in  his  assertion, 

Count  M added,  "There  is  a  law, 

^^hîch  enacts  that  the  property  of  the  per- 
-aoxx  executed  belongs  to  the  executioner!" 
ï^us  alluding  to  an  English  law,  whieh 
ffives  to  the  executioner  the  boots  of  the 
P^rson  whom  he  has  executed. 

Seing  disappointed  in  his  hopes,  Tscher-. 
^yschef  tumed  his  thoughts  to  marriage. 
*ttree  ladies,  whom  he  espoused  succès- 
aively  contributed  to  make  his  fortune. 
"^tead  of  the  title  Count  he  has  obtained 
*^tof  Prince. 

Count  Cancrin  was  the  only  statesman 
^  ^ussia  who  possessed  considérable  know-» 
^^e,  though  he  was  rather  déficient  in 
■*ke  very  branch  which  was  under  his  admi- 
'^^ration.  He  was  a  very  good  book- 
^^per;  but  chemistry,  mechanics,  and 
*^<îhnology,  were  wholly  unknown  to  him. 
''*'*ie  sensé  of  duty  predominated  over  ail 
**^  Crennan  nationality  ;  he  rea]ly  aimed  at 
**^e  good  of  Bussia  ;  but  at  the  same  timç 


^Aoavii  v.uunx  uancrin 
he  leaves  the  trouble 
children.     He  bas  an 
400,000  rubles.      "AJ 
says  be,   ^^mj  childrc 

He  was  tbe  most  ai 
prohibitive  System,  as  \ 
factures  ;  but  the  favo 
he  gave  to  the  latter  cl 
for  ihe  sufferings  of  a, 
he  refiised  to  pay  atteu 
BÎan  heart  woiild  not  h 
error,  and  would  hav 
Empire  is,  in  an  especû 
^taral  conntry. 


NIGHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  â2? 

a  mère  groping  in  the  daxk^  wharcs^ 

y^  d&it  of  feeling  at  random^  he  somer 

times  hît  the  right  mark.    He,  howeyer, 

(9pofied  the  dissipation  of  the  Ëmpaxir 

^th  a  persévérance  which  the  Czar  callad 

*l*tinacy,  without  ventming  to  cross  him 

too    mudL    The  merit  of  Mazarin  is  that 

<rf   lutTing  giren  Colbert  to  Louis  XIV* 

Ooimt  Oancrin,  by  learing  M.  Vrontschenko 

^  liis  successor^  has  rendered  a  very  iU 

^ï^îce  to  Bussia. 

OocKT  Kleinmichel,  a  count  by  the 
^^^Our  of  Uicholas,  like  almost  ail  the 
^*^^t»  and  princes  who  serve  him,  is  a  crea« 
^^^1%  of  Ooont  Arakhtschâef,  and  a  mwt 
^^^ïgrateful  man  to  his  former  master,  for  he 
^^^  the  first  to  tnm  his  back  upon  him 
^l^n  the  Emperor  abandoned  him;  and 
'^eui-e  it  18  not  sorprising  that  Arakfat^ 
^^^ie^  when  he  was  asked  for  information 
^^KLctîng  his  former  aid-de-camp,  shoidd 
*^ve  replied  that  "  he  did  not  know  him#'' 
sver,  when  the  comjdaints  which  his 


master  and  in  the  h 
It  is  affirmée!  tliat  tlie 
8aîd  to  the  cliief  of  thc 
lie  Works,  after  he  lia< 
•to  be  flogged  and  sec 
to  the  Caucasus^  "  You 
the   reign  of  my  bro 
lity,  for  the  first  time 
the  mothers   compIain< 
children  out  of  the  h 
tioner. 

The  secret  of  the  ti 
man  to  Kicholas,  is  noi 
formity  of  their  tastes 
reciprocal  forbearance. 


NICnOLAS   THE   FIRST,  329 

fiinctionary  in  the  Eussian  empire;  and 
this  is  saying  a  great  deal^  where  so  many 
people  glory  in  being  such. 

The  Winter  Palace,  so  tyrannically  re- 

•bxdlt,  has  raised  the  fortune  of  the  count  ; 

îtor  has  the  falling  of  St.  George's  Hall 

^jtired   his   prospects.      *'Make   yourself 

■easy,"  said  the  Emperor,  ^'  the  fault  is  ail 

^y  own,  I  was  in  too  great  a  hurry  ;"  and, 

^  a  colonel  who  was  présent,  and  looking 

^  at  the  ill-fated  ceiling,  thus  suflfered  the 

•^ïublance  of  a  beard  to  be  visible  above 

"îs  cravat,  the  Emperor  vented  his  spleen 

^ponhim. 

The  predecessors  of  Count  EJieinmichel, 
'*^  liis  post  of  head  of  the  department  ot 
'^blic  Works,  were  MM.  Toll  and  Betan- 
'^^irt,  men  of  probity  and  talent,  who  en- 
l^yed  a  hîgh  degree  of  public  esteem,  but 
•^^^^d  not  Bucceed  in  persuading  the  Govem- 
'^ent  to  adopt  their  plans, — a  govemment 
*^liich  Î8  80  lavish  for  itself,  and  so  nig- 
'S^ïffly  for  objects  of  public  utility,    Seeing 


3S0  RUSSIA   UNDER 

that  with  eight  millions  it  was  not  poHnUe 
to  give  good  roads  to  Busata^  M.  Betancoort 
tumed  ail  his  solicitude  to  the  eoips  of 
cadets,  which  was  confided  to  his  care,  and 
organized  it  on  the  model  of  the  Polj- 
technic  School;  but  hère  too  the  GremiM 
spirit  did  not  fail  to  attain  the  ascendaiit 
over  the  French,  and  the  Prince  of  Ww- 
temburg,  who  took  the  direction  of  ÛÊt 
department  after  M.  Betancourt^  replaoei 
the  whole  on  the  ancient  footing.  Goui 
Toll  was  a  distinguished  chief  of  the  Staff 
nnder  Diebitsch,  in  the  campaigns  bolli 
of  Turkey  and  Poland. 

CoiJNT  KissELEF,  Minister  of  the  Do* 
mains,  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Biuaiaa 
opposition,  of  the  libéral  partj,  and  a  n* 
former;  an  opposition  which  caimot  be 
called  one  :  a  liberalism  which  is  bo  onlf  ia 
name;  reforms,  which  are  deatitote  if 
plan.  He  is  considered  as  the  mostia» 
geroiis  enemy  of  the  Emperor^  for  Aa 
inévitable  effects  of  his  measorea  an  la 


NICHQLAfi  THE   FIRST.  SSl 

discontent^  and  seem  calculated  to 
CKGÎte  Tevolutions. 

Being  a  moderate  libéral^  and  not  daring 

on  open  opposition  ;  a  moderate  statesman, 

vad  nnder  the  influence  of  such  opposing 

pnndpley  he  cannot  pursue  a  steady  course, 

^■tttead  of  seeing  in  his  injudicious  mea* 

a  tendeney  to  révolution^  it  would  be 

to  aacribe  them  onlj  to  the  bad  £Etith 

^  his   agents.     What    does    him    most 

'^^nour  is  that  of  being  an  advocate  for  the 

^^^QHoicipation  of  the  serfs;    but  the  old 

^iMsian  party  stops  his  mouth,  whenever 

*^  reproaches  them  with  not    having    a 

^^asantry.    The  considérable  possessions  of 

^a  adveisaries  should,  however^  impose  on 

^em  more  disinterested  language. 

IL  OuwABOP,  Minister  of  Public  Instruc* 
^km,  who  is  not  yet  a  count,  but  must^ 
^hilesSy  ère  long  acquire  that  title,  is  a 
Mb  of  knowledge  and  understanding,  but 
éflident  in  the  quaJities  of  right  feeling. 


332  BUSSIA  UNDER 

His  self-Iove  and  his  vanity  are  eqoalled 
only  by  the  envy  which  he  cherishes  towarh 
ail  those  who  advance  more  rapidly  tiuD 
liimself. 

"  I  and  the  Emperor  hâve  decîded,"  hc 
repeats  at  the  end  bf  ever y  sentence  ;  and 
then^  correcting  himself^  begins  again: 
"The  Emperor  and  I  hâve,  &c.,  ftc** 
Nationàlity  and  Autocracy  are  the  motto 
of  his  administration;  he  is  now  as  deroted 
to  absolutism  as  he  was  formerly  libéral: 
nay,  he  is  even  more  so.  M,  Ouwarûf  » 
too  good  a  philosopher  to  be  deeply  vend 
in  other  branches  of  leaming,  which  however 
does  not  restrain  him  from  dictating  hia  or- 
dinances  like  a  sovereign  lord,  in  medicinfi 
as  well  as  in  jurisprudence. 

"  You  are  wrong  to  think  of  professiiig 
political  economy,"  observed  he  to  M. 
Dsch  *  *  *;  "political  economy  ia  vA 
a  science  ;  you  ought  rather  to  taie  iç 
history."    It  is  but  justice  to  say,  in  ajto 


NICUOLAS   THE  FIRST.  333 

^  ereiy  défect^  that  the  administration  of 
WT.  Ouwarof  has  been  favourable  to  éduca- 
tion, especially  to  the  higher  branches. 

It  is^  besides^  an  easy  task  for  one  who 
^cceedfl  to  the  ministry  after  such  a  man 
te  Schichkof.    We  find  the  following  anec- 
dote in  the  memoirs  which  he  left  behind 
Mnai.    He  was  on  his  way  to  Moscow  with 
the  Emperor  Alexander,  and  his  Majesty 
^^g  gone  to  some   distance  from  his 
^qnipage,  the  minister  who  was  left  alone 
^gan  to  contemplate  the  heavens.     He 
there  distinguished^  as  he  says,  two  clouds, 
^ïie  of  which  resembled  in  shape  a  dragon, 
*™ïch  as  it  is  represented  on  paper,  and  the 
^W  a  lobster.    The  two  images  advanced 
^gaingt  each  other,  and  commenced  a  des- 
pote conflict,  and  the  dragon  was  de- 
^oyed.    The  minister  considered  this  as 

^  emblem  bf  the  war  of  1812  which  had 

• 

J^  broken  ont,  but  which  of  the  two 
"^Digèrent  parties  was  represented  by  the 
lobgter?     '^Evidently  Russia!  because  in 


934  EUSSIA  UHDEB 

ihat  languige  the  two  words  begin 
theletterR!" 

Prince  Yolkcstskt,  Minister  of 
Courte  was  fhe  friend  and  the  ârud| 
the  Emperor  Alexander^  who  often  ca 
his  feuniliarit 7  so  fiur  as  to  treat  hin 
tremelj  ill.  One  daj,  when  bad  tes 
been  set  bef ore  hîm,  he  compelled  the  { 
to  swallow  the  whole  pot  full.  Another 
when  Prince  VoBkonsky  spoke  contei 
onslj  of  the  Polish  ladies,  the  chiva 
Alexander^  who  was  just  then  in  love 
Madame  Karjshkin  (a  Princess  Cie 
tinski)  gave  him  a  box  on  the  ear  ;  az 
1814^  when  he  was  about  to  set  ont 
Paris^  a  carnage  with  indiffèrent  h 
was  bronght  him^  npon  which  the 
scolded  the  prince  as  if  he  had  be 
groom. 

The  following  anecdote  will  conve; 
îdea  of  the  administration  of  the  princ 
partîcular,  and  of  that  of  the  Bu 
Gk)yemment  in  generaL    A  ring  had 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  336 

9peared  from  a  casket  of  jewels;  the  seiL- 

tinel  was  asked  if  he  had  seen  an j  person 

^ttter  the  room  where  the  theft  had  been 

^■onmitted,  and  in  this  case  whether  he 

^oéià  recognize  the  individual.      On  hia 

^■^sweiing  in  the  affînnative  he  was  taken 

^  ihe  office  of  the  ministr j^  and  had  no 

^^^cultj  in  pointing  ont  the  clerk  whom  he 

^^^  seen  enter.     Volskonsky  struck  this 

VUncky  man^  and  expelled  him  from  the 

^ï^ce,  with  a  certificate,  in  thèse  terma^ 

I^ismissed  on  suspicion  of  theft."     The 

^^t>sçects  of  the  young  man  were  inevitably 

^^^^iuedy  and  his  family  and  hîmaplf  disho* 

V^nred  for  ever.    Fortunately^  his  £&ther 

^^  a  retired  gênerai,  a  man  of  hononr  and 

^i^  principle.    He  immediately  addressed 

^  letter  to  the  Emperor,  in  which  he  said 

^^^mi,  "having  no  proofs  of  the  crime  of  his 

toiiy  he  knew  not  whether  he  ought  to  drivo 

'^im  firom  his  présence,  or  to  press  him  to 

^*ii  hoBom.    He  therefore  begged  the  Sove- 

,  not  as  Czar,  but  as  a  father,  to  cause 


336  RUSSIA   UNDER 

inquiry  to  be  made  into  the  afifair,"    B^ 
put  on  his  uniform^  and  wcnt  to  présent  hi 
letter  to  !N"ieliolas,  just  when  the  guard  wiu-— ^" 
beîng  mounted.     It  was  then  discover 
that  the  person  who  had  stolen  the  rin 
was  a  porter  of  the  hôtel.    The  Emperor  ^ 
took  the  young  man  into  his  chancery,  bu'  — ■- 
Prince  Volkonsky  retained  his  post. 

The  following  fact  will  fumish  anothe'  "^ 
proof  of  how  far  the  Rassian  Ministers  ar*  ^^ 
from  being  disinterested. 

A  dealer  in  Persian  shawls,  at  Mosco^^sT 
was  ordcred  to  wait  upon  the  Empress,  i^fc~ 
she  passcd  through  that  city.     She  sélecte  « 
two  shawls,  inquired  the  priée,  and  order^^* 
them  to  be  paid  for.     The   shawls  we«"^ 
taken,  but  the  dealer  \\ith  difficulty  obtam^^ 
a  part  of  his  money,  and  was  compelled  ^^^ 
submit  to  a  réduction.    M.  R.,  a  jewell^*"^ 
had  to  complain  of  a  similar  proceeding  <^^ 
the  part  of  the  Minister  of  the  Court. 

M.  Perovsky  will  be  honourably  dîsti»* 
guished  in  the  annals  of  the  Russian  adnci^' 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  337 

VMntion:  he  is  &r  snperior  to  ail  hîs  pre- 

^^ceflBore,  by  hîs  activity  and  his  zeal  in 

P^^ttoting  i?liat  is  good.     His  entrance  iiïto 

**te  Department  of  the  Interior  bas  been 

^^gualized  by  laudablc  régulations  and  mea- 

•'•^"es.      He   bas   made   a   useful    razzia 

*S*Û2i8t  the  govemors,  and  bas  been  very 

*^i^imate  in  the  appointment  of  successors 

*^   t&any  of  tbem.     He  vigorously  attacked 

***e   unwortby  police  of  St.  Petersburg,  and 

*^sîsted  only  in  conséquence  of  tbe  Impérial 

Protection,  wbicb  bas  obtained  for  M.  Ka- 

^^>schkin  tbe  nickname  of  '^  Cache  Coqui/nJ"* 

*^e  agent  of  tbe  ministerial  department 

*^^  discoTered  at  St.  Petersburg  tbe  exist- 

^'^ce  of  a  band  of  robbers,  amounting  to 

*^^eral  bundred  men.     M.  Perovsky  de- 

^^^^Uuled  tbe  dismissal  of  M.  Kakoscbkin, 

'^^  bis  Majesty  contented  bimself  witb  re- 

P^iinanding  bim,  and    told   tbe  minister, 

'^  that  it  was  tbanks  to  tbe  grand  master  of 

^Uee  that  be  bad  slept  in  tranquillity  for 

*Wenty  yearsl"    Tbe  malefactors  were  pun- 


338  RUSSIA  UNDER 

ished^  but  some  intriguera  contrired  to 
perauadc  the  Emperor  tliat  he  had  ponislied 
innocent  men;  and  the  crédit  and  the  zeal 
of  M.  Perovsky  hereby  sustained  a  great 
shock. 

JSTo  choice  whîch  îf  icholas  has  made  for 
the  Department  of  the  Interior  appeara  to 
hâve  been  so  happy  as  that  of  Perovsky. 
Lanskor  was  a  cypher^  and  Zagreosky  a 
narrow-minded  man^  who^  during  the  choiera 
at  Moscow^  caused  the  chests  of  tea  to  be 
fumigated!  and  awakened  his  derks  in 
conséquence  of  important  ordinances  which 
prescribed  a  new  mode  of  miplng  pens!  Œs 
;8uccessor  Bludof^  was  an  intelligent  and 
upright  minister^  but  devoid  both  of  System 
and  energy,  though  he  is  accused  of  cruélty 
in  drawing  up  the  reports  of  the  committee 
which  was  appointed  to  investigate.  the 
affair  of  the  conspiratora  of  1825  ;  a  task 
which  has  insured  him  a  brilliant  career. 
He  has  since  succeeded  Count  Speranski  in 
the  office  of  drawing  up  the  laws,  witiioot 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  .'3;'>9 

io^^ever  filling  up  the  vacuum  which  has 

'^^en  left  hj  the  death  of  that  excellent 

'^'^^^tii,  the  only  learned  lawyer  in  Russîa. 

C?oxiiit  Strogonof,  who  was  called  to  suceeed 

■"l^idof,  and  who  was  thought  to  be  a  man 

^*     Qtrong  mind^  proved  to  be  worse  than 

^"^^i.    At  the  tîme  when  he  was  Govemor- 

^^*~^ïieral  of  Charkof,  he  had  already  given 

^^^Xiy  proofs  of  inability,  but  which,  thanks 

^^  tilie  favour  of  Bludof,  passed  unperceivei 

^^^^  day  the  Emperor  pointed  out  to  him  a 

^'^•^eet  in  Charkof,  which  he  wished  out  of 

^'^^e    way.      Count  Strogonof  immediately 

*^*^  bills  posted   on    every  house,  which 

^**ted  the  time  when  it  would  be  pulled 

*^Wn,  and  replaced  by  another.   He  listened 

*^^îther  to  remonstrances  nor  entreaties,  and 

^^^i^ed  hîs  orders  to  be  executed  to  the 

^He  circumstance  which  led  to  his  dis- 
*^^^iB8al,  desenres  to  be  related.  An  ex- 
^^cer  of  the  guards  asked  the  protection 
^^  the  Grand  Duke  Michael  to  obtain  the 


place  vacant.  I5ut  tne  or 
couraijçed,  and  had  recour 
the  Chancery  of  the  Min 
opinion  that  for  6000  rub] 
might  be  fodndL  The  o£ 
formed  the  Grand  Duke  c 
application,  upon  which  1: 
him  the  5000  rubles  froi 
The  same  evening  he  me 
at  the  palace,  and  told 
becomehis  créditer;  and 
Emperor  of  the  whole 
Majesty  exdaimed,  that 
hâve  in  his  service  "aU 
than  men  who  suffered  ot! 
ont  perceiving  it.*^     He 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  341 

CoiMit  Strogonof  then  solicited  the  post  of 
^^-ni.l3tssador  at  Yienna  ;  ]^icholas  answered 
^^^'^A-l^  he  alone  had  the  appointment  of  per- 
soii^  to  those  offices.  The  minister  asked 
^^>  explanation  of  this  evasive  refiisal,  and 
r^tdred  to  Paris^  where  he  is  seen  assidu^- 
^^'^sly  attending  public  lectures  ;  better  late 
**^*ii  never  ;  it  is  true  that  thèse  are  medi* 
^^^  lectures. 

I^lUNCE  Mentschikof^  the  Minister  of 
-"^^ïine,  is  rather  witty  and  rich,  than  pro- 
^^^UkL  and  independent.  He  is  seen  to 
'^^it  j&Mr  hours  together  for  Count  Klein* 
^^iciiel  to  consult  him  respecting  the  dailj 
^«ss  of  the  seamen.  The  count  is  con- 
^•<îered  as  an  authority  on  this  subject^ 
^l^ch  is  the  Emperor's  weak  side;  and  the 
^^^  of  Mentschikof  makes  him  so  manj 
^^Cmies,  that  he  is  obliged  to  seek  the  sup- 
^^^tt  of  the  strong.  Count  ÎJ^esaelrode  is 
**^  greatest  enemy. 

OouiiT  Panin  bas  been  too  good  a  dipla 


542  RUSSIA   UNDER 

matist  to  be  a  good  miiiister  of  justice;  b*^ 
as  General  Protassof  présides  in  the  syno^^^ 
it  is  thc  more  easy  for  Count  Panin  to  tal^^* 
his  seat  in  the  sonate,  where  his  abilîty  an.  ^ 
assidiiity  are  not  dîsputed  ;  this  was  not  th — -' 
forte  of  his  predecessor  M.  Dasehkof,  wL — 
considcrcd  it  his  duty  not  to  importune  tltj^ 
Emperor, 

Prince  Vassilitschikof,  who  received  h — J 
title  from  the  Emperor,  Président  of  tt=3 
Council  of  the  Empire,  and   General-iiKn 
Chief,  is  a  well  meaning  man,  but  bas  litt     ^< 
influence  over  the  Emperor,  who  in  tru^^^ 
will  not  be  advised  by  any  body.     "  I  ha«^^ 
reigned  thèse  fifteen  years;  it  is  too  la*^ 
to  teach  me  how  to  govem,"  replied  Nicho- 
las,  one  day  when  the  Prince  requested  hiiH 
to  modify  a  severe  and  unjust  measure. 
His  predecessor,   Count   Uovosiltzof,  for- 
merly  curator  of  the  University  of  Wîlna, 
has  left  a  painful  remembrance  behind.   He 
did  not  hesitate,  while  at  Wilna>  to  bring 


NICHOLAS   THE  FIRST.  343 

innocent  persons  into  trouble^  in  order  to 
liis  own  aggrandizement^  and  to  excite  plots, 
for  the  bare  honour  of  defeating  them. 

Field-Marshal  Paskewitsch,  Count  of 
Erivan,  Prince  of  Warsaw,  bas  obtained 
{juropean  celebrity,  and  enjoys  an  indis- 
putable  military  réputation.  His  campaign 
in  Persia  was  admirable,  and  that  in  Asiatic 
Turkey  is  a  severe  criticism  on  the  war 
carried  on  upon  this  side  of  tbe  Bospborus. 
It  is  tnie  that  in  thèse  two  countrîes  he 
was  opposed  by  troops  but  little  inured  to 
war.  Good  fortune  bas  certainly  had  a 
great  sbare  in  his  exploits;  but,  as  Suwarrow, 
who  was  also  reproached  with  being  only 
fortunate,  used  to  say,  "  Merit  ought  surely 
to  be  reckoned  for  something  in  a  succes- 
sion of  victories!"  It  was  necessary  to 
hâve  recourse  to  Paskewitch  to  conclude 
the  war  in  Poland;  and  his  arrivai  alone 
raised  the  spirits  of  the  army.  The  faults 
committed  by  the  Pôles  are  évident  ;  but 
they  take  little  £rom  the  merit  of  Paske-- 


344  RUSSIA  UNDER 

witsch^  who  tumed  them  to  adyantage  as 
he  repaired  hîs  own.  Haying  been  ap- 
pointed  Govemor  of  Poland,  he  has  been 
so  happy  in  this  post  as  to  moderate  the 
cruelties  of  his  master. 

Yermolof  bas  been  one  of  the  bests 
gênerais  of  Eussia.    It  was  he  who  dre^^ 
up  the  plans  of  Borodino  and  of  Kuhn^  th^ 
two  battles   which   bave   done   the  mo^= 
bonour  to  the  anns  of  his  country.     Y^m 
this  brave  gênerai  has  fallen  into  disgrâces 
whether  it  be  owing  to  some  dispute  with  M    i 
cholas  at  Paris^  in  1814^  where  it  îs  affiinL^^cf 
that  he  reproved  the  Grand  Duke,  irho 
interfered  in  a  review  at  which  he  conz- 
manded  in  chief^  addressed  him  in  thèse 
energetic  words  :  '*  You  are  yoiing  enoogb 
to  learn,  but  not  old  enough  to  teach!"  cr 
whether  he  had  not  shewn  much  zeal  in 
making  his  corps  take  theoath  tolincholaB; 
or,  lastly,  whether  in  conséquence  of  the 
triumph  of  the  German  party^  which,  afier 
the  revoit  of  1825^  gained  the  ascendancy 


P7 


KICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  346 

er  the  Bnssian  paxty,  whîch  reckoned 
^rmolof  amongst  the  most  eminent  of  its 
.ders^  it  is  difficult  to  divine.  Paskewitscli 
s  sent  to  watch  over  his  conduct  with 
lal  rights.  Termolof  planned  his  ruin, 
1  sent  him  with  a  division  against  the 
Die  corps  of  Abbas  Mirza,  following  him 
h  the  main  bodj  to  repair  the  cheek 
Lch  the  others  might  suffer.  But  the  resuit 
3  far  otherwise.  Paskewitsch  defeated 
ï  Persians^  and  Termolof  was  recalled. 
î  was  received  with  enthusiasm  at  Mos- 
w,  but  he  was  so  impolitic  as  to  résume 
>  uniform,  and  his  popularity  died  away. 
ave,  skilfid,  national — as  libéral  from  dis- 
utent  as  he  had  been  despotic  while  in 
wer,  he  remained  a  living  reproach  to 
e  Emperor.  A  fit  of  remorse  caused  the 
1er  of  St.  Andrew  to  be  sent  to  him  on 
3  érection  of  the  monument  of  Kulm. 

END   OF   VOL.   I. 

I^ORDON  :   HAREIB029  AND  CO,,  8T.    XA&TIN'S  LÀNB. 


RTJSSI  A 


VNDBB 


THE  AUTOCRAT, 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST. 


IVAN  GOLOVINE, 


A     KUSSIAN    SUBJECT. 


IN   TWO    VOLUMES. 
VOL.  II. 


LONDON: 
HENBY    COLBUEN,    PUBLISHER, 

OBMJa   M ABLBOBOVaH  STBBET, 

1846. 


LONDON  : 

HARRISON  A  NI)  CO.,  PRINTIEa^ 

9r.  MAETIN*8  LANB. 


RUSSIA 


UNPEB 


NICHOLAS    THE    FIRST. 


Chapter  L 

OF  THE  CLASSES  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 


OP  THE  NOBILITY. 

Thess  are  two  kinds  of  nobilitj  in  Russia 
hereditary  nobilitj  and  personal  nobilitj.  The 
,  fint  is  acquired  b j  the  rank  of  officer  in  the 
.  army;  in  the  ciyil  service,  down  to  the  eighth 
.  dass»  which  is  équivalent  to  the  rank  of  major. 
:  It  maj  be  conferred  bj  the  Emperor,  and  is 

VOL.  IT.  B 


1826. 

Militarj  ofB< 
service  with  a  i 
retain  their  rigl 

Ohildren  bon 
father  to  the 
whenever  the 
rank  or  hy  an  c 
fayour  of  the  ; 
indicated  in  the 
to  the  children 
&ther  and  grai 
at  least  twenty 
pemmal  nobilit 
aobilitj. 

The  latter  k 
the  BoUes  with 


KICHOLAfi  THB  FIRST.  8 

ishUi  class;   5ihij,  thé  nobks  <^  impérial 
Keatîoa;  6tUj,  foreign  iiobles. 

Personal  nobilitj  iâ  attached,  in  ihe  cirii 
lerrioe,  to  the  ranks  below  the  eightli  classa  or 
Êfe  ia  Gonferred  bj  a  nomination  of  the  Em* 
peror.  The  order  of  St.  Stanislaus  conféra  it 
on  membera  of  the  Catholic  deigy  and  on 
Baadikiis. 

Of  kte  jeara^  the  Emperor  Nicholas,  vith  a 

liew  to  enhance  the  vahie  of  nobilitj,  resolyed 

^  to  oonfer  it  below  the  fifth  class  in  the 

dTilservice;  but^  bj  limiting  the  serrice  of  the 

*i^6r  to  fifteen  years  in  the  guard,  and  that 

tf  the  gobaltem  to  twelve  years,  he  bas  fiacili* 

ttted  the  access  to  the  rank  of  officer,  and 

•naequently  to  hereditary  nobility.    The  ex- 

^Bùiiations  of  candidates,  it  is  tme,  are  con- 

docted  with  greater  strictness;  but  the  liberty 

aflowed  them  for  a  certain  time  to  choose 

between  the  epaulette  of  officer  and  a  pension 

dtsom  340  to  500  robles  per  annum,  has 

4Mtribnted  not  a  little  to  discrédit  nobility* 

The  nnmber  of  those  who  preferred  the  money 

B  2 


the  advancement  of 
versities. 

The  présent  inst 

bility  is  quite  revol 

purposed  to  strengt 

raise  the  people  by 

is  not  the  less  cerfc 

the  country,  and  pa^ 

of  equality.     To  i 

means  that  might  l 

stroy  the  rights  of  th 

them  by  rendering  tl 

preferred  the  second 

the  first;  and  his  si 

adhered  to  his  polie 

îts  drift. 

Nobility  has  adïB 


mCHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  5 

to  it  Invaded  by  the  people,  its  foun« 
m  bas  been  undermined;  and,  its  wealtb 
ing  awaj  from  daj  to  day,  it  is  losing  tbe 

spell  of  its  power.    AU  its  lands  are 
^aged  to  the  Crown,  and  the  existence  of 
ige  paralyses  the  derelopment  of  wealtb* 
Ibe  day  wben  the  people  shall  baye  be*. 
3  noble,  or  wben  only  tbe  number  of  the. 
es  bas  become  immense,  on  that  day  no* 
f  will  bave  giyen  place  to  democracy. 
it  will  then  become  of  the  thronel 
ke  Russian  nobility  possess  the  faculty  of 
ring  tbe  public  service,  without  being  liable 
e  forced  into  it,  unless  by  a  nominal  de- 
of  tbe  Emperor. 

lie  nobles  bave  a  right  to  go  abroad  with 
Kurts,  and  to  enter  foreign  service  with 
tuthorization  of  the  Government  ;  but  they 
Miged  to  retum  home  without  delay  on 
irst  summons. 
^ery  noble  retired  from  the  service  bas  a 

to  wear  tbe  uniform  of  tbe  govemment 
licb  be  is  inscribed. 


foned  bj  tl 
The  nob] 
ptinishment 
ând  cannot  1 
posterior  to 
nobiKtj. 

The  crime 

rigbts  are  tm 

The  Russîa 

*Me8  and  fro: 

honaes  cannot 

The  heredil 

HKsh  on  his 

^"ï^inifacture;  i 

iMcribÎDghnn» 


*jri^. 


KICH0LA8  THS  FIRST.  ï 

tt  hb  tsÊBODOb  posseas  serfs  without  haying 


Bmancipatod  sera  who  liave  become  heredî* 
tmry  nobles»  Ga]m0t^  before  the  third  geno* 
Tmtàon^  aoqpnie  the  lands  on  which  they  baie 
fhemadFes  been  inscribed  as  serfe;  and,  in 
eue  mdi  an  estate  sbonld  derolve  to  oot  af 
ttien  by  inberitaDoe,  it  mnst  be  placed  imme- 
diately  under  gnardianship,  or  sold  within  «iz 


With  the  exception  of  Tartars  andoitly 
iGttibd  in  Ûie  conntrj,  none  bat  Cbriatîans 
We  a  li^t  to  poflsess  Christian  serfs. 

Tbe  property  of  slares  deTolying  to  a  pep> 
>Ottl  noble  passes  to  the  Grovn,  whidi  pays  a 
Sxfid  priée  per  amd.  There  are  paid,  besidei^ 
M  i&Ter   mbles    fiur   every    mother    of  a 

It  is  obTious  that  ail  thèse  rights  are  nega* 
^  rather  than  positiye,  and  give  noiihing 
Aoie  dian  what  belongs  to  every  man  in  cm^ 

*  bi  BnflB»»  tbe  women  are  not  included  ixnong  tbe 


with  the  progress  ol 
the  exclusive  appan 
completelj  annul  the 
men  and  serfs  once 
thè  nobles  will  be  de 
the  patrimony  of  th( 
of  humanitj. 

"Therightsof  th 
celebrated  Russian  ] 
been  a  distînguished 
since  become  a  high 
o^the  Russian  nobil 
service,  if  they  are  i 
it;  inleavmg  it,  if  h 

*  The  meanest  rair-mLi 


K1CH0LA8  THE  FIBST.  9 

Soing  abroad,  if  he  can  obtain  a  passport  ;  in 
purchaaing  landed  property,  if  hc  bas  tbe 
money."  And  tbese  rights  are  tbe  same  for 
tlie  descendants  of  Rurick  and  of  Guidemine, 
^Ad  for  tbe  latest  upstart. 

Tbe  nobility  of  eacb  goyemment  forms  a 
Bepou^te  body,  and  bas  tbe  faculty  of  assem- 
^^^^^  to  considt  upon  its  common  interests. 
^ssemblies  of  tbis  kind  are  beld  by  goyem- 
^*teiits  or  by  districts,  and  tbey  are  ordinary  or 
^^fcraordinary. 

Tbe  ordinary  assemblies,  for  goyernments, 
^ïe  held  eyery  tbree  years,  babitually  from  tbe 
^ontb  of  December  to  tbat  of  January  :  tbose 
of  tbe  districts  tbree  montbs  before. 

Tbe  rigbt  of  sitting  in  tbese  assemblies,  witb 
^  delîberatiye  yoice,  belongs  to  tbe  bereditary 
^les  wbo  baye  at  least  100  peasanta 
^  3000  dessiatines  of  land  fit  for  tillage. 
^'hose  wbo  baye  50  peasants  at  least  may 
•ttend  tbem,  but  not  deliberate.  Colonels  or 
OoQiiGillors  of  State,  and  functionaries  of  su- 
Parier  ranks,  need  not  baye  more  tban  fiye 


no  one  can  be  a  member 
attained  the  fiill  âge  of  t 
imless  he  bas  acquired  a 
cbuss  in  actiye  serrioe. 

The  noble  wbo  possc 
same  time,  in  seyeral  j 
tricts,  tbe  property  rec 
r^tto  attend  ike  de< 
tbem  in  eacb  of  tbose  go 
He  wbo  bas  in  différent 
tricts  small  paroels  of 
togetiher  to  3000  dessi) 
sants,  bas  tbe  cboioe  of 
may  prefer  exercîsing  bii 

Petty  proprietors  bav' 


XICHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  11 

Chiwdiaiis  and  Kfe  possessors  of  propertieiii^ 
aie  importence  of  which  fulfib  the  conditiom 
fix«d  hj  lair,  can  take  part  in  tiie  tmetor 
if  ibej  aaswer  the  other  prescribed  con- 


The  firiiier  can  dépote  a  son  to  repreoent 
him,  and  a  woman  one  of  her  relations,  or  even 
»  BoUe  sfaranger. 

NoUes  who  haye  been  tnmed  ont  of  the 
serrice^  or  bronght  to  jostice  for  some  crime, 
as  deprired  of  tiie  ri^t  of  sitting  in  the 
assemblj. 

The  asflemUj  of  the  nobles  has  a  right  to 
Inve  a  hooie  of  its  own,  a  secretarj,  archires, 
and  a  seal. 

The  dnties  <tf  the  goremment  assemblies  are 
to  elect  to  the  différent  offices  whidi  are  dé- 
pendent (m  them,  to  discoss  the  interests  of 
tiwir  gOTemment,  and  to  présent  their  opinicms 
to  the  GoYemor,  to  the  Minister  of  the  Interior, 
asd  to  the  Emperor  himself,  to  whose  own 
hands  the j  can  address  pétitions.  They  ha?e 
to  make  choioe  of  three  deputies,  in  case  the 


«/  tue  i^nperor,  to  tfu 
privilèges  which  he  i 
nobility. 

The  assembliesofi 
marshal  and  deputies 
to  rerifj  the  titles  of 
▼ince,  and  to  keep  a 
book  of  the  nobilitj. 

The  assemblj  of  th< 
<ase,  appear  before  th( 

défend  itselfthere  but! 
If  it  issues  my  dec 
Ws,  it  incurs  a  fine  of 
^otaàuil  of  the  goven 
addition  QQ,  and  the  dij 
nibles. 


NIOHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  13 

S'^'vemment  must  attend  merelj  to  fîimish 
i^ooessaiy  ezplanations  on  points  of  law,  but 
^  cannot  take  any  active  part  ui  the  pro- 


che daties  of  the  marshals  of  tlie  goyem- 
ents  as  well  as  those  of  the  districts,  elected 
^  the  assemblies  of  the  nobilitj  in  each  of 
^eee  circumscriptions,  are  to  préside  at  and 
'  dose  the  assemblies  from  which  thej 
Dtanate,  to  préserve  order  in  them,  to  commu^ 
^cate  to  them  the  commands  and  the  dis- 
étions  of  the  central  power,  and  to  lay  ont 
le  funds  belonging  to  the  nobilitj  according 
>  its  directions.  They  receire  the  oath  of 
t^e  officers  elected  by  the  nobility,  and  are 
tembers  of  the  recruiting  board. 

The  marshals  of  gOTernments  hare,  more- 
^er,  to  deliver  the  necessary  certificates  to 
''^  nobles  who  wish  to  enter  the  service,  and 
to  leep  in  readiness  the  relay-horses  requisite 
foï  ihe  use  of  the  Impérial  family.  They  taie 
P^  in  the  appointment  of  guardians  to  the 
^•tïrtes  of  nobles  who  maltreat  their  serfs,  who 


JL^jAIU     uu     Ulti 


wtich  the  marshal  of  i 
Thifi  last  assemblj  is  < 
tion  of  the  book  of  Û 
adds  the  persons  who 
niable  proofe  of  thdr  no 
and  gives  notice  of  the 
«vises  its  décisions, 
pladng  the  estâtes  of  i 
ahip. 

At  the  time  of  the 
nobility  of  each  distr 
nuwrshal,  the  district  ju 
judges  of  the  two  tribun 
of  the  corn  magazines, 
candidates  for  the  offia 


NICHOLAS   THE   FIRST.  15 

peace^  the  curator  of  the  gymnattum,  who  is 
^Iso  curator  df  the  schooLs,  the  as^tanta  of  the 
three  tribunalsy  civil,  pénal,  and  of  peace,  the 
of  the  nohilitj,  and  the  members  of 
commififlion  of  public  beneficence. 
Ibe  marahal  of  the  goremment  is  elected 
among  the  fumer  marshals,  b^inning 
^i£h  the  actual  holder  of  the  office,  the  district 
manhals,  ancient^  or  in  office,  and  the  preaL- 
^t^fwtë  of  the  chambera  If  thèse  refusa  the 
^'oliiUty  ifl  at  libertj  to  elect  a  new  candidate. 
'^hm  Totes  for  eadi  candidate  are  given  byballs 
^or  against 

nhe  goTemment  assanblies  may  exdade,  by 
^  majoritj  of  two-thirds  of  Uie  votes,  anj 
^oUe  on  whom  anj  judicial  sentence  whatever 
*^ia  cart  a  stigma,  or  who  has  conunitted  a 
^^gracefiil  act,  evea  before  he  has  been  tried. 
'^ironi  Kidi  a  dedaion  there  is  no  appeal  bat  to 
^e  senate^  andthen  onlyin  case  of  irregolarity 
^  the  scrutinj. 

Tib/à   membeiB    who    hâve    obtained    the 
greitegt  aumber  of  votes  after  the  persons 


among  the  heredi 

combine  as  propri 

eligibility;  and  w 

that  oflBce  for  thr 

right  of  taking  part 

The  présidents  • 

elected  from  amon^ 

nected  with  the  g< 

hare  filled  the  po 

equiralent  to  the  s 

belonged  to  the  seT< 

The  Personal  nol 

offices  of  assistants, 

candidates,  to  those 

The  élections  foi 

Tkl5l/*A  nnltr  am%i»rr    oî'v 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  Ï7 

îreiy  noble  has  a  right  to  déclare  before- 
d  that  he  will  not  accept  such  or  such  an 
».  He  who  bas  occupied  a  superior  post 
Qot,  witbont  bis  consent,  be  appointed  to 

inferior  emplojment. 

« 

il  tbe  goremments  of  Arcbangel,  Olonetzk, 
sitka^  Perm,  and  in  ail  those  of  Siberia, 
re  are  no  élections,  on  account  of  tbe  small 
nber  of  nobles  residing  in  tbose  countries, 
Limited  as  are  tbe  rigbts  of  tbe  assemblies 
ihe  nobilit y,  tbe  spbere  of  actiritj  allotted 
certain  posts  wbicb  are  in  tbeir  nomination 
80  extensive  tbat  tbis  institution  migbt  be 
neficial,  if  it  were  dulj  exercised;  but  sucb 
the  disfarour  attacbed  to  tbe  public  serriez 
Russia,  and  so  deeplj  bave  sordid  principles 
vietrated  tbere,  tbat  tbe  inferior  posts  are 
liflidered  as  a  disgrâce.  To  no  purpose  bave 
oerous  patriots  devoted  tbemselves  witb  a 
BW  to  raise  tbem  in  tbe  public  "opinion; 
ey  bave  failed  in  tbeir  attempts,  and  bave 
^  obliged  to  rélinquisb  tbem  to  men  vrho 
^e  no  otber  means  of  subsistence  but  tbe 

i^OL.  IL  0 


among  the  nobi 

who  combine  the 

iiffices;   and  mos 

itaself  fills  tèem  ^ 

choosing.     Peculi 

in  the  govemmei 

^ear  issued  a  d< 

body  of  the  nobil 

BOt  how  to  mak< 

which  he  had  gr 

ihem  away.     Un 

peacock's  feathen 

Catherine  who  oon 

the  nobility.     Wl 

if  the   nobles^  wl 

intentai  adminiâtfi 

nom  for  agents 


NICBOLAS  THB  FIBST.  19 

^  y^mnàBy  and  ihe  littlo  prolNitj,  whidfi  ia 
^'^^  to  ihe  présence  of  the  nobles  in  pnUie 
^lojmentfl^  woukl  disappear.  While  the 
OTTemment  shaU  not  become  moral  and  its 
V^iMsriiaU  not  be  indepaident,  everj  effcurt 
*>^  to  be  made  to  extend  the  share  of  the 
^^es  in  tiie  administration,  and  to  gain  re^ 
9^ct  for  tiie  fîinctions  whieh  are  allotted  te 


In  oïder  to  ibrm  a  just  idea  of  the  Russiaa 

*>hflity,  ire  mnst  not  blend  it  together  int# 

^^  mass,  1>at  diride  it  into  seyeral  dasseei 

^  courtiers  and  the  fimctionaries  hâve  no^ 

«ling  in  common  with  the  nobilitj  properly  se 

••Ifcd.    Their  life  is  regulated  from  above; 

^ir  minds  are  eontracted  bj  the  étiquette  ci 

^  oonrt»  or  the  routine  of  their  office  ;  their 

Wts  do  not  beat  at  ease  in  their  tight  uni- 

itm,  or  nnder  the  weight  of  décorations.     In 

Ikt  eountrj  jou  meet  with  men,  who»  having 

iB  senred  £6r  a  longer  or  shorter  time^  and 

imqpîed  posts  more  or  less  important,  hare 

j^andoned  that  career,  either  from  necessitj 

02 


gone  into  voli 
world  in  the 
Beside  them 
hâve  neyer  be< 
hâve  served  ei 
inents  of  thc  1 
themselves  froi 
their  caste.     Ii 
frequently  unitx 
than    equivocal 
however,  to  be 
times  you  meel 
'fiinctionarîcs,  i 
the  landed  pro] 
The  Russiau 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  21 

ils  that  thc  most  cîvilized  and  the  most  dis* 
^^oished  men  in  every  respect  are  to  be 
Dd.  Hitherto  its  only  yirtue  vas  a  pa^ 
itism  which  displajed  itself  as  much  in 
at  sacrifices  in  the  time  of  national  wars,  as 
a  blind  devotedness  to  the  throne,  which  it 
Biders  as  the  onlj  guarantee  of  the  public 
l  private  welfare.  For  it,  liberty  will  neces* 
ilj  be  the  first  conséquence  and  the  imme* 
te  eflFect  of  the  law  of  progression.  So 
g  ago  as  1825,  more  than  one  hundred 
»les  sacrificed  thernselves  for  this  sacred 
se.  Literature  and  the  army  are  indebted 
the  nobility  for  their  most  illustrions  cha- 
bers.     The  Puschkins  and  the  Earamsins» 

Suworofs  and  the  Kutusofs,  were  nobles 
>re  they  became  great  authors  and  great 
tains.     Upon  the  nobility  then  must  rest 

hope  of  the  reforms  necessary  for  Russia» 
it  is  far  less  from  it  than  from  the  Gk)yem-^ 
tit  that  every  obstacle  to  the  development 
che  nation  proceeds. 
Ihe  nobility  ought  fîirther  to  be  distin^ 


ûf  the  Baltic 

like  better  t( 

Wïd  those  of 

Wurt  for  disti 

of  the  natire 

I  «aj,  bas  a  8c 

pean    ciyilizat 

«sages.     The 

^fen  disgustec 

wurtiere,  beinj 

»<!  aloud  to  '. 

*>  not  salute  h 

In  Little  Ru 

«ch  profouûd 

kiKve  thoroughl] 


KIGffiEOLAfi  THE  FIRST.  23 

*"*»^skj;  and  the  inhabitants  of  tliat  country^ 
wlào  weie  till  then  attached  to  their  militaaty 
^^'^efe  and  not  to  the  soil,  hâve  since  been 
*'Mx:aj j  inecribed  as  serfs. 


OP  THE   SERFS. 

Ko  free  man  can  be  reduced  to  the  state  of 
Since  the  jear  1801,  the  emperors  haye 
^i^QBbcnuiced  the  custom  of  making  présents  of 
though  there  hâve  been  exceptions  to 
rule  for  Poland,  where  several  cntire 
*îIlageB  haye  been  arbitrarilj  deprived  of  their 
™erty.  Vohmtary  endavement  is  not  yalid, 
•■^  none  but  oiphans,  picked  up  before  the 
^ge  of  eight  jearSy  bronght  up  and  instructed 
■y  a  noble,  can  now  be  inscribed  in  the 
^''i^iidier  of  his  serfs. 

'    Ohildren  are  of  tiie  same  condition  as  their 
';  iHiej  are  free  if  bom  after  his  emaa^ 
.his  entrance  into  the  militaiy  serricfe^ 
his  being  «ent  to  Sibena.    Free  women 
tt  .maoy  serfs  retain  their  liberty,  but  jet 


to  contract  m 

tiens:  on  thtî 

bibited  lo  ma: 

of  ih&r  mMsii 

(Mie  master  a 

thernsfires,  Un 

bj  sadi  ties  c 

them  to  seek  n 

in  particular,  d 

gîris  among  tl 

doomed  to  pei 

sfauiœ  graduall 

RïUMiwaj  se 

BMwtera,  eTen  tl 

jean  sînce  the 

intciTal,  thej  c 

belonging  to  oth 


NI0HOLA8  THE  FIBST.  25 

"^ve  mamed  other  runaways,  such  families 
go  back  entire  to  the  master  of  the  husband, 
and  that  of  tlie  wife  receives  an  indemnity 
"fixed  by  law. 

If  a  fugitive  female  marries  a  free  man,  shè 
"Continues  free;  but  her  husband  is  obliged  to 
îndemnify  the  proprietor. 

If  a  serf  bas  been  killed  without  prémédita- 
-tîon,  the  murderer  pays  the  proprietor  600 
■Bver  rubles;  but  if  there  bas  been  premedita- 
^on,  no  indemnity  can  be  made,  the  criminal 
bdng  [liable  to  the  punishment  preâcribed  by 
'ftelaw. 

The  master  of  a  yessel,  on  board  which  a 
*rf  dîes  in  conséquence  of  his  service,  is 
obliged  to  pay  the  master  of  the  serf  three 
*y^ars'  wages  and  the  tax  upon  the  deceased*. 

The  serfs  are  bound  to  work   for   their 
'ittster  three  days  in  the  week,  but  not  on 
'ftmdays  or  holidays. 
Uasters  are  forbidden  to  make  their  ser& 

*  Proprietois  pay  a  personal  tax  of  aboat  eîght 
firmes  per  annuin  for  their  ser£9. 


Ctti   them   BucI 

though  he  has 

to  endanger  th 

«*end  to  the 

JDust  alwajB  l 

©f  the  tribunalfi 

the  punifihment 

or  ordinarjr  mi^ 

*û*ke  a  floldiei 

^*^ûiwelf,  or  give 

-Goremment 

.  The  propriété 

<»»  estate  te  a 

«tuation  what 

estâtes  are  mort 


KIOHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  Vf 

maxA  possesB  men.  Neîtiier  the  emandipatod 
Ef  idi0  nuBjr  Ii»76  beoome  noble»  nor  bis  «oq^ 
>T  hifi  graudscm,  can  possess  the  Iftndi  €ft 
Uch  âi^  haTe  been  serfr. 
ft  is  ferfaidden  to  aniumnce  in  the  puUk 
yen  anj  sale  <^  serfe  without  lands,  ûr  te 
Doeed  pubHdj  to  mcli  sales  at  £air8  or  mar» 
ts.  Proprietors  cannot  diTide  familks  and 
ii  aeparatelj  the  kosband,  the  irife,  or  tthe 
aDanâed  children,  -whether  orphans  or  not 
TSbe  poprietors  nmst  secore  his  serfiB  ftam. 
mi  He  paja  a  fine  ci  one  silyer  mble  fiftj 
pecka  for  ereiy  serf  taken  in  the  fact  of 


8er&  ndned  or  maltreated  bj  their  marter 
a  {daced  mider  goardianship,  and  certain 
ittbies  of  maeters  towards  their  serfs  vwf 
^  Guried  befose  the  tribunals^«    Proprietors 


^kxL  eKtmsrduMtty  tnût  of  the  jiutioe  of  NSdidias  h 
latad.  M.  S  *  *  *  a  landed  proprietor  in  the  go« 
*lmei&t  cff  WUebflky  haying  been  mardered  1^  iiis 
Rfc  lor  aUcmpling  to  violate  one  of  their  danghten^ 
^  iarestigation  wai  ordeied*    Twenty  nobles,  j 


«uc  ssttuie  a 

arrears  of  i 

^tfe  placed 

are  entirelj 

Ser&  can 

pertj.    The 

their  masten 

them  are  se 

permission  oi 

manufactoriei 

•porarilj  insci 

The  maste 

çither  coUed 

•without  lani 

make  choice 

•census;    othei 


KICHOLAS  THE   PIBST.  29 

oolonist^  and  lus  joung  children  are  placed  în 
fte  militarj  schools.  The  children  who  hare 
AusloBt  theîr  parents  continue  free,  on  condi- 
tion of  iheir  choosing  a  profession  when  they 
wiSL  be  of  âge.  If  the  act  of  enfranchisement 
tt  fonnd  to  be  not  yalid,  the  emancipated  per- 
"^letoms  to  servitude,  unless  he  has  mean- 
wlifle  made  choice  of  a  condition;  but,  once 
ÎDscribed  in  a  libéral  profession,  he  retains  his 
independence,  and  his  master  receives  from  the 
Gemment  114  rubles  28|^  cop.  for  a  man, 
•ûd  57  silver  rubles  14f  cop.  for  a  woman. 

Ser6  £alling  into  the  possession  of  persons 
"^ko  are  not  Ohristians  become  free  on  paying 

*  BÛTer  rubles  50  cop.  per  head,  for  the  be- 
•*tft  of  the  master. 

•  The  serf  who  denounces,  with  proofs,  his 
^"''•rtèr  for  treason  or  iritended  violence  against 
'ttefimperor,  obtains  his  liberty  and  that  of 
^  whole  family. 

;  The  serfs  made  prisoners  in  war  do  not 
^fismi  to  their  masters  on  recovering  their 


m  larour  oi  xne  uei 
1842,  which  empo^ 
tiieir  8er&  by  maki 
that  are  fredj  asseï 
mj  opinion  in  its  f 
tbifl  decree  as  a  fbrei 
of  the  serfe  ;  in  fact, 
a  great  deal  bas  be 
question;  and  akea 
€kT7ernment  one  da 
nobles  to  prevent  its 
to  remedy  tbe  presc 
way  or  otber.  By  t 
Temment  bas  adop 
initiatiye,  and  throir 
nobles,  by  opening  i 


KIOHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  31 

HaTBig  once  got  so  &r,  no  matter  whether 

^wîlliii^y  or  unwilliiigly,  it  would  be  puafllani- 

inoQS  to  recède;   and  I  seize  its  deeree  as  a 

jlaiik  of  safety.    I  call  npon  it  in  the  name  of 

iRnnaniiy  to  fulfil  ike  engagements  which  mo« 

ndlj  it  bas  contracted  befbre  the  face  of  tàe 

^^bole  world.     I  tliink  the  deeree  good,  because 

tome  it  appeai»  moderato^  and  it  respects  thé 

pietennons  of  each,  leaying  to  the  nobles  as  td 

fte  mrh  ftdl  latitude  to  make  such  agreements 

tt  they  shall  deem  advantageous.     This  law  iâ 

flte  more  vise,  inasmuch  as  it  réserves  to  the 

Cioiemment  the  facolty  of  selecting,  after  somé 

tone,  from  among  ail  thèse  conyentions  which 

^JWl  hâve  been  framed,  and  adopting  as  a 

^Mel,  ihat  which  shall  be  jndged  to  be  the  best, 

^d  ^ch  wifl  probably  be  rendered  obligatory. 

I  did  certainlj  think,  and  I  still  belieye,  that 

^  force   of  circumstances  will  imperatively 

^onunand  the  adoption  of  conditions,  diflering 

•ccording  to  the  différence  of  localities*. 

*  I  am  met  witli  tBe  objection,  I  am  told,  tliat  the 
^rf  being  a  thing^  one  cannot  treat  with  him  ;  that. 


32  BUSSIA   UNDER 

Thus  far  the  résulta  haye  not  correspondM^M* 
wîth  the  hopes  entertained.    The  nobility  ', 
not  shown  that  eagemess  to  enter  the 
opened  for  it  which  one  had  a  right  to  expecS^  i 
power  has  not  brought  the  necessarj  puH.J«» 
Terance  to  bear  on  this  point,  and  has  inuuii!»^ 
the  suspicion  of  timiditj  or  duplidty. 
8er&  hâve  not  sufficient  intelligence  to 
the  conditions  of  their  enfranchisement^ 
would  be  afraid  of  compromising  their 
welfare.     Thcy  distrust  the  GoTemment 
than  their  mastcrs,  and  ^rould  rather 
serfs,  than  place  thernselves  in  greater 
ence  on  authority.     "Whenever,"  saj 
"  we  should  hâve  différences  with  our  ; 
the  judges  would  be  sure  to  décide  in 
faTour.''     Thej  are    afraid    that  then  .ihe.^ 
should  not  be  able  to  satisf y  the  rapacitj  c^ 
those  magistrates,  whcreas  at  présent  thejhar* 

bcing  a  property  liimself,  lie  cannot  liare  wli«ieirith  ' 
answer   bis  cDgagements.     The  objection   il  9Ùi 
The  serf  is  a  serf  only  becaose  the  law  wflb  il»  ■■' 
id  to  give  him  a  property  that  he  &■ 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIHST.  33 

\xeAj  anj  reason  to  complain  of  the  cruelty 
their  masters.  The  nobilitj,  on  its  part, 
SI  no  wish  to  cause  the  Goyemment  td 
erfere  in  its  relations  with  its  peasants;  and 
>  latter,  groping  its  waj,  dares  neither  coma 
ihe  snccoor  of  the  serfs,  nor  take  any 
finitire  resolution.  The  question  thus  finda 
6lf  indefinitelj  adjoumed,  thanks  to  th(Sf 
etched  state  of  the  Russian  administration, 
d  to  the  bad  faith  of  the  ofiGicers  charged 
the  law  of  1842  to  settle  the  différences 
tween  the  freedmen  and  the  nobles.  But, 
th  the  déplorable  situation  of  the  Russian 
banals,  not  onlj  is  it  impossible  to  think  of 
y  émancipation  whatever,  but  existence  itself 
^mes  a  burden.  Tis  there  that  the  knife 
Q8t  first  be  applied:  the  administration  must 
^  improTcd,  either  by  encouraging  the  most 
Nligent  and  the  most  upright  nobles  to  take 
ût  in  it,  or  by  calling  to  it  well-informed 
>^  men  of  good  families.  But  the  eyil 
s  deeper  than  it  is  imagined  ;  it  arises  from 
^  Tery  organization  of  the  Russian  goyeni'* 
Vol.  II.  D 


84  BUSSIA  UNBBS 

ment,  and  it  îs  in  the  tipper  régions  1k 
mnst  be  attackecL  The  édifice  is  Cralty  i 
ibundation;  it  is  impossible  to  make  a 
improYement  in  anj  part  without  rebd 
tbe  i?rhole.  Yon  cannot  emandpate  ibe 
irithont  emancipating  tbe  nobles,  moratii 
subjects  without  moralizing  tbe  gorenu 
You  must  at  one  and  tbe  same  time 
dîgnîty  to  tbe  law,  purif j  tbe  législation,  m 
tbe  judicîal  proceedings,  inculcate  npcm 
and  aU  a  sensé  of  dutj:  cirilize  tbe  pe 
in  short.  But  this  is  not  a  reason  for 
lecting  tbe  détails,  for  renonncing  pi 
améliorations,  becanse  one  cannot  modilP 
urbole:  it  is  necessaiy  to  labour  at  bot 
once,  and  to  begin  somewbere. 

It  is  not  means  that  are  wanting  to  9t 
plish  a  work  which  Gbd  bimself  mfA 
pleased  to  protect:  and  it  is  mndi  : 
difficult  to  subsist  witb  tbe  serfs  tban  to  c 
cate  oneVself  from  tbe  embarrassments  i 
tbeir  émancipation  is  liable  to  produce. 

If  you  i?rould  not  decree  liberty  imless 


NIOHOLAB  THE  FIEST.  KS 

^  htm  of  the  relations  at  présent  snbsisthig 
lîetveen  masters  and  serfs,  beware  of  attein|it- 
^  nare  than  it  is  possiMe  to  do.  The  iurst- 
^K^  serf,  fiiat  îs  to  saj,  one  wbo  works  for 
^  aoeonnt  of  lis  master,  lias  tbree  days  in 
tfce  ireek  for  himself,  and  Hke  use  of  three 
ittristines  of  land,  one  for  each  kind  of  ct6py 
^oooidixi^  to  tite  sjstem  of  fàQo^^rs  which  gène- 
ivDj  pre?ails  in  Rnssia.  In  certain  proTÎncés 
4e  bas  even  six — ^two  for  each  crop^.  He 
V  moreorer,  a  hut,  implements  of  laboifr, 
^  tiie  reqnisite  animais.  The  most  râpa- 
tioas  master  respects  the  moreable  property  of 
fte  serC  and  the  levy  of  sheep,  poultry,  eggs, 
^  doth  begins  to  be  relinqnished.  At  times, 
^  is  tme,  he  does  put  him  ont  of  his  hut  and 
^  fieM,  bot  he  cannot  help  giving  him  others 
^  tbeir  stead,  being  obliged  to  provide  for  his 
^Anstence,  and  finding  that  the  usual  mode  is 
^  aD  the  eaâest.  The  farming  peasants 
ttgoy  ihfi  trfadte  ôf  the  lord's  lands  for  a  yery 

*  A  deBsiatine  îs  Tafher  more  than  a  French  hectare. 

D2 


serfs  the  property 
for  tlie  labour  or  tl 
nobles  would  raisc 
and  those  who  cuit 
would  consider  the 
most  enlightened, 
renounce  theîr  rigl 
sent  to  giyc  up  for 
their  lands.      If  t 
things  evidently  pr 
that  arrangements  & 
cannot  be  devised^. 
rights  oyer  their  se 
labour,  any  more 
rîght  over  theîr  lan 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  37 

it  to  nrge  them  to  ît,  bj  declaring  îtself  in 
ur  of  a  rule  of  some  sort,  which  should  be 
)8ed  bj  force,  i^  within  a  certain  time,  they 
not  corne  to  an  amicable  arrangement. 
It  is  not  yet  time/'  say  thèse  nobles.  This 
le  cry  set  up  by  the  patient  at  sight  of  the 
eon's  instrument — a  cry  which  changes 
a  sigh  of  relief  when  the  operator  haa 
Q  off  the  gangrened  limb.  The  serfis,  they 
ler  say,  are  not  capable  of  making  a  proper 
)f  liberty.  If  this  is  not  the  language  of 
trolf  to  the  lamb,  it  is  that  of  prejudiced 
.  Slayery  bas  neyer  been  the  éducation 
ireedom.  The  Russian  govemment,  by  in* 
icting  every  kind  of  instruction  to  the 
*,  prevents  their  understanding  from  con- 
ng  the  benefits  of  a  free  condition,  and 
08  them  to  a  brutal  ignorance,  vhich 
tô  them  pleased  with  their  slayery. 

rhe  serf  cannot  be  admitted  into  the  public  schools 
after  his  émancipation,  and  nothing  bas  yet  been 
on  the  score  of  instraction  for  this  class  of  the 
«tion. 


prum  m  emaucii 

for  their  own  saf< 

hy  and  bj  seize 

fuaed  them.     TI 

too,  in  order  to  n 

nations^  and  to 

that  rate  thete  y 

themselyes  vrho  i 

for^  to  listen  to  th 

thdr  condition  ia  c 

ï>a«»ne  quite  prec 

émancipation.    I^ 

t^Dnined  not  to  pa 

in  tbifl  case  indee( 

gerous  weapon  in  tl 

The  Goremment, 

tHe  conrage  to  tak< 


.NICHOLAS  THS  FIBST.  39» 

^  t«  âireiga  influences»  would  fain  crown 
Ittnself  with  an  inunortal laurel;  but  he  knaws 
ûot  either  how  to  avoid  or  to  meet  the  diuigers 
ihkh  emandpation  présents,  and  he  iâ  too 
^  pleased  with.  the  darkness:  which  sur- 
rtmds  him  to  decree  the  freedom  that  wodkl 
<iÎ9elit 

Before  emancipating  the  ser&  of  Ûlq  noblefif, 
it  vould  be  Aecessaiy  to  enfr^ichise  the  sei&. 
of  the  Grown,  for  it  is  universally  admitted  that 
t&iir  atate  is  more  wretched  than  that  of  the 
8«fc  of  pritate  persons.  Thej  cannot  shift 
&Qni  one  place  to  another  when  they  like# 
^  pursue  anj  trade  that  suits  them,  nor 
^staUifih  themselyes  where  thej  please;  and 
fte  multiplicity  of  their  chiefa  only  para- 
'j(%  their  actiyity,  only  ruins  their  fortune. 
On  the  most  friTolous  pretexts,  ail  the  employés 
of  the  Ck)Teniment  and  the  elected  employés 
^  with  each  other  in  fleecing  them,  aUeging; 
ttaosason  for  their  extortions,  high  motives  o£ 
StitQ  which  they  are  not  capable  of  œmpre*^ 
kttdÎBgi  and  the  uniform  ridicule  with  which 


hitherto  taken, 
but  reccntly,  tl 
as  guarantee  o 
serfs  attached  t 
masters  had  ce 
neglected  to  fix 
obligatorj  for  th 
that  Dothing  gre; 
this  wretched  Bjt 
crown  "will  inhei 
which  his  father  ^ 

OP  THI 

A  HAK  cannot 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  41 

no  debts,  and  no  accounts  to  setde  with 
96.  In  case  a  married  couple  wish  to 
ince  the  world  both  at  once,  thej  most 
are  anj  children  of  tender  âge. 
le  monk  ^ho  quits  his  conrent  doea  not 
er  either  the  ranks  or  orders  which  he 
hâve  acquired  by  semce,  and  merely 
08  to  the  dass  to  which  he  belonged  in 
of  birth.  He  cannot  be  admitted  again 
the  service»  nor  dwell,  before  the  expi* 
i  of  seven  jears,  in  one  of  the  capit^ 
the  govemment  in  which  the  monastery 
le  has  left  is  situated. 
nks  expelled  from  the  convent  for  mis- 
et  are  at  the  disposai  of  the  Oovemment 
<nks  are  exempt  from  taxes,  from  the 
ting,  and  from  corporal  pnnishments. 

member  of  the  regular  clergj  can 
:e  or  possess  immoveable  propertj;  he  is 
d  to  dispose  of  it  on  taking  the  tonsore, 
las  no  nght  to  redeem  it  on  his  retom 
he  world;  but  he  may  build  or  buy  oells 
ï  interior  of  his  monastery.    He  is  prohi-* 


contract  any  e 

anj   tliing  be; 

capital  iû  the  j 

The  monasti 

ta  Biake  w& 

Dwnfa  befongs 

tôiy. 

OP  THE  EC 

BrKBr  man,  ^ 
to  embraoe  the 
there  aie  racan 
^^ica  the  canduc 
<^u^  are  eoofén 


NICHOLAS  THB  PUS8T.  43 

a&erwards:  thej  cumot  recoTer  the  rigktak 
wliîcli  thfij  i&aj  haTe  preyiouâly  acquired. 
If  thej  ha¥e  beea  exduded  fram  thû  dergj^ 
i<l:  misQondocti  tha  tena  be£ore  whîdbL  thejr 
c^iuiot  be  admitted  into  tha  civil  serrice  ia 
^oubled;  it  is.  thien  twelve  jeara  &r  deaconi^ 
*î^d  twenty  for  priests.  As  for  the  military 
^^i^vice^  thaj  may  be  admitted  inta  that  imme- 
^l^telj,  but  as  common  soldiers. 

Mère  derks,  exduded  for  misconduct  and 
^^priyed  of  the  free  choice  of  a  profession, 
^^>e  made  soldiers,  or  in  case  of  incapacity, 
^^lonîsts  in  the  least  populated  govemments. 

The  members  of  the   clergj  are  exempt 

from  taxes,  from  corporal  punishments,  and 

from  the  recruiting.     Those  who  are  nobla 

^y  birth,  or  by  the   collation  of  an  order, 

*ïe  aathorized  to  possess  serfs. 

The  honses  belonging  to  eccle^astics,  whe- 

tlier  ia  offî£&  or  retired  from  the  serrice,  aie 

^^Mpi  froBi  ail  contribution  excepting  that 

&r  fi^ting  the  streets  and  keeping  them  in 

^^^.     They  are  forbidden  to  tum  thent 


trade  that  requir 
of  those  who  derc 

OF  THB  INHA 

By  the  tenu 
ktion  understandi 
towns  without  dii 
as  artisans.  Proj 
middle  class,  uni» 
inferior  nobility  ai 
the  merchants. 

The  merchants 
exempt  from  milil 
sonal  imposts. 


NICHOLAS   THE    FIRST.  45 

In  the  capital  towns,  the  citizens  cannot 
poesess  houses  of  the  value  of  more  than  7,500 
^▼er  râbles,  if  they  are  not  inscribed  in  a 
guild.  Neither  can  thej  possess  lands  with 
Wr&,  and  thèse  must,  when  the  case  does 
iwtppen,  be  removed  elsewhere  or  sold  in  the 
course  of  a  year,  to  some  one  who  has  a  right 
to  possess  theuL 

Bj  virtue  of  ancient  priyileges,  the  city  of 
Smolensk  retains  in  fuU  property  lands  with 
^erfe,  under  the  dépendance  of  its  hôtel  de 
^nie.  The  Tartars  of  the  Tauride  and  the 
î^oloyniks  of  the  govemment  of  Wologda  are 
^ewîse  beyond  the  opération  of  the  law  just 
^verted  to. 

The  peasants  hâve  no  right  to  possess 
^Hmaes  in  the  capitale 

The  inhabitants  of  each  town  hâve  the 
•*^<5Ulty  of  meeting  to  consult  upon  their  com- 
**Hm  interesta.  Thèse  meetings  are  gênerai, 
■^  partial  and  spécial,  either  for  différent 
•^^^Uases  of  the  inhabitants,  such  as  those  of 


■ 


of  tbe  nobl 
extraordîna: 
qTiîre. 

The  asse] 

pattieular  h 

8&d  a  ftmd  1 

B^ry  cîti 

passesaing  a 

HBiounts  to 

taie  an  actiy 

who  are  not 

only  to  be  pr 

town,  and  p< 

luimîtted  to  t] 

The  attribi 


KICaSOLlS  THE  FIRST.  47 

^  caan  "wbexfd  the  rights  and  adrantageB  ùf 
^ffomerœ  are  grievoafilj  TÎoIâted  or  compro- 
^Busod,  the  wsemUj  maj  refer  the  matter 
^KiQdfy  to  the  SCnister  of  the  Finances. 

The  oommime  pays  a  fine  of  sixtj  rabtes 
^  every  décision  ooiitrsry  to  the  laws.  It 
^oes  nôt  sppesr  l)efore  the  tribmxals,  fant 
Refends  îtself  by  means  of  an  advocate. 

%e  cmxnnnBs  haye  a  rigfat   to   possess 
^^tafeadow-JBSids  granted  to  them  b j  the  Govem- 
Tliey  haye  the  fàcolty   of  erecting 
tmiBtracting   canals,  and    establishing 

llie  élections  are  gênerai  for  the  .  whok 
^ti^  or  iqyecial  for  each  qaarter,  or  eadi 
^H)dj  of  die  State.  The  gênerai  aaaemHlj 
^^iectsUie  Mayor  of  the  town,  the  Borgomasters, 
^iid  Uie  Town  CoandL  It  elects,  by  districts, 
*lie  Verbal  Judges,  the  Deputies  of  the 
AaseinUy,  the  Members  of  the  Commission 
^HBeting  and  for  the  assessment  of  coq- 
^^^Hbatkms.  llie  élections  attributed  to  par- 
^i^cdar  bodies  are  those  of  tàe  brokers  and 


i 


oî  tûe  precious  m 
of  the  Beneficent 
members  of  the  1 
and  OreL 

Bach  body  of  tl 

in    the  commune 

Municipal  Council,  ^ 

a  committee  of  six 

the  citizens,  and  th 

corporations,  and  el 

its  Mayor,  each  tra 

the  trades  united  i 

Elections  of  this  ki] 

Each  town  has  more 

jurors  for  the  recruit 

The  deputies  of 


NICH0LA8  THB  FIRST.  49 

the  cilizeus  of  the  town,  and  to  fumish  them 
*^fh  extracts  from  it  and  attestations. 

Bankrapts,  and  persons  who  hâve  suffered 

jndicial  condemnation  cannot  be  admitted  to 

▼ote  at  élections;  naj,  even  such  as  are  in  bad 

ï^nte,  or  whose  characters  excite  distrust, 

inaj  be  exdnded  from  them. 

Those  who  bave  introdnced  a  new  branch 
of  indostiy,  the  masters  of  cloth  manufactories 
"Wliich  snpplj  the  crown,  and  apothecaries,  are 
not  obliged  to  serve. 

The  merchants  of  the  first  goild  are  not 
Vmnd  to  accept  anj  posts  but  those  of  major 
tf  tiie  town  and  adjuncts  of  the  tribunals  of 
pêioe.  Those  of  the  second  guild  are  besides 
^^t^l^ed  to  perform  the  offices  of  burgomasters 
^  conncillors  (rathmann).  The  members 
tf  the  third  guild  cannot  refuse  the  places  of 
^epaty.  The  other  posts  fall  only  to  the 
^^Hbens  properl j  so  called. 

fbe  persons  elected  mnst  be  confirmed  by 
tbè  authôrities  to   whose   jurisdiction    their 


cruiting  while 

so  for  ever  wl 

three  sessions. 

gttild,  who  ho 

^  public  set- 

from  corporal] 

The  élection 

thctee  of  the  y 

^nd  commissioi 

ôûe  year  onl j, 

Tlï«s0  persoi 

Crown,    but    tl 

^P^eeablj  to  ar 

^^finîfiter  of  the  ] 

•   On  the   lOth 

instituted  a  pari 

f^^Morary  dtizem 


HICHOLAS  THS  FIBST.  SV 

ttodiants  having  décorations,  the  merchants 
nbo  haye  remained  ten  jears  in  the  first  or 
twenty  years  in  the  second  guild,  without» 
lumng  eyer  failed  or  been  sued  at  law,  those 
who  hâve  been  councillors  of  commerce  or 
BUBmfactures,  the  doctors  and  masters  of  arts 
rf  4e  nnirersitiesy  if  they  do  not  prefer  to 
Btter  the  senice,  the  artists  of  the  Academy  of 
àHê,  and  those  of  the  Impérial  théâtres  of  the 
btt  dass,  after  fifteen  years^  service. 

Penonal  honorary  citizens  are  the  candi- 
iHm  ànd  graduated  students  of  the  univer- 
ùties,  the  pnpils  of  the  schools  of  commerce 
of  St.  Petersburg  and  Moscow,  who  hâve 
QMjdeted  their  courses^  and  the  actors  of  the 
fc*  dasB,  after  ten  years"  service. 

tither  of  thèse  distinctions  may  be  granted 
I9  aie  Ooremment  to  persons  of  eminence  ia 
^Mmeroe,  manufactures,  sciences,  and  arts. 

Ihe  rights  of  honorary  citizenship  cease  on 
iCMmt  of  fraudaient  bankruptcy,  and  for  anj 
rine  entailing  the  privation  of  civil  rights. 
hBf  are  snspended  in  r^ard  to  those  who 

E  2 


OP  ELEC 

The  peasant 
ïight  to  hold  pu 
delegates  to  th< 
^hom  is  a  me 
beneficence.  T 
police,  sotskis  ; 
dents  of  a  hund 

Thèse  electîc 
tliree  years  in  c 
to  the  number 
or  land  holders. 
tihirty  years  of 
îrreproacliable  < 
to  possess  the 
moreoyer  be  s 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  6^ 

^7  authority,  and  must  be  confirmed  by  the 
dûef  of  the  province.  The  persons  elected 
^^^nnot  be  punîshed  without  trial,  nor  enroUed 
*8  soldiers;  and  those  who  hâve  performed  the 
duties  for  nine  years,  by  virtue  of  three  suc- 
^^^Te  élections,  are  exempted  for  life  from 
*he  recmîting.  The  assessors  hâve  uniforms, 
^d  a  salary  from  Government.  The  élection 
of  the  sotskis  and  dessiatskis  is  decided  by 
^Qiirersal  soffirage.  The  villages  Tehich  hâve 
&wer  than  ten  or  one  hundred  houses  are 
joined  to  others,  with  which  they  take  tums 
for  the  élection  of  the  dessiatskis  and  the 
Mdûis.  The  sotskis  are  elected  for  three 
yeara»  and  the  dessiatskis  for  one  month  only. 
'^tWe  are  officers  of  this  kind  among  ail  the 
poasants  without  distinction,  and  it  is  theîr 
^Qtf  to  exécute  the  orders  of  the  police,  and 
to  préserve  the  public  tranquillity.  Proprietors 
ittomate  them  at  pleasure  for  their  serfs. 

Ilie  élections  are  local  or  gênerai;  particular 
br  each  village,  (selo,)  or  gênerai  for  the 
district,  (voloste).    The  first  are  limited  to  the 


taieî?.  ttr?  ÎÎ15 
tke  keeper»  c 

Mski^aiid  t] 

ToloetcflL     Tbf 

tlie-caïKlidates 

Actcw^   in  tl 

^^^ikt  electon 

mmoùg  the  ad 

▼liom  the  diaiB 

fcr  cach  office. 

amat  be  twent j 

nldieiB  are  elig 

In  Siberia;, 
take  place  annii 
the  ratio  of  one 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  55 

the  villages,  to  those  of  the  elders  and  the 
dessiatskk  In  Siberia,  as  in  the  Caucasus, 
the  peasants  send  no  delegates  to  the  tribunals, 
and  thèse  offiœs  are  conferred  by  the  Goyern- 
Bient  In  the  western  provinces,  ail  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  villages  and  the  volostes  vote 
in  ooiDinon  at  élections. 


OF  THB 

Tp  right  to 
granted  to  eTer 
dasaesy  the  sera, 
dtizens  (bouigeoi 
traders  of  the  » 
deprived  of  the  rij 
This  interdict  d 
instruction;  but» 

The  nobilitjr,  on 
serre,  for  sach  is 


inOROLAS  THE  FIBST.  6? 

L  grandfather  hâve  not  senred    The  conse^ 

nce  of  this  fact  is,  that  the  civil  functiona 

encnmbered  with  nobles,  while  there  is  a 

it  of  capable  officers  in  the  ranks  of  the 

J- 

Ictiye  service  is  reckoned  to  begin  at  the 
of  sixteen  years.  Young  men,  who  hâve 
n  educated  abroad,  &om  the  âge  of  tcn  to 
iteen  years,  are  deprived  of  the  right  to 
3r  the  service. 

f  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild  h^  not 
ained  in  it  twenty  years,  or  has  beeii 
Irupt,  neither  he  nor  his  children  hâve  the 
it  to  be  admitted  into  the  civil  service, 
i^eacons,  who  voluntarily  quit  the  church, 
not  be  taken  into  the  service  till  six  years 
l  priests  till  ten  years  afterwards.  Those 
d  hâve  been  excluded  from  the  church  foj 
iGonduct  must  wait  double  that  time. 
IThere  are  fonrteen  classes  of  tschinnSf  vij^, 

Civil  Ranks.  Militart  Banks 

Chancellor  Field-Manhal. 

Actnal  PriTj  Coancillor         General-in-Chief. 


8.  Assessor  of 

9.  TitularCouj 
10.  Secretary  of 
11. 

12.  Secretaiyof 

18. 

14.  Regiâtratoro 

Thèse  milifc 
ments  of  the 
tdtles  represent 
artiUery  excep 
but  one  degré 
ihe  Academy  c 
exLraordinary  i 
^muncts  of  the 
The  professe 

'Ud  of  Medîmiu 


I^ICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  59 

^ï^e  ardmary  professors  of  the  nnirensities 

^  the  Berenth,  the  extraorâinary  professors 

^^'^  eigfath,  and  the  lecturen  of  the  tenth 


The  Pédagogie  Tiistitatîon,  the  School 

^w,   and  the  Lyceums  of  Odessa    and 

^^^^^nkoie^lo  foUow  the  same  classification. 

"^^  professors  of  the  Besborodko  and  Demi- 

^^^^^  Lyoenms  are  of  the  eighth  class.    The 

^^^^''^ctors  of  the  gymnasioms  are  of  the  serenth, 

^^^  inspectors  of  the  ei^th;  the  masters  of 


"^noe  of  the  first  degree  are  of  the  nhrth, 
of  the  second  of  the  tenth,  and  the 
iwing  and  writing  masters  of  the  12th  dass. 
The  inspecter  of  the  Lycenm  of  Tzarskoîe- 
^tlo  is  of  the  sixth  dass. 

Die  director  of  the  School  of  St.  Peter  and 
fit  Ftad  is  of  the  eighth  dass,  which  he 
xetains  afker  six  years*  service.  The  inspectôr 
il  of  the  ninth,  the  masters  are  of  the  tenth, 
and  they  retain  their  rights  aftcr  four  years' 
senice. 

AU  the  professors,  masters,  and  teacheis, 
a»  leckoned  as  being  in  actiye  sernce^  and 


The  masterî 

communales)  j 

class,  but  are  c 

they  hare  servi 

At  the  Don 

hâve  militarj  rs 

less,  takes  pla 

order  but  to  tl 

struction, 

Masters  who 
acquire  the  ran] 
expiration  of  th 
the  end  of  fire, 
nobles;  at  the 
were  not  inrest 


inCHOIiAS  TBS  FIBST.  61 

writSioiit  aoqmring  nmk,  attain  to  the  fouiv 

ft^eenih  class  at  the  end  of  two  jears  if  they 

coxne  under  the  first  head;  of  three  if  thej  are 

under  the  second;  of  five  if  tinder  the  third; 

Had  of  eight  jears  in  the  fonrth.    Those  who 

bare  obtained  ranks  are  confirmed  in  them 

afier  a  year^s  service. 

Doctors  of  medidne  and  surgerj  are  of  the 

^eventh,  ordinary  médical  men  of  the  eighth, 

^Hïthecaries  of  the  ninth,  veterinary  surgeons 

^  the  tenth,  candidates  of  medidne  of  the 

^dfth,  assistants  of  the  fonrteenth  class.    The 

fi^Bt  are  confirmed  in  their  tschinn  after  ten 

y^ars*  service,  the  second  after  eight  years*. 

^ysidans  of  the  first  degree  are  admitted  into 

*fce  ninth  class  after  three  years'  service,  those 

^  the  second  after  four  years,  and  those  of  the 

'^^  after  six  years.    The  veterinary  surgeons 

^d  apothecaries  employed  are  subject  to  the 

^e  raie.    Dentists  attached  to  the  public 

ivice  are  admitted  into  the  fourteenth  dass 

^•er  ihey  hâve  served  twelve  years.    Doctors 

•  Deci^  of  May  24, 1834. 


of  the  first  ( 

ckss  after  ( 

after  nine  j 

ten  years'  g 

abore  the  ei^ 

The    €hai] 

councillor  of 

ckamber  as  t 

be  invested  iï 

lie  lias  acqui 

active  semoe 

The  Talets- 

iBOted  to  the 

vice;  but,  whi 

lise  above  th 

chAmhpr    a  VA 


inCHOIiAS  THE  FIBST.  68 

^i^^  ;  when  they  haye  attained  the  ninth,  t&ey 
*>^  obliged  to  pagB  into  some  other  service. 

The  umater  workmen  of  mamifactories  maj, 
•*  the  end  of  twelye  jears,  obtain  the  rank  of 
^he  fonrteenth  class^  on  condition  of  continoing 
^i^  their  profession  for  eight  years. 

'RïB  actOTB  and  artists  of  the  Impérial  thea^ 
^cal  oompanies  are  reckoned  as  belonging  to 
the  public  servica  Thej  are  diyided  into 
^liiM  classes:  the  first-rate  characters,  the  solo 
pBdofnnerBf  the  machinists,  the  managers,  the 
^CiUlers  of  the  band,  form  the  first;  the  per« 
^î>niiera  of  secondarj  parts,  prompters,  and 
^'^Mters  of  the  wardrobe,  belong  to  the  second; 
*ïid  the  chorus-singers  to  the  third. 

*nie  artists  of  the  first  dass  who  haye  been 
**  jeaiB  at  the  théâtre  may  enter  the  service 
^  the  State,  and  haye  a  right  to  be  admitted 
^'^  tbe  fbnrteenth  dass  at  the  end  of  six 
T^trs.  Those  who  haye  been  educated  at  the 
^^^^ttitiitions  of  the  Crown  do  not  acqnire  the 
\  ri^itB  tOl  they  haye  been  fifteen  years  at 


«mcQtions 
each  of  th 
divisions. 
As  to  bi 


dividuals  fa 

éducation,  tl 

^ho  hare  c 

veraities  and 

'>een  educate 

those  -who  ha 

tien. 

^oerer  h 
«onrse  of  stud 
in  virtne  of  th 
î»e  entera  xrif: 


KIGHOLAa  TBDB  FIBST.  65 

àf  and  of  ecclesiaystics,  in  four  years;  and 
children  of  those  who  never  had  anj  rank 
îx  years. 

tetween  the  fonrteenth  and  the  ninth  dass^ 
ry  employé  înduded  in  this  category  is 
iged  to  continue  four  years  in  each  rank» 
l  at  least  three  years  in  case  of  eminent 
rices;  but,  from  the  ninth  dass  to  the 
hth,  hereditary  nobles  must  be  promoted  in 
i  years,  and  the  others  in  ten  only.  It 
KM  six  years  to  ascend  from  the  eighth  to 
B  seyenth,  and  the  same  number  of  years  to 
aB  from  the  sixth  to  the  fifth  class.  Hère* 
bny  nobles,  when  they  hâve  distinguished 
ernselves,  may  acquire  the  eighth  class  in 
ne  years;  but  for  those  who  are  not  so 
^  years  are  required.  In  ail  the  superior 
lases  the  same  cause  may  obtain  for  ail, 
itbut  distinction  of  birth,  a  diminution  of 
POyears. 

Toung  men  who  haye  obtained  degrees  at 
B  imiTcrsities  enter  the  service  with  the 
^iniM  which  are  attributed  to  them.  The 
^oi,  n.  F 


The  theoloj 
the  first  and 
mih  the  titles 
and  the  licen 
Biastical  care< 
rtnkin  the  ni 

The  semina 
to  two  degreei 
light  to  the  f( 

The  Lycei 
School  of  La 
(heir  pupils  n 
the  Lyceum 
BoBborodko  ci 
thati  of  Demi< 
dass. 

Bdttcated  { 


mcaOLÀA  THE  FIBST.  67 

la  the  tenth  to  the  ninth,  and  from  the 
Lth  to  the  eighth,  in  four  jears,  if  thej  are 
noble  birth,  and  in  six  jears  if  thej  are 
b;  from  the  eighth  to  the  seventh,  and 
m  the  seyenth  tô  the  sixth,  in  three  jears; 
à  from  the  sixtii  to  the  fifth,  in  four  jeare. 
ttinent  senricee  maj  produce  an  abatement  of 
Hà  jears  for  each  rank,  to  the  eighth  indu* 
fAj,  and  of  one  jear  for  the  miperior  ranks* 
Persons  who  hâve  not  followed  the  courses 
the  public  institutions,  maj  undergo  exa* 
hâtions  at  ihe  uniTersities,  which  give  them 
ie  rights  of  literate  men. 
The  students  who  hâve  been  instructed  at 
0  expense  of  the  State  are  required  to  serve 
rûyears. 

Il  the  second  dass  of  literate  men  are 
dodéd  the  pupils  of  the  secondarj  schoçAf, 
•  gymnaaiums,  &a  They  acquire  the  four* 
enth  class  at  the  end  of  one  year's  service  if 
Cf  aare  noUe;  of  two  jesixB  if  their  fethers 
te  but  Personal  nobles  ;  and  of  four  years  if 
f  had  no  tiUe  çf  nobilitj. 

F  2 


68  ItUSSIA  UKDEB 

Up  to  tlie  ninth  class,  they  pass  fooryciB 
in  each  rank  ;  then,  to  gain  the  ci^tà  Ac 
noble  takes  but  four  years,  and  the  otihen,^ 
Aftenrards,  four  yeara  are  required  ftomallil 
obtain  the  superior  classes,  excepting  thcïft 
which  demands  six  years'  service.  Wiff^ 
ilistinguishes  himself,  may  obtain  a  dimnndioi 
of  one  year  for  each  rank,  of  four  yean  eïH 
for  admission  into  the  eighth  dass,  if  he  isit 
noble,  and  of  two  years  for  the  fifUt 

The  corps  of  pages,  of  seamen,  and  * 
cnsignss  can  place  their  pupils  in  thecivl 
sorrioe,  in  case  of  unfitness  for  the  miliMf 
sorTii*o«  by  causing  them  to  be  induded  asHK 
tlio  literate  persons  of  the  first  or  second  cM 
aiwmling  to  the  examination  which  they  b>^ 
to  undoigo  on  the  sciences  that  fixnn  Av 
objcot  of  their  studies.  The  pupils  dotii^ 
for  the  guard  hâve  a  right  to  the  toith,  ^ 
the  others  to  the  twelfth  dass. 

Military  men  pass  into  the  dyil  serrioe  iri^ 
the  ranks  vhich  they  hare  in  the  anny;  W 
thev  do  not  obtain  advancement  till  ate 


UlCHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  69. 

e  promotion  of  their  comrades  who  remained 
.  ihe  régiment.  In  the  civil  semce,  they  are 
doded  in  the  first  dass  of  literate  persons,  if 
^  haye  been  in  the  artiller  j,  sappers  of  the 
wd,  or  officers  of  the  staff;  the  others  are 
Viprised  in  the  seconcL 
Jejond  the  fifth  dass,  there  is  no  rule  for 
ramotion,  which  then  dépends  solelj  on  the 
Imare  of  the  Emperor. 
Up  to  the  seventh  dass,  indusively,  ordinary 
tomotion,  or  bj  seniority»  dépends  on  the 
Dtecting  senate,  and  is  effected  bj  diplomas 
Êr»!  by  that  assembly.  Above  the  sixth 
IK,  promotions  are  submitted  to  the  Em* 
Mnr,  and  the  diplomas  are  coontersigncd  by 
■i.  Promotion  for  eminent  services  must  be 
dn&itted  by  each  minister  to  the  committee  of 
inisters,  and  by  that  committee  to  the  £m^ 
Mr. 

Toong  men  are  obliged  to  set  ont  in  the 
nfioe  by  an  employment  in  a  province,  and 
pass  three  years  there.  They  are  under 
}  ejqpress  superintendence  of  the  govemorsi 


70  RFSSIA   UXDER 

who  aildrcss  reports  of  tlieîr  conduct  to  (t^ 
Emperor  hîinself.      The  mînistiy  of  Forei^^ 
Affairs  îs  the  only  one  which  takes  beginne^^ 
at  tlieir  first  startîng. 

The  différent  emplojments  in  the  admini^^' 
tration  correspond  with  the  classes,  so  that  cac^"^ 
f9ch'nm  has  a  right  to  certain  functions»  and  t:^ 
the  person  vho  is  invested  vith  it  no  empto^^* 
ment  inferior  bj  more  than  a  single  àcgt^^^ 
can  be  assigned,  unless  hc  prefers  a  more  satr:::^ 
ordiuate  place  ;  but  he  may  occupy  a  pi 
two  degrees  superior  to  bis  fschinn. 

On   quitting  the   serrice,^  if   a    man 
performed  his  duty  in  an  irreproachable 
nen  hc  is  dismissed  with  the  next  sa] 
tschinn^  provided  that  he  has  been  at  least 
year  in  his  rank.     The  eighth  class,  ▼! 
conféra  the  rights  of  hereditary  nobility,  is 
granted  to  persons  who  are  not  noble, 
ihey  harc  served  in  the  ninth  dass  fordp-^ 
nmnber  of  ye«ars  rcquired  for  them.     Tkfl*^ 
^ho  wish  to  retum  to  the  service  are  recriie^ 
only  with  the  rank  which  they  hare 
occupied. 


.  XICnoLAS   THE    FIKST.  71 

Serrice  in  Siberia»  or  thc  Gaucasus^  and  in 
ceartain  districts  of  the  goyemments  o£  WiatJu^ 
Astnkhan,  Archangel,  Olonetsk,  and  Wologda» 
eotitles  to  particular  privilèges,  in  considéra^ 
tîoxi  of  the  disagreeableness  of  résidence  in 
ttofie  oonntries. 

Persons  belongîng  to  the  tributarj  classes» 

^t   free,   are  admittcd  into  the   service  in 

*ho6e  provinces,   and  obtain  the   fourteenft 

^âaas  at  the  expiration  of  eight  years.     Those 

^lio  bave  a  right  to  public  service  there  enjoy 

^  diminution  of  half  the  time  otherwise  re* 

^^ûred  for  their  admission  into  the  fourteenth 

^^1>^68.     The  allowance  for  travelling  expenses 

it  double  for  the  whole  distance  between  the 

FUoe  of  abode  and  the  place  of  destination* 

^^  employé  receives  moreover  a  snm  varjing 

100  to  150  silver  rubles  towards  his 

of  removing,  and  everj  five  years  a 

9lA«ty  equal    to  one-third   of  his  annuat 

^darf.      Persona   who    hâve    accepted    the 

ttdemnificatian  for  removing  are  bound   to 

^88  tluree  yean  in  the  service,  or  in  the 


72  RUSSIA   UKDEB 

contrarj  case,  to  repaj  to  the  Gioim  lU  ihe 
money  received  on  this  aocoimt  In  ^ 
thirty-five  years*  semce  necessaiy  to  obUa 
the  order  of  St.  Wladimir,  thiee  yean  m 
reckoned  as  four;  in  Astrakhan,  firar  jem 
count  as  fiye.  The  sick  are  admitted  ioto 
the  hospîtalsy  and  the  childien  of  the  «■* 
ploj/es  into  the  schools  at  the  expenae  of  the 
Orown. 

•  Every  employé  who  has  completed  an  in^ 
proachable  service  of  twenty  years»  teoàM  » 
pension  equal  to  one-third  of  his  appointmenti 
For  thirty  years  he  has  two-thirds;  and,  ite 
thirty-five  years'  service,  he  retaina^  by  ^ 
title  of  pension,  the  ^hole  of  his  salaiy.  On 
the  two  latter  terms,  it  is  possible  to  obttfi 
a  benefit  of  six  months.  In  case  of  nioB^ 
health,  by  nieans  of  the  service,  the  emfbgl 
has  a  right  to  the  above-mentioned  penÂM 
with  a  benefit  of  ten  years, — ^that  is  to  tt/i 
he  reçoives  one-third  of  the  appointntfnt*- 
after  ten  years',  two-thirds  after  twenty  78ID» 
and  the  whole  after  thirty  yeara^  aerfkeL   b 


KIOHOLAS  TES  PIBST.  73 

of  seyere  and  incurable  disease,  such  as 
Ijm,  mental  dérangement,  blindness,  hé 
ins  one-third  of  his  appointments  after  fivè 
ff,  two-ihirds  after  ten  years^  and  the 
le  after  twenty  years*  service.  As  for  the 
its  who  hâve  had  no  iked  salary,  their 
dons  are  calculated  at  thé  rate  of  a  total 
8  silTcr  râbles  50  cop.  per  annimi. 
he  employés  in  the  department  of  public 
notion  receiye  as  pension  one-third  of 
r  salaries  after  fifteen  years',  two-thirds 
'  twenty  years',  and  the  whole  aftief 
ity-five  years*  service.  For  eyery  five 
B  beyond  this  they  reçoive  in  addition 
Bi  equal  to  a  fifth  of  their  salary,  which 
aid  them  at  the  same  time  as  the  pen« 

60  long  as  they  continue  in  the  same 
ioe. 

he  employés  of  the  court  retain,  aft;er 
m  years'  service,  onc-third  of  their  ap^ 
itments,  by  the  title  of  pension,  half 
r  twenty  years,  and  the  whole  aft;er  thirty. 
hey  complète  fifty  years'  service  they  ïe« 


74  EUSSIA   UITDBR 

ceive,  moreovcr,  the  vhole  of  tlieir 
for  board,  that  is,  for  table  and  other  tbisp; 
for  thirty-five  years  they  haye  a  righttooM' 
third,  for  forty  years  to  half,  and  îorîûitij4n 
years  to  two-thîrds. 

After  twenty  years'  service  the  artistB  é 
the  Impérial  théâtres  keep  the  whoIeoftiMJr 
appointments,  if  they  do  not  ezceed  114S 
silyer  rubles  80  cop.,  and  luJ£  ito  tn 
years.  ... 

The  tîme  passcd  in  leave  of  absence  <f 
vacatioû  beyond  four  months  for  the  eidiitfj 
employés,  and  two  months  for  the  actoo^il 
deductcd  from  the  effectiye  tîme  of  servift 
and  is  not  included  for  pensions  any  M* 
than  for  salaries  and  ranks. 

The  widow,  without  childrep»  of  «v  jiyM 
who  has  died  in  the  seryice,  receiyes  hatf  Al 
pension  to  which  her  hnsband  mrald  ^ 
been  entitled.  If  she  has  ehildren,  ABVkp^ 
moreoyer,  for  each  child  one-thiid  of  thft  pV 
sion,  so  that  with  three  duldien 
the  entire  pension.    No  distmctiiBL' it  ^ 


înCHOLAS  THE   FIKST.  75 

fcetween  the  cliildren  of  the  employé  hxA  those 
of  a  fonner  husband, 

The  right  of  wîdows  and  orphans  does  not 
oztend  to  the  pensions  whîch  their  husbandï 
and  fathers  would  haye  receiyed,  had  they 
Irred,  for  some  act  of  particolar  distinction. 

Ohildren  who  hâve  lost  their  mother  re- 
ueive  each  one-fourth  of  thdr  fether^s  pension; 
Rmr  children  reçoive  the  whole  of  ît;  and,  if 
bhere  are  more,  thej  diyide  it  equallj  among 
Aiem.  The  children  who  are  of  âge,  that  is  to 
Bay,  boys  at  seventeen,  and  girls  at  twenty- 
m^  irhen  prorided  with  an  establishment, 
aie  dau^ters  by  marrying,  the  sons  by  ad* 
nission  into  a  public  institution  at  the  expense 
of  the  Orown,  lose  their  rights  to  their  father's 
pension. 

Saving  some  exceptions,  nobody  can  enjoy 
El  pension  and  his  appointments  at  once.  In 
Ihe  military  service,  the  years  passed  in  the 
field  are  connted  double  for  the  pension. 

The  unifonns  of  the  civil  fimctionaries  are 
peeD;  ezcepting  those  of  the  minktry  of  pnUic 


76  BUSSIÀ   UKDER 

instractioD,  which  are  blue,  and  die  state  dra 
of  th   senators,  which  is  red. 

There  is  the  great  and  the  little  nnifonn 
for  the  first,  the  coat  bas  one  row  of  buttou 
with  standing  coUar,  of  cloth  or  yelret,  en 
broidered  with  gold  or  silver,  according  1 
the  différent  ministries.  There  are  général] 
twentj-five  buttons,  nine  before,  three  to  eu 
deeve,  three  on  each  bip,  and  two  on  eM 
skirt.  The  first  âve  classes  bare  white  paJ 
taloons  with  lace;  the  crayats  must  be  whit 
The  waistcoats  are  of  white  doth,  with  uD 
form  buttons.  Coloured  crayats,  waistcoai 
and  pantaloons,  are  strictlj  prohibited,  as  a: 
also  beards  and  moustaches.  No  peracm 
allowed  to  wear  plain  dothes  in  the  publ 
offices.  There  are  uniform  great  coats  £ 
trayeliing.  The  embroideiy  of  the  dresses  h 
ten  yarieties,  according  to  the  ranks.  Tl 
employés  who  baye  swords  of  hononr,  aoquflN 
in  the  military  seryice,  retain  them  with  t3 
ciyil  unifomu 

Need  we  insist  on  the  extrême  absurditj 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIKSR  77 

tKs  oi^ganization?     Why  not  forty-one  classes 
as  well  as  fourteen?   Fourteen,  when  in  realitjr 
^ere  are  but  twelye?    What  similarity  is  there 
l^etween  the  cîyil  and  mîlitary  ranks,  firom 
▼Mch  the  former  hare  been  copied?      The 
relation  between  the  rank  and  the  functions  îs 
Tiîte  arbitrary  ;  hence  it  is  found  necessary  to 
^cvîate  every  moment  from  the  rule,  and  to 
acbnit  exceptions  which  tend  to  become  rules^ 
Would  the  titles  of  chief  of  section,  office,  or 
d^artment  sound  worse  or  inspire  less  respect 
^^an  those  of  honorary  councillor,  councillor  of 
allège,  or  actual  councillor?     Are  not  the 
R^ïfisian  tsckinovniks  downright  Ohinese  man- 
darins?    They  are,  it  is  true,  exempt  from  thé 
^^pKne  of  the  cane;  but  then,  as  a  wag  once 
^^senred,  why  not  promote  the  whole  nation 
*^  at  least  the  fourteenth  claôs? 

Prom  the  fourteenth  tschinn  to  the  eîghth, 
*^  the  rank  of  officer  to  that  of  major,  per- 
®^^  are  called  yaur  nobleness;  from  the 
^^hth  to  the  fifth  class,  your  high  nobleness; 
^^  the  fifth,  or  the  rank  of  councillor  of  state, 


78  '      BUSSIA  UNDEB 

there  is  a  spécial  dénomination,  that  of  yot      r 
high  birth;  from  the  fonrtli  to  the  second, 
style  is  yaur  exceUencyj  and  in  the  second  \ 
first,  your  high  excéUency.     The  addresses  of 
letters  bear  thèse  titles  ;  soldiers,  servants^  \ 
coachmen   hâve    them    incessanUj    in 
mouths.      What  an  honouri      Women 
enjoj  the  like  désignations,  and  are  calicMl 
madame  la  conseillière  titulaire  or  interne,  u  it 
may  happen  to  be,  and  madame  la  gemrmMe* 
On  the  door  of  one  of  them,  I  saw  one  day  tbe 
inscription.    Conseillère    de   collège^  Poulette 
(Eourotschkine)  ;"  and  another,  being  aoooitad 
in  the  strcet  by  a  stranger,  haughtily  replied^ 
*^  What  do  you  take  me  fori    I  am  conatittèf^ 
détatr 

The  highest  Russian  functionaiy  pays  ii0 
attention  but  to  his  own  interest^  and  perforflii 
bis  duties  only  in  proportion  to  the  matflitfl 
adrantages  which  he  derires  from  his  serri* 
Honour  and  glory  are  nothing  to  him,  besids 
crosses,  tschinns,  rablecf,  and  deasiatiiWB  d 
land. 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  79 

HhB  ranka,  eren  the  yery  lowest,  are  but 
bsppiiig-Btones  to  amye  at  fortune.  The 
icuillette  of  the  Emperor's  aid-de-campy  and 
'mm  ribbon  of  St  Andrew,  at  the  top  of  this 
aay-jxde^  are  the  onlj  prizes  considered 
^)rth7  of  the  trouble  which  the  Russians 
àJae  to  dimb  up  it  The  OTor-excitement  of 
sudtj  is  in  proportion  to  the  multiplicitj  of 
îfitmctions.  Where  blind  obédience  is  the 
EXly  yirtue,  individual  merit  is  of  no  value. 
I^ot  a  créature  studies  the  interests  of  the 
:>imtry:  the  country  of  the  Russian  is  the 
«mperor,  and  the  people  serve  him  only 
c^cording  as  he  pays  them:  hence  the  avi- 
5*y  of  the  functionaries  is  equalled  onlj  by 
ie  prodigality  of  the  Tzar,  who  bas  rumed 
Uifisia  by  the  présents  of  ail  kinds  made  to 
^confidants.  Poland,  Bessarabia,  the  Cau- 
^>^eii8  haye  been  thus  given  away:  and  who 
^  count  the  millions  which  Nicholas  bas 
laTished  upon  his  courtiers?  Enowing  that  he 
hs  many  enemies,  he  conceives  that  he  cannot 
iAach  his  créatures  to  him  strongly  enough. 


80 


BUSaiA  UHOBE 


and  the  sweat  of  thé  people  pays  for  ib 
capacity  and  their  carelesaness.  Oasoi 
incessantlj-repeated  donations,  annuiti( 
life,  grants  of  the  whole  of  their  appoint 
to  those  who  retire  from  the  sernce — ail 
absorb  the  greater  part  of  the  reyenni 
make  Russia  the  most  wretched  of  counti 


ÏTICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  81 


Ohaptbr  IIL 

OF  THE  RUSSIAN  ORDERS, 

Thebe  are  eight  ordcrs  in  Russia:  1.  the 
^<3er  of  St.  Andrew  ;  2.  that  of  St.  Catherine  ; 

•  of  St.  Alexander  Newsky  ;  4.  of  the  White 
ia^le;  5.  of  St.  George;  6.  of  St.  Wladimir; 

•  of  St.  Anne  ;  8.  of  St.  Stanialaus. 

The  White  Eagle  and  St.  Stanislaus  are  of 
^olish  origin  :  the  order  of  St.  Anne  is  from 
îolstein:  the  order  of  St.  Catherine  is  that  of 
^e  ladies;  the  Empress,  who  is  grand-mistress, 
^tains  that  dignity  as  long  as  she  lives.  The 
grand-mastcr  of  ail  the  others  is  the  Emperor 
alone.  Ali  the  grand-dukes  of  Russia  become 
at  their  baptism  knights  of  St.  Andrew,  St. 

rou  II.  o 


82  RUSSIA   UNDER 

Alcxander,  the  White  Eagle,  and  St.  Abhê; 
tlic  princes  of  the  blood  when  they  attain  tl* 
âge  of  majority.  The  grand-duchesses  vt 
investcd  at  their  baptism  with  the  orderof^ 
Catherine,  and  princesses  of  the  blood  on  tW 
majority. 

In  Russia,  an  order  conféra  the  rightsof  hett- 
ditary  nobility.  The  Basclikîre  are  exempt» 
from  this  prérogative  ;  they  acqnire  therebji* 
more  than  personal  nobility.  Since  the  104 
of  April,  1832,  ordera  confer  on  Russiamafl" 
chants  the  heredîtary  rights  of  honarary  (^ 
zens  only.  The  nobility  inhérent  in  the  orf* 
is  transmitted  to  the  children  bom  before  il* 
élévation  of  the  father,  excepting,  howeï* 
such  as  may  hâve  corne  into  the  worid  in  ^ 
condition  of  serfs  or  tributaries. 

Knights  of  an  order  are  deprived  of  itS' 
crimes  and  offences  contrary  to  dignity  ^ 
lionour,  after  judgment,  confirmed  by  the  B»* 
peror.  Degraded  officcra  arc  deprived  of  Û* 
right  of  wearing  their  orders,  tîll  they  are  xfr 
instated;   the  samo  course  is  pursued  ^ 


inCHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  83 

kfitics  exdnded  from  tihe  jemce.  In 
,  ihe  number  of  the  knights  of  anj  order 
detemiined;  but  that  of  the  salaried 
re  of  each  is  fixed.  On  their  admission, 
a  fee,  according  to  the  décoration  and 
ss  which  they  receire.  Foreigners  aie 
.ed  from  this  tax,  as  are  also  the  Circas- 
Ad  such  persons  as  reoeiye  décorations 
i  with  diamonds.  Foreigners  ont  of 
nrice  hâve  no  right  to  the  reyennes 
d  to  the  order  with  which  they  maj  be 
1 

administration  of  ail  the  orders  bdongs 
chancelier,  who  is  elected  from  among 
dghts  of  St.  Andrew.  He  has  for 
its  the  treasnrer  of  the  orders,  and  the 
naster  of  the  cérémonies,  who  holds  the 
ffioe  in  the  Impérial  court.  Both  wear 
1er  of  St.  Andrew  about  the  necL  The 
)rder8  hâve  each  a  master  of  the  cere- 
,  who  wears  his  insignia  in  the  same 
r.  Ëach  order  has,  moreoYer,  a  secretaiy 
ro  heralds,  wearing  the  cross  at  the 


84  BUSSIA  UNDER 

«button-hole.  Ail  the  knights  and  the  officen 
hâve  robes,  the  colour  of  whîch  is  specificd  a 
the  statutes. 

Each  order  has  its  festiyal-daj,  and  the  Stk 
of  November,  St.  Michaers  day  in  Rnssi, 
is  the  festival  of  alL  The  knights  resdôt 
at  St.  Petersburg  and  Moscow  then  dect  ai 
members  of  each  order,  who  are  charged  fi4 
the  superintendence  and  direction  of  the  cb- 
ritable  institutions  situated  in  each  capital 

The  Academy  of  Sciences  is  commissioned 
to  publish,  every  five  years,  a  complète  list^' 
the  knights  of  ail  the  orders,  with  their  title^ 
and  another  of  the  new  créations  and  ex- 
tinctions. 

A  person  cannot  obtain  a  décoration  tiOk 
bas  served  fiftcen  years,  excepting  for  particuto 
merits,  or  for  having  served  either  in  Sibeiii<' 
in  the  Caucasus;    in  thèse  cases,  he  mayt» 
allowed  a  benefit  of  five  years.   Moreorer,  tote 
qiialified  to  reçoive  an  order,  he  must  be  of  ik 
least  the  ninth  class,  or  occnpy  a  post  équivalent 
to  that  rank.    Besides,  there  are  particnlar  oott- 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIHST.  85  * 

18  of  time  and  position  in  the  service  for 
ifTerent  degrees  of  each  order.  Thus,  nei- 
he  order  of  St.  Anne  of  the  first  class,  nor 
of  St.  Wladimir  of  the  second,  can  be 
to  any  person  whatever,  whose  rank  or 
Dn  is  below  the  fourth  class;  the  order  of 
anîslaus  of  the  first  class  cannot  be  con* 
on  any  one  whose  function  is  below  the 
nd  his  tschinn  below  the  fourth  ;  no  more 
e  St.  Wladimir  of  the  third  be  giren  to 
whose  rank  or  post  is  below  the  sixth 

*eoyer,  the  Russian  décorations  are 
l  according  to  their  respective  im- 
ce;  and  their  hierarchy  must  not  be  • 
pd,  that  is  to  say,  a  superior  order  must 
)  given  to  one  who  has  not  the  inferior 
Nevertheless,  exceptions  to  ail  thèse 
are  met  with,  and,  indeed,  are  of  daily  ' 
mce. 

order  of  St.  Andrew  has  but  a  single  : 
the  décoration  consists  of  a  sky-blue  - 

wom  over  the  right  shoulder,  the  star 


86  BUSSIA  ITNDES 

on  the  left  side;  thé  cross,  suspendod  firom 
ribbon,  is  blue,  and  stands  opon  an  ea^  n 
monnted  bj  three  crowns.  It  displays 
image  of  the  crucifixion  of  SL  Andrew, 
the  four  Roman  letters^  S.  A.  P.  IL  (! 
Andréas,  Patronns  Russie).  The  lefem  le^ 
présents  a  scroll,  with  the  iD8crq)tKm  in  Boff* 
sian.  For  Faith  and  Fidelity.  The  star  il  flf 
silyer  in  a  fidd  or,  where  is  seen  ihe  BmêÙê 
eagle  with  the  cross  of  St  Andrew,  sunoindfld 
\rith  the  motto  of  the  order,  in  gdd  letten  OK 
a  field  azuré. 

The  costume  is  composed  of  a  long.  nAe  of 
green  yelret,  lined  with  white  tafibta,  vitk 
collar,  strings,  and  shoulder-band  in  dnt 
The  stajT  of  the  order  is  sewed  on  theleftadl» 
The  upper  vest  is  white,  and  the  hftt  of  bM 
Telvet^  with  a  red  feather  and  a  Sfe^  AndiMA 
cross  on  the  ribbon. 

This  order  is  uot  to  be  acquired  bf  iV' 
right  whateyer,  and  can  onlj  be  caaSunà^ 
the  pleasure  of  the  sorereign. 

The  knights  of  this  order  mnrt^Ud  olpP- 


inCHOLAS  TH£  FIBST.  87 

die  third  class,  and  by  their  promotion  thej 
luire,  at  the  same  time,  the  orders  of  St. 
Bxander,  St.  Anne,  and  the  Wliite  Eagle. 
t,  in  gênerai,  thia  order  is  conferred  onlj  oa 
ictionaries  of  the  first  or  second  dass,  and 
«r  thej  haye  ail  the  inferior  orders. 
Sadb  kinght  pays  on  his  nomination  a  fee 
240  silver  rubles*.  Twelre  knights,  com- 
ehending  three  ecclesiastics»  receive  among 
am  6092  silyer  rubles,  507  rubles  66  cop. 
^  per  ftîiTiiiîTir 

The  order  of  St.  Andrew,  the  first  in  point 
cifeation  as  in  importance,  was  instituted  bj 
1er  the  Great^  on  his  retum  from  his  trayels 
ixmmL  The  first  knight  was  Count  Feodor 
ezeiTitadh  Gobyine,  chancelier,  field-mar* 
li,  and  high-^tdmiral  of  J^ussia^  who,  in  his 
m,  inyested  Peter  I.  with  it,  as  a  reward  for 
I  mémorable  naval  yictor j  over  the  Swedes. 
The  order  of  St  Catherine  was  instituted  in' 
omemoration  of  the  delirerance  of  Peter  L 

ne  silyer  ruble  is  équivalent  to  4  fraocs,  or  there*' 
ita;  the  assignat  ruble  to  1  fr.  11  o. 


88  EUSSIA   UNDEE 

at  tlie  battle  of  Pruth  by  the  Empress  C*' 
therine  I.     Tliis  order  bas  two  dasses,  thos^ 
of  the  grcat  and  the  little  cross,     The  ribbon  î  S 
red,  with  a  silyer  border,  and  îs  wom  over  th.^ 
right   shoulder.     The  cross  îs  white,  placée 
upon  the  hand  of  St.  Catherine,  and  in  th«^ 
centre  is  another  small  cross,  with  raya  tf^ 
the  four  Roman  letters,  D.  S.  P.  R.  (Dôme, 
salvum  fac  Regem).     On  the  cross  is  inscribed 
in  Riissîan  the  motto  of  the  order,  For  La/oe 
and  Country.     The  star  is  of  silyer,  with  * 
cross  of  the  same  métal  in  a  field  gales,  sin^ 
rounded  by  the  motto.     The  dress  is  âi^ 
stuff,  embroidered  wîth  gold;  the  sash  and  W 
are  of  black  velvet. 

The  office  of  deaconess  of  the  order  bdon^ 
to  the  next  highest  personage  to  the  Imp0i>l 
family.  It  deyolves  by  right  to  ihe  rragnitf 
Empress,  when  that  of  mistress  of  the  order  i 
held  by  the  dowager  Empress. 
'  There  are  twelve  members  of  the  gW** 
cross,  exclusiyely  of  the  ladies  of  the  ImpeH^ 
family,   and  ninety-four  of  the  litUe.    ^ 


inCHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  89 

BT  cannot  be  conferred  on  any  but  noble 

es. 

t  is  allowed  1278  silyer  rubles  per  annum 

six  ladies  of  the  great  cross,  and  2428 
les  for  twelve  of  the  lîttle,  including  five 
nbers  of  the  clergy. 

rhe  obligations  of  the  lady-knights  of  this 
1er  consist  in  thanking  God  eyery  day  for 
î  deliyerance  of  Peter  I.  ;  in  praying  for  the 
ïlth  of  the  Emperor  and  his  family;  in 
iding  the  Pater  Noster  thrice  every  Sunday  ; 

Btriving  to  conyert  infidels  to  the  Greek 
igion;  and  in  deliyering,  at  their  expense,  a 
listian  ont  of  the  hands  of  barbarians. 
ese  ladies  are,  moreover,  charged  with  the 
ïointendence  of  the  institution  of  St.  Oa- 
irine;  and  those  who  are  decorated  with 
'  great  cross  haye  a  right  to  place  in  it  one 
pil  each. 

The  order  of  St.  Alexander  Newsky  has 
'  a  single  dass.  The  ribbon  is  red,  and  is 
tu  on  the  lefk  shoulder,  with  a  cross  of  gold 
ïed  enamel,  adomed  with  four  eagles  with 


""«u  witi 
with  silvej 
feather. 

Twelve 
reoeive    7( 

The  ord 
a  aingle  cl 
dark  blue  r 
mih  a  tw( 
crowned,  h 
a  white  oi 
gold,  and  is 

150  rubles  o 
The  ordei 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  91. 

rcrn  OTér  the  right  shoulder  beneatli  the 
Gomu  The  star  is  square,  of  gold,  with 
ield  of  gold,  the  cipher  of  St.  George  in  a 
ik  ring,  and  the  motto  in  Rossian,  ^'For 
rice  and  courage/'  The  star  is  wom  on 
xight  fflde.  The  cross  is  of  i^hite  enanid, 
tx  the  arma  of  Moficow,  or  the  image  of  St. 
^x^ge  piercmg  the  dragon.  The  second 
Ece  is  distinguished  bj  the  star  and  cross 
n  aUmt  the  neck.  The  third  has  the 
ta  Gsij  about  the  neck,  and  the  fonrth  at 
button-hde. 

ilie  npper  yest  is  of  orange-coloured  velyet 
k  black  crosses.  There  is  a  separate  sub- 
mon  for  sddiers,  the  décoration  of  which  ia 
PQ6S  of  siher. 

Efaia  order  is  giren  gratis.  The  pensions 
of  200  râbles  for  the  knights  of  the  first 
«,  114  rubles  28  cop.  for  those  of  the. 
>nd,  57  robles  14  cop.  for  those  of  the 
*â,  and  28  rubles  57  cop.  for  the  knights 
aie  foorth  dass.  The  annual  pensions  of 
I  order  amount  to  10971  rubles. 


non,  colours,  o 

on  the  author 

décides  the  vi 

way  through  tt 

and  commande 

decorate  their 

and  fifth  class 

the  participatic 

composed  of  at 

two  classes  an 

himaelf.     The 

given  for  twent 

or  for  twentj  ca: 

atsea.     In  this 

inscription  statin^ 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  93 

^{bordasses.    The  ribbon  bas  a  ted  stripe 

'^trween  two  black  ones,  ail  three  of  equal 

^ÎDaensions.     It  is  wom  upon  the  right  sboul- 

iw,  OTer  tbe  coat>  if  the  knight  bas  not  supe- 

'^or  orders,  and  under  ît  upon  tbe  waistcoat^ 

^  he  bas  another  more  ancient.     Tbe  star 

'    octâgon,   with  angles  of  gold  and  silver 

Itemately,  with  a  circular  black  field,  sur- 

^Unded  with  a  black  ring,  and  adorned  with 

gold  cross,  around  wbich  are  tbe  Russian 

^îtîals  of  tbe  saint,  S.  R.  K.  W. 

Tbe  motto  îs,  UHliti/,  Honour,  and  Glory. 

^o  cross  is  red,  with  tbe  cipber  of  St.  Wla- 

Uîr,  surmounted  by  a  crown  on  one  side,  and 

tbe  other  by  tbe  date  of  tbe  institution  of 

order. 

Cbe   second  class   wears  tbe   great   cross 

at  tbe  neck  with  a  star  at  tbe  left  side; 

tbird,  the  smaller  cross  about  tbe  neck, 

tbe   fourth  at  tbe  button-bole.     Wben 

^rder  is  a  reward   for  military  exploits 

itter  is  accompanied  with  a  cockade. 

8  décoration   is  obtained  as  wcll   for 


9i  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

seiriccs  known  to  the  Emperor  hîmself,  as  for 
liaving  restored  order  in  some  neglected  part 
of  thc  administration;  for  haying  instigated 
or  prcpared  othors  for  the  service;  forhamg 
nnrayelled,  terminated,  or  prevented  lav-sait& 
It  is  besidcs  obtained  for  haying  sayed  ten 
persons  ;  for  haying  affbrded  relief  to  a  loolity 
in  famine,  or  when  snflFcring  firom  anyotha^ 
public  calamity;   for  haying   contrihated  b^ 
giye  plenty  to  one's  district   by  agricoltur^»* 
opérations;  for  eyery  plan  which  has  producc-^ 
to  thc  cro\ni  at  least  30,000  silyer  mMe^î 
for  an  invention  which  has  served  to  inaci^^ 
the  national  wcalth;   for  any  work  adopt^^ 
as    dassical;    for    thirty-fiye    yeaia^   actir^R 
irreproachable,   and  zealous  civil  service,  C^ 
twenty-five  only  in  the  Trans^aacasian  pr^^ 
yinces.     Bvery   suprême  testimony  of  Bât*-*" 
faction  abridges  this  term  by  a  year.    H-* 
médical  man  i^ho  has  vaccinated  3000 
in  one  year  enjoys  thc  same  prérogative. 
Such  nobles  as  hâve  been  thrioe  inv 
with   ihc  élective   fimctîons,  and  hâve  lieJ^^ 


NIOHOLAS  THE   PIRST.  95 

;ed  a  fourth  time  to  the  offices  of  marshals 
he  nobility,  curators  of  the  gymnasiTun, 
ities,  or  secretaries,  and  the  commoners 
haye  fiilfilled  the  same  condition  in  the 
"antines,  hâve  aiso  a  right  to  this  order. 
ny  of  them  hare  during  their  functîons 
ined  the  décoration  by  way  of  spécial 
nction,  the  law  woidd  by  this  yery  cir- 
itance  be  accomplished  in  regard  to  them. 
or  pajonent  of  the  pensions  of  this  order, 
3  is  assigned  the  som  of  1714  silver 
38  28^  cop.  The  knights  of  the  first  dass 
Te  171  rubles'42f  cop.;  those  of  the 
ad  85  rubles  71f  cop.  ;  those  of  the  third 
nbles  14^  cop.  ;  and  those  of  the  fonrdi 
■ubles  57iJ^  cop. 

n  the  death  of  a  knight,  his  wife  enjoys 
pension  for  one  year  only.  The  knights  df 
Brst  two  degrees  hâve  the  entry  at  court 
^n  eqnality  with  functionaries  of  the  fonrdi 
i,  and  those  of  the  two  others  with  the 
hyés  of  the  sixth  class. 
lie  knights  of  the  first  degree  pay  at  their 


96  RUSSIA   UNDER 

réception  180  silver  rubles;  tliose  of  tbi^ 
second  60,  of  tlic  third  30,  and  of  the  fourti 
9.  Thosc  on  whom  the  décoration  has  beeU 
conferred  for  thirtj-five  ycars'  serrice  pay 
nothing. 

The  commandcr-in-cliief  of  an  army  is  autho- 
rized  in  time  of  war  to  create  of  bis  own  accord, 
knights  of  the  fourth  class,  with  cockadc,  b>T 
brilliant  exploits. 

The  ordcr  of  St.  Anne  is  likewise  composed 
of  four  classes.      For  the  first,  the  ribbon  îs 
red,  with  a  yellow  stripe,  and  is  vom  on  the 
left  side.     The   cross  is  red,  with  the  image 
of  St.  Anne  on  one  side  and  her  cipher  on 
the  other.     The  star,  of  silver,  wom  on  tto 
right,  has  the  motto,  Amantem  jtistitiam^p^ 
totem,  fidein.     The  second  class  wear  the  crotf 
about  the  neck;  the  third  at  the  button-hok 
and  the  fourth  on  the  sword  or  sabre,  withfl"* 
ribbon,  just  as  it  appears  on  the  star.    ^ 
latter  is  retained  with  the  superior  orders.   b 
the  first  and  second  class,  a  crown  is  added  tû 
the  cross,  which  forms  a  particolar  distindài»; 


mCHOLAS  THS  FIBST.  97 

il  the  tilird  class  a  cockade  for  militaiy 
ttta;  in  the  fourth  the  inscription  For 
Wy  which  is  placed  on  the  weapon,  adomed 
a  cross.  There  is,  besîdes,  a  fifth  sub- 
ion  for  soldiers,  who  hâve  serred  twenty 
I.  This  is  a  gilt  medal,  with  the  image 
le  cross,  sospended  from  a  red  and  yellow 
m. 

bis  order  was  added  to  the  Russian  o^ders 
be  5th  of  April,  1797;  but  the  anniver- 
ifl  held  on  the  3rd  of  Febroaiy,  in  memoiy 
Jina  PetroYna. 

k  may  be  conferred  on  any  ecclesiastic  who 
conrerted  at  least  one  hundred  persons  not 
istians,  or  one  hundred  heretics,  persuaded 
iUioTis  slaves  to  return  to  their  duty,  or  set 
Kxl  ezample  to  the  soldiers;  to  him  who  has 
ingoished  himself  in  the  sciences,  erected 
rents  or  churches  otherwise  than  at  the 
snse  of  the  Crown,  or  who  has  filled  with 
Inction  gratnitous  offices  for  at  least  fîve 
s.  It  is  granted  to  military  officers  for  the 
nand  of  a  detached  corps  of  greater  force 

>U  IL  H 


98  RUSSIA   UKDEB 

than  a  companjor  a  squadron,  upon  conditia:^ 
howcYcr,  that,  in  the  first  case,  this  corps  sh»Jl 
havc  retained  a  distinguished  place  among  itm^t 
troops,  and  tliat  thc  number  of  the  sick,  and  ^iJ 
those  expelled  for  misconduct  shall  not  hav^c 
exceedcd  one  per  cent. 

In  tlie  civil  service,  this  order  may  b^ 
granted  to  any  one  who  has  in  three  year» 
amicably  settled  tcn  lawsuits  begun  aboixt 
matters  of  snfficicnt  importance  to  auUuxi^ 
an  appeal  to  the  Senate  ;  to  him  who,  in  tb<^ 
office  of  judge  of  the  peace,  shall  havc  co»- 
ciliatcd  ail  disputes  submitted  to  him,  and  not 
suffered  any  of  them  to  take  a  judiciai  cous^* 
He  has  also  a  right  to  it  who  has  ensared  tb6 
velfare  of  widows  and  orphans,  and  unTcito' 
the  condition  of  the  poor  ;  he  who  has  procarw 
for  the  Government  a  particular  and  nnfiW' 
scen  advantage;  who  has  risked  his  life  or  là 
fortune  for  the  public  xreal;  or  directed,  ▼itk- 
out  the  aid  of  authority,  a  public  seminaij  fa 
youth  for  ten  years,  to  the  gênerai  BatiafictàM* 
The  private   tutor  receives  this   order,  after 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  99 

I  jears'  labour,  if  hc  is  an  hereditary 
;  after  twenty  years,  if  he  is  a  personal 
;  and  after  twenty-five  years,  if  he  is 

&  présentations  for  this  order  take  place 
;Ii  the  chapter,    and    are   decided    l>y 

in  the  council,  which  is  composed  of 
3  knights,  the  oldest  of  cach  degree  \^ho 
t  St  Petersborg  in  the  month  of  Dc- 
îr  in  every  year. 

war  time,  the  commander-in-chief  of  an 
may  confer  the  second,  third,  and  fourth 
es  of  this  order. 

the  first  dass,  twenty  commanders,  four 
lom  are  ecdesiastics,  reccive  each  a  pen- 
)f  228  silver  rubles  574-  cop.  ;  twenty 
3,  four  of  whom  are  ecdesiastics,  arc  paid 
rilrer  rubles  284-  cop. 

the  second  class,  twenty  commanders, 
)f  whom  are  ecdesiastics,  receive    100 

rubles;  forty-two,  cight  of  whom  are 
8,   71   rubles  42f  cop.  ;    and  thirty-six 

H  3 


100  BUSSIA  UHDEB 

pensioners,  six  of  whom  are  priests»  71  alf^^ 
rubles  42f  cop^. 

In  the  third  dass»  ninety  knights  recciîe  $  ^ 
rubles  14f  cop.  ;  ninety  others  42  rubles  85::a 
oop. 

In  the  fourth  class,  ninety  knigbta  are 
34  rubles  28^^  cop.;    and  ninety  othen 
rubles  57|  cop. 

The  knights  of  the  first  dass  pay,  at 
nomination,  60  rubles,  and  on  eyery 
motion,  75  rubles;  those  of  the  second,  i^^ 
rubles;  those  of  the  third,  18;  and  those  c^ 
the  fourth,  9  silyer  rubles. 

The  order  of  St.  Stanislans  is  establishedt^ 
reward  those  who  shall  hâve  contributed  \0 
the  welfare  of  the  Rusaian  empire  and  of  tb^ 
Idngdom  of  Poland,  which  is  iweparabh  froÊk 
if  (Art.  621),  by  such  services  as  ahall  hftfft 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  Emperor. 

*  Thifi  latter  sum  is,  no  doubt,  inoorreet.  The  aatlm 
seems  to  kave  repeaied  the  preoeding  amoant  by  ù* 
takd.     Trandatar. 


NICHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  101 

»e  are  three  degrees:  one,  the  fourth  or 
cond,  was  abolished  on  the  28th  of  Maj» 
Those  who  had  it  preyiouslj  haTe  re- 
[  the  right  of  wearing  a  star  with  the 
iibont  the  necL  This  order  cornes  after 
>f  St.  Anne.  The  knights  of  the  first 
of  this  last  order  do  not  wear  at  the 
dme  either  the  ribbon  or  the  star  of  St 
laos»  but  the  cross  about  the  neck. 
)  cross  is  red,  enamelled  red,  with  four 
les,  each  divided  into  two,  and  adomed 
mail  gold  balls.  In  the  middle  thore  is 
e  of  white  enamel,  with  a  green  border, 
lanrel  of  the  same  colour,  enclosmg  in 
e  Roman  letters  S.S.  In  the  anglee  of 
068  on  the  four  sides  are  Russian  two- 
1  eagles  of  gold.  The  reyerse  is  of  gcdd» 
.  white  border  and  the  cipher. 
)  ribbon  is  red,  two  inches  and  a  half 
with  a  double  white  embroidered  border, 
I  wom  on  the  right  shoulder;  the  star 
sed  on  the  left  side.  It  is  of  silTei^ 
dght  rajs,  and  the  border,  similar  to 


•-'»vr*xo,        \JUXS        Y 

That  of  thc  t 

The  fcstivi 

25th  of  Apr 

first  and  secc 

posai  of  the  I 

exclusivelj  of 

for  acts  of  b 

sacrificed  thei: 

for  that  of  th 

fiUed  a  usefiil 

a  dùty  bejoiM 

functions  for  s 

for   inventions 

utility,  for  setti 

ness,  and  for  t 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIRST.  108 

sonal  noble;  and  for  twenty-five  years'  if  he 
lot  noble. 

SVhoever  bas,  agreeably  to  tbe  statutes,  dc- 
red  tbe  order,  bas  a  rigbt  to  solicit  it 
:>ngb  tbe  médium  of  bis  superiors,  if  be  is 
3r  bas  been  in  tbe  service,  or  tbrougb  tbe 
<i  of  tbe  govemment,  if  be  bas  retired. 
is  tbird  degree  can  be  conferred  by  a  council 
iposed  of  twelve  knigbts  of  eacb  degree, 
ler  tbe  presidency  of  a  grand-cordon^  by  a 
oination  by  ballot,  tbe  resuit  of  wbicb  is 
»initted  to  tbe  décision  of  tbe  Emperor. 
Fbe  cbief  of  an  active  anny  may  confer  tbe 
Stanislaus  of  tbe  second  and  tbird  class  for 
liant  military  exploits. 
\.t  tbe  time  of  bis  promotion,  eacb  knigbt  of 
first  degree  pays  90  rubles,  of  tbe  second, 
of  tbe  tbird,  15.  Tbis  money  is  des- 
^d  for  cbaritable  purposes  specified  by  tbe 
peror. 

Versons  wbo  bave  received  tbis  order  since 

I7tb    (29tb)    of  November,    1831,    tbe 

f  of  its  annexation  to  tbe  Russian  orderer 


104  BITSSIA   UKDZSi 

axe  tlierebj  hereditaiy  nobles:  thon  nlio 
tained  it  bcfore  are  not  so,  if  thej  are 
decorated  with  the  first  degree.    The 
ecclesiastics  do  not  receiye  this  order,  and 
members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  deigy 
quire  ^ith  tliis  décoration  the  right  of 
sancU  nobility  onlj^.    Merchants  axe  penonal 
nobles  if  thcy  obtained  this  deooiatUm  befive 
the  lOth  (22nd)  April,  1832,  and  haereditaiy 
honorar j  citizens  if  thej  reœiyed  it  sinoe. 

There  are  thirtj  pensioners  of  the  fixât  ds- 
grée,  at  142  silyer  rubles  SS-f-  cop*  per  ammi 
eixtj  of  the  second,  at  114  rubles  28^901».; 
ninetj  of  the  third,  at  85  robleB  7lf  oop. 
each. 

Tue  pensioner  who  passes  to  a  supÀr 
degree  loses  the  pension  which  he  wai  A* 
ceiving,  and  must  vait  his  tnm  for  tfae  paHM 
of  the  new  degree.    He  has  to  amd  baAli 


*  The  Russian  law^  though  ingennons 
it>  18  not  sufficieDtlj  so  to  add  that  it  û  beoMii  th 
Komish  ecclesiastics  are  not  snieeplibte  of  kiriV 
dûldren.— (Decree  of  May  2StIi,  1889.) 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  105 

thc  insignia  which  he  had  pre- 
i.  It  is  the  same  irhen  a  knight 
if  the  insignia  are  then  losb,  the 
to  make  good  their  ralae.  The 
)  tum  monks  lose  the  order  and 
.     On  the  death  of  a  pensioned 

wife  enjoys  the  pension  for  one 


of  a  militarj  knight  killed  in 

from  the  obligation  to  retnm  hii 
to  paj  the  value  of  them. 
ration  of  the  irreproachable  service 
rder;  it  is  a  mère  mark  of  distino- 
»nsists  of  a  square  gilt  broodb,  with 

the  middle  of  which  are  Roman 
ifying  the  years  of  service.  It  îb 
ribbon  of  the  order  of  St  George 
men,  and  of  St.  Wladimir  for  cÎTil 
s.  This  décoration  iras  institoted 
l  of  August,  1827,  in  commémora^ 
OTonation  of  the  Bmperor  Nicholas, 
place  on  that  day  in  the  preceding 

conferred  on  the  annirersary  of 


106  RUSSIA  IJKDER 

its  institution,  and  is  wom  bdow  the  n^  m: 
orders  as  being  inferior  to  them.  It  is  gi^v^<« 
for  fifteen  years'  service,  and  is  reneved  ew^^^ 
five  years. 

Neither  knights  of  St.  (îeorge,  aflter  twentjr- 
fire  years'  service,  of  St.  Wladimir,  after  thiiijy- 
five  years,  nor  those  of  the  most  importi*^^ 
orders,  are  dispensed  from  wearing  this  broo^* 
which  is  prescribed  to  be  placed  bdoir  tl^* 
second  button-hole. 

Artists  havo  no  right  to  this  distinction  \r^^ 
for  the  time  passed  in  the  service,  commOTci^^ 
with  their  réception  into  an  order  of  kni^^* 
hood'*^.  The  masters  of  relays,  and  pOTO*^^ 
who  hâve  no  tsckinriy  hâve  no  effective  rif** 
to  it. 

No  kind  of  diminution  is  to  be  obtaised  * 
the  tenus  required  for  the  brooch.  Leares  •■ 
absence  for  more  than  twenty-nine  dajs»^ 
deducted  from  the  time  of  service  thus 


*  A  gênerai  disposition  forbids  the  gnat  of  u  > 
before  a  person  has  leoeired  the  brooch. 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  lOÏ^ 

ed;  the  service  of  an  employé^  who,  in  the 
.ce  of  fifteen  jears  has  thrice  changed  the 
3  of  service,  is  declared  invalid,  whenever  he 
>  remained  for  less  than  three  jears  in  the 
ae  post.  Any  defanlt  in  a  half  year  may 
fie  the  loss  of  a  year's  service,  unless  sujë- 
:it  causes  can  be  assigned  to  satisfy  autho* 
r;  defanlt  of  four  months  wholly  takes  away 

right  to  the  brooch.  Reprimands  entered 
the  statements  of  service  entail  the  loss  of 
year;  and  arrest,  accompanied  with  for- 
lity,  delays  the  obtaining  of  the  décoration 

three  years.  The  institution  deprives  of 
tr  right  to  this  distinction  those  who  hâve 
^n  brought  before  a  court  of  justice,  and 
re  not  gone  ont  of  it  acquitted,  whether 
y  hâve  been  leffc  under  the  reproach  of  sus-^ 
ion,  or  hâve  been  pardoned  by  an  Impérial 
kdamation,  or  ail  proceedings  of  justice  in 
;ard  to  them  hâve  been  suspended;  but  if 
ôr  this  they  complète  fifteen  years'  irre- 
>achable  service,  the  brooch  will  be  con- 
r<ed  on  them.    Those  who  hâve  been  dis- 


108  BUSSIA   UNDBB 

cbarged  for  want  of  proofs  against 
considered  as  innocent. 

The  définitive  grant  of  the  faroocà  beloDgi 
to  a  council  composed  of  generalli-inrchie^ff 
actual  priyj  councillors  chosen  bj  tbe  Sa* 
peror,  iinder  the  presidençy  of  the  Mat  rf 
thcm,  or  of  the  functionarj  of  the  fint  daa^  if 
he  is  of  the  number.  This  council  meets  en/j 
year,  on  the  20th  of  Julj  at  latert»  and  ôti  îa 
the  Winter  Palace.  The  sanction  of  ihe  h- 
peror  is  required  for  its  décisions  to  rente 
them  valid. 

Three  silver  râbles  are  paid  for  eadi  hroock 
Pcrsons  inyested  with  it  maj  place  it  in  tiMff 
coat  of  arms  and  on  their  seals. 

The  brooch  is  not  taken  away  firom  M 
who  bas  obtained  it  for  misdeeds  whicb  vonU 
baye  prerented  the  grant  of  it;  bot  it  il  ort 
replaced  bj  that  which  he  wonld  liaTe  reesii' 
for  the  fiye  jears  during  whidi  he  bas  beet  ■ 
fault.  If  he  serves  irreproachaUj  fiir  As  MKk 
five  jears»  the  brooch  is  confened  ftr  ^ 
period.    If  the  misdeed  is  committeii 


KIOHOIiÂS  THS  FIBST.  lOfl 

grant  of  the  brooch,  bat  aller  the  time  for 
ûning  it  is  completed,  the  case  ia  submitted 
ht  décision  of  the  Emperor. 
^  Mary  mark  waa  inatituted  on  the  14tli 
Dctober,  1828»  in  memorj  of  the  Empresa 
na  FeocbroTna,  the  mother  of  NichohuL  It 
^nferred  on  ladies  for  irreproachable  service. 
3  of  two  degrees;  in  the  first  the  décoration 
om  on  the  shoulder,  in  the  second  on  the 
mu  For  the  fonner  the  cross  is  with  foni* 
idiesy  and  of  gdd,  enamelled  with  bine; 
»ears  the  dpher  of  Maria  Feodorovna;  in 
centre  is  a  laurel,  with  the  nmnber  of  jears' 
ice  in  Roman  figures.  The  badge  of  the 
nd  degree  is  a  blue  medallion,  with  the 
figures.  The  rîbbon  is  that  of  the  order 
it  Wladimir.  This  décoration  is  destined 
ladies  of  the  dasses,  as  thej  are  called» 
ïesses,  directresseSy  and  inspectresses  of 
inatitations  whidi  were  under  the  imme* 
6  superintendence  of  the  Empress-mother. 
>  first  d^;ree  is  given  to  ladies  who  hare 
led  twentj-fiye  years  and  upwards  in  tàeâe 


110  BUSSU  UITDSB 

iîmctioiis,  and  the  second  to  ihose  vho  ba^^ 
been  from  fifteen  to  twenlj-fire  years.    YufSf^ 
fire  years  the  figures  are  renewed.    CUâms  ^^ 
Uns   décoration    are    discussed  in   a  coonc^^ 
established  at  the  beneficent  institutioiu, 
the  décisions  of  vliich  are  oonfirmed  by 
Emperor.    This  mark  of  distinction  is 
forfeited. 

Officers  of  the  armj  receire  sabres 
swords  adomcd  iwith  gold,  sometimes  wit  Th 
stras  ^9  ^ithout  anjr  expense,  baring  an  ii — > 
scription  recording  their  brayerj.  Coir  '■ 
manders-in-chief  of  large  armies  are  anthoiii^^ 
to  grant  tliem  for  gallant  actions  and  briDia^E:^^ 
exploits. 

For  saring  the  lives  of  persons  in  danf^^' 
gold  and  silver  medals  with  libbons  of 
Wladimir  are  conferred. 

The  majors  of  parishes  vho  continue  iritl^ 
distinction  for  nine  jears  in  their  postSySol 


*  False  diamonds,  so  called  after  the  inrentor 
Translaior. 


KICHOLAS  THE  PIRST.  111 

re-dected  for  three  years  longer,  receiTe 
ÛB,  whîch  thej  wear  about  the  neck  if 
are  not  noble.  Yacdnators  are  likewise 
rded  vith  medals.  Distingoished  planter». 
e  Oaucasns  and  New  Rnssia,  peasants  who 

in  the  cultiration  of  the  potato,  the 
îor  workmen  in  manufactories,  Jews 
id  on  the  lands  of  the  crown,  who  distin* 

theniselyes  as  agricultorists,  are  entitled 
he  same  rewards.  Pilots,  quarantine 
re,  schoohnasters,  after  ten  jears^  func- 
,  obtain  medals  with  the  ribbon  of  St. 
stnder.  The  chiefs  of  peasants,  for  nine 
'  serrice,  also  haye  them  with  the  ribbons 
;.  Anne. 

Klals  obtained  for  saring  a  person's  lifc, 
•  any  other  act  of  humanity,  are  not  liable 
j  impost.  The  others  pay,  according  to 
ribbons,  a  fee  of  fh)m  7  to  150  silver 
5.  Persons  having  medals  wom  about 
eck  are  exempt  from  the  recruiting,  and 
thers  from  corporal  punishments. 


112 


BUSSIX  XJSUER 


There  are,  moreoTer,  Icfians  of  distinGtioit 
of  doth,  Telyet^  or  damast,  either  in  umfom 
fsusliion  or  not.    Thèse  kaftans  are  destâned 
particnlarlj  for  peasant  functionaries. 


HIOHOLAS  THE  flBST. 


118 


Ohaptbb  IV.  ' 

OF    THE  HIGH  COURTS,  ADMINISTRATIVE, 
LEGISLATIVE,  AND  JUDICIAL. 


THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  SMFIfiX. 


The  attributions  of  the  councîl  of  tixe  empire 
mdade  ail  matters  requiring  tIxe  promulgation 
cf  a  new  law,  or  the  modification,  explanation, 
or  complément  of  an  existing  law  ;  eyeij  extra- 
ordinaij  measure  in  the  department  of  in- 
ternai administration  or  extemal  policj,  as 
peace  or  war,  when  it  can  be  subjected  to  a 
lirenons  examination;  spécial  questions  rela- 
liiig  to  finances,  the  fixing  of  the  budget,  and 

TOU  II.  I 


114  lirssiA  rxDKTi 

the  régulation  of  the  taxes»  tho  exproj)riatic=>  :^2 
of  individuals  for  the  sake  of  the  public  intcrest^^ 
or  the  transfer  of  a  propertj  of  ihe  Crown  mto 
the  possession  of  priyate  persons,  patents  tor 
inventions,  &c.     This  council  décides  on  tbe 
grant  and  the  vithdrawing  of  letters  of  nobilîtf, 
and  directs  proceedings  against  accused  af- 
nisters  and  govcmors-general,  with  the  antho- 
rization  of  the  Emperor.     It  takes  cognisuoe 
of  suits  on  whicli  the  Senate  has  been  difidei 
or  the  conclusion  of  which  lias  not  obtaiud       ^ 
the  sanction  of  the  Minister  of  Justice.  ^  4CC 

The  council  of  the  empire  is  divided  il 
departmcnts,  \rhich  we  will  also  call 
or  meets  in  gênerai  assemblj.     The 
of  the  dcpartments  are  members  of  the  gMnl        ig^n 
asscmbly,  which  comprehends  others  not  bf-        |^ 
longing  to  thcm.  icx'K^ 

Therc  are  five  dcpartments  :    1.  that  of  j* 
tice;  2,  war;  3,  religion  and  civil  aflUn;  4  ^ 

cconomj;  and  5»  aifairs  of  Poland.  ^ 

The  mcmbcrs  of  the  dcpartments  an  mMB"        ^ 
nated  every  six  months  by  the  Empenr  M*        |^ 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  115 

^  and  are  composed  of  a  président  and  at 
^'Wi  three  members  for  eacli  department.  The 
^^^ons  can  summon  to  their  assistance  and 
ensuit  persons  of  whose  knowlcdge  they  wish 
^  arail  thernselves.  For  matters  which  con- 
^^  seTcral  departments  at  once,  thèse  can 
lUeet  and  deliberate  in  common. 

The  members  of  the  council  of  the  empire 
Gui  at  the  same  time  be  invested  with  any 
oiher  office  in  the  judicial  or  administrative 
line.  The  ministers  are  bj  right  members  of 
the  council  of  the  empire,  but  thej  cannot  bo 
iM»ninated  présidents  in  the  sections.  The 
président  of  the  gênerai  assembly  is  the  £m- 
peror  himself,  and  in  his  absence  the  person 
whom  he  thinks  proper  to  appoint  once  a  year. 
The  vice-président  is  the  one  of  the  prési- 
dents of  departments  who  is  of  the  longest 
«tanding. 

The  gênerai  assembly  sits  in  the  following 
order: — The  président  occupies  the  middle  of 
the  hall;  on  his  right  are  placed  the  members 
net  belonging  to  the  departments;  on  his  left 

1  2 


116  BUSSIA   UNDER 

the  ministcrs,  and  opposite  to  him  the 
bers  of  the  sections,  witli  thcir  présidents  •^ 
thcir  liead.     In  the  centre,  facing  ihe  pre5i* 
dent,  is  the  secretar j  of  the  empire,  assiste^ 
bj  a  sccretarj  of  state  and  two  iinder-seere' 
taries. 

The  members  speak  standing.  If  seTer^ 
lise  at  once,  the  préférence  is  given  to  tb^ 
oldcst  in  rank.  Amendments  to  projectt 
under  discussion  must  be  presented  in  wntàagr 
The  votes  are  entered  bcside  the  name  of  eti^ 
member,  and  the  décisions  are  recorded  in  tb^ 
minutes.  At  the  conclusion  of  each 
the  ordcr  of  the  daj  for  the  next  is 
known.  In  the  departments  membera  tafc^ 
rank  according  to  the  tschinns. 

When  anj  extraordinarj  measore  la  in  9ff' 
tation,  the  affair  is  sent  direcily  to  the  gène'*' 
assemblj,  bj  command  of  the  Emperor.  Tb 
departments  refer  to  it  those  mattera  on  irbick 
their  members  cannot  agrée,  or  for  whieh  tkflf 
hare  come  to  a  décision  cancelling  a  decree  d 
ihe  Senate,  or  on  which  they  disagree  widi 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  117 

iaister  from  whom  the  affair  in  question 

tes. 

council  of  the  empire  can  refer  to  the 

affairs  in  which  the  latter  has  not  taken 

nsîderation  some  important  document,  in 

liât  it  maj  undergo  révision. 

secretaiy  of  the  empire  submits  the 
ns  of  the  council  to  the  confirmation  of 
uperor.  The  affairs  of  Poland  are  laid 
him  in  minutes,  whenerer  they  hâve  not 
ebated  in  the  gênerai  assemblj;  and 
lers  in  the  form  of  memorials,  signed  hj 
ïsident  or  the  vice-président,  and  by  the 
ry  of  the  empire.  The  wiU  of  the  Em^ 
lecides  the  affair  definitively,  even  though 
Id  be  in  faveur  of  the  opinion  of  the 
ty.  In  case  of  lengthened  absence  of 
nperor,  his  Majesty  himself  fixes  the 
of  the  power  which  the  council  of  the 

18  called  upon  to  exercise  in  the  in* 

iched  to  the  council  is  a  chancellery, 
the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the 


118  RUSSIA   UNDEK 

empire.     It  is  composed  of  seven  i 
of  which  bas  at  its  head  a  secretaiy  of 
excepting  the  last  two — ^that  of  archirefl^  anif 
that  of  the  affairs  of  the  secretarjship  of  H» 
empire,  which  are  managed  bj  aariatoiita. 

THE  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  lilKISTEBS. 

The  committee  of  the  ministry  is  oompoeed 
of  ail  the  ministers  and  cliiefs  of  separate  ad- 
ministrations completing  the  minifiteiial  oigir 
nization,  snch  rs  the  chief  of  the  staff  of  th^ 
navj,  of  wajs  and  communications,  of  tb^ 
posts,  the  comptroller  of  the  empire,  fta,  lîb' 
wise  of  the  présidents  of  the  depaitmeatsin 
the  council  of  the  empire,  and  of  persons  ïïft' 
cially  designated  bj  the  Emperor. 

The  président  is  chosen  hj  the  soverqgit 
in  default  of  which  the  presidençy,  as  in  ctf* 
of  the  illness  of  the  holder  of  an  office,  defobtf 
to  the  oldest  member  in  rank. 

The  committee  meets  twice  a  wA  9 
winter  at  eleyen  o'clock  in  the  foieiiooib  ttà 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  11» 

LCe  a  veek  in  suinmer  at  ten.     In  case  of 
^portant  business,  the  président  can  summon 

extraordinarj  meeting.  The  members  sit 
i^ording  to  seniorit j  of  rank. 
^Xhe  attributions  of  the  committee  of  the 
Càisters  embrace  ail  business  which  requires 
^  combined  action  of  several  ministries, 
:!.  embarrasses  a  minister,  or  exceeds  his 
iQipetence,  and  renders  the  suprême  reso- 
Ion  necessarj.  The  ministers  are  bound, 
^^reoTer,  to  submit  to  the  committee  accounts 
*    each  jear  of  their  administration,  as  well 

to  refer  for  its  décision,  in  extraordinarj 
IC6,  matters  conceming   the  public  safety, 

the  subsistence  of  the  people,  the  causes 

heretics,  the  reprimands  to  be  giren  to 
v-cmors,  the  rewards  and  pensions  to  be 
B^ted  to  the  civil  employés. 
*ïhe  Goyemor-General  of  Finland  is  like-^ 
'fie  authorised  to  refer  to  the  committee  ail 
Raîrs  that  demand  the  concurrence  of  two 
^ixùmstrations,  but  without  requiring  modifi* 
étions  in  the  législation  of  the  duchj. 


120  BUSSIA  XnJTDKB 

The  décisions  of  the  committee  do  not 
receiye  the  force  of  law  till  thej  hâve  thft 
sanction  of  the  Emperor.  From  this  nile  an 
exempted  onlj  the  unanimous  <leciflM>iiB  of  thft 
committee  conceming  pensions  and  the  no- 
mentarj  aid  to  be  affbrded  to  employa  aai 
the  aifairs  of  the  hcretics,  excepting  extit- 
ordinarj  cases.  The  changes  to  be  made  in 
the  législation  are  previooslj  submitted  to 
the  second  section  of  the  chancelleiy  c^  dift 
Emperor,  speciallj  charged  with  the  framDf 
of  the  laws. 

The  committee  of  the  ministers  ezeniM 
no  executive  power,  and  leayes  the  dulf  d 
Mailing  its  décisions  to  the  minister  to 
whose  dcpartment  the  matter  in  litigidioB 
belongs. 

The  chancelier^  of  the  committee  is  eoB- 
posed  of  seyeral  sections,  an  office  of  gvn^ 
despatchy  and  a  division  of  arehiyeflL 


HICHOLAS  TES  FIBâT.  121 


THE  SEKATE. 


The  senate  is  ihe  high  jndicîal  court  of 
Russia:  thé  dispenfier  and  director  of  justice» 
it  attends  to  the  exécution  of  the  laws  and  to 
p^gnlarity  in  ihe  administration. 

Its  members  are  nominated  bj  the  Emperor 
Sram  among  the  dignitaries  of  the  first  three 
idasses,  irhether  civil  or  militarj.  The  pre^ 
ndeut  is  the  Emperor  himself  ;  the  ministers 
haye  seats  there,  but  not  their  substitutes. 
The  gOTemors-general  and  the  militaiy  goTer^ 
DOTS  are  admitted. 

The  senate  is  divided  into  eleren  départ* 
ments»  six  of  which  réside  in  Si  Petersburg» 
three  in  Moscow,  and  two  in  Warsaw.  The 
présidents  are  içpointed  bj  the  Emperor. 
The  nnmber  of  the  senators  is  unlimited»  bat 
ihe  minimum  of  the  members  who  must  be 
présent  before  délibérations  can  be  held  is  fixed 
at  three  for  the  departments  of  St.  Petersbuig 
and  Moscow,  and    fiye   for  Warsaw.     The 


122  RIJSSIA   UNDBB 

Minister  of  Justice  makcs  up  the  number,  il 
case  of  need,  b j  the  youngest  of  the  aenaton 
of  the  corresponding  departments.  In  eidi 
department  sits  a  grand  attomej,  ^srlio  attoidi 
to  the  regularity  of  business. 

The  first  department  is  charged  irith  the 
promulgation  of  the  laws  and  their  deqpatck 
to  the  compétent  authorities,  with  tbe  Toifr 
cation  of  the  civic  rights  of  ail  thoee  iriio  ire 
neither  nobles  nor  serfs,  with  the  nstanlin- 
tion  of  forcigners,  with  the  superintendenee 
of  the  élections,  with  the  appointment  and 
dismissal  of  employés.  It  settles  aU  diqpoM 
that  arise  between  the  différent  tribomab^  vA 
takes  cognizance  of  suits  between  the  Chon 
and  individuals. 

The  second,  third,  and  fonrth  dqMuiMBli 
at  St.  Petersburg,  the  seventh  and  ajf^ 
at  Moscow,  and  the  ninth  at  WamWi  tib 
cognizance  in  appeal  of  civil  affiûn;.tbeftt 
at  Petersburg,  the  sixth  at  Mosc<nr,  and  Ai 
tenth  at  Warsaw,  are  charged  with 
matters.    Each  of  thèse  departmentai  < 


HICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  123 

liction  orer  a  definite  number  of  gOTem-* 
s  whîch  fonn  its  district.     The  attribu-- 

of  the  surveying  department  are  suffi- 
7  indicated  bj  its  namOi  and  extend  to 
hole  empire. 

e  departments  meet  in  certain  cases  and 
gênerai  assemblies;  there  are  two  in  St* 
sborg,   composed,  the  one  of   the  first 

and  the  other  of  the  last  three  départ- 
{,  under  the  presidencj  of  the  oldest 
lent,  and  under  the  superintendence  of 
[inister  of  Justice.  The  three  departments 
38C0W  form  a  single  gênerai  ajssemblj,  as 
kewise  the  two  at  Warsaw,  under  the 
lencj  of  the  lieutenant  of  the  kingdom. 
rarj  senators  are  not  admitted  into  it. 
e  gênerai  assemblies  take  cognizance  of 
atters  upon  which  the  members  of  the 
tments  could  not  agrée, 
e  first»  at  St.  Petersburg,  besides  trying 
i)le  senators,  décides  upon  the  promotion 
phj/és  as  high  as  the  sixth  class,  and 
ID8  the  titles  of   nobles.      The  oldest 


124  BUSSIA   UNDSB 

senators  in  rank  mipplj  the  places  oF  Aft 
présidents  in  case  of  their  absence,  «t  geiunl 
assemblies  as  irell  as  at  particular  meetÎBgv. 
The  ministers  haye  seats  in  the  fint  dqnit- 
menty  and  the  Minister  of  Justice^  irith  Ui 
assistant,  attends  the  gênerai  assemblieB. 

Thèse  are  held  once  a  week.  "The  IGnîMr 
of  Justice  likewise  causes  the  senators  to  b 
summoncd  to  an  extraordinar  j  sitting,  on  al . 
business  that  admits  not  of  delay.  Ai 
sittings  open  at  ten  o'dock.  Every  veek,  A» 
Minister  of  Justice  makes  his  report  to  Ai 
Emperor  conceming  the  members  absent^  or 
who  came  too  late.  The  senators  iimiisl 
with  some  particular  office  cannot  absent  tlMB" 
selyes  from  the  gênerai  assemblies^  and  anl^ 
attend  at  least  twice  a  ireek  in  the  dspst- 
ments.  The  ministers  and  goTemorB  ara  sksi' 
exempt  from  this  obligation.  The 
the  senate  takes  place  in  summer; 
is  submitted  to  the  assemblies  mljhj^aimMi 
In  the  departments,  matten  are  dscidsi  tJF' 
nnanmiitj.    If  a  disagreement 


KICHOLAS  TES  FIBST.  125 

^e  manner  in  which  questions  ought  to  be 
ts  and  it  cannot  be  dedded  bj  a  simple 
yciritj,  the  joungest  member  of  another 
partmoKit  is  then  called  upon  to  Yote.  The 
UUx>T  wbo  does  not  adopt  the  opinion  of  the 
jority  is  authorized  to  express  his  own 
^tingy  bat  vithin  eight  dajs  at  forthest 
ihe  dèpartments»  and  in  the  next  sitting 
tiie  gênerai  assembliez  His  coUeagaes 
j  then  recall  their  yote.  Members  absent 
the  time  of  the  meetings  of  the  departments 
(  lequired  to  signify  their  opinion,  but  that 
aot  the  case  with  the  gênerai  assemblies, 
a  TOte  of  a  minister  is  not  connted  on 
tters  which  he  has  himself  presented  to  the 
Biey  or  irhich  come  within  the  sphère  of  his 
ilstrj.  The  grand  attomej  strires  in  wri- 
S  to  reconcile  opinions  ;  if  he  is  unsaccessful 
irefers  the  matter  in  dispute  to  ihe  gênerai 
embly,  The  same  course  is  pursued  when 
^  attomej,  on  his  part,  does  not  adopt  tho 
siÂon  of  the  department;  but  he  must  fiitt 
Uin  the  authorization  of  the  Minister  of 
^ce. 


126  BUSSIA   UKDER 

In  thc  gênerai  assemblies  the  majority  ^ 
two-thirds   of   the    votes.     If   it  cannot  b^ 
obtained  there,  the  Minister  of  Justice  refera 
the  matter  to  a  consultation  of  the  assemUeu 
grand  attomejs,  assisted  bj  his  deputj  and  s 
jurist.     Â  fortnight  is  allowed  them  to  stoAj 
the  question.     In  case  of  disagreement,  tb€ 
Toice  of  the  minister  is  prépondérant    Wheii 
sucli  cases  corne  before  the  senate  of  Hosco^i 
tlie  consultation  takes  place  at  St.  Tetorshurg- 
The  affair  is  then  carried  back  to  the  gênerai 
assemblj  ;  and  if  a  majoritj  is  not  obtained,  ot 
rather,  if  the  Minister  of  Justice  continua  to  b^ 
of  a  différent  opinion  from  that  which  prerailA 
he  then  i*efers  to  the  Emperor  through  ii^^ 
médium  of  the  council  of  the  enjpire. 

The  senate  acknowlcdges  no  pover  abore  î^ 
but  thaï  of  the  Emperor.     The  sobordina^ 
authorities  cannot  defer  the  exécution  of  î^ 
decrees,  unless  there  is  contradiction  in  tt^ 
prescriptions,  and  then  thej  are  bonnd  to  Uf 
the  difficultj  before  the  sénats  itself.    The 
latter  maj  transmit  to  his  Majestj  its  ol»e^ 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  127 

16  on  the  existing  laws,    through    the 
un  of  the  Minister  of  Justice,  in  as  far  as 

rèqoire  complément,  explanation,  or 
îcation,  in  conséquence  of  other  contra- 
7  laws;  but  it  is  strictly  forbidden  to 
adyantage  of  the  impérial  clemencj  in 
ndar  cases,  for  the  purpose  of  authorizing 
•tiens  to  the  laws,  or  to  take  the  libertj 
ake  any  observation  on  laws  recentlj 
ulgated  bj  the  Emperor. 
the  senate  discoyers  any  abuses  in  the 
tries,  it  apprizes  the  ministers;  and  if  it 
is  no  satisfactorj  explanations,  it  refers 
aatter  to  his  Majesty.  It  sends  repri- 
s  to  the  gOYcmors  for  négligences  corn- 
d  without  any  ill  intention,  and,  in  case 
pétition,  it  publishes  them;  but  if  they 
\f  such  a  nature  as  to  draw  punishment 
the  parties,  it  applies  for  the  authoriza- 
of  the  Emperor.     The  senate  cannot  of 

alter  a  letter  in  the  existing  laws,  or 
Fjr  its  own  dispositions,  without  the  con- 
of  hîs  Majesty.      There  is  no  appeal 


128  BUSSU   UKDKB 

from  thc  senate  xmless  to  the  Empeior,  ilt^ 
then  causes  the  matter  to  be  reconsidered  b^ 
the  gênerai  assemblj  of  the  senate^  if  it  ^m^ 
becn  decidcd  upon  in  a  department^  and  b^^ 
the  council  of  the  empire  if  it  bas  been  di9^ 
cossed  in  gênerai  assemblj.     Whoerer  prefer^ 
an  unfounded  complaint  against  the  senate»^ 
brought    to    trial.      Accordingly,    the 
plainant  is  obliged,  in  ereiy  case,  to 
in   writing  that  he   is  acquainted  with 
seyerit j  of  the  existing  laws  on  this  subjecL 

"Eyery  senator,  as  a  worthy  son  of 
country,  having  always  in  yiew  bis  dirtf  t^ 
God,  the  State,  and  the  kw»  ougbt  to  \^ 
mindful  that  the  obligation  which  is  impofls^ 
upon  him  as  judge  consists  in  consideringlii^ 
country  as  bis  family,  and  hononr  as  a  fiieaS; 
in  examining  with  care  the  applications  dtf^ 
are  made  to  him^  in  amending  bis  emn  î* 
changing  and  prosccuting  suspected  joàflf 
and  aboYO  ail  in  seeking  the  means  of  eiid^ 
lisbing  the  truth^  and  not  of  gaining  tima 

**  Every  senator  is  obliged  as  a  datf  ^ 


KICribliAS  THE  FIRST.  129 

mce  to  make  his  report  on  ererj  mis- 
hat  is  committed  in  the  countrj,  and  on 
violations  of  the  law  ihat  corne  to  his 
dge*. 

1  department  has  its  chancellerj.  The 
sneral  assemblj  of  St.  Petersburg,  and 
r  Moscow,  haye,  moreoyer^  each  of  them 
icolar  chancellerj.     They  are  under  the 

of  the  grand  attomejs  appointed  by 
inister  of  Justice,  who  is  the  suprême 
f  ail  the  chancelleries  of  the  senate. 

greatest  anomalj  which  exists  in  the 
sation  of  the  senate  is  the  exorbitant 
assigned  to  the  public  ministrj,  vhich 
spend  or  annul  bj  its  yeto  the  décisions 
!  majoritj  in  the  departments  bj  the 
)f  the  Grand  Attomej,  and  of  unanimit j 

gênerai  assemblies  bj  the  yoice  of  the 
er  of  Justice.  Is  the  cause  of  this  that 
lators,  taken  at  random  from  the  army 
)  ciyil  administration,  are  ignorant  in 
"S  of  law?     But  if  one  cannot  or  knows 

9od.,  yoL  L,  book  3,  sec.  1,  art.  247  and  248. 
.  II.  K 


130  RU6SIA   UNDIR 

not  how  to  remedj  tliis  evil,  ought  om  lot 
Et  least  to  avoid  taking  gênerais  or  dipi»' 
matists  for  miuisters  of  justice,  as  bas  bea 
donc  liithcrto  ;  and,  CTcn  if  men  of  leanùif 
were  appointed,  their  right  to  paraljie  tlie 
décisions  of  the  senate  ought  to  be  confined 
to  cases  of  the  violation  of  lawa;  and,  abore 
ail,  business  ought  not  to  be  suffered  to  be 
protracted  bj  granting  delays  to  attonejf 
and  to  the  ministers  to  draw  up  ihebr  qpioiflt 
in  set  form.  The  Russian  senaton  axe  not 
proof  against  offers  of  monej  made  more  or 
less  adroitly  ;  but  it  is  casier  to  bribe  a  ào^ 
individual  than  an  asscmblj,  and  the  Impeziil 
attomcys  are  in  fact  in  Russia^  botb  in  tbo 
senate  and  in  the  govemmenta,  the  onlj  ^ 
pensers  of  justice. 

THE   STNOD, 

It  is  at  présent  compoaed  of  eig|it 
and  four  assistants,  a  chancelleiy,  the  ; 
tration  of  ecdesiastical  instmctioDf  the  aocfe* 


mOHOLAS  THX  FIRST. 


131 


ical  administration,  and  thé  chancellery 
le  grand  attomey  of  the  synod. 
he  eparchies  are  divided  into  tbree  classes, 
first  comprises  the  four  metropolitan  sees 
liev,  Novgorod,  Moscow,  and  Petersbnrg. 
second  class  contains  eighteen  arch- 
)prics,  and  the  third  twenty-six  bishoprics 
the  three  eparchies  of  Qeorgia. 
le  ecclesiastical  instruction  is  divided  into 
j  districts,  those  of  Kiev,  Moscow,  and 
rsburg,  with  the  same  number  of  académies, 
forty-fiye  seminaries. 


K2 


132  KUSSIA   UNDRR 


Chapter  V. 


OF  THE  MINISTRIES. 


There  are  nine  ministries  in  Russia;  1»  *** 
Miuistry  of  the  Interior  ;  2,  tliat  of  FiniBC*'» 
3,  of  Public  Instruction;    4,  of  Justice;  5,  * 
the  Domains;  6,  of  War;  7,  of  Foreign  Aitf*» 
8,  of  the  Court  ;  9,  of  the  Marine.    Theie  f^ 
besides,    tlircc  administrations    équivalent  ^ 
ministrics,  namely,  1,  the  Control  of  the  B^ 
pire;  2,  the  Department  of  Ways  of  Conufi»' 
nication  and  Public  Buildings;  3,  thatof^i^ 
Posts. 

There  arc  in  everj  ministij  seTeral  iSmtioOBk 
which  are  callcd  in  Russia  dcpartmentSi  tbi 


HICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  133 

idl  of  the  minister,  and  the  chancellerj  of 
ministrj.  The  directions  are  divided .  into 
^ons,  and  the  sections  into  bureaux.  The 
idl  of  the  minister  is  composed  of  ail  the 
i^rs  and  of  the  under-minister,  under  the 
idencj  of  the  minister.  To  thèse  the 
»eror  can  add  particular  members,  and  the 
cil  itself  can  désire  the  attendance  of 
3ns  not  belonging  to  the  ministrj,  whose 
ion  it  maj  hâve  occasion  to  ask.  Eadi 
;tion  maj  also  mect  in  gênerai  assemblj^ 
[>08ed  of  ail  the  chiefs  of  section,  under  the 
idencj  of  the  director,  vho  can,  vith  the 
lorization  of  the  minister,  summon  to  the 
dng  persons  unconnected  with  the  adminis^ 
ion,  for  questions  relative  to  science,  art» 
industry.  Most  of  the  directions  hâve 
icular  chancelleries. 

lie  ministers  are  chosen  bj  the  Emperor; 
directors  by  the  minister,  with  the  assent 
he  Emperor;  the  other  fîmctionaries  are 
linted  and  remored  on  the  presentatioa 
bhe    director,  bj  the   minister,  and   the 


134  ECrSSIA   UNDBR 

quite  subordinatc  employés  by  die  dlTCcM^ 
alonc. 

The  power  of  the  ministers  is  excbttively 
executive.  Tbe y  cannot  modify  any  lav,  and 
are  obligod  to  bave  recourse  to  the  councS  of 
the  empire  about  every  thing  that  relates  to 
legLslatioiL  When,  in  the  sphère  of  their 
dutics,  they  encoimter  difficulties  which  it  dotf 
not  belong  to  them  to  résolve  by  thernselres; 
Tfhen  tlicy  fcel  the  necessity  of  some  changea 
or  that  they  must  takc  measures  which  reqnii* 
the  concurrence  of  the  other  powers;  thejbv^ 
to  refer  to  the  Scnatc,  or,  in  important  drcoff- 
stances,  to  the  Emperor,  through  the  média* 
of  the  Gommittee  of  the  ministère.  In  ^ 
manucr,  they  bave  recourse  to  the  Semda  o* 
ail  matters  within  its  compétence,  snch  as  A^ 
moving  of  employés  and.judicial  causes. 

Ëvery  year,  on  the  Ist  of  Auguste  aU  tb^ 
mÎBÎsters  deliver  to  the  Minister  of  the  FinttO^ 
an.estimate  of  the  ezpenses  neoeasaiy  for  A^ 
department  The  latter  refera  it  to  Ai 
OQÉncil  of  the  empire,  and,  on  ito  waàtésf^ 


mcmOLAB  THE  FIRST.  135 

h  QpeDB  the  eredits  demanded.  Eyerjr 
idi  the  ministers  giye  notice  to  the  tteBr 
r  of  the  miins  which  are   neceasarj  for 

D. 

ftnifiterial  responsibility  is  incarred  in  two 
8 — ^when  the  minister  déviâtes  arbitranlj* 
1  the  laws,  or  irhen  he  occasions  abuses,  or 
ï  harm  by  his  négligence.  He  is  not  an- 
rable  for  the  mischievons  effects  of  the 
urares  which  he  has  proposed,  but  which 
e  been  approred  bj  the  Senate  or  the 
peror.  In  case  of  abuses,  his  Majestj  de* 
«  whether  there  is  occasion  to  prosecute; 
!  ihe  conncil  of  the  empire  takes  upon  itse)f 
mrestigatîon  and  the  proceedings.  If  thèse 
re  that  the  minister  has  rendered  himself 
Tvthy  of  the  confidence  of  the  Emperor,  he 
mmeà  from  office;  and  if  thej  bring  to 
t  serions  offences,  he  has  to  appear  before 
crîminal  tribunal. 

le  under-ministers  supply  the  place  of  the* 
istenr  during  their  absence  or  illness,  sit  in 
eoimcQ,  and  can  direct  such  a  Inranch  of 


136  RU8SIA  TTSNSR 

the  department  as  their  principab  choose  ^ 
commit  to  their  care.     In  gênerai,  it  is  natter^ 
which  are  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  leqû^^ 
the  attention  of  the  ministers  themselves  th^^ 
are  thus  transferred  to  them.    They  are  thongj^^ 
to  acquire  in  this  post  the  capacity  requiât^-^^ 
for  becoming  ministers  in  their  tum  ;   but 
plan  succeeds  ver j  ill  with  persons  who  haye 
previousl j  received  a  certain  éducation  ;  and, 
those  who  are  qualified  to  manage  a 
the  time  passed  in  this  secondary  post  is  ab6C:::=> 
lutelj  thrown  away,  while  the  post  itaelf  ^^ 
but  an  additional  embarrassment  for  ihe  g^^" 
nend   administration.      If  civilized  comtri^^* 
can  weU  dispense  with  thèse  doubles  of 
ters,  whj  should  not  Russia  be  able  to  do 
Ând  again,  since  the  ministers  of  foraga 
fiEÛrs,  of  war,  and  of  the  marine,  hâve  no 
for  this  kind  of  assistants,  wïy  shoold  not 
ministers  of  the  interior  and  of  finanoeB 
able  to  do  without  them? 

The  Ministry  of  the  Interior  is  omfùÊtào^ 
six  directions  ;  a  particular  section  of 


/ 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  137 

h  ît8  clianceUerj,  a  cooncil  of  medicine,  a 
Jioellerj,  and  an  ordinarj  coonciL 
rhe  Direction  of  the  Executive  Police  is 
kTged  with  internai  order,  the  judicial  and 
lal  police,  and  the  collection  of  the  taxes, 
rhe  Economical  Direction  attends  to  mat» 
I  of  subsistence,  concurs  in  the  supplj  of 
annj,   superintends  the  corn  magazines, 
vrs  up  statements  of  the  crops,  and  plans 
bowns  and  villages,  régulâtes  ail  that  conr 
08  fairs  and  markets.     It  has  likewise  under 
diarge  the  charitable  institutions,  the  houses 
correction,  and  the  insurance  companies. 
rhe  Direction  of  Foreign  Religions  has  three 
tions,   and  a  bureau  instead  of  chancel- 

Phe  Direction  of  Medicine  is  engaged  with 
placing  and  superintendence  of  physidans, 
^thecaries,  veterinary  surgeons,  and  mid* 
es.  Its  attributions  embrace  the  civil  hos^ 
ils,  minerai  waters,  vaccination,  and  the 
trantines. 
rhe  Direction  of  Médical  Préparations  is 


138  KussiA  xnsDm 

charged  to  snpplj  the  annj,  the  naTj,  nrf 
somc  establishments  of  the  ciril  admiimln- 
tion  with  mcdicines  and  surgical  mstnniieiits; 
it  has  also  to  keep  np  the  pharmaceatic  eàtr 
blishmcnts  of  the  Crown,  and  the  medicmal 
magazines  and  gardens.  The  gênerai  assemUj 
of  the  direction  is  composed,  nnder  the  pte- 
sidency  of  the  director,  of  three  cooncSkm 
one  of  vhom  is  callcd  the  elder,  and  miut  b 
a  physician  or  apothecary. 

The  Direction  of  General  Avoirs  wceîni 
the  orders  of  the  Sorereign  and  ensmes  thar 
exécution,  makes  the  necessarj  anangemoA 
for  the  joumeys  of  the  Emperor,  attends  to  Ae 
promotion  of  the  goTcmors/  it  is  AMXgA 
moreoYcr,  with  secret  and  pressing  mittn 
the  naturalization  of  foreigners,  the 
and  crimes  against  the  religion  of  the  < 

The   CouncU  of  Médiane  ia  Aa 
court  in  matters  of  scientific  and  hgpl  M 
dne.     Its  président  must  be  a  phjBOài^ 
choscn  by  the  Emperor,  on  the 
tbe  minister.     The  directcxB  of  Ile 


P7 


KICBOLAS  THB  FIBST.  13ff 

ion»  of  the  Ministries  of  the  Interior  and 
Far^  the  phyaidan  in  chief  of  the  staff  of 
wrjy  and  the  phjaician  inspecter  of  the 
cfl  of  gnardianship^  are  members  of  this 
cil,  as  is  also  a  phjsician  of  the  ministrj 
lUic  instruction.  The  other  members  are 
3d  bj  the  Gouncil  itsel^  and  confirmed  bj 
Biinisten  From  among  thèse  latter  the 
âl  bas  tû  choose  a  secretarj.  It  meeta 
f  a  week,  unless  particolar  circomstances 
t  together.  It  bas  a  cbancellerj,  the  sec- 
of  indiich  baye  phjsicians  for  their  chiefe. 
le  cooncil  belongs  the  censorship  of  medi- 
wks  and  prospectuses,  and  that  of  books 
mg  of  cookerjr  and  economical  chemisb* j  : 
càaiged  with  the  appréciation  of  disoo- 

I  in  medidne,  with  the  pnbfication  of  the 
ictîons  necessaij  in  case  of  contagions 
BQi^  witk  the  examination  of  médical  men 
^  fromi  abroad,  with  the  Terification  of 
pcst-moriem    examinaticms    of    pexsana 

II  wîtb  snddâi  death,  kc. 

le  Section  of  Statistics  forms  paît  of  Htm 


140  BUSSIA   UNDER 

conncil  of  the  ministiy.  The  undeMuinistar 
is  président,  and  the  directors  fonn  part  of  it; 
the  minister  adds  to  them  certain  memben  of 
his  council  ;  strangers  maj  be  sommoned  to  it 
for  the  purpose  of  fumishing  infonnatioii  ;  the 
section  has  correspondents,  which  it  dio(M 
itself.  One  of  its  members,  appointed  bj  the 
minister,  is  charged  with  its  administration. 
It  meets  once  a  week,  and  has  a  GhaDceDa^i 
an  architect,  a  geometrician,  and  a  bureau  of 
drawing.  It  is  charged  with  the  yerificatioD 
of  the  plans  of  new  towns,  projects  of  tori- 
torial  divisions  of  the  empire,  &a 

The  Ministrj  of  the  Finances  is  comfOÊtâ 
of  the  direction  of  internai  mannfiustaroB  wfà 
commerce,  that  of  extemal  commerce^  of  eoB- 
tributions  and  rents,  of  the  treasmy,  of  âv 
administration  of  the  mints,  mines^  and  JiH' 
Works,  with  the  corps  of  the  minea^  aad  Ab 
staff  of  the  engineers  of  the  minesL  It  te 
moreover,  three  chancelleries—^  tSf"^ 
chanceUerj,  the  secret  chanoélleiy,  vaA^ 
of  crédit. 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  141 

The  Direction  of  Internai  Manufactures  and 

Commerce  has  annexed  to  it  a  spécial  council, 

c&lled  council  of  manufactures,  which,  under 

tiie  presidency  of  the  chief  of  the  direction,  is 

composed  of  persons  versed  in  the   subject, 

ràected  from  the   nobility   and  traders,  six 

^m  each  dass,  two  professors  of  chemistrj 

«id  mineralogy,  and  a  technologist.      This 

oonndl  has  a  section  at  Moscow,  and  commit- 

•tees  and  correspondents  in  the  other  towns. 

^e  section  of  Moscow  is  composed  of  four 

Subies,   four    merchants,   a  chemist,    and    a 

^Qchanician;  its  président  is  at  the  same  timc 

P'^^dent  of  the  committee  for  the  supply  of 

'"O   army  with  cloth.     The  director  of  the 

'^^^dl  of  St.  Petersburg  is  the  chief  of  the 

^^  section  of  the  direction  ;  an  employé  oï  the 

^^^toiittee  is  chief  of  the  section  of  Moscow. 

^^  members  hâve  no  salarie^. 

^The  functions  of  the  council  of  manufactures 
^^sist  in  completing  the  statistical  information 
^^ired  from  the  governors  respecting  manu- 
^^ta^es,  in  promoting  their  derelopment  and 


142  HTSIA  UinXKE 

iaiçr?**s!K!n.  in  defiTering  patenta^ 

Tbf  ^^■w^rl^yt\wtlfl^n»iacompo9edoffiïtf 
ii»-:rijL:i:5  ::  ±-f  drsi  guild  engaged  in  inteni** 
no*,  f.'cr  c:ber5  in  external  trade,  and  (attt 
i:niri  rr^d^rs.  The  minister  can,  wiih  th^ 
r.*cifi:;i:  :•:  ih^  tasemhlj  and  the  authoriutio^ 
ce  ::.'î  E;=r«\^r  aJd  to  them  sadi  peraon^ 
▼ti-.Tîe  v'*:>.'crT>Kiœ  may  be  deemed  nseM 

Tb:  T«^  3JV  ^xnions  of  thîs  oooncil  at  Moscoir, 
RLr^.  ArvrianM  «>iessa.  and  Taganrog.  They 
ari  >.vr.::>.>?t\i  of  tradeis  of  the  first  and  second 
scilvL  asd  <^  foreûm  merchants,  two  of  cid*- 
cti5{N  ohojîon  bj  the  diief  of  each  goremnflB^i* 
occ  oî  twelre  porsons  presented  to  him  bj  th^ 
a^?<^mMT  of  traders.  Tlie  members  maj,  i 
ocv:asion.  amount  to  six  or  twdye»  bot 
exctvd  that  nnmber. 

The  chio&  of  the  directiona  of  i 
and  extenial   oommerœ    haiFe  aeatB  in  tk^ 
council.     When    questions  conuncm  to  botk 
corne  befbre  thenu  the  oonndi  of  oommen»  wêJ 
be  onited  with  that  of  mann&ctnraL 


NIGHOLAS  THB  PIRST.  14S 

Ebe  Scientific  Committee  of  the  Corps  of 
gineers  of  the  Mines  superintends  the  work- 

of  the  mines;  it  corresponds  with  foreign 
ïntific  men,  and  the  employés  of  the  ministiy 
ding  abroad;  it  is  also  charged  with  the 
^lication  of  the  Journal  of  Mines.  A  gênerai 
irtilleiy  and  an  admirai  belong  to  the  com- 
tee,  ail  the  members  of  which  mnst  be 
firmed  by   the   Emperor.     The  chiefis    of 

mines  of  the  Ural  and  Altai  attend  the 
îtings  of  the  committee  when  thej  are  in 
Petersburg. 

rhe  General  ChanceUery  of  the  Ministry  of 
Finances  is  composed  of  two  sections,  the 
t  of  which  has  as  manj  bureaux  as  there 

directions,  excepting  the  direction  of  the 
iieurj,  for  which  the  second  section,  with 
ee  bureaux,  is  exclusively  reserred, 
Ihere  is  reputed  to  exist,  in  connexion 
ih  the  dianceUerj,  a  scientific  committee  of 
»  Simistrj,  composed  of  three  members  and 
flecretarj,  to  discuss  financial  plans  and 
titutions,  and  to  diffuse  financial  instruction 


144  KUSSIA   UNDBB 

amoDg  the  employés  ;   but  tliat  committee  bis 
never  met. 

The  Ministry  of  Public  Instruction  is  cwû* 
posed  of  one  direction,  a  chancellerj,  and  i 
council  of  the  minister,  who  also  app<nnt8  the 
principal  administration  of  the  schook  Tk 
administration  of  the  censorship  is  lileviff 
included  in  this  department. 

The  Direction  of  Public  Instruction  is  cou- 
posed  of  four  sections,  and  a  chanodla7t 
having  its  archives,  its  chest,  a  maganne  i 
books,  an  architect,  a  librarian,  and  a  pbjsiciiB' 
It  has  annexed  to  it  an  archœological  coit- 
mission,  and  is  charged  wîth  the  publicatioBof 
the  Ministerial  Journal. 

The  first  section  comprises  three  boieis^ 
The  first  is  charged  vith  the  afiain  of  ^ 
districts  of  St.  Petersburg  and  Dorpat^andt' 
tiie  Pédagogie  Institution;  the  second,  tho' 
of  the  districts  of  Eiev  and  White  Roasia;  ^ 
third,  of  the  district  of  Moscow,  and  of  fli^ 
Académies  of  Medicine  and  Sui^ry  of  Moaoov 
and  Wilna. 


KICfHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  145 

f  second  section  is  diyided  into  two 
Lz:  the  first  has  in  its  attributions  the 
of  the  Academy  of  Sciences,  the 
atones  of  Poulkov  and  Wika,  the 
ial  Library  of  St.  Petersburg,  the  Ru- 
sof  Muséum,  the  district  of  Kasan,  and 
;hooIs  of  Siberia.  The  second  bureau 
jged  with  the  affairs  of  the  district  of 
:oT,  of  that  of  Odessa,  of  the  Transcau- 

schools,  and  of  the  médical  department 

unirersities. 

)  third  section  régulâtes  'whatever  con<- 
the  district  of  Warsaw,  and  is  divided 
wo  bureaux.  The  fourth  is  that  of  ac- 
j,  and  comprises  three  bureaux, 
j  Genei:al  Assembly  of  the  Direction  of 
)  Instruction  is  composed  of  the  director 
Lce-director,  of  the  chiefs  of  sections  and 
ief  of  the  chancellery.  In  case  of  need, 
rector  may  summon  to  it  scientific  men 
rtists. 

)  principal  object  of  the  Journal  of  the 
ry  is  to  publish  the  ordinances  which* 

bU.  Il 


146  RussiA  mnmR 

concem  tliis  dcpartmcnt,  and  to  make 
the  State  of  public  instruction  in  the  d 
institutions.  The  compilation  of  the  ' 
committed  to  an  editor-in-chief  and 
fiistant,  both  appointed  bj  the  minister. 
are  some  other  employés,  whose  nm 
likewise  fixed  bj  him,  and  the  choice  ol 
belongs  to  the  chief  of  the  direction,  sa: 
his  approvaL 

The  repair,  lighting,  and  warming 
ministerial  buildings,  and  the  wages 
Tants,  are  defrayed  ont  of  the  reyenu 
duced  bj  the  Stschoukine-Dror  (th< 
market),  and  the  shops  situated  in  the 
belonging  to  the  direction. 

The  Ministij  of  the  Domains  is  œ 
of  three  directions.  Between  the  firat  1 
diyided  the  domains  of  the  empire,  ao 
to  the  goremments  in  which  they  are  si 
The  third  is  charged  to  difiuse  agric 
information,  to  effect  the  gênerai  su 
lands,  and  to  inspect  the  sorrejors. 
direction  has  its  chanceUeiy.    The  eo« 


UTIOHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  147 

the  lûimstry  is  formed  of  the  dîrectoi^  în- 
dUcGng  the  dîrector  of  the  clianœllery,  and  of 
*t  Uast  five  members.  The  chancèllery  of  the 
i^istry  has  two  sections,  besides  a  spécial 
lî^ifiion  for  bringing  the  environs  of  St.  Peters- 
•«ttg  mto  cultivation. 

Ihe  Ministrj  of  Justice  is  ôomposed  of  one 
lix^ection  and  one  chancellerj.  The  direction 
w«  five  sections:  1.  the  executive  section; 
l  that  of  criminal  affairs;  3.  that  of  the  civil 
ftiPairs  of  the  govemments  of  Great  Russia; 
4.  that  of  the  civil  affairs  of  the  other  govem- 
iBBents;  and,  5.  the  section  of  accounts. 

The  Ministrj  of  Forcign  Affairs  comprises 
*  oonncil,  a  chancellerj,  the  direction  of  foreign 
^Siûrs,  that  of  internai  relations,  a  direction  of 
^^omy  and  of  accounts,  the  direction  of  the 
^AêHc  affairs,  the  archives  of  the  State,  those 
'rfSt  Petersburg,  and  those  of  Moscow. 

The  Ministrj  of  War  has  a  militarj  conndl 
^omposed  of  nine  members,  exdusivelj  of  the 
l^dent^  who  is  the  minister  himself  ;  the 
^eral  auditorîat,  compoci^  in  like  maimer 

L2 


148  BUSSIA   UKDEB 

the  chancellery  of  the  ministrj;  that  of  ^ 
Emperor,  callcd  the  ficld  clmncellerj,  and  lûne 
directions:  1.  that  of  the  staff,  whidi  Itf 
three  sections  and  a  military  topographifiil 
dépôt;  2.  that  of  the  inspections,  haTingfo^ 
sections;  3.  that  of  the  artilleiy,  composedof 
seven  sections;  4.  that  of  engineers,  hsTiog 
thrce  sections;  5.  that  of  the  commissariat  of 
war,  which  includes  six  sections;  6.  tliatol 
provisions  and  supplies;  7.  that  of  the  mûi- 
:  tary  colonies;  8.  that  of  the  seirice  of  healtfc; 
9.  that  of  the  auditoriat. 

This  ministrj  has  in  its  department  the  nili' 
tarj  academj;  the  medico-chirui^cal  academf) 
the  scientific  military  committee,  composedof 
nine  members  and  a  director;  the  oommittes 
of  military  censorship,  formed  of  six  memhtf' 
and  a  président;  the  scientific  committeerf 
military  medicine;  the  publication  of  theb" 
ralid,  &c. 

The  Ministry  of  the  Marine  is  nnder  ^ 
orders  of  the  chief  of  the  staff  of  the  marins* 
It  comprises  a  coundl,  called  the  Council  d 


mOHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  149- 

Idmiraltj,  a  ecientific  committee,  a  chan^ 
7  of  ihe  ministij,  and  another  of  the 
eror,  called  the  Oampaign  Chancellerj,  a 
rai  auditorîat,  that  of  buildings,  the  gênerai 
nistration  of  the  hospitals,  the  adminis- 
}n  of  the  gênerai  intendance  of  the  nayj^ 
lirections  of  the  artillerj,  of  the  commis- 
t,  of  naral  works,  and  of  the  forests  of 
oarine. 

le  Ministry  of  the  Court  comprises  the 
ter  of  the  orders,  with  its  bureaux  of 
itch;  the  direction  of  appanages»  which 
bur  sections  and  nineteen  offices  in  the 
inoes,  has  been,  ever  since  the  appoint^ 
î  of  its  chief,  M.  Perovsky,  to  the  ministry 
le  interior,  united  with  that  department, 
ministry  of  the  court  has,  moreover,  in 
attributions,  the  cabinet  of  his  Majesty, 
chancellery,  which  îs  divided  into  three 
ons,  the  control  of  the  ministry,  the 
ting-house  of  the  Court,  that  of  thd 
idance  of  the  Crown,  that  of  the  sta-» 
the  Bchool  of  monumental  architecture 


150 


BUSSIA  UNDEB 


at  Moscow,  ihe  coanting-house  of  the  htmtiiig 
establishment^  the  direction  of  ihe  théâtres  o£ 
St  Petersburg  and  Moscow,  the  counting-hoosa 
of  the  palaces  of  Moscow,  with  the  c&omia^ 
of  armSi  the  administration  of  the  palaeeis 
of  Tsarskoie-Selo»  Peterhof,  and  Gatachina»  âne 
Academj  of  Arts,  and  the  Botanical  Garden. 

We  pass  over  in  silence  the  organization  o^ 
the  administrations  having  the  rank  of  xmMr^ 
trj,  to  notice  the  chancellerj  of  the  Emperorv 
and  the  commission  of  requests,  which  are  (^ 
higher  importance. 

The  Chancellery  of  the  Emperor  owes 
origîn  to  Nicholas»  and  maj  serve  for  an  ( 
measure  of  his  administrative  and 
genios.  It  is  composed  of  six  aectionf^ 
of  'which  has  a  secretarj  of  state  for  ita  < 
The  first  section  la  chaiged  with  ihe 
spondence  with  the  ministries,  and  with 
préparation  of  the  rescripts  which  aecoiqMy 
the  donations  of  the  Emperor  and  grants  (^ 
orders,  as  well  as  the  mère  ezpreesioii  of  A^ 
impérial  gratitade.    Thèse  papen  mi^flOP^ 


laCHOLAS  THE  7IBST.  151 

fima  a  curiona  collection  of  proo&  serring 
?irt«bliah  the  nnllity  of  the  men  and  tba 
;  of  thifl  reign.  Bulletins  of  this  eort,  as 
ipons  as  the 7  are  emptj,  record  none  but 
^  serrices^  whidi»  in  other  coontries  are 

the  object  of  anj  rémunération  beyond 
ordinaiy  appointments.  Wbat  particularij 
roses  ihe  ingenuitj  of  the  inditers  of  thèse 
riptfl^  is  to  décide  whether  they  are  to 
le  the  Eaq>eror  saj  to  this  or  that  person, 
mt  benevolent^''  quite  short,  and  to  anotheTf 
«tt  ever  benevolent.'' 

llie  second  section  is  occupied  with  the 
ning  (f  the  laws,  as  if  it  was  the  province 
^e  chancellery  of  the  £mperor»  and  of  one 
ts  sections  only,  to  nxake  laws.  Accord- 
jf  the  codes  of  Nicholas  are  not  new-made 
i^  or  laws  borrowed  jfrom  foreign  countries 
,  adapted  to  Russia;  but  a  crude  mass  of 
erannuated  ukases,  hunted  out  and  botched 
agreeably  to  the  commands  of  power. 
the  third  section  is  that  of  the  secret, 
iee. 


152  BUSSIA  UNDEB 

The  fourtli  îs  charged  ^th  the  benefi»^ 
institutions  founded  bj  the  EmpresB-mother. 

The  fifth  is  the  mnishry  of  the  âméi^^ 
which  has  straggled  thîther  bj  accident 

The  sixth  and  last  is  the  Emperoi^a  fiéL^^^ 
chancelleij. 

The  commission  of  the  reqnests  was  însti^ 
tuted  to  do  justice  to  the  complaints  and  pelS^ 
tiens  addressed  to  his  Majestj,  and  is 
posed  of  a  président  and  some  memb 
appointed  by  the  Emperor:  the  most  impor"!^ 
tant  of  them  is  the  secretary  of  state  chaigec^^ 
to  receiye  pétitions.  He  has  nnder  him  » 
particular  chancellery,  which  enjoys  the  prero-^ 
gatives  of  an  impérial  chancellery. 

Pétitions  must  be  addressed  to  the  secretai]^^ 
of  State  or  to  the  Emperor,  signed  by  the  peltS^ 
tioner,  with  an  indication  of  his  condition  i 
place  of  abode.  They  mey  be  vritten  on  1 
paper. 

The  term  during  which  complaints  may  I 
preferred  against  the  décisions  of  the  1 
18  limited  to  a  year  for  persona  residing  in  i 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIRST.  IJtô 

ttterior  of  the  empire,  or  two  for  those  lÎTÎng 
broad,  nnless  such  complaints  are  founded 
^  new  documents»  or  on  eyidence  that  those 
^fiore  fiimished  were  false. 

Ihe  commission  does  not  paj  attention  to 
Atters  decided  in  full  Senate,  in  the  council 
the  empire,  or  in  the  committee  of  the 
Uiisters,  excepting,  howeyer,  the  cases  in 
hich  serfs  daim  their  liberty,  or  which  relate 
^  the  rights  of  nobles  and  minors,  afiairs 
^f^red  to  the  commission  by  the  spécial 
^^iiamand  of  the  Emperor,  and  lastlj,  such  in 
bich,  independently  of  the  sentence,  the 
^tement  of  facts  is  contested. 

Ihe  denundations  which  haye  not  a  close 
*tuiexion  with  the  subject  of  the  pétition  are 
>^  taken  into  considération  by  the  commis- 
^Hi,  which  sends  them  to  the  authority  to 
kfise  province  thej  belong,  or  to  the  secret 
^lice.  Applications  for  décorations,  and 
^^plaints  against  superiors,  are  referred  to 
^  diiefs  whom  thej  concem.  Requests  for 
^^ences  of  the  Emperor  are  not  presented  to 


154  BU3SIA  UBBIE 

him,  unless  there  ia  a  question  abooft  ix 
reyelations.    Pétitions  for  donations  and  ] 
niaiy  grants,  when  they  emanate  from  higi^ 
functionaries,  must  be  sabmitted  to  the  Ena* 
peror.    Solicitations  that  the  Emperar  nill 
stand  sponsor  for  infeuits  are  not  deliTered  io 
bis  Majesty,  unless  when  the  serviees  of  tin 
petitioners  appear  to  the  commission  to  fp^ 
them  a  right  to  prefer  such  a  requesL 

AU  the  décisions  of  the  commission  nnHtb 
snbmitted  to  the  Emperor,  as  weU  as  ail  wttr 
ters  which  cannot  be  decided  nnanimondj  ii 
its  bosom. 

The  commission  addresses  the  plinsvlnà 
it  recciyes  &om  indiyiduals  to  the  oompeM 
ministries;  when  thèse  reject  proposais  iAkà 
the  commission  judges  of  importance^  il  wMf 
then  apply  for  the  Ëmperor's  aoUhoantilAto 
refer  them  to  the  council  of  the 


nOHOLAS  THB  FIB8T.  155 


Ohaptïb  VI. 
•    TTHE  PROVINCIAL  ADMINISTRATION. 

!«Xi8siA  is  diyided  into  fifty-tliree  goyem- 
^tB,  fortj-three  of  which  are  administered 
^  one  and  the  eame  gênerai  fashion,  while 
^  others  haye  a  particolar  administration, 
^  as  Siberia  and  the  Oancasos,  with  their 
^^yisionsy  Bessarabia,  the  conntrîes  of  the 
^tBâcks»  and  those  of  the  roying  tribes.  As 
^  the  rights  of  certain  proyinces  incorpo- 
tod  with  the  Rossian  empire,  on  the  express 
Rkiition  of  the  preseryation  of  their  prî- 
I^es,  Nicholas  swept  them  ail  awaj.  When, 
i  his  accession  to  the  throne,  it  vas  proposed 
lemonld  the  laws  of  the  empire  into  a  sing^ 


156  RUSSIA   UNDER 

body  of  législation,  M.  Speransky  was  charg^^ 
with  this  opération,  and  a  deputy  &om  ea^=:= 
province  enjoying  particular  rights  was 
iDoned  to  St.  Petersburg,  in  ordcr  to  conc 
with  them  the  new  collection  of  the  lairs. 

M.  Speransky,  an  npright  and  able 
himself  a  native  of  Kiev,  had  the  intention    "fc^ 
maintain  the  provincial  rights,  discorering    i-* 
them    nothing  incompatible  vfiÛL  antocraoyi 
nothing  contrary  to  the  interests  of  the  Rossia-^ 
govemment.     Bearing  in  mind  the  differeno^^ 
of  origin  and  civilization,  he  pnrposed  to  pex*' 
petoate  in  the  législation  the  varieties  to  whîcli 
they  had  given  rise.    Poland,  the  eldest  of  tl»^ 
European  nations  in  the  work  of  liberty,  b»« 
endowed  Lithuania  and  White  Russia»  whi^^ 
those  two  countries  formed  part  of  the  kin^* 
dom,   with  libéral  institutions»  such  as  tt&^ 
p^blicity  of  judidal  prooeedings»  and  tfao0^ 
provinces  had  continued  to  enjoy  them  tiU  tb^ 
end  of  the  reign  of  Alezander. 

Subsequently,  when  Poland  had  paidvitb 
her  independence  for  her  glory  and  her  ùi^ 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  157 

.^^  the  subject  of  liberty,  a  reaction  was  felt 

-"^  the  countries  which  had  belonged  to  her. 

'  ™^  KhaTranskj,  govemor-general  of  Witebsk, 

*  ïïian  of  narrow  mind  and  nnbounded  deroted- 

^^^  found  means  to  persuade  M.  Chadour* 

^y»  marshal  of  the  nobility,   to  solicit  the 

^^îïiplete  annexation  of  that  govemment  to 

'■^^^asia.     The  suprême  power  hailed  this  pro- 

P^^'^al  with  ecstacj,  as  if  it  had  been  the  ex- 

P^^'BMon  of  the  gênerai  wîsh  of  the  nobility; 

^^<1  the  same  stratagem  was  soon  repeated 

^tt  the  govemment  of  Mohilev.     Ail  that 

^^'Untry  was  tricked  out  of  its  particular  rights; 

**^^    Russian  laws  were  substituted  for  the 

*^olishj   and,   as  the  former  differ  from  the 

*^tt€r,  «yen  to  the  very  dispositions  that  regu- 

**^*«  inheritance,  a  great  perturbation  in  ail 

**^xi8actions  was  the  conséquence.    M.  Bibikof, 

S^^cmor-general  of  Kiev,  used  still  less  cere- 

^o^y.  Without  having  recourse  to  a  marshal  of 

^^  nobility,  he  applied  direct  to  the  Emperor, 

Çï^ying  that  the  provinces  committed  to  his 

^'^bimistration  might  be  admitted  to  the  en^ 


158  BUSSU  T7KDSB 

jojment  of  the  hlessings  of  RasBÎan  l^ialatioft' 
An  impérial  dccrcc  fîilfilled  this  reqaest;  ani* 
when  the  govemor-gcneral  vas  boasting 
day  in  his  own  house  of  thîs  measuie, 
Oount  de  B.,  a  landed  proprietor  of  the 
yince,  told  him  to  his  face  that  fhere 
nothing  to  brag  of  so  mightîly  ;  "for*  saidl 
"  ît  is  rather  for  the  Russians  to  borrow  4=^ 
Polish  législation  than  for  Poland  to  sabmftte^ 
theirs." 

It  was  not  long  before  the  goremments  c^^ 
Kharkov,  Poltawa,   and   Tschemigor  ci 
enced  the  same  fate.    Oral  proceedings  «tl 
were  superseded  by  written  ones;  the^ 
or  the  right  belonging  to  the  meanest  flnbjei 
to  bring  the  hîghest  functionary  înto 
was  abolished.    Speransky  was  grieved  toi 
heart,  and  the  deputies  were  sent  bad 
their  homes,  excepting  those  of  the 
provinces,  who  had    powerfiil  protecton 
court:  but  their  tum  seems  likdy  to 
80on.      M.  Ourarof,  the  minister  of  pdfi^ 
instruction^  is  labouring  for  that  pmpose  fi^      li 


KIOHOLAS  THE  flBST.  159 

his  might,  and  the  Emperor  lends  him  a 
ling  ear  on  this  snbject.  The  Russian 
inmty  language,  and  laws,  are  dailj  gaining 
re  more  and  more  ascendencj  oyer  the 
rman  clément,  language,  and  laws;  and, 
r  worthy  soerer  maj  be  the  attitude  of  the 
nota  of  those  coimtries,  thej  are  anTthîng 

easj  abont  the  {attuit y  that  awaits  them. 
land  alone  has  retamed  its  rîghts  intact, 
L  has  eren  a  senate  of  its  own,  while  the 
Trnces  of  the  Baltîc  haye  none  but  that  of 

Petersburg  to  appeal  to.  It  is  worthy  of 
Uffk,  howeyer,  that  the  esprit  de  corps  and 

distrùst  of  the  Russian  judges  are  so  great 
Ofng  the  Germans,  that  yery  few  cases  are 
k1  in  which  they  haye  appealed  to  the 
ssian  senate,  so  much  do  they  prefer  settling 
ix  différences  among  themselyes. 
En  regard- to  the  administration,  Russîa  is 
ided  into  goyemments-general  and  simple 
^emments.  The  first  are  those  which  haye 
^emors-general  for  chiefs,  to  whom  the  dyil 
vemors  are  subordinat^  ^vrhile,  in  the  simple 


160  BUSSIA   UKDEB 

gOYemments,  the  latter  are  dépendent  (A 
the  ministry  of  the  interîor  alone.  The 
goYemments-gcneral  are  composed  sometÛDei 
of  a  single  goYemmenty  at  others  of  seyenL 
Thus  tbe  two  capitals,  Moscou  aiâi  SL 
Petersburg,  and  likewise  Orenbuig^»  form  eiàt 
a  distinct  goYernment-general,  while  litte 
Russia,  New  Russia,  White  Russsiai  Etffe 
Siberia,  ^West  Siberia,  the  German  prorincei^ 
Finland,  compose  three  or  four  gOTenimeDts. 
The  govemor-general  of  KharkoY  bas  in  h0 
dépendance  the  goYemments  of  KharkoY 
TschemigOY,  and  Poltawa;  that  of  KicY,  io 
Podolia,  bas  KioYia,  and  Wolhynia;  that  of 
Witebsk  has  MohileY,  Smolensk,  and  Witebd^ 
Wilna,  Minsk,  Grodno,  and  CoYno^  fonn  * 
separate  proYince. 

One  would  seek  in  Yain  to  expliin  tli* 
necessitj  for  gOYemors-general*.     The  boi^ 

*  Their  uselessness  has  been  pointed  oat  in  aietf^' 
able  TTork,  recentl j  published  in  Paria,  bj  the  tîtk  * 
Syttème  de  Législation,  d^AdminiUraïUon^  H  de  FMip^ 
de  la  £uuie  en  1844,  par  un  hamm^  dBUA  Smêêl 


NICHOLAS  THE   PIRST.  161 

mg  position  of  some  of  tlie  provinœs 
unitted  to  their  care  produces  many  con- 
a  with  foreigners,  and  gives  rise  to  ques- 
18  of  a  certain  importance;  but  the  civil 
emora  would  be  quite  as  capable  of  provi- 
g  for  their  solution.     Thèse  same  provinces, 

the  most  part  conquered,  are  liable  to 
burbances;  but  the  discretionary  power  of 
i  •  govemors-general  increases  rather  than 
les  them,  even  when  those  dignitaries  do 
t  get  them  up  themselyes  in  order  to  hâve 

occasion  of  gaining  crédit.  At  a  certain 
riod,  there  was  an  idea  of  extending  this 
rtitution  to  aU  Russia;  but  power  shrunk 
de  before  the  clamour  excited  by  this  pro- 
t  among  the  national  Russians;  and  now 
rt  two-thirds  of  Russia  can  do  without 
remors-general,  people  cannot  discover  any 
won  why  the  rest  of  the  empire  should  be 
Uieà  under  their  authority.  Thèse  posta 
i  mère  sinécures,  given  most  frequently  to 
tierals  who  are  utter  strangers  to  civil 
ministration,  and  who  are  a  source  of  infinité 

TOL,  II.  M 


162  RUSSIA   UXDEE 

iibuses  and  usclcss  fonnalities.  The  àTil 
goveraor,  wlio  finds  liimself  dépendent  <»  * 
governor-general,  sees  his  activity  and  lu» 
authority  paralyzed,  even  if  he  can  contriTC  to 
ieep  on  good  terms  witli  his  superior;  "Mi 
is  almost  impossible,  tlianks  to  the  chief  of  tbe 
chancellery  of  tlic  govemor-general,  a  more 
influential  persouage  tlian  the  gênerai  kimseiC 
whose  factotum  lie  is,  and  who  finds  in  the 
récriminations  against  the  civil  govemors  aft 
abundant  source  of  illicit  revenue  :  there  û  no 
end,  thcrcforc,  to  his  complaints,  and  thef 
keep  increasing  at  the  pleasure  of  the  greedf 
emploi/es  of  the  chancellery.  Public  orftfr 
■harmony  betireen  the  chiefe,  respect  for  aoth^' 
rity,  are  thus  grievously  compromised,  oviog 
to  the  présence  of  the  govemors-genedL 
absolute  Fadishalis,  who,  uniting  the  dvil  9ti 
the  military  power,  are  liable  to  endanger  i^ 
empire  itsclf,  if  the  distance  of  the  capii>l 
fihould  ever  suggest  a  desiie  to  render  tb* 
selves  independent. 

The  Russian  législation   thus  defines  ^ 


NICHOLAS  THB   FIRST.  168 

ies  of  the  civil  govemors.  "  The  civil  gover- 
B,  being  the  immédiate  chiefs  of  the  govem- 
ats  confided  to  them  bj  the  suprême  will 
hk  Majestj  the  Emperor,  are  the  first 
irdians  of  the  rights  of  autocracj/,  of  thç 
àses  of  the  dirccting  senate,  and  of  the 
lers  emanating  &om  the  superior  authoritie& 
arged  to  watch  with  a  continuai  and  vigilant 
%  over  the  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  of  ail 
fis^  and  to  enter  into  their  position  and 
iir  wants,  thej  ought  everywhere  to  main- 
n  the  public  tranquillity,  the  security  of 
Qi  and  ail,  the  exécution  of  the  régulations, 
1er,  and  décorum.  It  belongs  to  them  to 
e  measures  to  ensure  plenty  in  their  rcspec- 
3  govemments,  to  succour  the  indigent  and 
sicL  They  attend  to  the  prompt  adminis- 
tion  of  justice,  and  the  immédiate  exécution 
bQI  légal  ordinances  and  prescriptions.^' 
Ihey  can  neither  alter  the  laws  nor  deviate 
m  their  dispositions,  nor  punish  any  one 
liout  trial,  and  must  submit  to  the  appro* 
ion*  of  the  superior  authority  ail  exiraordl^ 

M  2 


164  RUSSIA   UXDER 

narj'  measures  wliich  they  may  deem  it  c(»- 
ducive  to  the  public  prosperity  to  adopt. 

They  are  charged  to  promulgate  ereryilicre     | 
and  witliout  delay  the  laws,  manifestées,  and 
orders  of  ail  kinds,   immediately  aftcr  the 
reading  of  them  to  the  ffoubemium.    Incise 
of  the  receipt  of  spécial  orders  from  the  Bn- 
peror,  tliey  hâve  to  inform  his  Majesty  and 
the  compétent  minister  of  their  having  bcett 
carried  iiito  efifect. 

They  hâve  to  keep  in  the  way  of  ordcr, 
legality,  and  décorum,  the  public  authoritie* 
vhich  are  dépendent  on  them;  they  cins^ 
an  account  to  be  rendered  to  them  of  th^ 
management  of  the  fiinds  placed  at  the  dis- 
posai of  the  same  authorities;  and  they  ssf^c^ 
intend  the  levy  of  the  taxes  and  of  arrean 

In  extraordinary  and  extremely  ni?*** 
cases,  the  govemor  has  a  right  to  conttit^ 
to  the  gouheniium  the  chambers  of  fini»^ 
and  of  domains,  civil  and  criminal,  ^ 
the  presidency  of  the  attomey  of  the  govtf'*' 
ment    Hc  must  then  infonn  thesenateais^ 


MCHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  165 

3  ministry  in  the  department  of  which 
3  matter  in  question  maj  happen  to  be, 
the  décision  to  which  tliat  gênerai  assembly 
3  corne. 

£e  is  cliarged  to  collect  accurate  information 
weming  the  moraKty  and  capacity  of  the 
fioyés  of  his  goyemment;  he  takes  care 
it  absences  are  not  too  long  and  too  fre^ 
ent:  he  présents  for  rewards  those  who 
ve  deserved  them;  excludes  from  the  service, 
Lcn  his  compétence  extends  so  far,  such  as 
ve  been  guilty  of  abuses,  or  brings  them 
triai  Young  men  who  hâve  just  left  the 
iversities,  and  are  commencing  their  career 

service  in  the  provinces,  are  specially  com- 
>iided  to  hispcUemal  care. 
Ihe  civil  govemor  has  the  high  superinten- 
Oce  over  the  élections  of  the  nobility,  with- 
t  having  a  right  to  influence  them  in  any 
Uiner,  and  mthout  being  able  to  take  a 
E^ect  part  in  them,  even  though  he  may  be 

noble  of  the  govemment  which  he  is  ad- 
lixûstering.    He  communicates  to  the  marshal' 


166  RrSSIA    UXDCR 

the  list  of  thc  nobles  brought  to  trial,  and^lio 
are  conseqiientlj  cxcluded  from  the  élections; 
he  administers  tlie  oath  to  those  who  cobvc 
fonsard  to  vote  at  tlieni,  installs  tlie  eledcd 
in  their  fimctions,  or  reports  to  the  ministère 
or  the  senate  on  those  -whose  nomination  ned^ 
to  be  confirmed  by  the  Emperor.     Hecom- 
municates  to  the  marshal,  when  the  case  does 
happen,   thc   obstacles   which   prevented  ft<î 
dected  from  entering  upon   their  fimction?- 
and   submits  to  his   approral    the  emj^^ 
irhom  he  présents  for  the  places  which  4^ 
nobility  has    not    filled    np,   selecting  thcra 
in  préférence  from  among  the  nobles  of  tte 
gOTemment. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  gOTcmors  to  proWt 
religion  and  the  church,  to  prevent  the  p»* 
pagation  of  hérésies,  and  to  contribnte  to  fl»*' 
extirpation,  to  prosecute  those  "rnho  &toib 
religions  serrices  and  cérémonies»  lastfj,  ^ 
take  care  that  worl  is  snspended  on  IiofidiT** 

They  are  goardians  of  the  rights  mq/Sf^ 
hj  each  class,  and  are  chaiged  to  prerent  tilj 


j 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  16^ 

fiom  usurping  thc  prérogatives  which  are 
conferred  on  kim  bj  the  laws.  Thus  thej 
5  care  that  corporal  pnnishments  shall  not 
hiflicted  on  those  who  are  exempt  from 
n;  that  the  peasants  are  not  111  used  or 
rloaded  with  labour  and  dues;  that  the 
ks  of  the  nobility  are  kept  in  a  proper 
e  bj  the  depaties,  and  that  errors  are  not 
mitted  in  the  certiScates  of  nobility  de- 
red  bj  the  marshals.  Thej  see  to  it  that 
conyents  and  the  chnrches  enjoy  the  lands 

the  adrantages  which  hare  been  granted 
;hem;  that  the  ecclesiastics  are  exempted 
a  taxes,  and,  in  case  of  lawsuits,  reprc- 
^  before  the  tribunals  bj  deputies  of  their 
i  profession.  Thej  hare  to  maintain  the 
k(b  of  foreigners,  to  cause  reports  to  be 
lessed  bj  the  local  authorities  to  the  siqpe- 

anthorities  conceming  their  moralit j  and 
duct;  and  thej  administer  the  oatb  to 
m  who  wish  to  be  naturalized,  and  inform 

aoperior  anthority  of  ît. 
Suprême  heads  of  the  police  in  their  go- 


168  BUSSIA   UXDER 

vemmcnts,  they  direct  îts  action  in  ail  its 
parts,  and  wat<!li  OTer  tlie  moralitj  of  the  pio* 
vince  committed  to  their  care  :  it  is  their  dat^ 
to  put  a  stop  to  ail  kinds  of  abuses;  to  rtil^ 
in  their  birtli  revolts  and  pillage  ;  to  punifil* 
debaucliery  and  dissipation,  drunkenness  «a 
prohibitcd  gamcs.  Tliey  hâve  to  prevent  ra.— 
grancy,  and  to  repress  begging  ;  to  this  cnA» 
they  send  beggars  back  to  thc  places  to  vhicfa 
they  belong,  procuring  for  them  work,  yitàcb 
produces  them  wherewithal  to  subsist  on  th.^ 
journey;  and  they  place  such  of  them  ashar^ 
neither  mastcrs  nor  relations  in  the  collège  o^ 
public  bcneficence, 

They  exercise  particular  vigilance  over  per- 
sons  placed  by  the  suprême  order  undeT 
spécial  surveillance,  and  report  on  their  con^ 
duct  to  the  third  section  of  the  clianceUery  of 
the  Emperor,  as  well  as  to  the  Minister  of  tihff' 
Interior,  who  informs  his  Majostj  of  it. 

It  is  their  duty  to  prevent  the  formation  cC 
secret  societies,  and  to  bring  the  fonnders  to 
jiistice,  acquainting  the  Minister  of  the  Interioi» 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  169 

ont  delaj,  witli  the  nature  of  thèse  socie* 
and  the  measures  adopted  in  regard  to 

ley  haye  to  prevent  the  circulation  of 
s  and  prints  not  authorized  bj  the  censor- 
Thej  cannot  permit  the  establishment 
ly  printing  or  lithographie  press  without 
consent  of  the  minister,  nor  that  of  any 
ry  for  articles  of  a  yalue  exceeding  300 
•  rubles, 

ley  are  charged  to  ensure  the  free  trade 
m;  to  prerent  forestalling,  and  to  settle 
price  three  or  four  times  a  year,  according 
lie  market  priées.  They  attend  to  the 
>li8hment  and  maintenance  of  magazines 
)m,  and,  for  this  purpose,  they  are  presi- 
3  of  the  commission  of  supply,  They 
id  also  to  the  quality  of  provisions,  to  the 
ation  of  the  sanitary  laws,  to  the  inter- 
;  of  the  dead,  and  to  the  state  of  the 
itals. 

.case  of  the  appearance  of  epidçmic  dis- 
ihey  immediately  infonn  the  Ëmperor  of 


170  RL'SSIA    UNDER 

it,  tlirougii  tlie  nicilium  of  tlie  ministrv,  »B^ 
acqnaint  him  with  tbc  progress  of  the  disoid^ 
in  TTcekly  reports.     In  serions  cases,  they  ert^^ 
blish  a  committee  of  qnarantine,  witb  a  militaT' J 
tribunal  to  try  for  oflTences  against  the  aut^^ 
tary  précautions.     Tbej  are  expected  to  JftC^ 
mote  vaccination  by  ail  means  in  their  powe::^» 
to  take  care  that  tbere  shall  bc  at  least  <Sfm^  * 
man  in  a  thousand  who  knows  how  to  Tacc^*' 
nate,  and  to  tliis  end  they  cause  gratuiton^^* 
instruction  to  be  giren. 

The  ciril  gorernors   pay  attention  to  tW-^ 
cmbellishment  of  the  towns,  to  their  paring,  W^ 
the  repair  of  tbe  public  buildings,  and  to  tlfcr-^ 
érection  of  churches.     They  are  presidaits  c^« 
the  committee  of  buildings,  and  look  to  ît  th^* 
buildings  are  erected  in  the  preacribed  ofdc*^ 
They  direct  appropriations^  and  fix  the  coi»^ 
pensations  to  bc  granted  to  proprieton;  A^T 
miperintend  the  ways    and  commnnicatÎQBft 
cause  high  roads  to  be  constructed  aad  i*" 
paired  at  the  expense  of  the  CVown,  aad  ^ 
by-roads  at  the  charge  of  the  eommunea   ^ 


NICflOLAS  THE   PIBST.  171 

rticulax  commission  is  attached  to  them  for 
a  piurpose. 

They  autliorize  the  estabKshment  of  new 
nufactories,  as  well  as  that  of  fairs  and 
riiets;  they  take  care  to  inform  themsehres 
tle  progress  of  industry  in  their  goyermnent, 
l  report  upon  it  to  the  Minîster  of  the 
lances. 

Fhey  are  présidents  of  the  committee 
trged  to  draw  up  statistical  surveys  of 
^  State  of  the  govemment  in  erery  par- 
dar.  Thèse  documents  are  publisbed, 
ire  or  in  part,  in  the  govemment  Bfews- 
5er,  and  the  goremor  is  obliged  to  send 
tQ  to  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  and  ta 
«mit  them  by  extracts  to  the  Emperor,  in 
e  the  latter  shonid  choose  to  pass  through 
province. 

lîie  govemors  are  reqnîred  to  pay  parti- 
tr  attention  to  the  raising  of  recnnts,  and 
this  end  they  préside  in  the  committee 
lecrmting.  They  take  measores  that  the 
^  sddiers  shall  be  snpplied  on  their  route. 


172  BUSSIA   UNDER 

Tliey  superintcnd  the  administration  * 
thc  guardianships  under  which  cruel  propt^^ 
tors,  lunatics,  and  spendthrifts  hâve  be^ 
placed;  thc  interdict,  valuation,  and  sale  ^ 
encumbered  properties,  likewise  corne  witbi 
their  provinee. 

They  direct  criminal  aflFairs,  watch  tli 
proceedings,  press  for  judgment,  and  ensuX 
the  éxecution  of  sentences,  without  haying  i 
in  their  power  to  suspend  the  effects  of  theo 
unless  there  are  sufficient  proofs,  but  with  tb 
right  to  cause  them  to  be  revised  by  a  conc 
mission. 

Civil  matters  are  submitted  to  them  cal 
when  the  Crown  is  interested  in  them:  b^ 
they  haye  to  redress  the  complainte  vhi^ 
reach  them  respecting  the  négligence  of  tfc 
tribunals. 

On  entering  and  quitting  office,  every  à^ 
govemor  must  address  to  the  Minister  of  tb 
Interior,  and  to  the  govemor-general,  if  thfii* 
is  one,  a  report  on  the  state  in  wbich  he  leaiei 
his  govemment,  and  another  to  hia 


N'ICHOLAS    THE    FIRST.  173 

^lie  vice-governor  who  supplies  his  place. 
*^  document  must  specify  the  number  of 
^^tos  in  hand  in  every  department,  the  state 
^  the  supply  of  proYisions,  and  that  of  the 
toears  of  taxes:  it  exhibits  also  the  îdeas  and 
plans  for  împrovements  désirable  to  be  intro- 
duced  into  the  différent  branches  of  the 
administration. 

The  new  govemor,  on  his  installation, 
examines  ail  the  departments  of  the  admi- 
nistration, and  makes  arrangements  for  reme- 
djing  the  evils  which  he  may  hâve  discoTered 
in  any  of  them.  He  then  makes  one  or  more 
tours  through  his  govemment,  yerifies  on  tho 
spot  the  particulars  which  he  has  collected 
from  the  différent  authorities,  and  prescribes 
the  améliorations  which  he  deems  necessary. 

He  does  justice  to  legitimate  complaints 
and  daims,  and  orders  the  compétent  autho-^ 
rities  to  put  an  end  to  abuses.  He  inrestigates 
the  sufferings  of  the  people,  directs  his  atten- 
tion to  the  state  of  the  Tarions  branches  of 
indostry,  and  ascertains  the  means  of  making 


174  BUSSIA  UNDEB 

them  prosper.  From  the  obscnrations  col* 
lected  in  this  manncr,  lie  composes  a  memoriil 
wliich  he  addresses  to  the  Ëmperor  in  persflo, 
and  a  copj  of  whicli  is  sent  to  the  miniister, 
and  another  to  the  gOTemor-general,  in  eue 
there  is  one. 

The  governor  repeats  this  Visitation  of  tle 
province    every  ycar    or    every    tvo  yetf^ 
according  to  its  extent  and  the  importun 
and  facility  of  the  undertaking  ;  and  he  reooidi 
his  obsenations  in  the  report  which  he  mak^ 
annually,   about   the    Ist   of   l^larch,  to  tb^ 
Emporor,  and  which  is,  as  it  were,  the  an&o^ 
statistical  exposé  of  the  govemment     He  ad' 
dresses,  besides,  spécial  reports  to  his  îlajestf* 
at  dificrent  pcriods,  that  is  to  say,  relatiTC  ^ 
the  expenscs  occasioned  by  the  levy  of  tb* 
recruits,  in  the  six  weeks  subséquent  to  tb^ 
recruiting;  on  the  ordinary  taxes,  at  the  ea^ 
of  the  year;  and  of  the  extraordinàry  taxe^ 
afler  tliey  are  collected    Erery  fortnight^  b^ 
informs  the  tliird  section  of  the  chanoelleiy  ^ 
the  Emperor  of  ail  particular  cyents.    Ever/ 


KIG3I0LAS  TES  FIRST.  ITS 

or  Qionths,  he  acquaints  the  ministr j  irith 
e  progress  made  in  fulfilling  the  orders  of 
B  Ëmperor  and  of  the  Senate;  every  six 
Mths  he  fornidies  it  with  a  statement  of 
e  prisoners  confined  for  abore  a  jear,  and  at 
e  end  of  the  jear,  he  sends  a  table  of  the 
ifiiness  that  has  been  transacted. 
Sudi  are  the  immense  attributions  of  the 
vemors:  their  mission,  if  duly  executed, 
ight  be  of  great  benefit  to  the  country;  but, 
ifortunately,  thèse  functions  are  most  fre- 
lently  conferred  on  incapable  men,  whether 
he  that  intrigue  or  patronage  préside  at 
Bir  distribution,  or  that  in  Russia  there  is  a 
Kxiplete  deartii  of  upright  and  enlightened 
%.  It  is  a  fact,  that  the  most  flagrant 
Uses  are  daily  committed  within  the  juris- 
^^tion  of  the  internai  administration;  the 
^cmors  are  not  more  incorrupt  and  disin- 
rested  than  the  other  Russian  functionaries, 
It  they  are  quite  as  ignorant  and  négligent. 
•  %oiild  be  too  long  to  specify  the  numberless 
rooft  of  their  unheard-of  double-dealing;  and. 


176  Bcssîi.  ryDŒ 

as  one  cazmot  denounce  them  aH  it  ▼ould  no» 
be  jus:  to  call  down  pani^hment  on  some  an^ 
to  spare  the  others,     Suffice  it  to  sav,  tliat 
one  borrows  monev,  nerer  to  retum  it  from  ^ 
man  whom  he  bas  it  in  hLs  power  to  serre  ^ 
thaï   another  makes   the    dealers  whom  h^ 
taciilv  authorizes  to  scU  a  drug  sapplj  bis^ 
gratis  ;    that  a  third  receiTes  monev  from  ^ 
farmer  of  spirituoxis  liquors,  to  allow  him  t<^ 
pu:  water  into  his  wine  :   that  a  foorth  bi^ 
buildings    adjudged    to   him    at    inadéquate 
pricts:  that  a  fifth  puts  up  to  auction  tL^ 
prop^rtios  of  minors^  vithout  giving  notice  to 
iho  public,  that  he  may  bur  them  a  baijita 
bv   meons   of  his  emissaries:    that  a  âitb 
eniplojs  the  poasants  of  the  Crown  to  cou- 
su"^o:   a    road  leading  to  an  estate  whi^ 
ho     bas    ivcentlr    puichased    with    mWj 
sqv.Cxicd  ou:  of  heretics  for  haring  set  theîr 
leader  a:   lil^nv.     And  thèse  are  not  itf^ 
c:rcunis:azoi>SL  peculiar  to  onlj  a  few  of  tk^    » 
cv^rcmor?  :    but  the  greater  number  of  tb*    |q 
aK  ^^tj  ef  mosc  of  thèse  extottioM  ^     ^ 


KIOHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  177 

lers  of  a  similar  kind,  wîthout  erer  subject* 
:  thernselyes  to  any  conséquences;  for,  if 
y  shonld  even  be  prosecuted,  they  find  pro- 
bors  who  sare  them.  This  large  and  hideous 
9  of  Russia»  the  peculation  unirersally  prac- 
id,  is,  we  will  boldly  maintain,  owing  not 
i  to  the  insecurity  of  the  citizens  than  the 
aorality  of  the  public  functionaries.  Where 
caprice  of  absolute  power  alone  décides 
£Eite  of  ail  BXïd  each,  where  no  one  is  sure 
his  life  or  his  property;  there,  I  say,  erery 
n  thinks  only  of  the  présent,  and  seeks  only 
enrich  himself  as  soon  as  he  can,  that  he  may 
ire  as  much  as  possible  left  at  the  moment 
len  he  may  be  suddenly  stripped  for  acts 
W  frequently  independent  of  his  will  ;  while, 
a  rigorous  conséquence,  real  abuses  pass 
perceived.  As  for  the  incapacity  and  neg- 
ence  of  goyemors,  this  one  expression  suffi- 
ntly  depicts  them,  VTien  a  govemor  com- 
lined  that  business  was  not  progressing, 
ne  one  objected  that  he  himself  ought  to 
\à  the  papers  which  he  signed;  to  which  he 
VOL.  II.  N 


178  RISSIA    UXDEE 

replied,  that  he  had  certainlj  tried  to  do  A 
but  then  things  onlj  went  on  wone.  1 

Tlie  goTernors  are  worthily  seoonded  by  tte 
différent   employés    and   agents  nnder  tibôr 
orders:  men  witliont  instruction  and  nitiMt^ 
principle,  there  is  no  abuse,  no  malyenatka^ 
whicli  monej  will  not  bribe  them  to  conuBik^ 
To  mention  but  one  fact  among  a  thoiuiiid  ^ 
a  district  tribunal,  paid  bj  an  aocosed  penoBU-- 
dismisscd  the  charge  preferred  against  him, 
tbe  ground,  as  it  alleged,  that  there  irere 
means   of    communication  between  the 
banks  of  the  river  which  the  complainant  mw** 
hare  crossed,  or  his  accusation  coold  not 
sustaincd.      The  latter  had  no  difficulty 
overthrow  this  falsehood  by  the  veiy  testinoii^^ 
of  those  who  advanced  it.     Upon  pretext  fl^ 
a  commercial  transaction,  he  applied  to 
tribunal    before    ^hich    the    oompLunt 
brought,  for  a  certificate,  that  orer  tfae 
in  question  there  vas  a  ferrj,  whidi 
the  transport  of  the  oom  and  flonr  requi*^ 
wheneyer  the  riyer  vas  not  firoonn.    For  W> 


NICHOLAS  THS  FIBST.  179 

■gnal  nibles  he  obtaiiied  the  attestatm 
âcb  he  CKdidted. 

But^  withcmt  antâdpatmg,  let  hb  pane  a 
de  to  ooiudder  tbe  oiganization  of  the  isf- 
eut  provincial  authoritîes. 
Badi  cml  goyemor  Las  a  èhanoeUeiy, 
u-ged  with  the  correspondenoe  relatire  to 
)  meeting  of  the  assemblies  of  the  noUlitj» 
s  remnneratioii  of  iheir  enyphyés^  the  in- 
action of  ihe  OoTemment  bj  ita  chief,  lèe 
3tdting  and  moTement  of  troops,  the  eensor- 

£adi  goremment  has  a  gcvhenàmn  {gwr 
^nàooie  pravlénié)  vndcr  the  presidencj  of 
9  goremor.  The  Tice-goyemor  of  xt  is  the 
Bt  conncillor.  It  is  composed  of  a  chaacd- 
y,  a  bareau  of  ardiiyes,  a  typographical 
ipartment,  an  architecte  and  tvo  soryejon. 
ia  chaiged  irith  the  publication  of  the  Ikwu, 
te  nomination,  the  promotion,  and  the  refeiie- 
^t  fixai  office  of  the  fimctionaries  of  ihe 
*<3lvince.  Its  attributions  extend  also  to  tbe 
SGHeral  moyement  of  affaira,  to  the  mainte- 

N  2 


180  BUSSIA   UNDEB 

nance  of  order,  and  to  the  attentions  recpiiei 
bj  the  public  heaith,  to  the  placing  of  ertites 
under  guardianship,  to  the  Terification  of  the 
oensuses,  to  the  superintendenoe  of  nmavay 
peasants  and  désertera.     It  foUows  up  tke 
complaints  of  individuals   against  the  kcal 
authorities,  and  is  under  the  inunediate  de- 
pendence  of  the  directing  senate.    The  chia- 
cellerj  of  the  goubemium  is  composed  of  fooi* 
sections,  excepting  at  St.  Petersburg  and  Uosr 
cow,  where  there  are  five. 

The  Criminal  Court  and  the  Civil  Ccwt  d 
the  gOTemment  are  each  composed  of  a  preai" 
dent,  with  his  deputj,  and  a  fixed  number  O^ 
assessors.  In  sonie  places  there  are  fire  cùfO^ 
cillors  besides.  In  the  two  capitals»  the  dru 
courts  are  divided  into  two  dq>artment8|  W^ 
of  which  has  a  spécial  président  and  tb^ 
number  of  members  suffiâent  to  form  a  MOr 
plete  tribunal  In  the  goremments  of  Astra- 
khan, Archangel,  Olonetzk,  Perm,  and  WiadA 
the  two  courts  form  but  one. 

The  présidents  are  nominated  hj  the  ^ 


ISriCHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  181 

aathorîtj  ont  of  a  list  of  candidates 
^  bj  the  assemblies  of  the  nobilitj. 
n  the  eastem  govemments,  thej  are  ap-> 
ited  by  the  minister  of  justice;  for  those  of 
Takhan,  Archangel,  àc.,  the  Senate,  on 
b  vacancj,  proposes  two  candidates  to  the 
peror,  yrho  chooses  one  of  them.  Their 
stitutes  are  designated  bj  the  Minister  of 
tice  in  the  eastem  govemments,  and  else- 
îre  by  the  Senate,  on  the  proposai  of  the 
lister.  The  assessors  of  the  courts  are 
sen,  two  by  the  nobility  and  two  by  the 
^blies  of  the  towns.  In  the  govemments 
Wiatka,  Archangel,  and  Olonetzk,  the  as- 
lors  of  the  nobility  are  appointed  by  the 
tnd  power;  in  that  of  Astrakhan,  by  the 
il  authority,  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate. 
rhe  Tribunal  of  Conscience  is  composed  of 
presiding  judge  and  six  assessors.  The 
ge  is  elected  by  the  nobility,  the  body  of 
ders,  and  that  of  the  peasants.  In  the 
remments  of  Archangel,  Wiatka,  and  Perm, 
\  judge  and  the  two  assessors  are  appointed 


182  BUSSIA  UKDES 

bj  the  GoTcmment  ;  tbe  first  performs  &e 
functions  of  m«irshal  of  the  nobilHy.  Diior- 
eaces  between  parents  and  children  are  in  the 
cxclusire  compétence  of  the  tribunal  of  a»- 
science.  Its  décisions  cannot  be  execoted 
until  confirmcd  bv  the  civil  govemor.  In  case 
of  disagreement  between  the  tribunal  and  the 
jroTcmor,  the  aifair  îs  referred  to  the  Senale. 
In  Little  Russia.  the  Tribunal  of  Conscience  is 
represented  bj  a  court  called  Tribunal  of  the 
Three  {frctndyi  soud),  vhich  the  two  parties 
voluntarily  choose,  and  from  vrhose  sentence 
there  is  no  appeal. 

The  local  police  is  committed  to  the  Dis- 
trict Tribunal,  composed  of  a  président  calkd 
ispravnik,  and  some  assessors.  This  tribaml 
has  a  chancellcrj,  divided  into  tvo  boreint 
The  districts  are  dirided  into  sections  (jto)» 
which  havc  their  spécial  chiefi^  called  slaiû^ 
pristdvy  nnder  whose  orders  are  ihe  «0^ 
and  the  dessiatski.  The  ispravnik  aad  ^ 
dean  of  the  assessjrs  are  dioaea  bj  ^ 
Bebilitj,  the  stanayoï  bj  the  Gioini»  and  ^ 


KIOHOLAS  THE  FIfiST.  183 

on  by  the  peasants  of  tho  Crown  an4 
the  firee  &rmers,  from  among  the  nobles  of  the 
gOFemment. 

Let  us  proceed  to  the  particular  adminis- 
tiation  of  certain  proTinces. 

8iberia  is  diyided  into  two  parts,  East  and 
West  Siberia,  each  of  which  has  its  distinct 
administration.  That  of  the  West  résides  at 
Qmsk,  and  extends  to  the  goYemments  of 
Tobolsk  and  Tomsk,  and  to  the  Kirgises;  that 
of  the  East  résides  at  Irkutsk,  and  comprises 
the  govemments  of  Irkutsk  and  Jeniseisk,  the 
province  of  Jakutsk,  the  circle  of  Okhotsk,  of 
Kamtschatka,  and  of  Troïtzko-Saysk. 

The  snperior  administration  of  each  of  tho 
two  parts  is  composed  of  a  goyemor-general 
md  Ms  coundl,  formed  of  six  councillors, 
three  of  whom  are  presented  by  the  governor- 
glanerai,  and  the  other  three  bj  the  Ministers 
of  the  Interior,  the  Finances,  and  Justice,  to 
the  nomination  of  the  Emperor. 

In  case  of  absence  or  iUness,  the  place  of 
fte  goveroor-general  is  supplied  in  the  council 


184  HUSSIA  UKDER 

by  one  of  the  civil  govemors,  whom  he  nonà* 
nates  for  this  purpose.  Each  goYemment  ie 
administcred  bj  a  cîyil  govemor  and  a  oouncil, 
composed  under  his  presidencj  of  présidents  of 
the  goubemium^  of  the  chamber  of  finaDoe,  of 
the  tribunal,  and  the  attomcj  of  the  goTem- 
ment.  Each  district  bas  a  spécial  chieÇ  and  s 
council,  formed  of  the  heads  of  the  diffisrent 
branches  of  the  local  administration,  themayor, 
the  judges,  the  ispravnik,  the  treasorer,  and 
the  substitute  of  the  attomey. 

The  indigcnous  inhabitants  of  Siberia  Ive 
a  différent  administration,  according  to  their 
mode  of  life  and  occupations.  The  roring 
tribes  are  govemed  by  a  stepndia  douma,  or 
chamber  of  the  steppes,  composed  of  taSsA^ 
sdi&saniy  schoulenguiy  kc^  to  which  bdongs  the 
high  administration  of  sereral  united  tito 
The  separate  tribes  hâve  strostas,  with  their 
assistants,  whom  they  call  in  their  languige 
danmgua  or  taischa.  AU  thèse  chieb  ^ 
elected  by  the  native  inhabitants  themadre^ 

The  dvil  goyemment  of  Tomsk  is  desigiiiMi 


inOHOLÂS  THB  FIBST.  185 

the  Minister  of  ihe  Finances,  because  it  has 

)  the   saperîntendence  of  the    mines   of 

lai,  which  are  in  the  province  of  that  mi- 

try. 

Fhe  Kii^gîses  are  govemed  by  a  major- 

leral  and  bj  an  administration,  under  the 

ddencj  of  a  colonel  or  lieutenant-colonel, 

l  composed  of  four  councillors,  one  of  whom 

i  Eirgise,  an  assessor,  the  substitute  of  the 

omej,  and  a  chancellerj.     Thèse  authorities 

ide  at  Omsk. 

The  province  of  Jakutsk  has  a  chief  and  an 

siinistration  composed  of  three  councillors 

i  a  substitute  of  attomey,  under  the  pre- 

ency  of  the  head  of  the  province. 

Ihe  administration  of  Okhotsk  is  committed 

an  employé  of  the  navy,  assisted  by  a  coun- 

oomposed  of  the  oldest  officer  of  the  naval 

vice  after  the  chie^  the  district  judge,  and 

I  îspravnit    It  is  dépendent  on  the  gover- 

vgeneral  of  Irkutsk,  as  well  as  Eamtschatka, 

ich  has  also  a  district  chief. 

nbe  superintendence  of  the  cordon  on  the 


186  BUSSIA   0KDXK 

Ohinese  fix)ntier  of  Troïtzko-Saysk  is  aUottdi 
to  a  chief  (major)  assistcd  bj  a  conndUor  ni 
six  assessors.  The  chief  is  appointed  hj  tk 
Minîster  of  Forcign  Affaira. 

The  Caucasus  is  divided  into  thc  Caucasin 
province  and   the    Trans-caucasian   conntiT, 
both  of  which  are  under  the  commaIlde^il- 
chief  of  the  Caucasus.     The  chief  town  of  tlie 
Caucasian  province  is  Stayropol,  and  it  is  id- 
ministered  by  a  supcrior   military  emphyf* 
whose  duties  correspond  with  those  of  a  mili- 
tary govemor,  and  by  a  council  composcdoC 
the  civil  govemor,  président  of  the  gouber-^ 
nium,  the  marshal  of  the  nobility,  the  prefr-* 
dents  of  the  tribunals,  the  président  of  tli» 
chamber  of  finances  and  court  of  domainfli  tf^ 
the  attomey  of  the  province. 

The  districts  are  govemed  by  a  mflitiir 
chief  and  a  council,  composed  of  the  major  » 
the  place,  the  marshal  of  the  district  ^ 
msLjOTy  the  ispravnik,  êcc 

The  Trans-caucasian  otmntiy  is  eompoie' 
of  the  govemment  of  Oeorgia-IinflrUHi  nA  ^ 


NICBOLAS  THB  FIBST.  187 

e  Caspian  province.  The  commander  of  the 
mj  of  the  Cancasus  is  also  the  head  of  the 
bninistration.  He  is  assifited  bj  a  council,  in 
bich  the  militarj  goyemor  of  Tiflis  has  a 
^ty  as  hâve  also  members  nominated  bj  the 
mperor,  and  the  functionaries  who  maj  be 
unmoned  to  it  when  it  is  engaged  with 
lAtters  which  concem  them.  If  the  presi- 
ent  cannot  agrée  in  opinion  with  the  majo- 
tj  of  the  council,  he  refers  the  subject  to  the 
^tuite  or  the  compétent  ministers:  he  maj 
H)  carry  into  immédiate  exécution  the  opi- 
>u  of  the  minority,  or  even  of  a  single  mem- 
^9  by  taking  the  whole  responsibility  on 
E>Eisel^  and  acquainting,  without  delay,  the 
ajuster  whom  the  point  in  dispute  concems, 
^  the  reasons  which  hâve  induced  him  to 
»ke  that  resolution*  Since  the  appointment 
'  a  lieutenant  of  the  Oaucaaus,  the  power  of 
ke  chief  of  this  anny^  who  unités  the  two 
Usa,  has  been  increased  beyond  measure. 
A  ciyil  govemar  is  at  the  head  of  the  go^ 
of  Georgia-Imeritia.     The  Oaspiaa 


188  BUSSIA   UNDEB 

province  has  a  particnlar  chîe£  The  districti 
hâve  each  a  spécial  admînîstrator  and  a  sab- 
stitute.  Thej  are  diyided  into  sections,  wUdi 
are  nnder  the  management  of  assessors. 

The  Don  Cossacks  are  admînistered  by  ib 
ataman,    -who,    like    the    goreniors-genenl 
unités  in  his  person  the  civil  and  militaij 
authority.      Ile  présides  over    the   militaij 
govemment,  which  is  composed  of  the  chief  of 
the  staff,  the  dean  of  the  members,  and  foor 
assessors,  and  divided  into  four  bureaux  and» 
section  of  accounts  and  control.     The  miliUif 
govemment  has  a  right  to  refer  to  the  Senit^ 
the  orders  which  it  receives  from  the  atwnfe 
and  to  which  it  refuses  its  approbation,  vid^ 
out  having  the  power  to  staj  their  execatki- 
The  chief  of  the  staff  supplies  the  place  of  4* 
ataman,  in  case  of  illness,  absence,  or  intaiffl* 

There  is  a  civil  tribunal  and  a  crimiitfl 
tribunal,  each  composed  of  an  elder,  two  ad- 
juncts,  and  three  Cossack  assessons,  électedtj 
the  militaiy  chiefis  ev^  three  yean;  ^ 
attomej  and  two  substitutes  are  mdqModflrt 


NICHOLAS  THB  FIRST.  189 

the  arm j,  and  appointed  bj  the  senate  on 
e  présentation  of  the  Minister  of  Justice, 
be  comptroller  is  also  nominated  bj  the 
snate,  on  the  présentation  of  the  comptroller 
l  the  empire. 

The  countrj  of  the  Don  Cossacks  has  seven 
istricts  and  as  manj  spécial  administrations, 
eddes  that  of  the  Calmucks.  The  tribunals 
*  the  circles  are  each  composed  of  a  judge,  a 
îlitary  officer,  two  assessors,  civil  officers,  (at 
K^herkask  there  are  three)  and  two  Cossacks  ; 
has  a  chancellerj.  That  of  the  stcmitzcLS  is 
xnposed  of  an  ataman  and  two  jndges  elected 
Y  the  inhabitants  every  three  years. 

The  Cossacks  of  Asov  are  nnder  the  rule  of 
tie  govemor-general  of  New  Russia,  They 
%re  at  their  head  an  ataman,  and  are  'go- 
^med^  in  administrative  affairs,  by  a  military 
hancellery. 

The  Cossacks  of  the  Black  Sea  are  nnder 
be  authority  of  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
imy  of  the  Cancasns.  Their  ataman  has  the 
tfarîbutions  of  a  gênerai  of  division  for  mili- 


190  BUSSIA  UKDXE 

tary  afiuirs,  and  tibose  of  a  goyemor  for  éA 
matters. 

The  Cossacks  of  Orenborg  are  dcpendrt 
on  the  commander  of  the  anny  of  OreDba^ 
those  of  Astrakhan  on  the  militaiygprernmeflt 
of  that  dtj.  Their  ataman  is  elected  bj  them 
and  confirmed  by  the  Emperor. 

The  Cossacks  of  the  Ural  are  liketiie 
dépendent  on  the  gOTemor-general  of  Om- 
burg. 

The  Cossacks  of  Siberia  are  divided  iato 
town  Cossacks  and  those  of  the  line.  TI0 
first  are  chaiged  with  the  police  of  the  tovMk 
and  are  under  the  orders  of  the  cÎTil  aoAiH 
lities.  The  Cossacks  of  the  line  are  it  the 
disposai  of  the  militaiy  chanoelleiy  of  Sib 
'which  has  its  seat  at  Omsk,  and  at  that  of  ihi 
officer  commanding  the  anny  of  Sibofia» 


NICTOLAS  THE  riRST.  191 


Ohaptkr  VII. 
PENAL  LEGISLATION. 

Tes  pénal  code  of  Russia  gives  the  Mow- 
bg  définition  (^  crimes  and  misdemeanoTs: 
''Everj  action  forbidden  bj  the  law  nnder 
bar  of  heary  pnnisbment  is  a  crime:  and 
iverj  act  forbidden  nnder  fear  of  slight  oor- 
poral  chastisement,  or  poUce  coirection,  is  a 
Hisdemeanor/'  This  is  pronouncing  openlj  in 
hronr  of  the  System  of  intimidation,  which, 
18  Hegel  said  in  one  of  his  lectures  on  the 
j^iilosophj  of  law  in  Berlin^  is  a  sHdk  hdd  np 
toadoff. 

Every  theft  and  swindling  act  to  an  amonat 
not  ezceedÎDg  twent j  assignation  rnUes,  dnm- 


192  BVSSIA   UKDBB 

kenness,  and  blows  given  in  a  quand,  ^Afli 
not  of  conséquence,  are  reckoned  mûdnh 
meanors. 

Those  are  accounted  accomplices  in  a  crime 
who  hâve  co-operated  in  ît,  or  facilitated  it  by 
their  acts,  their  words,  or  theîr  writing». 
Moral  complicitj  is  thus  established  and  it 
the  same  time  left  to  the  décision  of  the 
judges.  Those  who  hâve  provoked  the  criine 
are  punished  more  severely  than  those  irho 
hâve  participated  in  its  accomplishment,  ex- 
cepting  the  cases  in  which  the  ]bm  haa  decreed 
cqualitj  of  punishment  for  certain  crimes. 

The  punishment  of  death  was  abolished  iij 
the  dccrees  of  1753  and  1754  in  ail  cases  bot 
for  political  crimes  which  hâve  been  curied 
before  the  suprême  pénal  tribunal.  This  ■ 
contrarj  to  the  course  pursued  in  the  ciri- 
lized  world.  There  the  penalty  of  death  t 
reserved  for  murder  and  abolished  for  pdiitkd 
crimes.  In  Russia»  to  love  one's  countryasl 
Xo  attempt  to  promote  its  welfare  in  anj  oAff 
waj  than  what  the  Government  approTesâ* 


NICHOLAS  THE  PIRST.  193 

greater  crime  than  to  kill  one's  fellow-creature« 
B7  whom  ia  it  decîded  what  crimes  shall  be 
carried  before  the  suprême  tribunal?  Bj  the 
8iipreme  authority  alone:  and  what  is  that 
eztraordînaiy  tribunal?  It  is  composed,  for 
each  particular  case,  of  members  chosen  bj  the 
Emperor  alone,  eut  of  the  council  of  the 
empire,  the  senate,  or  the  other  dignitaries  of 
the  Court  and  State.  Thus  it  is  one  of  the 
parties  who  is  at  the  same  time  judge,  and  this 
jndge  cannot  but  be  partial. 

No  fixed  law  détermines  the  mode  of  exécu- 
tion for  those  condemned  to  capital  punish^ 
ment.  It  is  left  to  the  pleasure  of  the  judges,. 
£>r  each  particular  case.  The  suprême  tri^ 
banal  can,  if  it  pleases,  order  a  man  to  be 
Imried  alive,  quartered,  or  hanged.  This, 
most  assuredlj  is  allowing  too  much  latitude 
tp  discretionaiy  power.  Thus,  on  the  15th 
of  September,  1765,  the  sub-lieutenant  Miro^ 
vitfich  was  beheaded;  on  the  lOth  of  Noyem- 
ber,  1771,  two  of  the  ringleaders  in  the 
insurrectioa  which  broke  ont  at  Moscou,  on 

YOL.  II.  0 


194  RUSSIA    ÛNDER 

occasion  of  thc  plague,  were  hanged.  Oi 
the  lOth  of  Januarj,  1755,  Pngatschef  and 
Perfîlief  wcrc  quartercd,  and  tbeir  accomito 
hanged  or  behcadcd.  On  the  13th  of  Julj, 
1826,  fiye  of  the  conspirators  of  the  14th  of 
December  wero  hanged. 

It  is  not  even  necessary  that  a  criminal 
shonld  rcceive  sentence  of  death  bef(Hre  he 
can  be  put  to  death.  The  execationer  cm 
Idll  a  man  with  a  single  stroke  of  the  knout 
orpleife.  A  culprit  may  be  snffered  to  pcrià 
nnder  the  gauntlet  ;  the  surgeon  who  attends 
the  sufferer  need  onlj  be  told  to  shut  Us 
ejes,  and  he  is  thus  dispensed  from  ail  RS* 
ponsibilitj.  Again,  the  exécution»  ma^ 
either  bj  wilful  or  involuntary  swkmurdiiM 
break  the  sword  of  a  noble,  in  pursuauee  cf 
thc  sentence  of  condemnation,  upon  his  heid 
instead  of  breaking  it  above  hia  head»  9si 
bear  rather  too  hard,  vithout  haTing  pxedfl^f 
receiyed  an j  express  instruction  on  the  sulgcci 
Such  a  circumstance  occurred  in  1S36.  IL 
Pavlof  stabbed  M.   Aprelef  on  kaniig  ^ 


NICHOLAS  THB  FIRST.  195 

dtorch  where  the  latter  had  just  been  married 
to  Mademoiselle  K.,  affcer  having  proïnised 
ta  many  the  sister  of  M.  Pavlo^  whom  fae 
had  seduced.  Bj  oommand  of  the  Ëmperor» 
the  latter  was  tried  within  twentyrfour  houra, 
tmd  sentenced  to  dégradation  :  the  execationer 
fractnred  his  sknll  in  breaking  his  sword. 

Evcry  man  who,  in  whatever  manner  it 
aiaj  be,  has  the  knowledge  of  a  political  plot, 
is  bound  to  give  information  of  it,  npon  paân 
of  being  reckoned  an  accomplice  and  treated 
as  sucL  The  nkase  of  the  25th  of  Januarj, 
1715,  saTs:  "  Whoeyer  is  a  true  Christian  and 
•  faithfid  serrant  of  his  SoTereign,  may,  with- 
ont  doabt^  denounce  verbaUj  or  in  writing 
me^ssary  and  important  affairs^  and  espedaUj 
the  foUowing:  1.  Everj  wked  plot  against 
tiie  person  of  his  Majéstj,  and  treason;  2. 
Sebellion  or  insurrection/'  Hence  the  crimes 
cdied  crimes  of  the  two  points.  In  1730, 
slander  against  his  Majcstj  and  the  Impérial 
Honse  was  added  to  the  first. 

Bdationahip  exempts  in  no  degree  froih 

0  2 


196  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

this  obligation.  Serfs  receire  their  liberty 
for  denoiincing  their  masters,  if  they  conspire 
against  the  Sovereign.  Any  other  denim- 
ciation  on  their  part  against  their  lord  cannot 
be  receiyed.  Children  are  in  the  same  pi^ 
dicament  in  regard  to  their  fathers.  Neitkr 
has  religion  found  any  more  faTOur  from  this 
law,  which  pays  no  respect  to  the  sacrediie» 
of  confession,  but  enjoins  eveiy  priest  to  de- 
nounce  any  man  vho  acknowledges  himsdf 
guilty  of  conspiracy. 

The  punishment  of  death  is  applied  indi»- 
criminately  to  rébellion  in  arma  or  iriUi  ▼«>< 
lence;  to  treason,  a  crime  which  oonsists  n 
haying  lent  assistance  or  co-operation  to  tbe 
enemy,  or  kept  up  an  understanding  vith  him; 
to  the  surrender  by  an  officer  of  forts  or  àâjê 
entrasted  to  him,  nnless  in  case  of  absohto 
necessity;  and  lastly,  to  those  yiiho,  by  oot* 
cries,  hâve  diffused  a  panic  t^ror  in  the  nob 
of  the  army. 

Sentence  of  death  may  also  be  pronouDM^ 
bj  the  military  tribnnals  befiire  vhidi  < 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  197 

toay  be  brought  for  infraction  of  thé  qua- 
lantines. 

Offensive  words  against  the  members  of 
the  Impérial  family,  either  written  or  uttered 
vwd  voce^  constitute  the  crime  of  lese-majestj, 
wbicb  is  punished  with  death  whenever  it  is 
canied  before  the  suprême  tribunal;  but^ 
before  the  [ordinarj  tribunals,  it  incurs  onlj 
those  punishments  which  are  substituted  for 
the  penalty  of  death»  such  as  the  knout  and 
compulsory  labour.  The  same  is  the  case  in 
regard  to  ail  crimes  against  the  two  points. 

Political  death  entails  the  privation  of  ail 
the  rights  of  citizenship.  He  who  is  con« 
demned  to  it,  is  laid  down  on  the  scaffold»  or 
placed  under  the  gallows>  and  then  sent  off*  to 
compulsory  labour.  The  decrees  of  1753  and 
1754  hâve  limited  thèse  symbols  of  capital 
punishment  to  the  purely  political  crimes  car^ 
ried  before  the  suprême  tribunal 

The  confiscation  of  property^  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Crown,  was  abolished  by  Article  23  of 
the  Charter  granted  to  the  nobility  on  tho 


198  RUSSIA   UNDER 

2l8t  of  April,  1785;  it  was  thenocfarih  to 
take  place  onlj  for  tlie  benefit  of  the  bein  tf 
the  condcmncd.  On  the  6th  of  May,  18D2i 
this  arrangement  was  extended  to  the  otkr 
classes  of  the  pcople.  The  propert j  d  ai- 
minais  condemned  to  death  and  execated 
passes  to  thcir  heirs  as  if  thej  had  died  i 
naturel  death.  It  is  the  same  in  cases  of  dril 
deatL 

The  decrces  of  1809,  1810,  and  1820,  hiw 
re-ostablished  the  confiscation  of  immoTeabk 
propertj  for  the  benefit  of  the  Crown  agiiiut 
the  nobles  of  border  prorinces,  who^  diniilg 
an  insorroctiou,  retire  without  permission  to  a 
foreign  countrj. 

The  kw  of  the  2nd  of  April,  1722,  mji 
that  Russian  seamen,  who,.withoat  the  pc^ 
mission  of  the  GoYcmment^  qpter  foreign  aeh 
riee,  and  engage  to  réside  abroad,  shaU.^ 
considered  as  deserten;  and  it  addi  Ait 
those  who,  afler  entering  into  the  aerrioe  d  ^ 
foreign  countrj,  with  the  conaaDfc  of  As 
Goremment,  do  not  retum  on  thefint»^ 


UICHOLAS  THE  PIRST.  199 

mous  aent  to  them,  shall  be  treated  ^îthout 
mercj.  Lastlj,  the  law  of  1762  purporte, 
.ihat  ail  Rnasians,  not  returning  to  Ruâsia, 
irhen  publication  ia  made  that  the  good  of  the 
âtate  reqnires  it,  shall  haye  their  propertj 
aeqnestrated.  Nicholas,  bj  his  ukase  of  the 
15th  of  September,  1836,  has  decreed  that, 
**  in  case  the  Govemment  shall  deem  it  neces- 
aary  to  put  the  laws  before  cited  in  exécution, 
^  regular  order  of  recall  shall  be  addressed  to 
tfae  indiyidual  in  question,  and  whether  he 
retums  or  does  not  retum^  judgment  shall  be 
pranounced  upon  him,  and  the  matter  shall  be 
foUawed  np  according  to  the  laws" — Draoo 
vas  clearer  in  his  sanguinarj  decrees. 

The  ukase  of  the  l7th  of  April,  1834,  de- 
crees tlie  séquestration  of  the  property  of  those 
^0  remain  abroad  bcyond  the  tenus  allowed 
bj  the  lavs. 

AU  this  complication  in  the  laws  is  but  the 
conséquence  of  the  blindest  arbitraiy  caprice. 
TRius,  while  the  murderers  of  Peter  III.  and 
Paul  L,  the  Orlo&,  the  Pahlens,  the  Bennig- 


SOO  srssiA  rsTOM 

sens,  the  Ocmofi^  the  Znbc^  haTe  fond 
nothing  but  honoois  as  the  rewaid  of  their 
mnrders.  the  conspiiators  of  1825,  whoirae 
miçiiccessfbl  in  their  attempt,  atoned  foritoi 
the  gaIlow3.  Thns  too  the  Rnsôan  goren- 
ment  has  alwajs  tzeated  emigrant  foragnen 
with  extraordinaij  hospîtalitj,  nay  era 
loaded  with  faTours  such  as  hare  deserted  tbe 
ranks  of  their  arm j  ;  while  it  dares  to  had 
as  high  treason  the  mère  émigration  of  Bn^ 
àan  subjects,  and  pioceeds  ^th  the  ntmofit 
rigour  against  those  vhose  inteiests  oUip 
them  to  settle  abroad,  while  the  Rusâan  kgb* 
lation  natnralizes  with  the  greatest  bdàtj 
ail  those  who  vish  to  fix  their  abode  in  RoM* 
The  law  sa js,  in  &ct,  that  ererj  foreigner,  if 
he  is  not  a  Jew  or  a  Denrise^  maj  immodh 
atelj  make  himself  a  Rnssian  Bobject^  hj 
taking  the  reqniied  oath  of  fidelitj.  Mfl0 
months  after  his  dedaralion,  he  nrast  be  ad* 
mitted  to  the  lights  of  dtizenahip;  and,  cm 
afler  he  is  natnralized,  he  may  lenoanoe  U* 
title  of  Rnssian,  on  the  payment  of  AM 
years*  taxes. 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  201 

The  deprivation  of  nobility  cntails  the  8e^ 
jfiestratîoa  of  property  till  the  pardon  of  ihe 
ondemned,  which  enables  them  to  recoTer 
heir  propertj,  or  till  their  death,  after  which 
heir  fortune  is  restored  to  their  famil j.  This 
Kw  dœs  not  extend  to  property,  moveable  and 
cumoveable,  for  the  possession  of  which  ît  is 
LOt  necessary  to  haye  a  tide  of  nobility;  thia 
Qmams  at  the  disposai  of  the  condemned,  who 
ciay  even  acquire  more  in  thèse  conditions. 

The  marriage  of  the  man  who  is  deprived 
€  his  civil  rights  is  dissolved»  and  his  wife  is 
^t  liberty  to  contract  a  new  one.  If  the  cri- 
Kiinal  obtains  his  pardon  before  his  wife  has 
onned  another  alliance,  the  husband  recovers 
m  rights.  The  children  bom  before  the  con- 
iCTination  of  the  father  continue  in  the  dass 
to  which  he  belonged,  and  those  that  are  bom 
ifterwards  foUow  his  new  condition.  This  cir« 
mmstance  occurred,  among  others,  with  ihe 
xms  of  General  Rosen,  condemned  to  Siberia 
br  the  insurrection  of  1825;  his  eldest  son 
remained  a  baron,  and  those  borne  him  in 


202  BUSSIA   UKDER 

âiberia  were  colonists  there;  thoi,  irbn  Ae 
father  wcat  as  a  common  soldier  to  Ae  On- 
caaus»  thej,  bj  the  particular  faTonr  of  tte 
Emperor,   were  made  cantonista»  or  aolfo- 
boys. 

The  urife  and  childrcn  of  a  oonfiet  letn 
their  rights  of  property,  eyen  if  they  aooo» 
panj  him  into  exile;  but^  in  this  case^  dwf 
cannot  rctum  to  Rnssia  till  his  m  inititffif 
or  his  death  :  thus  affection  is  poniahed  eqollf 
with  crime. 

The  knout  is  the  punishment  that  oqbb 
immcdiately  after  the  penaltj  of  àBilàtUi 
which  is  reckoned  to  hâve  sapeneded  IL  ft 
is  inflicted  for  the  political  crimeB  of  ih»Ail 
points,  Mrhich  it  was  not  thoo^t  fit  to  wmà^ 
the  suprême  tribunal,  and  vhidh,  in  thÉk  CM 
would  haye  incnired  capital  pmidiBKBt;  ir 
aacril^,  Tiolation  of  tomba,  ateali^g  mAit^ 
belonging  to  a  church  in  the  dmnh  ilnlf  ;  fc 
injurions  words  against  the  Tmftjr  aal'li* 
sacred  books;  and  for  non-ievdatie 
expressions.    Jews,  MabometMM^  wm 


KICHOLAB  TES  JIBST.  203 

who  conrert  a  Christian  to  their  faith  bj  force 
or  firaud,  are  punished  with  the  lasL  The 
wme  punishment.  is  applied  to  murder  with 
préméditation,  to  the  abduction  and  sale  of  a 
firee  man  for  a  serf,  to  child-stealing»  to  the 
forgery  of  decrees  of  the  Emperor  or  of  tho 
Semate,  or  to  the  use  that  maj  hare  been 
uade  of  such  papers  by  heirs  acquainted  irith 
their  iUicit  ongin,  to  the  fabrication  of  false 
iiational  or  foreign  coins,  to  the  forgery  of 
finssian  assignats  and  papers  of  crédit,  to  the 
introduction  of  false  Russian  assignats  fabri-* 
cated  abroad,  to  the  melting  down  of  Russian 
eoins,  excepting  that  of  platina.  The  knout 
ia  the  punishment  adjudged  for  râpe  perpe* 
trated  on  a  young  girl,  a  married  woman,  a 
lidow,  or  a  man;  it  is  likewise  inflicted  on 
the  serfs  of  the  Tiolated  person  who  did  not 
oppose  the  accomplishment  of  the  crime,  or 
défend  their  mistress.  The  law  inflicts  it  also 
aa  pirates^  negro  slave  traders,  on  those  who 
laerete  malefactors,  on  incendiaries,  and  on  the 
unrreTealers  of  ail  thèse  crimes. 


214  ia.-hT  1  zynEZ 

TiA  snr fer  ic  i  7?&:râai  or  of  a  cfaief  is  not 
yiTiTsnt^*:  niir?  id^snlj  'Ùjli  crdfnirT  marden; 
.lav  :c  Tuna^T"  1-  lîoiL  Tlie  nrardocr 
TÛu  i  Jr-^îTS  IziL^ii  ip  zo  jastke  obUins  tkc 
j:nmTT:Ar;t:ii  nf  :îiff  kzoïn  £x  ibepleite,  or  cat- 

r^iîî  xTTTTer  c£  L&sLes  of  ihe  knout  is  fixfid 
ij  i-iji  "l'ipîs  ïc^aZt  for  each  co^iit  Thcy 
iTf.  i:"rz^=r.  pr:cili:ed  firom  adding  to  Ûm 
5E.:cc.-^s  ijî  :cm5  ÊHrinerij  nsaal,  "  to  ftç 
▼î^vz-n  n^er^T  or  wiih  auelty"  Since  the 
c=i:r«  et  :i£  Lôth  Decembo;  1S17,  the  pnc- 
^x  cf  lé^rinz  ocic  the  nostzils  of  crimioab 
his  ocAsed;  \fzi  those  who  hare  undeigone  die 
pTiLJiLzienc  of  the  knoat»  robbers^  and  ]na^ 
dereis,  wîdiout  distinction,  are  branded  on  the 
forehead  and  cheeks  with  the  Rnssian  lettm 
B.  0.  P.  (V-  0.  IL)  which  agnify  thiet 

Next  to  the  judge,  the  execotioner  has  it  n 
his  power  to  aggrarate  or  to  li^ten  the  pQ- 
nishment;  indeed  his  pover  in  this  ra^ect 
exoeeds  that  of  the  magistrate,  for  it  dspeedi 
npon  him,  if  not  to  kill  the  soSerer,  at  kastt» 


mCHOLAS  TER  FIRST.  205 

put  him  to  infinité  torture,  as  he  can  also,  if 
he  pleases»  do  him  but  little  harm;  and  tliis 
18  usually  the  case  wlien  he  finds  in  the 
mouth  of  the  culprit  a  pièce  of  money  which 
makes  it  worth  his  while  to  be  merciful*  Cha* 
ritable  persons  never  fail  to  fiU  the  hands  of  a 
man*  led  forth  to  punishment,  and  he  takes 
good  care  to  slip  the  most  valuable  pièce  into 
his  mouth. 

The  punishment  of  the  knout  alwajs  entails 
that  of  compulsorj  labour,  which  the  culprit 
undergoes  in  Siberia,  in  the  mines,  or  in  the 
manufSM^ries.  The  Tartars  of  the  gorem- 
ments  of  Kasan,  Simbirsk,  and  Orenburg,  are 
sent  in  such  cases  to  the  fortresses  of  Finland. 

The  whip  or  knout  is  made  of  leather, 
platted  in  a  triangular  form,  which,  as  it  îs 
well  known,  produces  the  most  dangerous 
wounds. 

The  pleite,  or  cat-of-nine-tails,  is  composed 
of  verj  thick  leather  thongs,  loose  and  of 
immoderate  length;  it  cuts  out  with  ease  a 
pièce  of  flesh  at  eveiy  stroke.    The  punish- 


206  RUSSIA   UKDER 

ment  ia  inflicted  publicly  or  merely  at  thi 
police.  In  the  fîrst  case  ît  is  called  execuHim, 
in  the  second  correction.  "When  administmd 
publicly,  it  is  foUowed  by  exile  to  Siberii^ 
iwhere  the  ciilprit  is  treated  as  a  colonist. 

This  punishmcnt  is  încurred  by  strildog 
some  one  in  a  public  place,  by  tearing  or  de^ 
Ptroying  the  decrees  of  the  (70Ye^lment^  by 
opposing  the  action  of  the  légal  authoritiesi 
or  the  public  exécution  of  a  condemned 
criminal|. 

Whoeyer  deprives  a  man  of  a  member,  il 
punished  with  the  pieife;  and  so  is  he  iH» 
mutilâtes  himself  to  escape  the  lecmitîst 
The  number  of  stripes  is  fixed  for  this  eue 
from  twenty-fi?e  to  fifty;  and  îf  the  p«w 
TccoTers  from  his  wounds,  he  is  made  a  sokUer. 

For  stealing  articles  of  the  estimated  Tite 
of  more  than  thirty  silver  nibles,  culprits  iff 

*  Aggrarated  cases  hicar  the  knout. 
t  If  the  offender  is  armed,  he  receÎTes  the  kooot. 
X  Break  îng  open  the  prisons  and  setting  tbs  fri- 
soners  at  liberty  is  ponished  with  tlie  1 


N1CH0LA8  THB   FIKST.  207' 

jMDiished  with  thé  pkite  at  the  police,  mwde 
sddiers,  or  exiled  to  Siberia.  For  thefte  to^ 
the  yalae  of  from  six  to  thirtj  nibles,  the  eal- 
finis  receiye  the  pleite^  bat  are  not  exiled. 
Dnder  six  rubles,  theft  is  punished  with  con- 
finement in  a  hoase  of  correction. 

Ferjurj  and  Mse  testimonj  are  pnniahed 
with  the  plâite. 

.  AU  thèse  punishments,  equallj  barbarons 
ind  ridiculoufiy  neither  intimidate  malefacton 
Bor  correct  even  thœe  who  hâve  suffered  them. 
The  lash  leaves  no  mark,  say  the  eriminala 
themselyes;  whereas  the  tearing  ont  of  the 
noetrils  left  npon  the  condemned  an  eveiiatit^: 
îag  mark  of  infamj,  which  thej  stroTe  to 
efface  bj  their  good  conduct;  and  hence  they 
were  reputed  to  be  the  most  honest  men  in 
ihe  mines  as  well  as  in  the  colonies.  Far  be 
ii  from  us,  however,  to  désire  the  re-establish- 
ment  of  this  barbarons  mutilation;  we  should 
rejoice,  on  the  contrary,  in  the  abolition  of 
the  knout  and  the  pleite^  and  wish,  if  not  for 
the  re-establishment   of   the  pnnishment  if 


208  RussiA  nin)ER 

death,  at  least  for  the  organizatûm  of  a  bcMv 
combined  penitentîarj  sjstem  fiir  Ae  imelii^ 
ration  of  criminals.  It  is  long  sinoe  peo|k 
rccovercd  from  the  horror  ihat  was  onoa  a^ 
cited  b j  labour  in  the  mines.  The  meie  exib 
to  Siberia  does  not  frighten  persons  yriSM 
profession  and  without  property.  The  oolomli 
there  hare  lands  in  abundanoa  granted  to  ite 
and  the  countrj  is  not  ererjwhere  nnhiV*"^ 
able.  The  ill  usage  attending  and  fàSamg 
the  despatch  of  the  convicts  oxdtes  hoRor  oàf 
in  men  who  are  more  or  less  hi^j  < 
But  it  is  time  to  say  a  fev  worda 
Siberia,  that  country  of  exile  and  of  ] 

Persons  condemned  to  transportBtkm  Mnt 
thither  on  foot^  carts  not  being  aflowodcf 
cepting  for  the  sick:  murderers  and  g^ 
criminals  are  chained.  Erery  attempt  at  t^ 
is  punished  with  corporal  chaatiaemenii 
in  nobles.  Instead  of  numben^  WV^  ^ 
are  given  to  the  exiles,  but  diffiBrant  i 
Mrhich  they  bore  before  their 
If  ihey  were  to  chango  them 


KICHOLAS  THE  PIRST.  209' 

Mhres^  they  wotdd  be  punished  wîth  five  yéàrs* 
eompulsory  labour,  over  and  above  tbeir  sen-  ' 
toioe. 

At  Kasan,  the  exiles  comîng  from  most  of 
tlie  govemments  are  coUected.  That  city  bas, 
in  fisMSt,  a  bureau  of  dispatcb  for  exiles,  wbich 
is  authorized  to  retain,  for  the  salt-works  of  ' 
Betz,  an  indeterminate  number  of  convicts 
eondemned  to  compulsor  j  labour  or  merely  to 
exile:  at  Perm,  the  authorities  may  keep  a' 
number  for  the  fabrication  of  wine,  and  even 
for- the  collège  of  public  beneficence. 

At  Tobolsk  sits  the  committee  of  the  exiles, 
composed  of  a  chief,  his  assessors,  and  a  chan- 
ceUery  having  two  sections.     It  dépends  on* 
the  cÎTil  govemor  of  Tobolsk,  and  has  bureaux 
of  dispatch  in  several  towns. 
:   On  their  arrivai  in  Siberia,  the  criminals  are 
set  about  différent  kinds  of  labour,  according 
to  their  faculties.     Some  are  employed  in  the 
mines,  either  because  they  hâve  been  spedally 
eondemned  to  them,  or,  having  undergone  the 
punishment  of  the  pleite,  they  are  deemed  fit 
VOL.  II.  p 


210  srssiA  rsDES 

for  tliat  son  of  bbour,  or  simplT  becuae  dm 
ba  Ya&i  of  labonrers  there:  bat,  in  this  ene^ 
ihej  aiv  not  conâned  to  the  mines  for  mm 
tlttn  a  rear.  vhieh  counts  for  two  yetn  of 
eak.  and  wiih  double  paj.  If  thej  oommik 
aar  nev  crime,  they  remain  there  two  yein 
longer.  eTen  thoogh  the  tribunal  lias  not  sen- 
tenœd  them  to  oompulsoiy  labour. 

Those  who  hare  leamcd  a  trade  are  «t  to 
vork  at  it  :  othcrs  become  cobnista,  âttl 
oth»^  again  domestic  servants.  Thoae  d^ 
$tined  for  the  latter  station  are  dirided  among 
the  inhabitants  who  applj  for  them.  Thèse 
aie  obligcd  to  feed  them  and  to  pay  Ûm 
vi^es.  at  the  rate  of  at  least  a  silrer  mUe  aod 
a  half  per  month  in  advance.  The  tem  d 
this  punishmont  is  ei^t  yean^  at  the  espr 
ration  of  which  thèse  compulsory  Taleta  etf 
tum  peasants,  serfs  of  the  Crown. 

The  usual  duratîon  of  compulsory  laboor  > 
twenty  years»  afiier  which  the  condenmed  Bijf 
establish  themselres  fireely  in  the  mines  vkn 
thej  workcd,  or  in  other  occupations.    ThB0 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIEST.  211 

employed  in  tha  doth  manu&ctories  remain 
tbace  but  ten  yeara.  Labour  in  the  fortdfica^ 
timis  ifi  conaidered  as  the  most  severe. 

Cripples  and  incurables  form  a  particular 
daâL 

The  colonists  are  not  exempt  from  taxes  for 
■me  than  three  years  :  for  the  other  seven, 
tiiej  paj  half  of  the  ^personal  contribution* 
Ât  the  expiration  of  their  punishment^  thejr 
fÊj  the  whole  of  the  tax.  After  an  abode  of 
twentj  yeairs  in  Siberia,  thej  become  subject 
to  the  recruiting. 

The  ser&  sent  to  Sibena  on  the  application 
of  their  masters,  are  forwarded  at  the  expense 
of  the  latter,  and  distributed  in  the  villages  as 
agncoltural  kbourers. 

The  exiles  are  at  libertj  to  marrj  in  Si- 
bena either  firee  persons  or  condemned  cul- 
prits.  The  free  woman  who  marries  an  exile 
fior  her  first  huaband,  receires  a  donation  of 
fiftjr  silTer  rubles,  and  the  free  man  who 
takea  to  wife  an  exiled  woman  receires 
fifteen, 

P2 


212  BrSSIA  TTSJXKR 

Persons  condemned  for  political  oSenoes 
remain  in  Siberia  under  the  spécial  sorreillanoe 
of  the  third  section  of  the  chancelleiy  of  tbe 
Emperor. 

Running  the  oauntlet  is  a  militaiy  punish- 
ment  not  applicable  to  other  indiTidaib, 
unless  they  become  amenable  to  the  militai; 
tribunals,  as  for  the  infraction  of  the  quann- 
tines«  or  for  the  rébellion  of  serfs  against  Ùàt 
masters.  A  ^hole  battalion,  armed  with 
switchess  is  drawn  np  in  line:  ihe  calprit, 
with  his  hands  tied  before  to  the  but-ead  of 
a  muskct,  is  Icd  along  the  line  preceded  by  a 
dnun  to  drown  his  cries,  till  he  has  reœired 
the  number  of  stripes  specified  in  the  BOït/BM 
vhich,  indeed,  scarcelj  ever  happens;  for  fet 
men  can  bear  more  than  four  or  five  hundrei 
and  a  greatcr  number  is  most  freqnentlj 
allotted  to  a  criminal.  When  the  soflieRr 
becomes  unable  to  walk,  he  is  carried  Vfoa  a 
hand-barrow,  if  his  life  is  not  jet  in  àÊBgf' 
Most  commonlj  he  is  carried,  to  aU  appea^ 
ance  djing»  to  the  hospital,  where  be 


KIGHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  213 

till  his  recoYerjy  after  which  the  punishment 
is  repeated,  and  so  on  till  he  bas  received  the 
foll  number  of  lashes  fîxed  bj  the  sentence. 
The  Russian  pénal  law  gives  to  this  punish- 
ment  the  German  appellation  of  SpitznUheUy 
in  memorj  of  its  Austrian  origin,  but  it  is 
usoally  designated  "  driving  along  the  ranks  "  ; 
A  man  is  made  a  soldier  for  ever  or  for  a 
time.  In  the  latter  case  even,  it  is  forbidden 
by  law,  to  fix  a  tenn  for  his  punishment,  its 
opération  depending  upon  the  conduct  of  the 
colprit,  the  disposition  of  his  chiefs,  and  the 
favour  which  he  enjoys.  He  is  thus  deprired 
of  bis  last  consolation,  the  prospect  of  expia- 
ting  his  crimes,  ànd  at  the  same  time  that  first 
rule  of  law,  the  proportioning  of  punishments 
to  offences,  is  overthrown.  That  the  good 
conduct  of  the  culprit  should  be  capable  of 
abridging  his  punishment,  and  his  misconduct 
of .  lengthening  it,  is  perfectly  natural  ;  but,  at 
teast,  let  the  judge  who  pronounces  it  fix  its 
duration!  As  for  the  punishment  itself,  we 
will  not  say  a  word  about  that  :  its  absurdity 


2li  RUSSIA   UNDEB 

is  glaring;  but  it  îs  consistent  vith  tk 
'wliole  spirit  of  Russian  pénal  législation,  ▼Ud 
«ometimcs  deprives  criminals  of  nobility^uif 
ail  the  other  classes  of  the  people  ou^t  to 
deem  themselyes  too  happj  to  reoeive  a  cri- 
minal  into  their  bosom  ;  sometimes  for  the 
slightest  offence  transfers  soldiers  of  the  gioBtl 
into  régiments  of  the  Une,  as  if  the  latterW 
not  honourable  men  in  their  ranka  In  îb- 
posing  militarj  service  as  a  disgrâce,  the  In 
dœs  not  stop  to  consider  that  it  is  striking  tà 
the  honour  of  the  colours;  and,  in  sobstitatiiç 
flogging  for  the  puniahment  of  death,  it  does 
nothing  but  crown  its  work  of  baii>arity. 

The  civil  employés  are  made  soldiors  fe 
crimes  committed  in  the  service,  such  as  peea- 
lation,  insubordination,  and  abuse  of  povcr* 
Heretics  who  striye  to  make  proseljtei»  ^ 
mutilate  thernselyes,  incur  Hie  same  ponUi- 
ment  ;  but  thej  can  deliver  themadTeB  fron  ^ 
by  embracing  the  Oreek  religion.  £fa7V0 
exempt  from  corporal  pudduamt^  ind  coi- 
demned  to  ezfle  in  Siberia,  inay  be  Biad»  » 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  1215 

Jfloidier,  if  he.is  not  more  than  ânrty-fiye  jears 
okL  On  tlœ  other  hand,  everj  man  mi£t  for 
jnilitary  aervioe,  and  iribo  bas  been  condemnéi 
ftr  a  crime,  is  exiled  to  Siberia. 

The  Impérial  will,  in  short,  is  the  suprême 
arbîter  of  tbis  pimishment  It  freqnentiy 
.blE;q)ens  tbat  tbe  Emperor  Nicbolas,  wben 
râiitang  the  pisons,  meets  vith  men  confined 
tibere  who  please  him  by  their  height,  and 
irfaom  he  immediately  points  out  to  be  made 
fioldiers,  without  inqniring  the  cause  of  tlwr 
împrisonment,  without  knowing  vhether  k;  is 
.&r  murder,  or  merely  for  prévention^  or  pe»- 
Jiaps  fer  an  cSenoe  of  fittle  importance.  Hie 
Isw  leaves  to  the  Govemment  the  faxnûtj  oî 
jnaldng  sddiers  of  the  peasants  condemned  to 
eKfle  by  their  communes  or  their  masters. 

In  the  prisons,  the  women  must  be  sepa* 
rated  from  the  men  ;  the  nobles,  the  employés^ 
4fae  eitiaens,  and  foreigners,  from  the  prisonars 
€f  iow  dass.  Accused  must  not  be  mixed 
inth  condemned  persons,  nor  even  those  ivJK) 
aie  merdy  objects  of  suspicicm  with  thcNie 


216  BUSSIA   UNDSR 

whose  guilt  is  more  probable.  Impntot 
criminals  arc  separated  from  ihose  who  m 
.  less  so.  Childrcn,  pcrsons  confined  for  deb^ 
and,  lastly,  the  co-accused,  must  be  shut  ïïf 
apart.  Ecclesiastics  liable  to  imprisonment 
arc  sent  to  the  consistoiy. 

Prisoners  are,  as  a  général  rule,  snpported 
at  the  expense  of  the  State;  nobles  and  m- 
plot/es  are  not,  unless  thej  are  destitute  of  the 
means  of  existence.  In  this  case,  thej  are 
allowcd  scTcn  sUver  copecks  per  day,  and  eren 
twentj  in  Georgia.  Chîldren  under  the  ij^ 
of  ten  y  cars  receiye  half  the  ordinaiy  pay; 
and  prisoners  for  debt  double,  at  the  expesfle 
of  their  creditors,  who  mnst  pay  in  adTiiioe 
for  any  tcnn  they  pleasc;  but^  if  they  omit  to 
do  so,  the  prisoners  are  liberated  on  the  JVJ 
next  day. 

To  prcYcnt  the  escape  of  prisoners,  as  icU 
as  to  punish  any  attempt  of  that  kind,  tb 
gaoler  is  allowed  to  put  irons  on  their  arai 
and  legs.  Women  must  never  baye  them  but 
on  their  arms.     Thèse  chains  mnst  net  exoeed 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  217 

ho  ireight  of  fiye  pounds  and  a  half,  and  they 
imat  be  lined  with  leather  at  the  part  which 
jticompasses  the  ancles.  Persons  exempt  from 
orporal  punishments  and  minors  are  likewîse 
lispensed  from  chaîns.  It  îs  prescribed  that, 
3  prevent  escapes,  the  priscmers  shall  ereiy 
lonth  hâve  half  the  head  shared,  excepting 
•riBoners  for  debt,  females,  persons  exempt 
rom  corporal  pimishments,  and  those  who  are 
lerelj  under  arrest  for  a  certain  time* 

Vagabonds  and  men  without  profession, 
ersons  condemned  to  exile  without  the  addi* 
ion  ôf  anj  disgraceful  pimishment,  when  the j 
laye  not  been  exempted  from  it  by  their  con- 
lition,  and  indiyiduals  senteneed  to  labour  in 
i  fortress,  or  to  confinement  in  houses  of  cor- 
fectiony  are  dispatched  in  labour  companies  as 
rell  as  those  who  hâve  been  speciallj  sent  for 
nÛBConduct»  on  the  part  of  their  commune 
9rtheir  masters. 

There  are  twentj-seren  of  thèse  companies 
in.  twenty-seven  govemment  towns.  The  prî- 
•mers  yrho  are  incorporated  with  them  are 


216  RUSSIA   V^DEIl 

sabject  lo  discipline,  and  ^ear  militaiy  ni- 
fonns  of  two  kinds,  either  for  Tigibondi  or 
criminab.  They  are  emplojed  on  the  fHk 
wovts.  or«  for  want  of  occupation  of  tliafc  kÎDd. 
in  work  that  is  bespoken,  at  the  rate  of  tf 
silrer  copecks  per  da  j. 

Duelling  in  Russia  is  punished  as  mnrder 
if  death  ensues  from  it  ;  as  a  mutilatioi,  if 
wounds  onlj  are  the  conséquence.  Whœiv 
has  gone  to  the  ground  and  prepared  Us 
▼eapon  i$  depiired  of  his  dvic  righta»  vA 
cxiled  to  Siberia.  Seconds  are  punidied  0 
acoompliccâ  of  the  crimes  which  haTe  been  tke 
resuit  of  a  dueL 

Attempts  at  suicide  are  pimiabed  ia  lk 
same  manner  as  attempts  at  murder. 

BloYs  on  the  head,  face,  or  any  oAv 
dangerous  part  constitute  a  grierons  cffiM 
amenahle  to  the  criminal  tribunals.  OA«i> 
bv  words  or  bj  ^ting  am  caUed  ém^ 
The  punishments  for  grievous  ofieocBi  A 
bcgging  pardon,  fine»  damagegi  im; 
remoTal  fiom  the  service»  or  ooipQial 


NIGHOLAS  THE   IIKST.  213 

itf  according  to  the  class  to  which  the 
•êffisiider  belongs;  simple  offences  are  riated 
iritk  damages  onl  j. 

Anj  offenoe  against  n  cituen  is  puniabed 
mi&L  a  fine  equal  to  the  amcnmt  of  liis  amutal 
taz.  Blows  are  rated  double,  as  well  as 
committed  against  the  wires  of 
i;  and  in  case  thèse  paj  anj  tax  them- 
MhreSy  the  fine  is  indreased  bj  so  much. 
Oanghters  receire  in  the  like  case  a  oomp^i- 
wtion  fionr  times  the  amount  of  that  whidk 
ironld  be  awarded  to  their  parents;  for  sons 
«MF  tender  âge,  the  compensation  is  rednoed 
tobalf. 

ChieTons  ofiences  committed  against  the 
éiergy  are  pnnished  with  double  the  fine  fixed 
for  the  citizens.  For  ofTences  against  nobki^ 
fte  damages  are  r^olated  according  to  the 
Mlarj  which  thej  reçoive  in  the  serrice,  or 
^Édiidi  ihey  would  receiye  in  it  according  te 
Ifaeirnmk. 

/   Prosecotions  for  simple  offiances  are  liÉoited 
4d  a-year  ;  for  grierous  oflfenoes  to  two  years. 


220  BUSSIA    Uin)SR 

Eyerr  slanderer  most  retract  his  vorda, 
and  is  liable,  besides,  to  two  years*  imprison- 
ment.  The  author  of  a  libel  is  puniahed  as  if 
he  had  committed  the  crime  with  which  he  lu 
reproached  his  adversarj,  and  his  publicatioe 
is  bumed  in  the  public  place. 

Offenders»  instead  of  being  sent  to  Sibem 
and  the  colonies,  maj  be  merelj  rcstricted  to 
a  speciâed  résidence;  as  there  is  likewiae 
exile  in  the  provinces  of  the  interior,  or  thit 
of  a  lord  to  his  estâtes.  The  law  says  rety 
innocently  that  banishments  of  this  kind  oui; 
take  place  after  trial,  or  rather  according  to 
a  disposition  of  the  Govemment  It  is  the 
same  vith  the  dispatch  of  foreigners  to  tte 
frontiers,  which  dépends  solely  npon  the  aecRt 
police. 

The  nobles»  as  well  hereditary  as  perBonal 
the  traders  of  the  first  two  goilds,  and  vA 
of  the  third  as  hare  filled  posta  in  the  mvsàr 
cipal  administration  équivalent  to  àny  cbs 
whaterer  in  the  public  servie^  the  dergji 
boih  secolar  and  regular,  widi  tfaeir  wifei 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  221 

and  children,  are  exempt  from  corporal  punish- 
ments,  for  wliich  is  substituted  militarj  de» 
gradation,  wheneyer  the  culprît  lias  not  been 
condemned  to  exile  or  to  compulsoiy  labour. 
Ali  those  persons  as  wcll  as  their  wires,  are 
exempted  from  ignominious  marks. 

In  case  of  the  illness  of  a  conyict,  the 
Infliction  of  corporal  punishment  is  deferred 
till  bis  recovery;  and  if  his  bealtb  does  not 
admit  of  bis  undergoing  it  at  ail,  be  maj  be 
dispensed  from  it  witb  tbe  assent  of  tbe  autbo- 
ïities.  Pregnant  women  do  not  sufiFer  pnnisb- 
ment  till  forty  days  affccr  tbeir  delivery,  and 
iiromen  witb  cbildren  at  tbe  breast  enjoy  a 
ïeprieye  of  a  year  and  a  balf. 
.  Cbildren  under  tbe  âge  of  ton  years  are 
not  liable  to  any  punisbment,  and  tbe  crimes 
irbicb  tbey  may  commit  cannot  affect  tbeir 
future  condition.  Cbildren  from  ten  to  four- 
teen  years  old  cannot  be  condemned  eitber  to 
compulsory  labour  or  to  tbe  knout^  or  to 
flogging  publidy  inflicted  From  fourteen  to 
seventeen,    tbey    ^e    liable    to    compulsgry. 


223  B17SSIA  UHDSE 

Ubour,  but  not  to  undeigo  ignominioiu  oop 
pond  pnniahments.  From  deveii  to  fiftei^ 
thej  incur,  for  offences  of  little  conaequeDO^ 
the  rod,  and  firom  fifteen  to  acTenteen  tb 
piàte  at  the  police. 

Agcd  men  of  seyenty  jears  and  upwaidi 
are  exempt  firom  coiporal  ponishments  ud 
ignominious  marks.  Lunatica  and  penoa 
iriio  hare  ocanmitted  offences  in  a  state  of 
flomnambulism  are  not  pnniishable;  thej  lie 
nerelT  shnt  up  in  madhouae%  the  former  far 
Ivo  jears,  the  latter  for  six  weeks^  after  thor 
cnre. 

EreiT  murderer  withont  premeditetîoi  ii 
punished  with  confinement  in  a  œuvent 

The  right  of  kgitimate  defenoe  extenbto 
kim  vho  sees  the  life  of  anotb»  in  dangi; 
or  vho  défends  a  woman  threatened  triik 
Tiolenœ.  Crimes  oommitted  iqxm  cumpula» 
are  not  pnnishaUe  in  the  person  of  him  i^ 
has  been  onlj  the  instnunent  of  them. 

Offcaders  cannot  be  prasecofeed  Cor  critf 
after  the  eq>iration  of  ten  jean  fiun  the  tiw 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  223 

iâ  âieir  perpétration,  excepting  in  cases  o£ 
soUgioas  apostacj  and  military  désertion. 

Wlloerer  denounces  forgera  and  smug^ëra 
is»  from  that  verj  circumstance,  screened  &om 
ibfr  prosecution  which  he  would  liave  incurred 
m  tiieir  aocomplice;  but  the  criminal  vhosei 
gaiit  ifi  ayerred  obtains  no  alleviation  of  his 
vmiSDunent» 

.  Bnmkenness  is  an  aggrayating  circQmstaad& 
ift  everj  sort  of  crime  committed  with  pre<* 
Bsditation,  and  is  neyer  an  extenuating  con* 
sideration. 

Anonjmons  dennncîations  remain  without 
cffect^  but  no  oaih  is  required  of  the  informer. 
Ghildren  are  not  permitted  to  denounce  their 
irihen  for  priyate  crimes.  In  1822»  the 
çoancil  of  the  empire  exempted  wiyes  from 
the  obligation  to  denounce  their  husbanda 
far  iheft.  Magistrates  vho  instigate  fsJse 
accusations  with  bad  intentions  are  punished 
wiih  the  penalties  decreed  for  the  crimes  with 
«ftich  thej  haye  charged  innocent  persons. 

The  déclarations  of  the  accused  before  the 


224  BUSSIA   UKDEB 

tribunal,  if  conformable  to  the  &ct8  establiehed,) 
arc  coDsidered  as  the  best  cyidence  of  Ui 
guilt.  But  thèse  confessions  are  not  indis- 
pensable for  conviction  and  condenmation. 

Children  under  the  âge  of  fifteen  yean»* 
limatics,  persons  deaf  and  dnmb,  men  depiiied 
of  civil  rights  and  of  hononr,  ihose  vho  bave 
nevcr  received  the  sacramcnt,  foreigners  whose 
conduct  is  unknown,  the  relations,  the  fiiends, 
and  the  declared  enemies  of  accnsed  peno^ 
are  not  admitted  as  witnesses.  Parents,  how- 
ever,  can  dépose  against  iheir  children. 

Anjjudge  interested  in  the  cause  maybe 
rejected  and  obliged  to  refirain  firom  acting  it 
the  reqnest  of  the  parties. 

Criminal  proceedings  afre  gratoitons,  and  ut 
drawn  npon  loose  paper;  but  the  travdHiig 
expenses  of  the  magistrates  wlio  oondnct  then, 
and  of  the  witnesses,  mnst  be  paid  hj  ^ 
accused. 

When  the  facts  of  a  case  are  of  sodi  a 
nature  as  to  entail  severe  punishmeni^  A* 
cause^  after  it  has  been  tried  bj  tiie  tntmd 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  225 

of  .firet  instance,  {zemskïi  soud,)  must  be  sub- 
Ukitted  to  the  reyision  of  the  criminal  court* 
established  in  the  chief  town  of  the  goyem- 
ment^  in  ail  cases,  vhether  condemnation  or 
acquittai  bas  been  pronounced.  Sentences 
wbich  award  merelj  correctional  punishments  • 
are  not  referred  to  the  superior  tribunals, 
nnless  bj  appeal  of  the  condenmed. 

The  décision  of  the  criminal  court  must  be 
sobmitted  to  the  civil  govemor  of  the  proyince  ; 
if  it  is  sanctioned  bj  him,  it  is  carried  into 
exécution  immediatelj;  in  the  contrary  case  it 
is  submitted  to  the  révision  of  the  Senate. 

The  Senate  cannot  interfère  in  anj  affair 
when  the  sentence  bas  been  confirmed  by  the 
govemor,  unless  there  bas  been  some  violation 
of  the  laws  or  régulations  of  the  proceedings, 
or  by  virtue  of  a  spécial  order  of  the  Bm- 
peror;  and,  in  this  case,  it  can  do  no  more 
than  lighten  the  punishment. 

Sentences  which  condemn  nobles  to  depriva- 
tion  of  their  rights  must  always  be  revised  by 
the  Senate.     Trials  of  noble  persons  for  mur-: 

TOL.  II.  Q 


226  suaaiA  uhdir 

der  must  also  be  sufamitted  to  il^  cmaihei 
tbe  criminal  court  bas  aoquitted  die 
Capital  accusations»  in  which  honorahf  ( 
and  employés  who  hare  not  yet  attained  tibi 
fenrteenth  claâs  are  implioïited,  nnut  liktni 
be  rrferred  to  it 

As  for  tbe  condemned  oommouB^  hà  cm 
cany  to  tbe  Senate  bis  complaint  agamst  du 
criminal  court;  but  tbe  sentence  of  the 
is  put  into  exécution  as  soon  as  it  is  ] 
From  tbat  daj,  tbe  convict  beloi^  te  tbi 
antborit  j  of  tbe  exiled  at  ToboIsL 

Tbe  Senate  takes  cognizanœ  of  ewy  litt 
in  wbicb  nobles  aie  implicated  witk  i 
of  ail  tbose  in  wbidi  nine  penona  at  mu»  1 
been  eondemned  to  ooiporal 

Tbe  tiUes  of  nobility,  orden^  and  \ 
boBUur,  cannot  be  taken  fiom  MmjmÊm,  a 
tbe  sentence  bas  beea  confiimed  by  the 
peror. 

If  tbe  tides  of  aocosed  nobles  m»  mi 
able,  bat  yet  tbere  are  no  praofc  cf  I 
nullûby,  tbe  application   of 
ments  is  rçmitted 


KICHOLAS  a*HS   FIBST.  227 

The  foUowing  anecdote  will  serve  to  show; 
better  than  an;  reasoning,  the  absurditj  of 
ihe  System  of  criminal  procédure  porsued  in 
Russia.  The  circomstance  occorred  in  the 
gOYermnent  of  Twer. 

A  peasant  quarrelled  with  another  about  a 
matter  of  interest.  He  sofiêred  him  to  départ 
quietly  for  his  own  home,  then,  smnmoning  his 
maa  to  his  assistance,  he  ran  across  the  fields 
cnrertook,  and  killed  him  on  the  high  road.  Jt 
waa  dark.  A  woman  passing  that  waj  recog- 
mzeà  one  of  the  murderers  at  the  moment 
when  they  began  to  run  away,  but  ^thout 
having  seen  them  commit  the  crime.  The  two 
colprits  were  apprehended,  and,  besides  them, 
thoree  joung  men  who  were  absent  that  day 
from  the  village. 

Agreeably  to  the  practice  usual  in  such 
GUeS)  the  accused  were  required  to  lay  hold  of 
the  corpse  by  the  feet,  that  their  countenances 
m^^  be  watched  at  ihat  moment.  The  Ssusea 
of  the  three  yonng  men  betrayed  no  emotioft» 
wkile  the  actiial  murderer  tumed  pale   aiid 

Q2 


228  RUSSIA   UNDER 

txembled  at  the  slightest  contact  with  the 
body  of  the  yictîm.  But  he  was  rich;  he 
madc  considérable  présents  to  the  judges  and 
the  derks»  and,  contrarj  to  custom  and  the 
law,  he  had  been  confined  in  the  same  oeD 
with  his  accomplice.  One  daj  he  told  him 
that  it  was  ridiculous  for  them  both  to  thiof 
themselyes  awaj,  and  that^  if  he  wonld  take 
the  guilt  upon  himself  alone,  he  wonld  gire 
him  100  rubles.  To  this  his  man  consented 
Meanwhile  M.  B***,  the  dvil  govemor,  came 
to  inspect  the  prison,  and  entering  the  cell  of 
the  murderers  in  question,  he  upbndded  them 
severely  for  not  confessing  their  crime.  The 
master  replied  that  he  was  innocent^  and  that 
his  man  alone  had  committed  the  murder  for 
which  thej  were  imprisonedL .  The  latter,  oa 
being  questioned  in  his  tum,  confeased  that  k 
was  the  onlj  criminaL  The  empb^  iHio 
accompanied  the  govemor,  quite  pieposseoed 
in  favour  of  the  gênerons  peasant^  laid  holdrf 
ibis  confession,  and  asked  their  chief  if  tkef 
shonid  draw  up  a  minute  of  ît     The  gMOfi 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  229 

assented,  and,  when  he  was  gone,  the  man 
claimed  the  reward  of  his  devotedness;  but 
the  master  told  him  that,  since  he  had  been 
stupid  enough  to  confess  before  receiiring  the 
monej,  he  should  not  hâve  it.  The  man  lo£|t 
no  time  in  denouncing  the  whole  affair  to  the 
tribunal,  and  to  retract  his  confession;  but  he 
was  condemned  for  contrddictory  dépositions, 
knouted,  and  sent  to  Siberia,  while  the  prin- 
cipal author  of  the  crime  still  enjojs  his 
libertj. 

-  The  law  forbids  a  corpse  to  be  touched  till 
the  cause  of  death  has  been  ascertained.  A 
female  peasant  thrust  her  head  into  the  stove 
of  a  Russian  bath,  and  there  laj  apparentlj 
lifeless.  Her  husband  came  in,  drew  her  oilt 
by  the  legs,  and,  seeing  that  she  was  dead, 
went  to  seek  the  officers  of  justice,  who  began 
with  dragging  the  man  off  to  prison,  sajing 
that  it  was  forbidden  to  move  a  corpse  before 
the  arrivai  of  the  magistrates. 

An  ispraynik,  charged  to  cause  a  peasadt 
convicted  of  an  ofifence  to  be  flogged,  seized 


230  BUSSIA    UNDEB 

onotlier  person  of  tlic  same  namc,  who  sofilaei 
hiinsclf  to  be  beaten,  ^nthout  correcting  the 
mistake  till  hc  had  received  the  stripes.  The 
grave  magistrate,  without  suffering  such  a  trifle 
to  perplex  him,  sent  in  quest  of  the  leal 
cniprit,  and  ordered  a  répétition  of  tihe  puniali- 
ment. 

It  is,  for  the  most  part^  men  ntteiij  igno- 
sant,  peasants  who  hâve  no  notiqn  whaterer  of 
law,  who  prépare  the  first  proceedings  in  cri- 
minal  affairs.  The  procès-^erbal  must  bc 
ttgned  bj  the  accused;  and  when  he  can 
neither  read  nor  write,  which  îs  veiy  oftee 
the  case,  he  is  requircd  to  make  three  croBse^ 
which  he  generallj  does  without  knowing  tke 
contents;  for  no  time  is  left  faim  for  i^ 
Section,  and  he  is  enjoined  to  sign  eonoàM 
or  other.  As  ail  thèse  crosses  are  like  eue 
another,  substitutions  aie  rendered  easj;  aa4 
owing  to  thèse  ridicnlous  signatures^  innoeoik 
persons  hâve  been  seen  wandering  to  Sibeni 
iostead  of  the  guiltj.  Luckilj,  bj  the  irsj» 
the  goYenuttfi^  on  inqpectîiig  ihe  oonn^ji  ^ 


NICHOLAB  THE  FIBST.  231 

tbe  crimînals,  ask  them  if  thej  are  the  per- 
sons  mentioned  in  the  lîsts;  and  when  thèse 
fimiisli  data  tending  to  prove  the  contrary, 
thej  keep  them  back,  and  cause  their  cases  to 
be  revised.  In  this  manner  it  happens  that 
justice  is  sometimes  rendered  to  the  innocent. 

With  dosed  doors  there  cannot  be  any  jus- 
tice ;  and,  while  there  is  no  publicit  j  in  Russia, 
the  judges  alone  will  be  the  gainers  bj  suits. 

At  Klemovitschi,  the  secretary  of  the  tri- 
Inmal  of  the  town  and  liberties  was  charged, 
in  the  absence  of  the  judges,  to  commence  the 
proceedings  in  a  case  in  which  a  young  female 
iras  concemed.  He  had  reason  to  befieve 
liiat  she  was  a  virgin,  and  offered  to  save  hsr 
at  the  price  of  her  honour.  The  crime  iras 
eonsummated  in  court;  but  it  was  betrayed  by 
certain  indications  on  her  dress.  The  attomey 
of  tihe  place  followed  up  the  affair,  and  the 
secretary  was  tumed  out  of  his  post.  Bot 
iow  many  other  facts  of  the  like  nature^  or 
irone,  must  pass  unperceiyed! 


232 


BU6SIA    UNDU 


Chaptbr  VIII. 


OF  RUSSIAN  LITERATUBE. 


Is  there  a  Russian  literature  or  nott  Sndk 
is  the  question  that  one  freqiiently  hem 
asked,  and  not  merclj  bj  men  who  caa  tdl 
jou  nothing  more  about  Russia  than  the  po^ 
petual  plirase,  "  It  is  yeiy  cold  there,''  nor  bj 
those  who  carrj  their  simpliât j  so  fitf  M  to 
inquirc  if  it  is  reaUj  tme  that  the  BnflBitf 
are  Christians. 

Persons  of  superior  understanding  and  et- 
tensire  knowledge  make  no  scnqde  to  lob* 
the  question  in  a  négative  rnanner.  ''Ai.to 
Slavonian  literature/'  said  a  œlebnited  TimAr 
man  one  day,  ''  it  bas  nothing  to  haêtt  of  M 


J^ICHOLAS  TES  FIBST.  233 

a  translation  of  La  Fontaine's  fables."  The 
honourable  peer  waâ  somewhat  mistaken . 
Rufisia  bas  had  her  La  Fontaine  in  Erjloff, 
whom  distinguished  poets  bave  been  pleased 
to  translate  into  Frencb,  as  well  aa  into 
Italian. 

We  must  take  leave  to  be  more  resenred, 
and  not  to  answer  in  so  evasive  a  manner. 
We  sball  tberefore  assert  tbat  tbere  are  at 
least  as  manj,  if  not  more,  reasons  for  ad- 
mitting  tban  for  denying  tbe  existence  of  a 
.Russian  literature.  If  literary  productions,  be 
their  value  what  it  may,  are  capable  of  con- 
stituting  a  literature,  Russia  incontestibly  bas 
one;  if,  on  tbe  contrary,  we  would  give  tbe 
name  of  literature  only  to  a  séries  of  composi- 
tions Tirbicb  defy  time  and  tbe  révolutions  of 
.taste,  and  wbicb  are  proof  against  tbe  pro- 
gress  of  knowledge,  we  must  confess  tbat  sbe 
bas  very  few  and  scarcely  any  of  tbese. 

Literature  in  Russia  is  very  nearly  wbat 
tbe  Romance  literature  formerly  was  in  France. 
In  like  manner  as  tbis  was  intermediate  be- 


1 
f 

m 


pn 
as 


NIGHOLAB  THE   FIRST.  235 

mied,  and  it  cannot  haye  a  literatnre  with^ 
nk  a  well  elaborated  idiom.  In  France,  in 
Sngland,  in  Germany,  one  maj  create  new 
rordsy  introduce  new  expressions,  but  the 
nthoTB  of  a  centorj  back  will  be  read  far 
entories  to  corne;  while  it  is  not  probable 
hat  the  Russian  authors  now  read  will  be 
ead  a  hnndred  years  bence.  They  inll  be 
limst  aâide  among  historical  cmiosities,  con^ 
idted,  perchance  even  relished,  for  the  origîr 
ality  or  the  substance  of  their  ideas,  but 
BBuredly  not  for  the  form  in  which  they  bave 
een  dothed.  This  fate  bas  abeady  OTer- 
iken  the  most  ancient  of  them. 

The  Russian  language  bas  not  yet  reoeived 
B  définitive  stamp:  a  medley  of  SlaTonian, 
veign,  and  Russian  words,  use  bas  not  coor 
scrated  some,  definitiyely  rejected  others, 
teated  new  or  national  tenus  enough  for  the 
tw  or  foreign  ideas.  Hence,  among  other 
lings,  the  Russian  authors  are  divided  into 
wo  camps,  which  aie  engaged  in  implacable 
œtîlity  on  the  question  whether  to  pre&r  aei 


236  BUSSIA   UNBKB 

or  eto,  two  words  meaning  predaely  the 
thiog  (équivalent  to  this)^  and  both  of 
are  equallj  destitute  of  harmony,  the  fini 
being  more  Slavonian  and  the  aeoond  moR 
Russian.  Thèse  are  the  watchwords  of  tio 
parties  and  two  schools,  the  Slayonian  wàMni, 
and  the  Russian  schooL  This  diyision  is  met 
with  even  in  politics:  the  SlaroniaiiB  are  oa 
ail  points  deToted  to  ancient  nsagefl^  eneniBi 
of  Peter  the  Great  and  of  European  drilBi- 
tion. 

The  rules  of  Russian  grammar  are  fiur  ftm 
fixed,  tolerablj  arbitraiy,  and  canfoaed;  il 
conséquence  there  are  not^  peibaps^  in  the 
countiy  a  hundred  persons  yrho  wrifte  thtf 
language  correctlj;  authors  themfldTeB  nrj 
more  or  less  in  their  ortàography.  Seiml 
Greek  letters  were  excluded  firom  the  RnoM 
language  bj  an  ordinance  of  Peter  the  Gml; 
the  letter  jate  (e  derived  firom  the  ^)  is  JtiDa 
source  of  infinité  difficultiee  to  eraj.  bo^f^ 
and,  its  utilitj  being  ahnost  nuU,  l^en  m  M- 
son  to  belieye  that  some  influential  dmob  v9 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  237 

banish  it^  to  gratify  those  whom  it  embar- 
rasses. There  are  stîll  two  i  's  in  the  Russian 
alpliabet,  the  i  often  and  the  i  ofeiffhty  names 
vhich  they  received  from  the  circumstaDce  that 
the  SlaYonians  used  the  Ictters  for  figures;  the 
first  must  be  strictij  put  before  yowcIs,  and 
will  certamly  hâve  the  fate  of  the  epsilon^ 
which  was  banished  from  use  by  Peter  I. 
The  Greek  /  and  y  are  likewise  abnost  super- 
fluous 

The  Russian  language  îs  inaccessible  to  fo- 
reigners,  because  it  présents  no  conformity 
vith  the  other  languages.  It  is  of  doùbtfiil 
hannony  and  of  equivocal  richness,  but  easily 
managed,  and  susceptible  of  becoming  very  ex- 
pressive. It  is  not  sonorous  for  many  reasons 
—the  multiplicity  of  discordant  sounds  of  the 
stschoy  of  y  y  of  kh;  then  again  the  prédomi- 
nance of  the  consonants  over  the  vowels,  and 
of  hard  syllables  over  the  soft  syllables.  Its 
copiousness  consists  only  in  double  uses,  or  in 
the  use  of  words  perfectly  équivalent,  which 
by  no  means  constitutes  richness.    A  language 


238  BUSaiA  UHDU 

cannot  be  called  rich  unleaB  it  is  captUa  â 
expresaingy  in  diffcrent  worda^  ail  the  flhadnrf 
ideas,  ail  the  yariationa  of  fieeliiig%  aaA  lia 
Eossian  is  too  little  cultivated  to  tia  in  4îi 
respect  with  foreign  langoagea.  Ita  BTnoBjai 
are  distinguished  for  the  moat  part  onljlif  4i 
kind  of  style  in  which  thej  aie  eaqilojai 
The  Slaronian  words  belong  to  a  h^g^  caèv 
of  composition,  as  to  the  derated  Ina  cf 
poetrj,  while  their  équivalents  in  Roasiaa  M 
reserred  for  prose.  Most  freqnently  îtmÛô 
Teiy  same  word,  to  which  the  WTMWÎniiff  Im 
added  a  vowel,  which  forma  pracndj  Ae  d» 
tinctiye  character  of  the  geniua  of  tWr  be* 
guage.  Thns,  breç  in  Slayonian,  the  Imk,  M 
called  bereff  in  Russian;  tflaa,  hair»  ia  mB» 
aian  volas:  the  two  fonner  aie  eaed  orif  ■ 
poetry.  The  exigences  of  ihythm  kecpÊttlf 
cause  Slavonian  words  to  be  prefoned  to  flM 
of  the  modem  idiom,  and  tlna  oppoaatlieai^ 
of  the  langoage. 

The  Russian  langoage  haa^ 
advantage^  which  oonsiata  in  i 


KICUOLAS  TES  FIBST.  2S9 

cODfiferacfioiis  whîch  it  possesses,  like  the  Gredc 
and  the  Latin,  and  which  it  owes  more  especially 
te  the  existence  of  the  dedensions;  thia  free- 
dom  pennits  the  distribution  of  words  in  the 
aeetence,  according  to  the  importance  of  tha 
coqHreBsions  and  the  force  of  the  ideas. 

So  much  is  certain,  that  Russian  literature 
is  in  its  infancj;  for  it  has  nothing  to  boast 
of  bat  poets,  and  pœtrj  has  alwaya  been  the 
finrt  step  of  a  nation  in  the  career  of  letteis. 
There  is  not  a  single  Rossian  philosopher. 
Kaiamsin  is  the  onlj  historian  of  his  coontry; 
and  he  himself,  in  the  opinion  of  manj  per* 
aons,  is  rather  an  agreeable  story-teller  than  a 
grofonnd  historian.  To  this  opinion  I  bj  no 
Bieans  subscribe;  for  I  think  that,  if  Earamsia 
10.  not  the  Niebuhr  of  Russia^  he  has  more 
than  one  daim  to  be  called  its  Gibbon,  if  it  is 
absolutelj  necessary  to  judge  by  comparison 
of  the  known  fix)m  the  unknown.  The  other 
Bnsman  historians  are  but  annalists  or  com* 
fiikrB. 
.  Karamsin  is  generally  considered,  and  irith 


240  BUSSIA   UKDEB 

good  right,  as  the  refonner  rf  tfae 
language.  It  was  he  wbo  fint  had  the  cou- 
rage to  întroduce  into  it  the  tuniB  of  finap' 
but  totallj  indispensable  phraaea.  Saperiarii' 
style  to  Lomonossof)  he  îs  frequentlj  infisrior 
to  him  in  the  logical  concatenatkm  of  ideii;' 
thongh  the  historical  subtilties  of  Lomonoorf 
bear  at  times  the  impress  of  paiodox. 

Karamsin's  historj  exhibits  a  stnnge  ned- 
lej  of  liberalism  and  serriliam,  eqnally  dii-' 
sembled  and  disguised.  What  more  hoDOt 
than  that  maxim  professed  bj  him,  thafc  savap 
nations  arc  fond  of  liberty  and  indqpeDdeBei^' 
and  ciyilized  nations  of  order  and  peMÎ 
Ëlscwhere,  in  relating  the  cmeltiea  of  Im 
IV.,  ^hose  reign  inspired  some  of  liis  finot' 
pages,  we  find  him  exclaimin^  that  tlie  R»' 
sians  perished  for  absolutism,  as  the  i 
did  at  Thermopjlae. 

The  noTcl  has  scarcdj  spnmg  np  m  '. 
and  it  cannot  jet  daim  a  sin^e 
Still  some  distinguished  prodnctioBB  df  Art 
dass  are  enumerated,  sudi  as  «  J«*î*  •! 


laCHOLAS  THE   PIBST.  241 

▼Ay,*'  and  "Roslavlef/'  by  Zagoskine;  "the 
îehouse/'  by  Lajeschnikof  ;  "  The  Family  of 
le  Khobnskis;"  *•  The  Dead  Soûls,"  by  Gogol.  ' 
3  make  amenda,  there  is  a  whole  host  of 
le-^ters,  at  the  head  of  whom  must  be  • 
aced,  M.  Pavlof,  whose  "  Yatagan'' and  "The 
emon''  are  productions  of  sufficient  merit  to 
•ace  the  literature  of  any  country;  M.  Dahl, 
ore  national  than  his  name;  Count  Sallohub, 
e  gentleman  of  Russian  authors;  the  fertile 
arlinski,  who  is  no  other  than  Alexander 
estouchef,  exiled  to  Siberia  in  conséquence  of 
e  revoit  of  1825,  and  killed  in  the  Caucasus; 
e  patriotic  Glinka,  &c.  In  the  class  of 
ience,  there  is  a  complète  penury.  Kaïda- 
>f  s  "  Universal  Histor/'  is  not  even  a  good 
bool-book.  M.  Arseniefs  "Statistics  of 
assia''  and  his  "History  of  Greece"  only 
ove  what  he  could  hâve  done  had  he  dared 
Write;  his  "Geography'' does  not  prove  even 
at.  In  politics  there  is  absolutely  nothing. 
3  for  jurisprudence,  M.  Nevoline's  "Bncy-- 
>p9edia''  is  mentioned  with  commendation.- 

YOL.  II.  B 


242  BusdiA  uin)u 

M.  Mouravief  has  mado  hirnself  sisgolar  bj  \k 
theological  works.  M.  Norof  haa  pubUdiad 
"Travelâ"  in  Sicilj»  to  Jernsalan»  and  k 
Egypt,  wberc  biblical  observations  are  apee- 
ably  mingled  witb  arcbseology.  M.  hsféim 
baa  produccd  a  description  of  tlie  Bt/epgm  d 
the  Kirgbise  Kaïssacks,  which  haa  been  taa» 
lated  iuto  FrencL  Father  HTacintk  lui 
studied  Cbina  under  ail  ita  aspects;  thanka  to 
bis  loDg  résidence  in  tbe  Celestial  Ehiqpîi»  M 
a  Russian  missionary.  He  has  conseqaeBt^ 
become  an  authoritj  on  every  subjecfc  relatiio 
to  tbe  Chinese  language,  literatiu^  and  nii- 
ners. 

Joumalism  is  in  a  state  of  the  dMpert 
dégradation.  ''  Tbe  NortheiB  Bes^''  tbs  oiir 
dailj  journal,  not  officiai,  whidi  asauMi  Ai 
title  of  political  journal»  cannot  gofe  sr  duH 
not  publish  anj  domestic  newi^  «nd  il  wêêê 
than  circumspect  in  regard  to  foraiga 
It  fiounders  in  a  slough  of  ' 
feasts  itself  upon  tbe  Tile 
to  the  Rufisian  govemmeat^  and  taONiliiMV 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  243 

to  bar  the  road  against  ail  intelligence  which 
deriates  from  its  own  ruts,  against  erery  firee 
Bpuitj  and  against  everj  heart  that  haa 
the  least  independence.  Messrs.  Gretsch  and 
Boolgarine  are  at  the  liead  of  this  publication. 
Tbe  first  bas  the  character  of  being  an  excel- 
lent/mn^^,  but  a  worse  than  middling  norelist; 
the  second  is  a  tale-writer,  ^ho  aims  at  the 
piquant  without  rising  above  the  trivial.  They 
are  neither  of  them  Russians,  which  does  not 
prevent  them  from  being  the  stanchest  patriota 
in  Russia:  the  one  is  of  Gcrman  origin,  the 
oiher  of  Polish  ;  without  préjudice  to  Germany 
(MT  Poland  be  this  said.  Genius  and  baseness 
are  of  ail  countries. 

If  Russia  bas  but  one  dailj  journal  that  is 
not  officiai,  on  the  other  hand,  the  number  of 
monihlj  "  Reviews'^  is  considérable  ;  they  fre- 
quently  contain  valuable  articles,  among  others 
vhich  are  insignificant,  worthless,  or  bad. 
The  **Reading  Ldbrary,"  edited  by  M.  Sin- 
hmkj  ;  the  **  Patriotîc  Annals,"  by  the  inde- 
fatigable  M.  Kràfsky;   and  the  ^' Moscovite»^ 

R  2 


244  RUSSIA   UNDSB 

which  has  been  rccentlj  transferred  by  IL 
Pogodine  to  M.  Kiréievskj,  are  tbe  most  esii- 
mable  of  tbese  publications;  but  tiieir  encjr- 
dopœdic  and  yoluminous  form  bears  witncss  to 
the  infancj  of  this  spccies  of  literature.  M. 
Polevoï's  "  Moscow  Telegraph"  has  nobly  dis- 
tinguished  itself  in  the  historj  of  Rossun 
joumalism,  and  been  suppressed  for  its  Ubenl 
spirit.  The  "Son  of  the  Country'*  and  the 
"Russian  Courier"  hâve  closed  their  melan- 
choly  career.  M.  Korsakofs  "  Pharos"  is  i 
subject  of  railleiy  for  M.  Boulgarine  himadf; 
it  darkcns  rather  than  enlightens.  The  ''Coo- 
temporarj,"  by  M.  Pletnef,  does  not  ansver 
the  legitimate  hopes  given  by  Pouschkine,  the 
founder  of  that  quarterly  review,  and  hie 
ceased  to  agrée  with  its  name.  The  '^literaiy 
Gazette/'  which  reminds  one  by  its  title  cf 
that  founded  by  Pouschkine  and  Baron  Del- 
veg,  appears  three  times  a  week,  keeps  itself 
aloof  from  the  obscurantism  of  a  Gietadi  ni 
a  Boulgarine,  and  in  its  spirit  lesemUes  de 
"Patriotic  Annals/' 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  245 

Beside  Messrs.  Gretsch  and  Boulgarine  are 
placed  at  the  head  of  Russian  joumalism, 
Messrs.  Polévoï  and  Sinkovsky,  who  represent 
a  less  dark  and  more  consolatorj  shade.  M. 
Sinkovsky  is  not  déficient  either  in  science  or 
acuteness  of  understanding.  M.  Polevoï  bas 
made  himself  a  studj  for  the  mass  of  Russian 
readers.  He  has  published  a  "History  of 
Russia,^'  unfinished  and  imperfect,  and  a  great 
quantitj  of  taies  and  dramatic  pièces^  in  which 
patriotism  is  coupled  with  a  courtier-like  obse- 
quiousness  that  descends  to  servilitj.  Such 
are  "  Pauline,  the  Siberian,"  the  "  Grandfather 
of  the  Russian  Navj/'  "  Igolkine/'  &c.  Ilis 
drama  of  "  Death  or  Honour^'  forms  an  excep- 
tion to  this  sad  rule,  and  is  libéral  without 
being  national.  For  the  rest,  M.  Polevoï  is  a 
•writer  more  deserving  of  indulgence  than  any 
other,  on  account  of  bis  circumstances.  We 
must  also  do  him  the  justice  to  admit  that, 
-whenever  he  has  had  leisure  to  take  pains 
^ith  bis  articles  of  criticism,  he  has  risen 
above  mediocrity. 


246  RL'SSIA    UKDEK 

But  Ict  US  return  to  poetiy,  wbicb  alonebus 
attained  a  tolcrablj  high  d^ree  of  derdop- 
ment  in  Russia.  I  shall  not  treat  hère 
of  Lomonossof,  not  less  profound  thaii 
Tcrsal,  ^vho,  on  thc  same  daj,  made 
mical  obsenations,  and  wrote  pages  of  hÎBfavj 
or  pliilosophj,  fruits  of  his  stadiee  in  (kt- 
manj,  or  cvcn  bespoken  odes;  nor  of  Sounr 
rakof,  as  insipid  as  he  was  old;  nor  of  IVedb- 
koTski,  not  less  ridiculous  than  dall;  nor  of 
Fon-Visinc,  that  pamphleteer  of  the  âge  tf 
Cathennc,  cquallj  vittj  and  saicastic,  13m 
''  Court  Grammar,"  several  comédies^  and  Vê 
''Lottcrs  from  France/'  defy  thne  and  thc 
reyolution  M-hîch  the  Russian  langqage  htt 
undergonc  sînce  he  wrote.  Nehiher  vil  I 
pause  at  Dimitrief,  vhose  fables  are  bsHor 
than  his  odes;  nor  even  at  Derjsni^  lAl 
wanted  nothing  but  scienee  to  be  tfa0  ', 
Oothe;  nor  at  Kmajuine,  the  &Aer  of 
sian  comedj;  nor  at  Ozero^  the 
of  tragedj  in  his  conntiy,  and 
Donskoi,''"Fingal,''and  ''(S£pm,'i 


NIGH0LA8  THE   ?IRST.  347 

torious  imitations  of  foreign  dramas.  Unfot- 
tonately,  thèse  pieœs  no  more  exhibit  tiie 
stamp  of  originalitj  than  that  of  genin£^  aad 
are  not  remarkable  either  for  the  plot  or  the 
eharacters. 

AU  thèse  authors  belong  to  by-gone  agca, 
and  their  langaage  has  become  so  antiquated, 
that  it  excites  regret  to  see  so  manj  fine  ideas 
and  happ y  sentiments  doomed  to  oblivion. 

Pouschkine,  Kiylof,  and  Griboïédof,  are  the 
tiiree  worthy  représentatives  of  modem  Rua- 
gian  literature;  ail  three  died  during  the  pro- 
jent  reign.  Griboïédof  vas  assassinated  in 
Persia,  where  he  performed  the  fonctions  cf 
cbargé  d'affaires.  Pouschkine  fell  in  a  duel  in 
1836;  and  Krylof  expired  peacefully,  as  he 
lired,  amidst  the  gênerai  esteem.  The  court 
bestowed  a  splendid  funeral  on  this  man,  idM> 
gave  it  no  umbrage* 

Krylof  is  the  Russian  La  Fontaine,  m  aH 
ibe  glory  and  splendour  of  that  name  ;  he  is 
fte  good-natored  and  the  pure,  the  profouiid 
and  the  humorous  fabuliste  whose  imitatiol» 


248  RUSSIA   UNDES 

•  are  cquallcd  onlj  bj  his  original  pnixitAm, 
and  vho  Icares  far  behind  him  the  &Um  rf 
Khenmitzer  and  Ismaïlof. 

Griboïédof  bas  left  a  master-pieoei  "Tk 
Misfortnnc  of  Grenius."  One  mi^t  aay»  in  m 
sensé,  that  be  bas  opened,  bnt  it  irodld  k 
more  correct  to  saj,  tbat  be  bas  doaed,  the 
arena  of  comedj,  inasmucb  as  be  bas  attainai 
a  beigbt  to  vbicb  no  writer  eitber  beforo  or. 
since  bas  arrired.  Bj  bis  master-piece  he  Im, 
as  it  were,  exbausted  Russian  oomedj,  aad 
rendered  it  impossible  for  time  at  least^  or 
manners,  to  be  sucb  as  be  bas  depicted  ÛML 
So  cleverlj  bas  be  seized  and  delineated  tliB 
defects  of  bis  countrjmen,  tbat  be  bas  kft 
notbing  to  do  even  for  genius»  wbidi  is  (AUffà 
to  wait  till  time,  remodelling  chanetor^  Imi 
destrojed  tbe  resemblance  of  Ghriboiédiors  p(X^ 
traits.  Tbis  resemblance  is  alreadj 
to  be  effaced  for  some,  tbe  originals  of 
arc  becoming  more  rare,  bnt  tbe  prineqpalhM 
of  tbe  oomedj  bas  lost  none  of!  die  hàm&t 
tbat  be   erer    excited     If  FamoowiC  ;A9 


KICHOLÀS  THE  FIBST.  /249 

bojar/  and  Scalosoub,  the  military  officer, 
.hâve  grown  rather  old  under  the  influence  of 
drilization  ;  the  Tschatskis  lave  only  mnlti- 
plied,  and  you  meet  with  but  too  many  of 
those  young  Russians,  who,  on  retuming  from 
abroad,  find  their  own  country  unendurable, 
and  leave  it  again,  if  not  for  ever  at  least  for 
as  long  a  time  as  possible.  Moltschaline  îs 
the  worthy  représentative  of  the  Russian  em- 
ployés;  his  very  name,  which  signifies  to  hold 
unes  tongue^  admirably  expresses  the  quality 
vhich  must  distinguish  every  employé  in  Rus- 
fiia,  and  which  Griboïédof  has  so  cleverly 
portrayed  in  thèse  words  : — "  You  must  not 
îiave  an  opinion  of  your  own."  His  dialogue 
with  Tschatski  reveals  a  distinguished  painter 
of  manners. 

"  Tschatski.  Now  that  we  hâve  an  oppor- 
iunity  to  say  a  word  to  one  another,  Dmitri 
Alexandrowitsch,  what  is  now  your  kind  of 
lifer 

"  Moltschaline.    The  same  as  it  used  to  be.** 
"  Tschat.  And,  formerly,  how  did  you  live  1 


250  RUSSIA    UNDEB 

To-dav  as  yesterday  ;  firom  the  pea  to  «à, 
from  cards  to  the  peu  ;  ebb  and  flood  hsn 
tbeîr  fixed  honr.'* 

"  Molt,  Sincc  I  harc  been  in  the  mànM, 
I  hâve  had  threc  rewards." 

**  Tschat  Ranks  and  grandeur  tempted  jfH 
I  suppose?" 

"  MoU.  Erery  one  to  bis  talent" 

•'  Tschaf.  What  is  yonr'sr 

"  Molf.  I  haTc  two — sobriety  and  régulant^  ' 

'*  Tschat  Magnîficcnt  ones,  forsooth,  ui 
worth  ail  ours  put  together." 

''  Molt  The  ranks  baye  not  smiled  upot 
you;  y  ou  bave  not  prospered  in  the  service.* 

**  Tschat.  Ranks  are  giyen  by  men,  uA 
men  are  liable  to  make  mistakes.'' 

The  Russian  young  ladies  are  deTeriylùt 
off  în  thèse  few  words. 

^  Our  young  ladies  understand  bow  to  jfoak 
tbemselves  în  taffeta  and  crape;  theycumot 
utter  a  word  >nth  simplicity,  but  only  ÎD  • 
charmingly  mincing  manner;  thej  sing  IVeoch 
baUads,  takingthe  bighest  notes;  tbeyattecli 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  251 

thernselyes  to  militaij  officers  because  thej  are 
âiernselves  pairiota. 

"And  what  of  our  old  ones?  When  once 
they  perk  up  their  heads,  and  clap  themselres 
down  to  the  table  to  talk  over  matters,  every 
Word  is  a  verdict,  for  they  are  ail  thorough- 
hred;  and  sometimes  they  run  on  about  go- 
vemment  in  such  a  way,  that,  if  any  spy  were 
to  overhear  what  they  say,  woe  betide  theml/* 

The  indignant  imagination  of  Tschatski 
attacks  ail  the  abuses  of  Rnssia;  it  lashee 
diem  unmercifully,  and  without  the  authorizar 
tien  of  the  censorship. 

"I  shonld  hâve  devoted  myself  to  fable; 
[  am  passionately  fond  of  fable  ;  nothing  but 
satires  on  lions  and  eagles.  People  may  caU 
âiem  animais,  but  they  are  tzars  for  ail  that/' 

Tschatski  reviews  his  old  Moscow  acquain- 
tances,  ridiculing  them  ail,  and  while  he  sti^ 
matizes  the  vices  of  Russia  one  after  another, 
Pamoussof  incessantly  intermpts  him  vith  the 
exhortation — 

''Give  np  y  our  libéral  ideas;  pay  attention 


252  BUSSIA   UNDEE 

to  the  management  of  jour  estâtes;  and  iboie 
ail,  go  and  serre."  '^  I  am  readj  to  serrei"  be 
replies,  "  but  I  bave  a  great  objection  to  be 
subserrient." 

Tbe  "Misfortune  of  Genius''  bas  beenfoond 
fault  witb  for  baving  no  plot,  but  soch  a  tù 
of  vit  and  sarcastic  bumour  nms  throo^ 
tbe  vbole  pièce  tbat  tbis  defect  is  scttody 
perceived. 

To  find  anjtbing  to  Hyal  GriboTédoC  m 
must  tum  to  anotber  spbere,  and  otiber  do* 
racters.  Of  tbis  M.  Gogol  was  dulj  s^uibk; 
and  be  bas  done  it  witb  suocess.  Inlitde 
Russia,  bis  native  countrj,  and  in  bis  southem 
imagination;  be  bas  found  an  abundant  aooroe 
of  inspiration.  His  "Reyiser*'  is  rich  in  gro- 
tesque cbaracters  and  in  comic  scènes.  Natme 
is  tbere  exbibited  in  ail  ber  prominent  tnîl^ 
unTamisbed  and  unadomed— a  budei^ 
Nature,  wbicb  tbe  autbor  is  at  no  paîni  ts 
disguise  or  to  embellisb,  in  anj  of  her  ftsih 
bowever  unamiable. 

Pouacbkine  is  tbe  representatife  of. 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  253 

genius,  the  head  of  the  literature  of  his  countiy, 
Highlj  educated,  noble,  bot,  persecuted,  be 
united  in  bimself  ail  tbe  requisites  for  success, 
and  deatb  carrîed  bim  off  amidst  bisjmost 
glorious  trimnpbs,  at  tbe  moment  Vbcn,  after 
haying  been  tbe  omament  of  Russia,  be  became 
ber  prop  and  beacon. 

Banisbed  tbree  times  from  tbe  capital,  wan- 
dering  in  tbose  parts  to  wbicb  Ovid  was  exiled, 
bis  Muse  conversed  wortbily  witb  tbe  Latin 
poet,  and  exbaled  ber  sorrows  in  a  toucbing 
epistle  -wbicb  be  addressed  ' 

"To  Jastkop. 

"  A  tender  tie  bas  in  ail  âges  bound  poets 
togetber:  tbey  are  priests  of  tbe  Muses;  tbe 
same  fiame  tbrills  tbem.  Strangers  to  one 
anotber  from  accident,  tbey  are  akin  by  inspi- 
ration. I  swear,  Jasykof,  by  tbe  sbade  of 
Ovid,  tbat  I  am  related  to  tbee. 

"  It  is  long  since  I  went,  one  moming,  along 
tbe  Dorpat  road,  to  carry  my  clumsy  staflf  to 


254 


BUSSIA  UNDSR 


thine  hospitable  abode,  and  came  teà  vik 
a  heart  full  of  the  pictore  of  Ûlj  li&  exnql 
from  care,  of  thy  free  and  animatod  onmnik 
and  of  the  strains  of  thj  sononniB  Ijreu  M 
Fate  plajs  maliciouslj  with  me:  long  Imt 
I  been  wandering  withont  home  at  die  MiÉt 
of  dcspotism.  When  I  Ml  adeem  I 
not  where  I  maj  wake.  At  tbia  timfl^ 
in  gloomj  exile,  mj  dajs  drag  on  in 
Hearken,  poet,  to  mj  call  :  disappoint  nok 
hopes.  In  the  village  where  laj 
the  pupil  of  Peter,  the  loTed  dave  of  tau 
and  tzarinas,  and  their  forgotten  gaOÊt,  wf 
Arabian  ancestor,  on  the  spot  where^  tUat' 
ing  no  more  of  the  court  and  the  ■plwW 
promises  of  Elisabeth,  he  mued  iià  tiho  tM 
summers,  in  the  shade  of  lime-traaafleyptOBliP 
distant  Africa,  I  await  theeT 

'^  Russlan  and  Ludmila,''  vas  the  firsi  pûem 
of  Pouschkine's;  "The  Prisoner  in  the  C«a* 
casus,''  "The  Gipsies,"  "PtiltanV'  *'The  Foim- 


tain  of  Bakhschiflsarai,^ 
Brothers,''   and   ""CoubI 


"The  Tvo  RobbiT 
KouHiie''  foUowoîL 


KIGHOLAfi  TES  FIRST.  2SS 

'^The  Prisoner  in  die  Caucasos''  is  one  of 
\m  beat  prodactions,  thongh  he  himself 
ajwajs  conaidered  it  as  the  work  of  a  raw 
yoatk  The  différent  translations  of  it  ^hich 
bave  been  made  gire  but  a  faint  idea  of 
tlie  original  Nature— one  of  the  most  beautî- 
fil  natures  in  the  irorid,  that  of  the  Oauca- 
sofi,  bafi  been  copied  most  exquisitelj;  and  the 
qoble  and  virgin  love  of  the  daughter  of  the 
mountains  admirablj  embellishes  this  picture. 
Qiily  listen  to  her  language,  at  once  passionate 
and  tender,  yoluptuous  and  chaste  ;  see  h^ 
hand  the  milk  to  the  Russian  prisoner,  saw 
aminder  hia  fetters,  gire  him  libert j,  and  sta^ 
without  him. 

The  irarlike  manners  of  the  Circasrâans  are 
alflo  admirably  depicted  in  this  poeoL 

^  He  watched  for  whole  hours  how  at  times 
tk^e  agile  Circassian,  in  a  vast  désert,  in  a  long- 
baired  cap  and  black  bourka>  inclining  OTer 
tlie  pommel  of  the  saddle,  supporting  himself 
^wîfth  neat  foot  in  the  stirrup,  flew  along  at  the 
iinll  of  his  courser,  aad  accustomed  himself 
l)eforehand  to  war. 


256  RUSSIA   UNDSR 

**  He  admired  the  beautj  of  his  simple  and 
martial  dress.  The  Tscherkess  îs  ooTCied  vith 
armour,  of  which  he  îs  both  proud  and  fond. 
He  wears  a  coat  of  mail,  and  carries  a  musket^ 
the  Cuban  bow  and  quiver,  the  dagger,  and 
the  sabre,  the  trustj  associate  of  his  toils  and 
his  Icisure.  Nothing  fatigaes  him;  nosonnd 
betrays  his  présence.  On  foot  or  on  hone- 
back,  he  is  alwajs  the  same,  inrincible  and 
indomitable.  A  teiTor  to  the  cardesB 
Gossacks,  his  wealth  is  a  mettlesome  hme, 
bred  in  the  mountains,  his  faithful  and  patient 
companion. 

"  What  art  thou  musing  on,  Cossack?  Thon 
art  calling  to  mind  past  jears,  thj  bironac  in 
a  tumultuons  camp,  the  conqnering  shonts  of 
the  régiments,  and  thy  coimtry,  Perfidioos 
rêverie!  Farewell  to  the  free  stcmitza,  Ac 
patemal  hearth,  the  silent  Don,  'war,  and 
cherry-cheeked  damsels!  A  secret  foc  steab 
to  the  bank,  the  arrow  is  drawn  finom  the 
quiyer,  away  it  Aies,  and  the  Cossack  ftlb 
upon  the  blood-stained  hill.'' 


NICH0LA3  THE   PIKST.  257 

"Pultava"  pictures  the  ambition  and  the 
perfidj  of  Mazeppa,  and  the  love  of  the  septua- 
genarian  for  his  god-daughter,  the  Princess 
Maria  Kotschoubeï,  who  forgot  the  gray  hair 
of  the  vétéran  in  the  splendeur  of  the  grand- 
hetman.  In  opposition,  the  poet  shows  us  the 
magnificence  and  power  of  Kotschoubeï»  his 
thirst  of  revenge  against  the  man  who  had  stolen 
his  daughter — ^the  man  who  had  imparted  to 
him  ail  the  secrets  of  his  rancorous  and  haughty 
spirit,  and  even  his  recollections  of  that  enter- 
tainment,  at  which  Peter  had  seized  him  by 
the  beard,  an  insuit  which  Mazeppa  had  swom 
to  wash  away  in  the  blood  of  the  Tzar,  and 
also  his  plot  with  the  King  of  Sweden,  Kot- 
schoubeï denounces  the  whole  to  Peter,  and  an 
aspirant  to  the  hand  of  his  daughter,  a  young 
and  noble  Oossack,  carnes  to  the  Tzar  his 
letter  concealed  in  his  schako,  that  schako 
T^hich  will  not  fall  but  with  his  head.  The 
chivalrous  Peter  sends  the  denunciation  to 
Mazeppa  himself,  and  leaves  him  to  décide  the 
fate  of  Kotschoubeï.     The  prince  is  thi»wn 

VOL.  II.  s 


258  RUaSIA  UKDSR 

into  a  diingeon;  and  the  hetman  BtrifOi  ta) 
wring  from  Iiim,  in  his  tuni,  his  secret^  Al 
secret  of  his  treasnres.  "  Three  treasnra  hue 
been  the  comfort  of  mj  life»"  replies  Kfil- 
schoubeï  to  Orlik,  the  confidant  of  Maai^; 
**  mj  first  treasure  was  my  honoor,  that  As 
torture  took  from  me;  mj  second  tnjMW^ 
the  honour  of  mj  belored  danghter,  I  wafafai 
ovcr  with  trembling,  daj  and  nig^t^  MaKpp 
bas  robbed  me  of  that;  but  I  hâte  piessnsd 
mj  third  treasure,  mj  sacred  xeYenge^  ad 
that  I  am  preparing  to  cany  to  mj  God.' 

Kotschoubcfs  head  is  stnick  off;  MaKpp 
triumphs,  but  the  battle  of  Pultawa  ormÙmM 
his  plans,  and  he  flees  in  the  track  àt  Ab 
pngnacious  Eing,  "  who  would  iain  fanb  Aie 
to  tum  hke  a  régiment  at  the  somid  ef  Ai 
drum."  After  the  exécution  of  lier  fidh^ 
Maria  forsakcs  the  bouse  of  her  liwimiJ,  ii 
she  had  fled  from  that  of  her  ftthtir  ta  ei^ 
herself  with  the  ferodous  betnaii*  Li  Ai 
night  foUowing  the  battle  of  Pfelkm^Al 
appears  to  him  in  a  drcam,  pale^  m  af^ai 
a  maniac. 


NICHOLAS  TES  flBST.  SiÔ9 

''Eugène  Onéguine"  ie  a  noTel  in  versep  ftdl 
of  nature  and  a  charming  gaietj,  and  a  picturc 
jof  proyincial  manners»  the  heroes  of  which 
plesâe  as  much  as  thej  interest.  The  account 
of  Lenski's  duel  with  On^uîne  bas  more 
e(q>ecially  been  dictated  bj  inspiration  :  one 
would  saj  tbat  Pouscbkine  foresaw  bis  own 
fate  wben  delineating  tbat  of  tbe  poet 
L^iski;  bence,  tbose  verses  will  not  die,  but 
be  for  ever  treasured  in  tbe  bearts  of  tbe 
Rossians.  Tbe  double  interest  wbicb  attaches 
to  tbis  curious  pièce  induces  us  to  translate  it 
entire. 

''Tbe  pistols  bave  glistened;  tbe  banunQr 
stnkes  witb  a  sound  against  tbe  ramrod,  tbe 
balls  drop  into  tbe  fluted  barrel,  and  tbe  cock 
bas  dicked  for  tbe  first  time.  Tbe  powder  ia 
gray  streaks  is  spread  OTcr  tbe  cover  of  tbe 
pan.  Tbe  jagged  flint,  firmlj  ûxed,  is  re-set. 
Bebind  a  post,  neigbbour  Guilloti  confused, 
tokes  bis  place*  Tbe  two  adversaries  tbrow  off 
tbdr  doaks.  Zaretski  bas  measured  tbirty* 
'^two  paces^  iritb  wcmd^ul  accuracj;  be  bas 

S2 


260  BUSSIA   UKDER 

placed  the  friends  at  the  two  eztrcmities,  and 
each  has  taken  his  pistol. 

"  'Now,  approach  one  anothei^.  Coolly,  vith- 
out  jet  taking  aim,  the  combatants,  vith  firm 
8tep,  slowlj,  both  at  once,  adyanced  four  steps 
— four  steps  towards  death.  Then  Eugène, 
without  ceasing  to  adyance,  began  first  to 
raise  bis  pistol  slightly.  They  took  five  more 
steps,  and  Lenski,  closing  the  left  eje,  b^ 
also  take  aim  ;   but  at  that  moment  On^nme 

fired The  poet's  last  hour  has  strock; 

he  drops  his  wcapon  in  silence. 

'^  Ile  gentlj  raises  his  hand  to  his  breasL 
Ilis  dim  eje  expresses  death,  not  pain.  Thns 
it  is,  that,  on  the  declivity  of  the  mountainfl^ 
glistcning  and  sparkling  in  the  sun,  slovij 
descends  the  avalanche  of  snow.  Seized  vitli 
a  sudden  chill,  Onéguine  ran  to  his  antagonist 

looked  at  him,  called  him to  no  pin^ 

pose.  He  is  no  more!  The  yoong  baid  liu 
found  a  prématuré  end.  The  tempest  btf 
raged;  a  charming  flower  bas  witheied  bM 
moming.  The  fire  is  extingnished  upoD  tbe 
altar« 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIfiST.  261 

"  He  vas  Ijing  motionless,  and  the  .duU 
rîgidity  of  his  brow  had  in  it  something  awful. 
He  was  wounded  in  tlie  breast;  the  bail  had 
passed  through  and  through,  and  the  blood 
issued  reeking  from  the  wound.  But  a  moment 
ago  that  heart  throbbed  with  inspiration,  hâte, 
hope,  and  love.  Life  plajed  in  that  bodj  ;  the 
blood  boiled.  Now,  as  in  a  forsaken  house, 
ail  is  dark  and  quiet  :  silence  reigns  there  for 
ever.  The  shutters  are  closed;  the  windowfl 
are  whitened  with  chalk.  The  mistress  of  the 
house  has  disappeared;  she  is  gone,  but  whi- 
ther  1    God  knows.     Ail  traces  of  her  are  lost. 

*•  It  is  agreeable  to  enrage  by  an  impudent 
epigram  an  improyident  enemy,  to  see  how, 
lowering  his  homs  in  fury,  he  cannot  help 
recognizing  himself  in  it  with  shame.  It  is 
more  delightful  still,  my  friends,  if  he  stupidly 
bellows,  '  It  is  I !'  it  is  more  delightful  still  to 
prépare  for  him  in  silence  an  honourable  grave, 
and  to  take  aim  slowly  at  his  pale  brow  at  a 
noble  distance — and  yet  to  send  him  to  his 
fathers  cannot  make  you  happy. 


« 

♦] 
B 

IKâg 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  263 

the  world,  scarcely  ont  of  the  garb  of  boyhood, 
lie  is  extinguished.  Where  is  the  buming 
agitation,  where  the  noble  fire  of  loftj,  tender, 
ud  oourageous  thoughts  and  feelings!  Where 
are  the  stormj  desires  of  love,  the  thirst  of 
Imowledge  and  study,  the  dread  of  vice  and 
disgrâce,  and  jou,  traditional  dreams,  fore* 
taste  of  a  celestial  life,  je  dreams  of  sacred 
poesy! 

"  Perhaps  he  vas  bom  for  the  happinesa  of 
mankind,  or  at  least  for  gloij.  His  Ijre,  now 
silent^  might  haye  rung  to  distant  âges  bj 
Bonorous  and  endless  acœnts.  Perhaps  the 
poet's  place  was  marked  high  on  the  ladder  of 
lihe  world;  perhaps  his  martjTHshade  bas  car- 
ried  with  it  a  sacred  mjsterj  ;  for  us  is  lost  a 
créative  Yoice,  and,  bejond  the  tomb,  the 
bymn  of  time,  the  blessings  of  nations  cannot 
reach  him. 

'^But  it  maj  be  too  that  a  common  ùJbt 
Eiwaited  the  poet.  The  years  of  youth  would 
bave  passed;  the  fire  of  the  soûl  would  haye 
aooled  within  him;  he  would  haye  akerei 


264  RUSSIA    ITXDER 

luucb,  forsakcn  bv  tlic  Muscs  ;  he  would  hftTe 
inarried;  tlien,  living  in  tlie  countiy,  hippy 
and  deceivcd,  lie  would  havc  vom  a  gown  d 
tricoty  and  would  havc  bccomc  acquainted  inà 
thc  rcalities  of  lifo;  hc  would  hâve  had  tbe 
goût  at  fortj;  cating,  drinking,  yawning; 
becoming  fat,  growing  old,  he  would  hâve  died 
at  last  in  his  bed,  amidst  childrcn,  crjiDf 
women,  and  pliysicians/^ 

ITie  last  moments  of  Pouschkine  were  poi- 
soned  bv  the  impression  of  a  domestic  mi^ 
fortune,  a  misfortune  whethcr  real  or  imaginaiy, 
ît  has  been  impossible  to  ascertain.  We  knov 
not  whether  we  hâve  to  accuse  his  imagination, 
his  enemies,  or  his  wife,  of  having  hurried  him 
to  the  grave.  Ail  of  them  perhaps  contribated 
to  do  so.  Anonjmous  ictters,  sent  to  hia 
conceming  the  real  or  allegcd  infidelitj  of  hû 
wife,  urged  him  to  challenge  his  rival,  his  ovb 
brother-in-law,  who  had  the  misfortune  to 
wound  him  mortallj. 

Pouschkine  had  African  blood  in  his  reini: 
his  great  grandfather  was  a  negro  in  the  M- 


KICHOLilS  THX   FIBST.  265 

rice  of  Peter  L,  General  Hannibal.  Hence, 
perhaps,  that  susceptibilitj,  which  was  one  of 
the  secrets  of  his  genius»  and  to  which  suffi- 
dent  indulgence  was  not  shown.  He  was  as 
libéral  as  it  is  possible  to  be  under  the  iron  rod 
of  the  Russian  goyemment;  but  he  was  still 
more  patriotic  than  libéral.  His  post  of  gen- 
tleman has  not  effaced  the  remembrance  of 
his  persécution,  anj  more  than  his  yerses 
addressed  ^'To  the  Calumniators  of  Russia'^ 
hâve  destrojed  the  effect  of  his  libéral  poems. 
His  ode  on  "  Liberty,"  and  his  "  Genealogy/' 
are  the  most  curions  of  his  unpublished  pièces. 
Neither  has  his  satire  on  Ouvarof,  the  Minister 
of  Public  Instruction,  been  introduced  into  the 
collection  of  his  complète  works.  To  make  it 
pass  the  censorship,  he  had  recourse  to  a  stra- 
tagem  :  entitling  it,  "  The  Death  of  Lucullus, 
translated  from  the  Latin,''  he  sent  it  to  a 
Moscow  review,  by  which  it  was  eagerly  ac- 
oepted  and  published.  Seing  summoned  be^ 
fore  the  minister  of  the  police,  and  required  ta 
tèll  on  whom  he  had  made  thèse  verses,  ^Osi 


266  BUSSIA  UKDSB 

yourself,  CounV'  be  replied.  As  Ae 
burst  into  a  laugh,  he  asked  -whj  IL  Oomrf 
kad  not  dono  the  same  when  he  waa  tald  ÙA 
thc  satire  waa  directed  againrt  hinu  OoaÉ 
Benkendorf  rcported  the  whole  to  ihe  St- 
peror,  sajing  that,  after  such  a  witty  iqdj,  kl 
had  not  the  courage  to  reproach  the  poet 

His  taies  in  verse  are  read  and  lead  agû 
with  eyer  new  delight;  his  epistleB  aie  ai 
bcautiful  as  thej  are  numeroiis;  bat  bis  prai 
does  not  appear  to  me  equal  to  bis  poeby:  I 
am  aware,  nevertheless,  that  ereiy  body  il  WÂ 
of  this  opinion.  His  prose  taleSi  I  ihink,  but 
not  the  particular  stamp  of  his  gonioB;  ibo^^ 
''  The  Captâmes  Daughter,""  «"The  Qm«  rf 
Spades,/'  and  aome  others»  oocapj  a  dklii* 
goished  place  in  Russian  litentora.  fis 
«'Historj  of  Peter  the  Great,*'  wenk  ao  faùm 
than  the  plan,  and  that  of  the  ^  BebéDinff 
Pugatsche^'^  remariutble  as  it  is^  ] 
a  TacituB  in  the  author.  Pooadikiiie^] 
attempt  at  tragedj  in  ''Bori8GoiidoMi(*mi 
sublime  verses  are  fonnd  mxsà  ttjf  ^ 


NICHOLAS  THE  FmST.  267 

AU  his  Ijrical  productions  are  so  manj  titles 
lo  renovn.  His  elegj  on  the  death  of  Chenier 
is  foll  of  profound  lessons  to  despots. 

**Be  proud  and  rejoioe  thee,  poet;  thon 
hast  not  bowed  the  obedient  head  before  the 
disgrâce  of  thy  dajs  ;  thou  hast  despised  the 
might 7  tjrant.  Thj  torch,  flashing  terror,  has 
thrown  a  cruel  light  on  the  council  of  the 

chiefs  vithout  glorj Thj  verse  has 

irhizzed  past  their  ears. 

"  *Be  proud,  0  Bard  !  •  .  .  And  thou,  fero» 
dons  beast,  plaj  with  mj  head  :  it  is  in  thy 
daws.  But  Ksten,  know  this,  atheist — my 
Giy,  my  furious  laugh,  pursuo  theel  Drink 
our  blood,  live  upon  murders  :  thou  art  but  a 
pigmy,  a  cowardly  pigmy.  And  the  hour  will 
some,  and  it  is  not  far  off.  The  tyrant  will 
hSL  Indignation  will  at  length  burst  forth. 
The  sighs  of  the  country  will  awaken  wearied 
Pâte.  I  am  going;  it  is  high  time;  but  thon 
Bkalt  folloir  me:  I  wait  for  thee.'' 

In  a  preceding  passage,  Ponsehkine  makes 
CSiemer  say  : — 


268  RUSSIA  UNOER 

"  *  I  shall  not  see  you,  0  days  of  gloryand 
faappiness  !  the  axe  awaits  me.  My  last  hoor 
approaches.  To-morrow,  the  exécution  !  With 
solemn  hand,  the  executioner  will  lift  my  head 
by  the  hair  above  an  indiffèrent  crowA  Fare- 
well,  my  friends.  My  ashes,  deprived  of  i 
home,  shall  not  repose  in  the  garden  where  we 
passed  days  free  from  care,  amidst  sciences 
and  feasts,  and  where  we  chose  beforehand 
the  place  for  our  ums.  But,  my  friends,  if  my 
memory  is  sacred  to  you,  fulfil  my  kst  re- 
qucst  :  wecp  my  fate  in  silence.  Beware  of 
cxciting  suspicions  by  tears.  In  our  days» 
you  know,  tears  are  a  crime.  Â  brother  nov 
dares  not  moum  for  a  brother. 

"*One  more  request!  You  hâve  heard  a 
hundred  times  thèse  yerses,  ne^ected  crei- 
tions,  fugitive  thoughts,  scattered  traditions  of 
my  youth.  My  friends,  those  pages  contiiD 
my  whole  life,  hopes  and  dreami^  tears  and 
loves.  Recognize  them,  I  beg  of  you,  in  Abd 
and  Fanni;  collect  thèse  tributea  offered  to  an 
innocent  Muse.     The  rigid  world  and  proad 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  269 

renown  will  know  nothing  of  them.  Alas  ! 
my  head  wUl  fall  before  the  time;  my  unripe 
genias  lias  not  created  works  lofty  enougli'for 
glory:  I  shall  soon  die  ail.  But,  pious 
towards  my  sliade,  préserve  my  manuscript. 
When  the  storm  has  passed  away,  meet  some<- 
times  in  religions  circle,  to  read  my  faithful 
scroll,  and,  after  listening  long,  say,  It  is  he, 
it  is  his  own  disconrse.  And  I,  forgetting  my 
sepnlchral  sleep,  will  enter  unseen,  and  take  my 
place  among  you;  I  shall  forgct  myself  while 
listening  to  you:  I  will  quench  my  thirst  with 
yonr  tears,  and  perhaps  I  shall  be  cheered  by 
affection;    perhaps  my  sad  and  pale  captive, 

listening  to  my  songs  of  love.* But 

suddenly  breaking  off  his  sweet  song,  the  poet 
bowed  down  his  pensive  head.'* 

"  The  Drowned,''  "  The  Oopper  Chevalier,' 
and  "  The  Nymph,"  one  of  Pouschkine's  last 
pièces,  approach  j)erfection.  If,  in  his  poems, 
he  may  pass  for  an  imitator  of  Lord  Byronj  his 
"  Nymph"'  reminds  us  of  Gôthe  by  the  profim- 
'  dity  of  the  ideas  and  the  finish  of  thé  vérsifica^ 


in  a 
aboy« 
rmpe 
that 

Iftshei 
Boren 

Jiasoc 

Rufisia 

we  mu 
with  i 
whichl 


KIOHOLAS  TES  FIRST.  '271 

mal  to  ezdte  his  zeal,  nor  master  who  nyght 
baye  serred  him  for  a  model,  nor  critic  whose 
Btrictores  were  wortàj  of  attention^,  he  bas 
-at  tunes  neglected  his  style,  and  indulged  in 
tioences  which  detract  from  dassic  puritj. 
That  indolence  of  mind  so  common  in  the 
jRnssians  bas  also  contributed  its  share  to  this 
lesalt.  Whenever  the  subject  kept  bis  mind 
in  exercise,  be  could  gire  an  exquisite  polisb 
to  bis  compositions,  and,  according  to  bis  own 
admission,  it  was  thèse  that  cost  him  most 
tioable.  In  him  feeling  and  judgment  are 
'aiq>erior  to  imagination;  bappj  réflexions 
mingle  with  a  strong  and  warm  but  not  ro- 
mantic  sensibilitj.  He  also  passed  too  fre- 
4)ueBti j  fix)m  one  idea  to  another  withoat  anj 
transition. 

Rjléïéf  was  the  poet  and  martyr  of  libertj; 
a  poet  circumspect  bj  compulsion,  it  is  tme, 
Jmt  not  less  dear  to  the  friends  of  that  noble 

*  The  blind  animositj  of  M.  Boulgarine  against  him 
eerveà  onlj  to  dishonour  himself  and  to  disgust  Pousch 
kine. 


272  BUSSIA   UNDER 

cause  ;  for  ît  is  admirable  to  see  poelij  ii 
open  conflict  with  powcr,  it  is  not  lefls  carioN 
to  see  it  breathing  freelj  in  its  fetters.  RjlfiS 
was,  moreoTer,  a  man  of  action;  he  dispkjd 
courage  under  ail  circumstanceSy  and,  thoo^ 
bis  unbappj  end^  sbould  not  cause  his  lite- 
rarj  merit  to  be  estimated  above  its  realTaln^ 
the  lattcr  is  sufficient  to  overpower  tbe  Tokei 
of  servile  courtiers,  i^bo  make  it  a  dutjr  te 
depreciate  the  talent  of  everj  man  condemnci 
by  power,  and  so  impose  silence  on  àsm, 
who  cannot  bc  grateful  for  sacrifices  of  irlikk 
tliej  are  not  wortbj.  If  it  is  a  fault  to  ex- 
aggerat<)  ouc's  own  merit,  not  to  acknovledp 
that  of  others  is  the  surest  sign  of  ignoniioeL: 
Ryléïéf 's  poetry  always  breathes  a  uapi 
love  of  libcrty  and  a  profound  oontempt  for 
tyranny.  Tlie  subject  is  taken  in  piefereM 
from  the  cause  of  independence.  Yahiani^ 
sky  was  the  champion  of  it  in  littk  Biub% 

*  Hc  was  hanged,  9s  one  of  ih«  lînglmhiw  in  Ib 

conspirocy  of  1825. 


NICHOLAS  THE  PIRST.  273 

and  the  confession  of  Nalivaïko  is  that  of  the 
poet  himself. 

"  *  Tell  me  not,  0  holy  father/  said  the  con- 
fi^irator  to  the  priest,  Hhat  it  is  a  heinous 

gin I  know  what  fate  awaits  him  who 

first  rises  against  the  oppressors  of  the  people. 
But  irhere  and  when  has  liberty  been  piir>- 
chased  without  sacrifices!  .  .  «  .  Mj  mother 
and  mj  sister  hâve  sung  to  me  an  immortal 
past. 

"  *  Well,  my  son,  I  Will  fiilfil  the  désire  of 
thj  souV  said  Rogneda  to  Isiaslay  ;  *  may  my 
story  breathe  into  thee  the  spirit  of  Rogovold  ; 
may  it  inflame  thy  blood  with  ardour  for  great 
actions,  love  for  thy  native  land,  and  con* 
tempt  of  oppressors  V" 

Eazlof,  an  élégant  gentleman  in  his  youth, 
bljnd  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  dictated, 
like  Milton,  his  verses  to  his  daoghters.  His 
mind  and  heart  had  gained  in  energy  and 
beauty  ail  that  his  body  had  lost  on  the  day 
that  he  was  struck  with  paralysis. 

Dead  for  this  world,  he  had  exilpd  him* 

VOL.  IL  T 


274  BU8BIA  UNINOt 

self  to  the  régions  of  ihoii^; 
trating  his  recollections,  and  recaDiq; 
smeations,  he  lias  often  rnen  Sn  podbry  to  i 
great  deration  ;  whether  he  bas  letricei  aeeMi 
oF  nature,  or  depicted  ihe  atnationB  of  kCr 
life,  or,  lasilj,  sang  the  dreams  rf  Us  in^ 
nation.  In  him  soitow  îs  alwafs  nf^^  wà 
pleasiffe,  regret  with  lore,  faatrod  wHh  fSÉf* 
nation,  and  thèse  eontrasts  fom  a  medbj  Irtv- 
esting  bj  its  originalitj.  ^  Tscherneb^  fil 
Black  Pénitent,)  and  the  "FtmœflB  Dolp- 
rouk j,''  are  two  of  his  poems^  ^ASàt  wÊ  4t 
servedly  escape  oblivion. 

Joukovsk j  is  a  correct  trandator,  a  oohw 
less  poet,  and  a  prose-writer  of  litCle  œkMtf. 
His  ''  Bard  in  the  Russian  Camp*  liM  pM 
him  great  popularitj  sinoe  1812.  Hii  tnM- 
lations  of  Schiller  and  Bjr<m  are  betisr.  Se* 
at  this  moment  completing  a  tnmnhtinn  «f  #i 
**  Odyssey.**  It  iras  he  who 
cation  of  the  Grand  Doke,  heir  to 

Jasykof  has  sung;  irith  ej 
the  pleasores  of  Bacchns  and  tli»  «uBMttcf 


NIGBOLAB  TBB  f  IBST.  tllf  5 

ûiB  Gênai»  stodents,  among  wkmK  hb  «m* 
•  tected  estmiible  priacipks,  wbiA  h»m  $jfh 
Yflmed  bis  Ufe  M  well  ai  his  pσvf.  Hakfus 
atws j8  idliared  to  the  mazim  vhich  heimiO 
wbU  eaqpraned  in  thèse  beaniiful  TaMi>^ 

*'  Does  the  purple  nûfe  eheerï^  iqion  Omet 

'  h  ihe  seDtenee  of  arintraiy  power  tenâde  to 

$kiMt  he  tk)u  innocent  aa  a  àme,  hM  aad 

'impetaona  as  the  eagle;  theniriU  aweet  aftd 

'  Bjaterious  sonnds  riae  £rom  Urne  harmqaipns- 

cbopda:  diarmed  bj  thèse  strainsi tfe  skfa  mil 

Ibfget  his  siifferings,  and  Eing  Sad  wiB  Iwd 

an  ear  nnto  them.'' 

It  BB  no  slender  merit  to  hare  Beror^attand 
pOTrer;  but  Hiis  is  not  Jan^kofs  màj  one^  «Ad 
Jbis  soi^  will  liye  as  long  as  ihe  veooUeefaMs 
of  unirersity  life. 

It  has  often  been  remarked  how  dose  a 
correspondence  there  seems  to  exist  between 
the  life  and  the  capacitj  of  a  man  and  the 
•  fitwal  signification  of  hig  name.  The  proper 
^aoBoeB  of  Ruflsians  haye  in  gênerai  a  aî^Ddfiea^ 
ti<m  of  flome  kind.   Ponadàkine meaiis  camiM; 

T  2 


276  RUSSIA  UXDKR 

Jasjkof,  tongue;  JoukoYskj,  drone.  In  this 
manner,  Pouschkine  might  pass  for  the  alaim- 
guD,  for  fix)m  him  dates  a  new  era  in  Rnsifn 
literature;  and  Joukovskj  bas  said  of  Jasjkof 
that  his  name  was  given  to  him  on  account  of 
the.  purity  of  his  language. 

Baratjnski  is  the  most  cclebrated  of  Poosch- 
kine's  disciples.  His  jouth  was  as  unfortoDite 
aa  his  after-life  was  resigncd.  After  he  luid 
been  nine  jears  a  soldicr  in  Fioland,  he 
passed  the  rest  of  his  dajs  in  a  peaoefui  n- 
treat,  and  died  at  Naples.  He  has  enridied 
the  Russian  language  with  seyeral  apt  voids» 
and  literature  with  a  great  number  of  lemarl* 
able  poems.  .  ''  Ëdda  the  Gips/'  and  b» 
Terses  ''On  the  Death  of  Gôthe''  will  loRg 
surrive  him. 

On  THE  DXATH  OF  GoTHI. 

^Uz  appeared,  and  the  aged  bwd  d/0à 
lua  eagle  cyes  in  peace.  He  died  cdalji 
aftçr  haying  accomplished  in  fhia  irorid  ^ 


KICHOLAS  THE   PIBST.  277 

that  is  of  this  world.  Weep  not  over  his 
Sublime  tomb;  grieve  not  that  the  seuil  of 
genius  is  the  héritage  of  worms. 

"He  is  extinguished  ;  but  nothing  under 
the  sun  of  the  living  escaped  his  attention, 
and  his  heart  had  an  écho  for  ail  that  speaks 
t©  the  heart.  He  trarersed  the  universe  on 
the  wings  of  thought,  and  found  limits  onl y  in 
that  which  has  no  bounds. 

•  "Eyery  thing  supplied  food  for  his  mihd: 
the  Works  of  sages,  the  créations  of  the  in- 
spired  arts,  the  traditions  of  past  âges,  and 
the  hopes  of  âges  to  corne.  By  means  of 
thought  he  could  penetrate  at  pleasure  into  the 
cottage  of  the  pauper  as  into  the  palace  of  the 
king. 

**  He  lived  a  like  life  with  ail  Nature.  He 
listened  to  the  rippling  of  the  brook,  he  under- 
stood  the  rustling  of  the  leaves,  and  felt  the 
plants  grow.  For  him  the  book  of  the  stars 
had  no  secret,  and  the  waves  of  the  sea  con^ 
Térsed  with  him. 

**  He  obseryed  and  analjzed  the  entire  maîk 


278  SU8BIA  UNDIB 

Âad,  if  tfie  Creator  haa  limited  mir  i 
exBtence  to  tliis  terrestrial  Uft^  if 
awaits  us  bejond  ihe  grave  aflar  tihe  ^Ndirf 
faetBy  his  tomb  will  jostify  th6  Qtwtox. 

But,  if  it  18  giren  to  oa  to  live  «fttr  énd^ 
he,  wlio  haa  lived  oui  lifc  hère  bdov,  and  «la 
haS|  in  aonnds  deep  and  aonoroos, 
earth  ail  that  belongs  to  earth^  he  wffl. 
wîth  soûl  screno  before  the 
nothing  terrestrial  will  trouble 


ren. 


The  qualitiea  of  hcart  gained  IL  BaiatT^I^ 
the  lore  of  ail  who  approached 
sererity  irhich  the  Eiiq>eror 
pkkjed  towards  him  only  inareaaed  the  ia 
felt  for  him  bj  estimable  men. 

He  waa  eleyen  years  old,  when  tlie 
of  the  corps  of  pages,  sednced  hj 
fattious  drama,  formed  a  band  oC 
eldest  of  whom,  ihe  captaîm,  vaa  lait  i 
jetra  of  âge.      Theae  aOly 
themselyes    with    stripping 
stewing  awaj  their  boo(y  iÊMAmê^MÊ^^ 


KICHOLiâ  THE  PIBST.  279- 

theîr  hotd.  Thej  continued  thèse  pranks  for 
ax  menttha,  duiing  whick  the  persons  entrosted 
^mtioL  their  aaperiatendence  and  educatûm  had 
not  tlie  sligbtest  saq>icion  of  the  matter.  At. 
lei]^^  heiog  takcn  in  the  fact»  thej  were  ail 
ejfeSei  from  the  corps  of  pages.  Baratjnskj 
wu  one  of  them.  When  eighteea  jeaia  of 
âge»,  he  solicited  service»  and,  not  obtaining  ît^ 
he  offered  to  enter  a  régiment  as  a  privatti 
soldier.  The  Emperor  had  the  crueltj  to  keep 
him  in  this  situation  for  nine  successiYe  jears. 
In  Tain  Russia  rang  with  the  famé  of  tha 
jeimg  poet  ;  in  vain  the  highest  functionaries 
interceded  for  him:  the  Tzar  was  inflexible. 
PEÛioe  Galitzine,  Minister  of  Public  Instruction,^ 
adieîted  his  pardoa  eveiy  year  on  Qood  Fri- 
daj;  and  at  kst  he  applied  for  it  singlj,  ta 
«he  exdbfiion  of  eyerj  other.  Alexander'a 
constant  replj  was,  ^  How  con  jou  expect  ma 
to  iraar  the  epaulette  wiih  a  man  who  has 
beea  a  robberl'"  Baratjnj^  was  not  a  man 
ai  tiiat  time;  he  had  not  robbed;  and  he  ha4 
Toluntarilj  atoned  for  a  juyenile  fault     The88 


280  BUSSIA   UKDER 

considérations  conld  not  conyinoe  ihe  Emperor; 
till,  at  length,  jielding  to  the  entreatia  of 
Dicbitsch,  he  made  Barat jnskj  an  offioer.  Hw 
latter  ncTer  wore  the  epanlette  and  immeè- 
atelj  sent  in  his  résignation.  Men  who  raîse 
thernselves  aboyé  the  crowd,  distingoish  them- 
selves  from  it  eren  in  their  aberrations;  and  if 
I  haTe  paused  to  record  this  fact,  it  is  because 
the  advocates  of  power  baye  at  times  thoogfat 
fit  to  distort  it. 

Venevitinof  had  a  presentiment  of  his  eoû, 
vhen  hc  yrrote  thèse  Unes: — 

"  Oh  no,  nij  friend,  thj  vords  are  nsdess: 
prcsentiments  are  not  liars,  and  it  is  long  sinee 
I  accustomed  m jself  to  comprehend  their  las- 
guage.  Mj  soûl  said  to  me  long  ago:  'ThoB 
ahalt  trayerse  the  vorld  like  lightning:  itiff 
giyen  to  thee  to  feel  ail  that  can  be  ielt;  bit 
thon  shalt  not  enjoj  life.'  " 

LennontoÇ  for  a  poem  on  the  deatfa  <if 
Ponschkine,  was  baniahed  to  the  OttOGMOik 
where  he  fell  in  a  duel,  like  hia  fllnflbiM 
master. 


NICHOLIS  THE   FIRST.  281 

Prince  Viazemsky  and  Baron  Delweg  haTC 
pnblished  several  poems  of  ment. 

Khomïakof  bas  vritten  two  rather  re* 
markable  tragédies,  "The  False  Demetrius,'' 
and  *' Jermak/' 

Tepliakof  bas  left  bebind  bim  two  rolumeâ 
of  poetry,  admired  bj  man j  readers. 

Madame  Rostopchine  bas  attempted  ligbt 
poetrj,  witb  tbe  grâce  wbicb  cbaracterizes 
her. 

M.  Venedictof  relinqnisbed  bis  lyre  as  soon 
as  be  bad  drawn  from  it  a  few  barmonions 
strains. 

Tbe  number  of  young  poets  is  considérable» 
and  ftiturity  reserves,  witbout  donbt,  for  some 
of  tbem,  a  distingoisbed  place  in  literature. 

Tbe]  principal  obstacle  to  its  derelopment 
ÎB  tbe  censorsbip.  To  tbe  rigonr  of  tbe  laws 
wbicb  gOYem  it,  must  be  added  tbe  arbitrary 
System  preyailing  in  tbat  as  in  ail  tbe  départ- 
ments  of  Rossian  administration.  As  tbe 
beaTy  responsibility  vbicb  rests  npon  tbe 
gênerais  freqnently  prevents  tbem  from  adopt-» 


282  BUSSIA  UHBSE 

ing  uaefîil  décisions  and  gaining  batiles,  m 
that  to  which  the  censors  are  sobject  diecb  aU 
intellectoal  actdyitj;  for  they  often  tlûnk  it 
better  to  suppress  a  work  than  to  let  it  pu^ 
lest  they  maj  afterwards  haye  reason  to  repoit 
it  Their  line  of  condoct  is  marked  ont  odIj 
in  a  vague  manner,  and  in  gênerai  tenna 
They  haye  to  protect  the  interests  of  6od  ud 
of  his  représentative  on  earth:  the  rnonks 
watch  oyer  the  first,  and  ail  hâve  an  eye  upon 
the  second.  M.  Ddaroe  having  tnuislited 
into  Russian  Victor  Hugo'a  Unes  (A  nne  Bdle) 
"  Were  I  King,  and  were  I  God,*'  was  da- 
nounoed  by  the  metropditan  of  St.  Peten- 
bor;^  and  persecnted  in  the  serrioe.  TliB 
Ambassador  of  Saxony  directed  the  attentioB 
of  the  Emperor  to  an  article  by  IL  Tscheda^ 
vho  was  forbidden  to  write  anything  BMia 
One  of  the  Emperor^a  daug^ters  laid  habit 
h^  ùtiier  a  feuilleton  of  ''  The  Invalid»''  da- 
acribing  the  débat  of  a  femala  ItaKan  ftf- 
fanner,  though  it  had  beau  pos^NMaad  ;  aad 
tbe  poor  aathor,  who  had writtea  Ua  acfcidato 


NNhr,  aad  be£ip»liftii4  paaied  moM  ihaa  a 
naitt  »  the  guaardrlM>iue. 

MaHBS.  Gretsch^  Boulgarine,  and  Voiéïlu^ 
temfielyei  hâte  not  eKaped  aimilar  aeventy ^ 
lad  theylttTe  beea  ahut  up  forhaving  engnged 
in  tM  tiraient  a  oonimrersy.  OmuU  Klein- 
mklbel  caased  an  aothor  to  be  arrested  &r 
\iMring  made  himaelf  merr j  at  Ûkb  eipense  of 
ihb  csavat  of  an  offiœr  oE  ivajs  and  communia 
»tîoBB.  The  cenflors  themaelveB  are  frequentl y 
svbjeeted  to  the  same  penalty  or  a  still  woiae; 
he.  wbo  allowed  M.  TschedaeTs  article  to  paaa 
wm  eonfined  in  a  convenL  Henoe  ihej  are 
nntiouB  eten  to  absurditj.  la  ihat  yeise  <^ 
Pouschkine^a,  wlûcli  we  lui^e  qaoted»  ''Long 
ba3r^  I  becsn  vandering  at  the  behest  of  deqpor- 
ûua/*  the  word  dei^tiam  was  struck  out^  and 
Aa  poet  snbetituted  for  it  indemencj,  thougîh 
Doifonning  a  rhjme.  In  the  Terae  of  Jasf koi^ 
^^Tho  piii^pk  smilai  d^eerilj  upon  thee^^  the 
wofd  Auront,  waa  subatituted  for  the  purpla 

The  Raiiiaa  cenaorahfîp,  m  we  a^  ia  not 
only  préventive^  it  is  likewise  repressÎTe  ;   and 


\ 
i 

a 
tr 

Jil 
yo 

OD( 

afac 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST. 


28:5 


enlighten  a  nation,  it  îs  requîsitc  also  tliat  the 
people  should  be  enlightened  in  its  tum,  in 
ordcr  to  promote  the  progress  of  litcrature,  ta 
encourage  authors  bj  distingoishing  ment,  and 
bj  appreciating  it  at  its  just  value  ;  and  in 
this  respect  the  Russians  are  at  once  too  serere 
and  too  indulgent.  Some  hare  no  taste  but 
for  foreign  literature;  others  are  content  with 
Teiy  inferior  productions.  In  short  :  Tempora 
si  fuerint  nubile^  soins  eris. 


i 

u 
m 

ni 


KICHOLAS  THB  FIBST.  297 

kl  m&BeqaeBoe  of  isrlndi  oertain  parts  of  the 
empire  are  sometimes  ^utted  mik  oom,  irliie 
othen  aie  suffering  fSunine,  irithout  anj  poa^ 
aBûlîty  for  the  form^  to  afibrd  assistance  to 
ihe  ktter.  To  this  came  nxnrt  be  likewiae 
attribnted  in  a  great  measure  tiie  enormaiis 
différences  tliat  are  remarked  in  tlie  prioes 
of  grain;  they  are  sometmies  at  1  to  10, 
not  onlj  acconM^g  to  jears,  bat  e?en  aooordiog 
to  localities. 

Fastarage,  ihat  teat  of  agneultare,  â  an 
object  of  no  attention.  Artifidal  meadows 
are  generall j  nnknown,  and  irrigation  aend 
draining  still  more  bo.  The  catde  spoil  "Ûte 
gTBJBBy  and  the  haj  that  is  made  is  ill  dned 
and  badlj  preserred. 

A  simple  routine  présides  OTer  ail  tiie 
opérations  of  agriculture.  People  sow,  eut, 
and  harvest,  not  at  suitable  seasons,  bot  at 
sach  times  as  their  foref aihers  were  accustomed 
to  do,  reckoning  from  certain  holidajs,  whieh 
are  more  or  less  moveaUe,  according  to  aie 
ancient  calendar  in  force  in  this  countiy. 


288  BUSSIA  UNDER 

Next  to  serfage,  the  practfoe  of  ùSkm, 
which  prevails  in  Russia,  is  the  principal  < 
of  the  wretched  condition  of 
With  this  System,  forage  never  can'proqpèi; 
and  consequentlj  the  cattle  can  neitlier  attaii 
the  quantitj  nor  acquirc  the  qoality  demnMa 
Accidents  of  température  hare  a  différent  m* 
fluence  on  the  différent  agricoltural  cropab 
and  there,  wlicre  they  are  not  varied,  there  il 
no  remcdj  for  thosc  dearths  which  affixt  iH 
productions  at  once.  The  vant  of  hands  n 
not  an  obstacle  to  the  introduction  of  a  bettar 
System  of  fallows;  for  it  is  more  pn^tafak  to 
cultivate  less  land,  but  well,  than  to  cdtàntâ 
a  great  deal,  but  ill. 

The  cattle  are  in  a  state  of  ineredifak  il 
riority.  For  the  most  part,  the 
are  like  goats,  and  the  horses  employed  ii 
agriculture  are  of  the  size  of  aaaes.  In  tii9 
govemment  of  Archangel  alone  is  8t31  hegt 
up  the  Kholmogor  breed  of  catde^  jMA  n 
of  Dutch  and  Ënglish  origin.  In  die  wi4 
we  meet  with  Hungarian  hones;  brik  tlM^p 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  289 

two  superior  breeds  of  homed  cattle  hâve  - 
remained  confined  to  the  localitics  into  which  . 
tiiey  were  imported.  The  Russian  sheep  con- 
sumes quite  as  much  as  it  brings  in  ;  the  sheep 
of  the  Kirgises  and  of  the  Crhuea  serve  exclu- 
sivelj  for  food,  and  their  skins  for  making 
pelisses;  their  fleece  is  fit  only  for  the  fabri- 
cation of  felt.  Mérinos  are  not  to  be  found 
imless  on  the  estâtes  of  some  wealthj  proprie- 
tors,  and  the  Sicilian  and  Saxon  breeds  exist 
only  in  certain  provinces. 

The  greater  part  of  the  cattle  are  raised 
in  the  steppes,  where  they  are  of  no 
use  for  agriculture.  It  is  from  that  quarter 
that  Russia  dérives  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
tallow  and  hides  which  she  exports.  It  is 
Ukewise  among  the  pastoral  tribes  that  horses 
are  most  numerous  :  they  constitute  the  whole 
wealth  of  the  Kirgises  and  the  Calmucks. 
There  are  Kirgises  who  keep  herds  of  10,000 
horses,  pasturing  in  bands  according  to  their 
âge,  and  guarded  by  stallions  instcad  of  herds- 
men.     The  provinces  of  the  Caucasus  and  of 

VOL.   II.  u 


290  RCSSZA   UXDEB. 

the  Don  hare  likewise  numerons  aod 
studs.  The  goyemments  of  Pexm  and  ' 
possess  draught  borses  renowned  6m  Ûm 
agilit j,  which  were  originally  Ivovg^  fram  tht 
ialand  of  OeseL  The  Crown  keepa  néU  fir- 
nished  studs  for  the  sapplj  of  the  oofort  aid 
armj;  and,  in  this  respect,  prÎTite  mimtff 
has  not  been  backward  There  an  ! 
at  Moscou,  Lebedeine,  Kharkor, 
and  the  Grerman  cavabies  corne  te  Rhhi  to 
purchase  remoimts.  Races  haTQ  aot  J8t  M- 
qoired  ail  the  importance  that  ia  dninUa. 

The  forests  oocnp j  an  area  ai  twaity-tiim 
millions  and  a  half  of  dessiatinei^  belf  a  nA- 
lion  of  which  are  in  timber  fit  fbr  iàm  vatj^ 
It  is  in  Siberia,  along  the  riirer  Ofa^  1 
timber  is  preserved  intact  Thafc 
eqnall j  rich  in  cedara  The  '. 
in  America  fiimish  for  the  eonstmatioB  of  iV- 
tain  parts  of  ships,  particolHdtf  beMprikjk  * 
sort  of  wood  that  is  in  requesl^  ind  ■  «M 
odoriferoos.  In  the  sonth  of  Bbh^  Ai 
forests  aie  graAialIy  ^ÉmppmÊnm^  ad  Ai 


NICHOtAS  THB   FISST.  2»! 

Iqgk  ]NRmh  o£  woodt  Begins  alread j  to  be  feft 

im  fle^  coimtm69  eontignoufl  Do  the  grest  eainl 

]mes^wliep&  »Tast  quantitj  is  Hsed  m  Beal^ 

hnîliting.    Hence  it  wem  eamestfy  to^be  wislecl 

Ifatt  tfae  bottts  maj  speedilj  be  auperseded  bjr 

steoDi-iresBelsi.     Thej  ha^e  abready  been  esto- 

blii^ed  Gtti  the  Wolga,  from  Nigni  to  A&rft»» 

Uiaii,  ou.  the  Ural,  and  the  Dnieper  aboTe  tte 

asteraets;   and  theie  îa  taUt  ef  ccmstmctiiig 

tbem  for  the  Konr  and  the  wfaote  ai  tike  Macf 

4asnak      Bob   the   inyeterate  habit»  of  Ûm 

-pGOfSBy  aoid  the  litde  inqiortaïKe  of  mtevBil 

^oiamerce,  wiU  long  be  powerftd  obstadto»  te 

-gjM^  desÈrable  deyelopment  of  steam  BaYigaAîon. 

J<ï  ie  but  a  few  jeavs  ônee  the  Qa^enmmitt 

g0eii^  î*B(  eyes  to  the  calamitîes  irapending 

y^GT   tbe  coimtrj  in  conséquence  of  the  dê^ 

^^pmdsum  of  tiie  fDrests;   bat  the  measares 

f^lkiMàh  it    hae   adopted    aro  insnffieient,  ift- 

-^yg^ymeA  and  stîU  worse  executed.     Besiden^ 

^;i^y  do  not  extend  to  the  foresta  of  pmaia 

'^gp^yidvakj  wbicb  are  mostlj  joint  properly^ 

^here  eacb  t£  the  proprietors  is 

t;  2 


292  KUSâlA   UNDER 

to  fell  as  much  as  possible.  The  stealing  oT 
wood  is  practised  openly  everywhere,  and  on 
a  large  scale.  No  economj  is  used  in  thé 
emplo}nnent  of  thc  trees,  either  for  the  extn^ 
tion  of  tlie  tar  and  pitch  or  in  stripping  off 
the  bark,  which  serves  for  making  the  shoes 
generallj  used  bj  the  common  people.  Con- 
flagrations also  are  very  fréquent,  and  often 
no  pains  are  taken  to  cxtinguish  them  till  thej 
approach  habitations.  The  use  of  turf,  coaL 
or  an  y  other  substance  that  might  serve  to 
spare  the  wood,  is  not  common.  Some  dispo- 
sitions, howerer,  hâve  been  made  for  pro- 
moting  the  éducation  of  foresters,  which  pro- 
mise to  be  useful:  to  this  end,  schools  bave 
been  erected  at  Petersburg  and  Tzarskoïc-Sdo, 
as  well  as  two  spécial  courses  at  Mittau. 

The  breeding  of  bées  is  diSused  throughoot 
the  whole  empire,  and  is  practised  with  saooesB 
even  in  Siberia»  where,  however,  the  honey  bas 
not  the  perfiune  which  distinguishes  it  in  odier 
çountries.  There  are  provinces  which  detin 
«liVions  from  this  single  brandi  of  indusfrff 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  293 

for  the  coDsumption  is  prodigious  ;  honej  is 
superseding  sugar  among  the  less  wealthy 
classes;  hydromel  has  ever  been  the  favourite 
beverage  of  the  Slayonians,  and  is  becoming 
that  of  the  Mahometans.  The  churches  con* 
sume  a  great  quantitj  of  tapers,  and,  besides, 
Russia  exports  wax  to  foreign  countries. 

The  culture  of  silk,  on  the  contrarj,  has 
hitherto  notprospered;  and  Government,  after 
having  exclusively  devoted  its  attention  to  it, 
has  relinquished  it  to  private  industrj,  whicb 
has  no  hopes  of  obtaining  satisfactorj  results 
but  in  the  Caucasus.  The  attempts  made  in 
the  govemments  of  Astrakhan,  Ekaterinoslay, 
Kiev,  &c.,  hâve  not  been  crowned  with  success. 
The  want  of  knowledge  and  of  taste  for  this 
occupation,  has  been  an  obstacle  at  least  quite 
as  powerful  as  the  dimate. 

The  vine  is  cultivated  and  wine  made  wîth 
quite  as  much  négligence  as  ignorance.  The 
Caucasus,  the  Crimea,  the  Don,  hâve  vinejards 
which,  under  the  management  of  skilful  hands» 
might  be  capable  of  yielding  satisfactoiy 
results. 


294  UVSSIA   USDKR 

Hnnting  and  the  fi«herieB  ne 

coBsideraUe  ireakh  for  &iis3Û^  bot  Ae  : 

oT  vhicfa  a  vould  be  rash  to 

esGunate,  eTcn  in  an  af^roximatbe 

Ilunting  is  paiticolarly  important  in 

vhere  it  oHistiiuties  the  exdoaiye  ooci]|Mtîfla 

of  soTend  tribes,   aome  of  which  piy  ikir 

taxes  in  furs.     The  Ldanders  are  &Be  fr«i  ail 

UJu   but  on  condition  of    hniiÉi»g  Sbkc  Ae 

aocoimi  of  the  American    Goiiipai^^  «UA 

supplies  them  vith  the  necessarjr  wtffliK  aid 

buTs  the  animais  of  them  at  a  fixad  atte.    il 

thèse  countries  abound  in  fallow-deei;  and  Ae 

spedes  of  animais  most  rmowaad  âat  Adr 

fuis;   but   this  abundanœ  is  lîaUe  lo  gmà 

fluctuations,  and  is  moreover  ™flB»"»g  •  dÎH- 

nution  which  is  more  and  mon 

The  interférence  of  the  Gov^emmoitJ 

afaaolutelj  noœssaiy,  as  wefl  to  pmaKt  Ae 

OMnplete  destruction  of  Ae  ^*^-*i't   «i  El 

mgulate  the  business  of  deatieyâig  i 

The  most  considérable  fiaheijiat 

in  the  Caspian   Sea  and  Ae 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  2StS 

diadiarge  âiernselyes  into  h,  particularlj  ihfi 
W^lgk,  iiisb  mother  of  the  Russian  rivers.  13m 
fifihexy,  after  beaing  jnonopolized  by  the  OoTern- 
Hunt,  is  become  in  a  great  measure  free;  but 
the  cunng  of  the  fish  seeds  great  iinproye-> 
ment. 

The  mines  are  destined  to  £U  an  important 
place  in  the  resourœs  of  Eussîa,  and  are 
alreadj  a  great  profit  to  the  Crown,  as  well 
as  to  some  prirate  persons.  The  Ural  is  rich 
in  gold,  platdna,  a  métal  which  is  the  exclusive 
produoe  of  Kussia,  iron,  and  copper.  There 
too  are  found  sUver,  malachite,  and  precious 
Btones.  In  Siberia,  the  mines  of  Altai  and 
Nertchinsk  ^kre  particularlj  rich  in  silrer  ;  as 
aie  also  ihe  former  in  copper,  and  the  latter 
in  quicksilTer.  In  Finland,  there  is  found 
iîttle  .Biher,  but  so  much  the  more  copper  and 
inm:  there  aro  sixteen  mines  of  the  latter 
«letal  In  G^eorgia,  the  silyer  mines  are  dosed» 
Imt  those  cî  copper  are  of  considérable  im^ 
poFtmce.  The  province  of  Baku,  recentlj 
acquired  firom  Persia,  abounds  in  sulphur  and 


296  RUSSIA   UNDER 

napbtha.  The  total  produce  of  the  mmes  ■ 
estimated  at  about  one  hiindred  and  8ixtj4ie 
million  francs  per  annum.  From  1823  to 
1836,  there  kad  been  obtained  fire  hmidnd 
thousand  and  fiftj  poods*  of  gold,  and  one 
tliousand  two  hundrcd  and  fifly-fire  poods  of 
platina.  The  extraction  of  sait  is  about  thirtj 
million  poods  per  annum. 

Notwithstanding  ail  tbe  efforts  of  tiie 
Govemment  and  the  illusions  of  patriota^ 
Russian  indiistrj  is  still  in  its  infime^. 
Ancient  processes,  antiquated  routines,  are 
followed  in  préférence  in  the  manafiustorioL 
Those  who  are  engaged  in  them  are  deâcknt 
in  taste  and  technical  knowledg^  becaose  dMJ 
receiye  no  spécial  instruction,  and  the  gencnl 
civilization  sets  them  at  fault .  The  Goroi- 
ment  does  not  paj  sufficient  attention  to  As 
diffusion  of  normal  schools  of  arts  and  Imk^ 
nor  take  pains  to  place  informatioii  nsefal  to 
the  pursuits  of  industiy  within  the  nadh  cf 
workmen,  as  is  done  in  dTÎliied 

*  A  pood  18  36  Ibe.  avoiidipoiSi 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  297 

The  efforts  which  haye  been  made  for  this 
pnrpose,  either  by  the  création  of  new  esta- 
blishments, or  bj  the  introduction  of  courses  of 
diemistrj,  mechanics,  and  drawing,  into  the 
ezisting  schools,  address  theniselves  to  children, 
and  not  to  grown  men;  thus,  among  others, 
the  foundlings  of  Moscow  hâve  masters  for  ail 
thèse  sciences,  and  it  is  but  the  smaller 
number  of  them  that  follow  the  career  of 
industriel  occupations. 

The  Russian  gOYemment  merely  confines 
itself  to  securing  manufacturers  against  ail 
foreign  compétition,  which  causes  them  to  per- 
sévère in  their  apathy  and  incapacity.  To 
protect  three  or  four  thousand  Russian  manu- 
facturers, it  imposes  annoying  privations  and 
excessive  expense  on  millions  of  consumers; 
and,  in  spite  of  this  factitious  protection,  the 
Russian  manufacturers  cannot  compete  with 
those  of  other  countries.  The  raw  materials, 
workmanship,  living,  are  five  times  as  cheap 
in  Russia  as  in  England,  and,  notwithstanding 
this  immense  advantage,  Russian  manufactured 


298  Bussu  uimiE 

goods  are  fiftj  and  one  hnndied  {MT 

dearcr   than    those    of    Englûb 

Foreign  manufiactiirers  are  not  euQy  ' 

to  settle  in  RuBsia,  though  capitah  thm  pàL 

double  and  treble  vhat  the j  prodnoe  m  odÉv 

oomitries.     The  cause  of  this  is  the  : 

of  property,  the  déplorable  state  of 

and  the  judicial  sjstem,  and  the  little  €0i- 

ûdcration   which    persons    engaged    in  ikt 

pursuits  of  industrj  enjoj  either  witih  iki 

Govemment  or  in  the  public  opinkm. 

So  long  as  foreign  compétition  does  Mt 
excite  the  Russian  manufactoiera  te 
goods  of  better  quality,  and  ao  long  m 
sfeniction  ehall  not  havc  descended  to  1k 
one  cannot  expect  to  see  indnstrj  pra^o;  : 
evcn  those  branches  of  it  -whidi  mte,  m  m 
measure,  the  exdusiTe  propertj  of  Bu 
Thus  the  hemp,  the  leather,  the  metali 
Russia  produces  in  qnantily  «r  in 
miperior  to  other  oountries^  Isre  wÈk  fak  h^ 
corne  objects  of  perfect  linhnratMn  Ht 
Russians  hare  still  to  leaa  làm  ma  rf  a^ 


mCEOLÈB  THX  JIBST.  S9S 

^QJiig  Fanûshdd  leather  and  loaiiher  for  cbf- 

w^dBi   And  if  ^bsii  sail^loth  is  of  good 

jnalitj,  tha  fine  doûm  mmt  be  imparted  from 

abioad.     Thfiir  imitations  in  hronsÊt  are  ail 

«erâle  copies,  and  cannot  sustain  a  compaiison 

with  iàose  of  JPranœ.     Hie  bad  teste  of  -Ûat 

mlk&  surpasses  uijthing  that  can  be  oonceived, 

«nd  their  quaHt j  is  notariouslj  yery  inferior. 

In  woollen  cLoâiB  thej  succeed  aolj  witb  the 

moBt  ardinary  qualities,  azid  nothing  but  4he 

eKcesBÎYe  dieapnflsfi  of  thèse  cnables  them  ta 

oompete  with  foreign  -woollens.     Thèse  goodi 

ane  ààe&y  expoited  to  Ohina,  but  for  tha 

siçerior  qualities  they  a»  ohliged  to  hej^ 

themsebres  out  with  foreign  dorïis.     In  183â 

tibere  weie  aiready  are  luindred  and  fifiy 

Bwnnfartorîes  of  woollens.     Jhe  cotton  mann- 

fiietofe  hasjnade^reat  prc^gress  ^œ  tiie  jear 

1&25;  in&iirteen  jteajs  the  imporUEtôon  aad 

&lirioatîon  bave  inciïeaaed  six-&ld:  the  fint 

bas  rân  ta  a  miflian  poeds,  joid  the  second 

ta  4ie  Mtinialed  wsàost  4)f  <fflp  jnmdTfK^  ynîHuw 

of  iMÙgaai  mUes.     The  national  ailk  maamr 


300  BUSSIA   UXDER 

factures  rcquire  four  million  rubW  woith  of 
raw    silk,    and   tkc    foreign   silks   (XHUorned 
amount  to  fourtcen   million  assignat  nbkl 
There  arc  more  than  two  thousand  leatkr 
manufactories,    and   nearly   two  hnndred  of 
bcet-root  sugar,  a  number  surpasaing  thit  of 
thc  other  sugar  manufactorics.     The  prodno- 
tions  derived  from  flax  represent  tbe  som  of 
twcntj-fiye  million  assignat  rubles. 

Roads  for  the  most  part  wretched  and  nu- 
passable,  middling  onlj  in  certain  places^  flos 
inaccessible  for  a  fîill  half  of  the  jetix,  inTete- 
rate  principles  of  dishonestj  among  the  tnàea, 
laws  elastic  and  injudicious  in  regaid  to  biiik> 
ruptcies,  the  want  of  instraction,  the  want  of 
crédit,  the  want  of  ail  considération  finr  Ab 
trading  class,  strictlj  confined  in  a  casta^  fib 
the  castes  of  India — hère  is  a  thooMil 
times  more  than  is  necessary  to  panlj»  0107 
sort  of  commerce.  The  existence  of  fiHi%  Ai 
colossal  opérations  of  which  people  dfll^  H 
boast  of,  are  another  proof  of  the  il 
and  the  insufficiency  of  commeitial  i 


NICHOLAS  THE   PIRST.  301v 

The  whole  external  commerce  of  Russia  is 
in  the  hands  of  foreigners.  The  navigation  is* 
principally  performed  by  their  ships  ;  foreign- 
ers are  at  the  head  of  the  first  commercial 
houses,  and  in  Petersburg  alone  there  are 
tiiree  thousand  of  them.  Even  in  Asia,  com- 
merce  is  carried  on  only  through  the  médium 
of  the  natives,  who  attend  the  fair  of  Nijni  to 
buy  Russian  goods;  and  it  is  they  too  who 
conduct  the  caravans.  The  Russian  merchants 
are  so  poor  in  capital,  that  foreign  traders  are 
obliged  not  only  to  give  them  a  year's  crédit 
for  what  they  sell  them,  but  even  to  advance 
by  80  much  the  price  agreed  to  be  paid  for  the 
goods  which  they  buy  of  them. 

The  prohibitive  System  shackles  ail  the 
movements  of  foreign  commerce.  A  state 
sells  only  in  proportion  to  what  it  buys,  and 
Russia,  in  refusing  her  productions  to  fo- 
reigners, thereby  contracts  her  own  exporta- 
tion, money  being  frequently  no  more  in  de- 
mand  ihan  any  other  commodity.  English 
compétition  is  supplanting  the  Russian  com- 


302  BUSESifc  USD8& 

meice  more  and  more  in  aS  tiie  wê/AêHê  d 
Asia,  and  Ruasia  findff  hersdf  finilMd  totfai 
sale  of  raw  prodnctibns  onbf  is  those  naArti 
In  China,  England  is  preparing  tostnkvlora 
hlow  from  whidk  ahe  will  peiiiaps 
coyer.    Tbc  Aleatum  lalands  and  A 
odoniea   in  America    impoveriflh 
thej  enricb  the  Company  làâàk 
ihem. 


NICHOLAS  TES  lUST.  303 


Chaftbr  X. 

OF  THB  ARMY. 

BiTSSU  belieTes  that  she  has  resolTed  tbis  pnn 
Uent:  that  in the  armj  the  cane  can  and  ouglit 
to  supply  the  place  of  hononr.  '^  The  eaioe^^ 
said  a  Russian  professer  of  tactics,  **  gives 
ardonr  to  the  soldier."'  It  is  considered  as  tlia 
best  means  for  leading  troops  into  fire«  One 
daj,  in  the  Caocasus,  the  Russians,  attacked 
with  grape-fihot»  refiised  to  adyance.  Général 
Wiliaminof  seated  himself  npon  a  drum  in  the 
first  Kne,  and  called  ont  of  the  ranka  seyerati 
soldierSy  whom  he  ordered  to  be  fiogged.  He 
then  commanded  the  battalion  to  adranc^  aad 
the  Rnssîana  droye  back  the  Gircaseiaiis.    Eyer 


304  RUSSIA   UNDER 

after  this  affair,  Wiliaminof  was  lepnted  a 
mastcr  in  Russian  tactics.  This  is  one  in- 
stance ont  of  a  thousand,  and  Prince  Schft- 
klioYskoy  had  recourse  to  the  same  expédient 
with  his  grenadiers  at  the  bridge  of  OstndeDki. 
^'  How  can  it  be  otherwisel"  saj  the  Rossiin 
officers;  "the  stick  is  a  sure  and  pomtÎTe 
thing  ;  there  is  no  escaping  it,  and  ita  eSect  is 
terrible;  while  the  enem/s  bail  is  unoertain; 
besidcs,  a  man  maj  resist  the  latter,  but  not 
his  commander/' — "  It  is  the  flesh  that  lebds 
in  man,  it  is  therefore  the  flesh  tkat  must  be 
quelled/'  said  the  professor  mentioned  àboTe 
It  was  apparentlj  in  accordanoe  wiih  this 
maxim,  that  he  one  daj  persuaded  a.Biu- 
sian  officer  to  make  a  report  to  hia  8operifli% 
charging  himself  with  drunkenness^  and  thejF 
actually  put  liim  under  arrest  for  dx  mondia 
What  is  more  barbarous  than  to  beat  a  ouuit 
Nothing,  unless  it  be  to  set  one's  aélf  vip  bt 
the  apologist  of  such  a  proceeding  to  enck  il 
into  a  System. 

We  will  take  leare  to  ask  the 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  305 

fessor  how  it  happens  that,  in  the  Russian 
guard^  where  the  stick  is  less  and  less  nsed^ 
and  cannois  or  at  least  ought  not,  to  be  in* 
flicted  without  judgment,  the  esprit  de  corps 
and  moral  courage  of  the  soldier  are  so  much 
improved?  Why  was  the  Russian  soldier^  in 
the  time  of  Catherine,  when  the  stick  was 
very  little  used,  renowned  for  his  yalour? 
Why,  in  short,  has  the  army  which  has 
gained  most  yictories,  the  French  army,  neyér 
known  so  unworthy  a  practice?  How  is  itj 
again,  that  in  gênerai,  in  war  time,  officers  aiiô 
obliged  to  change  their  treatment  of  the  soldier, 
and  to  be  much  less  cruel  in  ail  that  relates  tO 
discipline?  It  is  because  in  the  day  of  battle 
their  own  balls  are  not  to  be  distinguished  from 
the  enem/s,  and  more  than  one  outrage  has 
been  revenged  in  the  blood  of  an  officer  too 
nnjust  or  too  severe,  without  the  possibility  of 
discoyering  the  hand  by  which  it  was  spilt. 

It  is  impossible  to  conceiye  ail  the  iU  usage 
to  which  the  Russian  soldier  is  exposed  on  the 
part  of  his  superiors,  high  and  low.    Without 

yoL.  u.  X 


306  RUSUA  UKDXE 

|iay,  without  suitable  food,  OTerwhdmed  vitk 

.oppression  and  stripes,  lie  is  destined  befim- 
band  to  the  hospital  and  a  prematare  dâsik 
Hence  the  Russian  armj  loses  neailj  as  muqf 
men  in  timc  of  peace  as  in  lime  of  war,  ui 
during  the  reign  of  Nicholas  the  recnito^ 
haTe  been  continued  without  inteimission. 
Next  to  the  vaut  of  instmcticm  in  Ûâ 

.officers,  the  weak  side  of  the  Ruasian  amjî 
in  the  want  of  intelligence  in  ita  soldien;  sad 
the  superiority  of  the  French  armj  is  owiq 
preciselj  to  the  combination  of  thèse  two  meiu 

.  of  success.  Those  dajs  are  past  wben  phjaed 
Btrength  alone  decided  the  yictoiy;  and  intdli- 

:  gent  bajonets  bave  now  an  incontestable  pe- 
ponderance.  It  is  the  intelligenoe  of  Ab 
French  soldiers  that  bas  metamorpboaed  Ab 
militaiyart  Guided  bj  that,  the  FraMh«l- 
diers.  during  the  great  rerolatioii»  «naUs  to 
withstand  the  numerous  legiona  of 
ksoed  enemies,  broke  out  of  the  nal 
persed  thernselves  as  tirailleora;  tlie  < 

,  thd  masses  was  paraljzed  by  tins  il 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  307 

AtTUfiit,  Napoléon  betrayed  to  Alexauder  this 
grand  secret  of  French  tactics,  It  waa  first 
imitated  bj  the  Prussians;  the  Ruasians  after- 
wards  adopted  it  :  but  that  intelligence  which 
hàd  invented  this  method,  and  which  can  in- 
Yent  something  else  everj  daj,  that  intelligence 
vhich  teaches  the  soldier  how  to  extricate 
Jbimself  from  ail  dangers,  and  which  assista 
him  in  ail  difiSculties,  is  not  to  be  borrowed; 
it  is  naturallj  developed  and  bas  not  jet  been 
isuccessfully  counterbalanced  bj  that  savage 
instinct  of  the  Russians,  the  instinct  of  self- 
preserration  and  divination,  which  the  enemy 
haa  often  had  occasion  to  admire  in  them. 
Ncither  are  thej  desôtute  of  intelligence; 
eyerj  courageous  man  is  intelligent,  and  no- 
jbodj  dénies  the  courage  of  the  Russian  soldier. 
His  spirit  is  merelj  bowed  down  bcneath  the 
stick;  and  if  he  were  ever  to  hâve  oflBcers 
capable  of  appreciating  him,  he  would  be  th^ 
firat  soldier  in  the  world.  In  this  respect,  the 
jarmj  and  the  whole  nation  are  in  the  samp 
predicament. 

X  2 


308  BUSSIA  UNDEB 

A  Rnssian  officer  residing  in  Paris  made  t 
report  conceming  the  spirit  of  the  Frendi 
armj  wliicli  higblj  pleased  the  Emperor.  TSk 
Majestj  decorated  him,  and,  wishing  bis  aim] 
to  profit)  at  least  in  part,  bj  this  80  hi^J 
Taunted  spirit,  he  introduced  into  it  the  )ii0l 
st^py  which,  in  fact,  forms  a  singolar  oontrifl 
with  its  name.  Nothing  was  erer  seen  mor 
stiff  and  awkward  than  this  step  and  tfae  jeii 
of  the  arm  with  which  it  is  accompanied. 

It  is  the  officers  that  make  the  armj.  Hm 
best  armj  in  the  world  vtbb  the  Pïnssian  aim] 
under  Frederick  IL,  the  French  annj  unde 
Napoléon,  the  Rnssian  armj  nnder  Souroni 
Now,  that  which  the  Rnssian  annj  at 
wants  is  precisely  good  officers  and  able  ] 
Tais.  In  Russia,  genius  needs  to  be  noble  îi 
order  to  raise  itself  above  the  obscore  nnks  à 
the  armj,  and  to  place  itself  at  its  head;  *d^ 
militarj  nobles,  eyen  when  thej  aeriodE) 
pursne  their  profession,  are  not  n  fiboiaB) 
endowed  bj  genius  as  bj  the  social 
tion. 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  309 

If  ve  consider  separately  the  différent  arma 
pf  which  the  Russian  anny  is  composed,  we 
shall  find  that  its  artillerj  is  excellent,  ma^ 
nœuTiing  with  celerity  but  with  more  resolu^t 
tion  than  précision  :  it  fires  well  enough  for  a 
)>attley  ill  enough  in  a  siège.  The  Russian 
cayaliy  is  one  of  the  best  mounted,  and  is 
surpassed  bj  the  Hungarian  cayalrj  alone  :  it 
particularly  excels  in  the  alignement;  but  the 
soldiers  are  too  much  cramped  in  their  uni-^ 
forms,  ail  made  to  one  size,  to  be  at  ease  on 
horseback.  The  Cossacks  are  a  cavalry  pecu? 
liar  to  Russia,  and  which  attempts  hâve  been 
made  in  vain  to  imitate  elsewhere,  in  Austria» 
for  example,  and  in  France,  under  Napoléon. 
It  is  a  whole  nation  on  horseback;  every  indi«* 
,Tidual  acquires  the  habit  of  riding  from  his 
childhood,  and  makes,  in  fact,  but  one  yrith  his 
steed.  The  Cossacks  are  of  great  utility  for  th^ 
^rvice  of  the  advanced  posts,  for  reconnoitring 
and  harassing  the  enemy  ;  but  in  mass  they  are 
of  no  value:  a  company  of  regular  infantry 
easily  repuises  the  attack  of  a  whole  régiment 


310  nUSSïA   UNDER 

of  Cossacks.  The  Russian  in&ntrj  is  jiutly 
famod  for  its  firmness  and  perseya^nœ.  lo 
gênerai,  in  a  body,  the  Russian  soldier  is  ex* 
Ccllent  ;  but  taken  separatel j,  he  loses  hiinseK 
It  is  rcquisitc  for  him,  more  than  any  other, 
to  fcel  the  contact  of  his  neighboor,  and  to 
hear  the  roice  of  his  officer.  He  is  a  madûne^ 
inurcd  to  fatigue,  obedient  to  the  least  mffu 
unique  in  its  kind  for  the  précision  of  iti 
moTcmcnts,  but  which  is  good  for  notlÛDg 
whcn  its  spring  is  deranged.  Byery  RosnsB 
corps  without  officers  is  a  body  vithont  awL 
**  Kill  the  blacks,"  said  the  Turks,  meaning  tic 
Russian  officers,  ''  and  it  will  be  ail  np  niA 
the  grays  (the  soldiers.)** 

The  Russians  hare  a  system  of  tactiei  of 
their  own.  They  are  too  stanch  Samatiê  to 
acknowlcdge  the  superiority  of  otlier  natMM 
in  this  point,  or  to  adopt  ail  their  ptinc^lm 
Accordingly,  they  disapprove  Napolêon'o  l^ 
tem  of  marching  into  the  heart  of  â  fMdiiiy 
and  disregarding  the  fortressea.  The  mpUL 
according  to  them,  is  but     straftqg^  po&rtî 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  311 

and  in  proof  of  this  they  adduce  Moscow,  the 
fan  of  which  did  not  entail  that  of  the  empire^ 
The  capture  of  that  city  was,  neTerthelees,  a 
thonderbolt  for  Russia;  besides,  eyeiy  nation 
cannot  sacrifice  its  capital,  neither  has  it  at 
itB  service  a  severe  winter,  vhich  ensures  thé 
disorganization  of  a  hostile  army  that  ic 
scantily  provisioned.  Of  what  service  weré 
the  sièges  of  the  Russian  fortresses  in  1 828» 
but  to  prolong  the  war  and  to  increase  ita 
disasters? 

On  another  equally  important  point  in  tao- 
tics,  the  concentration  of  masses,  the  Russian 
gênerais  are  mostly  ignorant  Paskevitsch 
alone  practised  it  in  a  trifling  degree  at  the 
commencement  of  the  campaign  in  Poland 
It  is  to  SouTorof  that  the  Russians  incessantlj 
refer  on  every  point  relating  to  the  militarj 
art;  and  it  is  to  him  that  they  attribute  the 
honour  of  having  best  comprehended  Û» 
character  of  the  Russian  soldier.  He  made 
the  priming  of  his  cannon  of  human  fledi, 
never  spared  the  troops,  marched  to  nctory 


312  BIJSSIA   UNDSR 

over  piles  of  dead,  and  fought  on  the  daj 
of  batUe  as  fiercelj  as  the  meanest  of  Ub 
Boldiers;  thus  making  the  fate  of  a  fumpaipij 
of  a  war,  of  a  oonntrj,  dépendent  on  a  àt^ 
shot.  Such  tactics  are  too  cruel  or  toonali 
to  deserve  commendation  ;  jet  thia  ia  the  only 
thing  that  the  partisans  of  SouTorof  boirov 
from  him,  incapable  of  copjing  him  in  his 
best  points — ^that  principle,  for  exampl^  thit 
it  is  necessarj  to  destroj  in  ita  origin  enrj 
assemblage  of  the  enemj,  bj  beaiing  down 
upon  the  spot  whcre  it  is  fonning  vith  gmt 
celeritj,  and  before  it  has  become  dangeroos. 

Mcn  are  still  held  so  cheap  in  Rnssia  that 
more  than  once,  at  Tjeipsic,  at  Vania»  in  thQ 
CaucasuSy  when  a  Russian  detachment^  on  the 
point  of  succumbing,  has  been  liaUe  to  ooci* 
sion  the  loss  of  an  entire  coips^  Tollejs  cf 
grape-shot  hâve  been  poured  on  RnaaimnB  and 
enemieSy  mowing  down  both  alike. 

Nowhere  has  the  mania  of  pandea  uA 
exercises  of  ail  kinds  and  denominatii 
çarried  to  such  a  length  as  in  Rnasia» 


KICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  313 

in  what  is  good  îs  itself  an  eril,  and  the  goôd 
alluded  to  hère  îs  extremely  doubtM;  for 
practical  utilitj  is  not  what  is  kept  most  in 
riew  in  thèse  sorts  of  manœuvres.  One  ought 
to  haye  seen  the  Russian  foot-soldier  lifting 
his  leg  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  set  it  down 
again  on  the  ground  with  the  same  formaUty 
and  the  same  slowness;  to  hâve  witnessed  the 
complicated  exercises  which  the  heaviest  horse* 
èoldiers  perform  on  foot;  to  hâve  seen  the 
Russian  officer  at  the  head  of  his  platoon 
twist  himself  like  a  litter-horse,  in  order  to 
he  convinced  tiiat  a  man  of  anj  other  nation 
would  not  submit  to  such  a  manœuvre,  which 
is  frequently  akin  to  dégradation  and  tends 
to  brutalize.  This  it  is  that  forms  par  exceU 
lence,  the  favourite  amusement  as  well  as  thç 
most  assiduous  occupation  of  Nicholas,  and 
likewise  of  ail  the  princes  of  the  Impérial 
family.  It  is  the  art,  and  the  onlj  art,  in 
^hich  they  excel.  A  corps  of  nearly  a 
hundred  thousand  men  is  spedally  reserved 
for  the  diversion  of  the  Emperor,  and  this 


£ 

ai 

«I 
4i 
A 

tîlf 

tînt 
poi 

••  « 

pea 
perl 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIBST.  SIS 

tbe  citizens  who  hold  the  elcctiye  functioxusj 
or  who  are  engaged  in  the  tirade  to  the  Cati-» 
easus,  bejond  the  Une  of  the  quarantines} 
the  peasants  of  the  Orown  vrho  hâte  filled 
public  offices  for  nine  years,  the  pnpils  of  th« 
orphan-houses  and  of  the  foundling  hoepitatei 
nnless  they  are  condemned  to  be  soldiers; 
those  of  the  agricultural  farm  of  the  ministrj 
of  the  domains,  if  they  hare  become  over- 
seers,  during  the  whole  time  that  they  are 
in  office;  and  the  sons  of  the  mayor  of  the 
volostey  so  long  as  they  are  not  separated 
from  their  father.  The  native  inhabitants  of 
Siberia,  the  Samoyedes  in  the  gOTemment  of 
Archangel,  and  the  colonists  of  certain  classe^ 
are  likewise  exempt  from  the  recruiting. 

The  inhabitants  of  Archangel,  those  of  1^ 
coontries  bordering  on  Austria  and  Prossia  for 
an  extent  of  a  hondred  wersts,  the  firee  agricdt- 
turists  of  the  govemment  of  Mohiler^  tiie 
Tartars  of  the  goy^nment  of  Astrakhan, 
foreigners  settled  in  the  Tanride,  the  workmen 
of  Narra  and  certain  thinly  peopled  districte, 


316  BUSSIA   UKDEB 

çnjoj  the  privilège  of  liberating  themselres  on 
paying  three  hundred  silyer  rables  for  each  re« 
croit.  The  Lopares  of  the  district  of  Kola»  and 
the  pupils  ^ho  bave  completed  their  courses  at 
jûie  technological  institution,  maj  ransom  thenh* 
jBelves  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  silyer  rubles. 

The  âge  required  for  being  a  soldier  is 
fixed  at  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  yeare. 
•The  nobles  who  wish  to  make  soldiers  of  some 
of  their  serfs  in  addition  to  their  contribution, 
can  get  them  admitted  from  eighteen  to  fortj. 

In  the  same  family,  the  bachelor  passes 
l)efore  the  married  son,  the  elder  before  the 
youngest,  one  who  has  no  children  before 
imother  who  has.  Between  those  who  are 
married  and  hâve  children  the  parents  décide^ 
and,  in  default  of  them,  the  lot  détermines. 
\Bxceptions  may  be  made  to  thèse  roks 
■by  gênerai  consent.  The  £Eunily  whidi  has 
but  one  working  member  fomishes  no  recnûts» 
.unless  one-third  of  the  familles  are  in  this 
predicament,  and  then  one  recmit  ia  leried  ont 
,of  ail  thèse  familles  together. 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  317 

In  each  goyemment,  there  is  a  committed 
which  spécifies  the  places  where  recroiting 
offices  (rékroutshoié  pritsoulstvié)  are  to  be 
established.  There  are  as  many  as  four  \À 
the  most  populous  goTemments,  and  therô 
must  always  be  one  in  the  chief  town.  Thô 
latter  is  composed  of  the  président  of  thô 
chamber  of  finances,  the  marshal  of  the  dis» 
trict,  the  councillor  of  the  chamber  of  finances, 
who  directs  the  section  of  révision,  a  miUtary 
employé^  and  a  médical  employé. 

The  citizens  of  each  town,  the  peasants  of 
the  Crown  in  each  union  of  villages,  the  pro- 
perties  of  each  lord  in  the  same  govemment, 
form  separate  recruiting  districts.  If  a  districb 
of  citizens  has  not  the  required  number  of  inr- 
habitants  for  fumishing  a  recruit,  it  remaintt 
debtor  to  the  State  for  a  fraction  proportional 
to  its  population,  and  it  pays  at  the  next  re* 
cruiting,  or  whenever  it  happens  to  owe  an 
entire  man.  If  the  district  is  composed  of 
peasants  of  the  Crown,  it  pays  in  money  ;  and 
if  the  share  coming  to  it  is  above  one-fourth 


fiiibs 

E 
thre< 
Arcl 
one  ^ 

ther, 
subôti 


mçaSLQhàB  TfiS  HBST.  319 


Ohapter  XI. 

THE  CAUCASUS. 

Thb  Caucasus  has  seyeral  points  of  resem* 
.  blance  with  Algerîa.  In  one,  as  in  thé  other, 
Ohristianit 7  is  struggling  with  Islamism,  dTila- 
tion  with  barbariâni.  The  dimate  of  botiii 
thèse  uncultivated  countries  is  equall j  fatal  to 
Europeans:  heat  and  fever  decimate  their 
ranks  in  both.  This  resemblance  is  partially 
found  even  in  the  habits  and  manners  of  the 
two  countries,  and  in  the  arms  and  stnffs,  which 
indicate  the  same  tastes.  The  East,  Islamism, 
ihe  Turkish  character,  hâve  erery  where 
stamped  their  seaL  Abdel-Eoider,  the  Ârab 
chieftain,  has  a  worthj  and  fortonate  riyal  in 


320  RUSSIA   U17DES 

Schamile,  the  chief  of  the  GiicaanaiiB»  ind 
the  moral  power  whicli  thèse  two  eztnardiiiaiy 
mon  exercise  over  their  people^  exdtes  respect 
even  in  their  foes;  but  there  ends  the  lesem- 
blance.  The  Circassian  is  terrible  in  a  diffiarent 
vay  from  the  Ârab,  and  the  Caucasos  is  moim* 
tainous  otherwiso  than  Algerîa.  Henoe»  irhife 
the  French  troops  in  Africa  baye  sofiêred 
Tcr 7  little  from  the  enemj,  there  is  not  a  cresi^ 
a  défile,  a  stream,  in  the  Caucasus  that  his 
not  been  drenched  and  dyed  with  Rossian 
blood.  The  Circassians  défend  most  obstî- 
nately  everj  foot  of  ground,  and  they  are  stiD 
far  from  acknowledging  the  superiority  of  the 
Russian  arms  and  cirilization.  In  consecpiflno^ 
while  Algiers  is  merelj  a  means  à[  oocqijing 
the  French  armj,  an  occasion  of  distinetÛB 
and  promotion  for  its  officers,  the  Cancasos  k 
for  the  Russian  armj  an  eyer-yawning  giifC^ 
vhich  swallows  up  its  officers»  and  wean  ont 
its  gênerais;  and  we  much  fear  tikat  ail  Ae 
courage  and  energj  which  the  RiuaiaiiB  die- 
plaj  in  this  warfaie,  viU  be  abeolntelf  tihnMi 
awaj. 


NICnOLAS  THE   FIRST.  321    • 

Nothing  excites  such  pity  as  to  see  the 
Rufisian  soldier,  the  fair-complexioned  child  of 
the  snowy  désert,  battling  with  the  son  of  the 
mountains,  nimble  as  the  deer,  hard  as  the  rock, 
rapid  as  lightning.  Nothing  is  more  melan- 
cholj  than  to  see  Russian  tactics  pitted  against 
the  wild  bravery  of  the  Circassians.  The 
most .  skilfiil  dispositions  are  frequently  fhis- 
trated  by  the  abrupt  movements  of  the  Tscher- 
kesses,  who  hâve  no  tactics  but  their  courage 
and  cunning.  The  invaders  hâve  not,  neither 
can  they  hâve,  any  topographical  map  of  the 
Caucasus,  which  défies  every  sort  of  apprécia- 
tion, or  at  least  the  means  which  the  Russians  ' 
employ  for  taking  plans;  and  the  interior  of 
the  country  is  totally  unknown  in  erery  re- 
spect. Nobody  has  yet  penetrated  into  the 
gorges  of  the  mountains;  the  natives  them- 
selves  are  acquainted  with  only  part  of  them, 
and  hâve  but  confused  ideas  of  the  gênerai 
whole.  The  most  enterprizing  emissaries  hâve 
as  yet  explored  but  a  few  localities.  The 
Russian  troops,  therefore,  march  in  the  dark, 

VOL.  IL  Y 


392  BUSSIA   UNDBB 

and  at  random;  while  the  CircasaianB  act 
wkh  a  perfect  knowledge  of  what  they  a» 
about.  They  fall  like  lightning  apon  tbe  Rus- 
sian  columnsy  even  when  thèse  hayc  number 
and  ground  in  tbeir  favour,  and  like  lightning 
th&y  instantlj  vanish  in  the  defts  of  their 
rocks.  Frequentlj,  too,  thej  conceal  theni- 
selres  among  the  rushes  which  oover  the  banks 
of  tbeir  rivers,  and  form,  as  it  were,  impeae- 
trable  forcsts;  thence  thej  attack  sometimei 
the  head  of  the  Russian  colnmnsy  sometimes 
the  rear,  which  thej  contrive  to  destroy,  or 
nmreij  send  a  few  balls,  which  never  &il  to 
hit  tbeir  mark,  and  seek  tbe  offioers  in  préfet- 
enee;  thej  then  burj  themsdyes  among  tbt 
reeds,  and  ail  attempts  to  find  them  are  fruit- 
leSB.  At  other  times  thej  bide  in  the  thid, 
ghwkj  forests,  which  Natnre  bas  ]danted  for 
their  dcfenoe.  Tbe  Rnssians^  befbre  thej  feu- 
tore  ta  penetrate  into  them,  poor  forth  &  tei^ 
pesl  of  cannon-balls,  and  tben  send  tîrailbat 
tbiiller.  Notbing  indicatee  the  pwonce  of 
tbe  memj;  the  cobimn  eaten  tb»  ipood;  m- 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  333 

stantl  j  the  trees  become  instinct  with  life  ;  the 
balls  shower  npon  the  Russian  soldiers,  wha 
either  fall  in  mass,  or  are  fonced  to  betake 
themselves  to  flight. 

The  Circassians  rarely  venture  into  the 
plain,  their  attempts  of  this  kind  having  cost 
them  very  dear.  In  1828  they  crossed  the* 
Ouban  to  the  number  of  12,000.  The  Cos- 
sacks  of  the  Black  Sea,  forewamed  of  their 
attack,  received  them  on  this  occasion  with  a 
murderous  discharge  of  grape-shot,  and,  having^ 
eut  off  their  retreat,  made  a  horrible  carnage* 
among  them.  Such  as  escaped  the  slaughter 
were  drowned  in  the  Cuban  or  buried  in  the 
marshes  on  the  other  side  of  that  rirer.  Thv 
nnmber  of  coirassed  horsemen  who  perished  in 
this  affair  was  remarkablj  considérable:  It  i» 
related  that,  on  this  occasion,  the  Circassians 
had  hurried  to  the  combat  hugging  their 
salM^s  to  their  sides,  with  shouts  of  "Obme, 
MÎEny  bejond  the  Cabane  meaning  by  thafa' 
name  the  Gossack  women,  who  tempt  them 
more  tiian  their  own>  though  so  reno^v^oed  for 

T  2 


324  RUSSIA   UNDER 

iheir  beaut y.  This  singularitj  is  met  with,  H 
is  truc,  among  thc  polished  nations;  ihe foreign 
type,  owing  to  the  attraction  of  noTeltj,  &e- 
quentlj  gaining  thc  prcference  before  real 
bcauty. 

In  the  month  of  Scptember,  1838,  the  Cii^ 
cassians  fell  unawarcs  upon  KialoTodsk,  Btill 
full  of  yisitors  who  had  corne  to  use  the  mi- 
nerai baths.  Thej  sackcd  the  two  hooaes 
which  stood  most  forward  in  the  plain,  kiUed 
the  inhabitants,  slanghtcred  the  small  bodjr  of 
guards  which  happened  to  be  at  hand,  and 
retircd  delightcd  with  this  bold  entezpiiie;  bot 
the  piquets  had  abrcady  apprizcd  General  Sub 
of  this  attack.  Swift  as  lightnin^  he  cai  off 
their  retreat  with  a  Iiandful  of  CkNnacks  rf 
the  Une,  and  four  hundred  TadieikesBes  paîd 
with  their  lives  for  this  rash  incarûim. 

It  is  onlj  when  the  Russians  hâve 
winter-quarters  that  the  Circaanana  (i 
upon  the  attack  of  forts  in  considenUe  1 
The  courage  of  the  Russian  garriflou  bu  fle- 
quentlj,  in  such  cases^  been  reqoirad  to  ] 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  325 

amenda  for  tbc  smallncss  of  tbeir  numbor.  Bj 
this  time  too  tbc  mountaineers  bave  leamed 
to  make  a  better  use  of  cannon;  formerlj,  tbe 
Russian  pièces  wbicb  fell  into  tbeir  bands 
were  retakeu  in  tbe  very  first  affair,  and  tumed 
against  tbemselves. 

Tbe  Circassians  deserve  tbe  cbaracter  of 
excellent  marksmen,  and  tbe  Russian  officers 
are  tbe  first  yictims  of  tbeir  skill.  Tbese 
perisb  in  very  considérable  number,  a  number, 
indeed,  quite  disproportionate  to  tbat  of  tbe 
soldiers.  It  bas  frequently  been  found  neces- 
sary  to  make  tbem  wear  tbe  great  coat  of  tbe 
latter  to  save  tbem  from  tbe  enemy's  balls; 
but  tbis  précaution  is  répugnant  to  tbeir 
valour  ;  and,  wbile  it  is  but  optional,  tbey  not 
only  disdain  it,  but  even  make  an  ostentatious 
display  in  tbeir  dress.  Tbe  wbite  cap  is  tbe 
one  wbicb  tbey  prefer,  and  a  close  coat  of 
damask  of  tbe  country  is  tbeir  babitual  cos- 
tume. Discipline  allows  tbem  full  latitude  on 
tbis  point. 

Tbe   Circassian    fusil  is  of   extraordinary 


326  KUSSIA    UNDEB 

lengtli,  and  is  adaptcd  to  a  support,  or  ercn  to 
ihe  hilt  of  the  sword,  thc  point  of  whîch  is 
thrust  into  the  ground  ;  it  is  verj  true  ;  thc 
bail  is  small  and  of  copper.  Lead  andpowder 
arc  scarce,  so  that  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see 
thc  natives  givc  an  ox  for  two  or  three  pounds 
of  powdcr,  and  thej  will  confront  the  greatest 
dangers  in  the  attack  of  forts  where  the 
magazines  of  ammunitiou  promise  ihem  a  nt- 
luablc  bootj.  The  Circassian  sword  îb  of 
wonderful  tempcr,  rounded  like  a  half-sward, 
and  Tiithout  hilt  to  guard  the  hand.  llie 
Russians  hâve  conccived  that  thej  oould  BOt 
do  better  tlian  to  adopt  it  for  certain  ooqw  d 
their  cavalry,  and  in  the  Gaucasus  their  ofi- 
cers  use  it  in  préférence. 

In  the  Russian  armj,  the  Cossacks  of  the 
Line,  as  thej  are  called,  are  the  troops  .VMt 
capable  of  coping  with  aie 
Living  close  to  them,  thej  hâve  adopted 
customs.  their  dress,  and  their 
them  in  dexteritj  as  well  as 
Oofisacks  of  the  Black  Sea, 


KICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  327 

have  made  themselves  respected,  which  ii  hj 
BO  means  the  case  with  their  brethren  of  ,the 
Don,  who  hâve  become  a  thème  for  raillery  ^to 
the  Tscherkesses,  as  well  on  account  of  their 
red  vests  as  for  their  absolutely  féminine  ti- 
morousness  :  the  mountaineers  slaughter  tiiem 
like  sheep.  The  Russian  foot-soldier  is  indeed 
to  be  pitied  in  this  war  so  unsuited  to  his  nature. 
When  he  does  not  feel  his  neighbour^s  elbow,  he 
is  done  np  ;  and  where  he  is  not  engaged  in 
breaking  or  in  repelling  ma^cs  by  maases,  he  is 
of  no  use.  Partisan  warfare,  the  war  of  tirail- 
leurs, takes  him  at  unawares.  His  havresack 
at  his  back,  armed  with  a  wretched  muaket, 
which  he  fires  quite  at  random,  with  a  swx>rd 
which  does  not  deserve  the  name,  the  baycmet 
is  of  little  use  to  him,  and  more  than  one  sol- 
dier  has  been  seen  despatched  by  the  sword  of 
a  Circaâsian,  whom  he  had  pierced  with  his 
bayonet,  because  he  could  not  draw  it  ont 
quickly  enough.  Opposed  to  such  an  adver- 
sary,  the  Circassian  is  a  hero  of  fable;  rardij 
mifising  his  man,  using  the  pistol  after  dû- 


328  RUSSIA   UKDER 

charging  his  fusil,  playing  with  the  dagger  is 
well  as  with  thc  sword  ;  bom  and  bred  to  war, 
and  for  war,  hc  is  also  a  ferocious  beast, 
rcYclIing  in  carnage,  indomitable  and  intrac- 
table.  Brave  as  his  blade,  nimblc  as  his  steed, 
subsisting  on  a  handful  of  rice,  fanatic  as  the 
Mussulman,  blood-thirstj  as  a  pagan,  fighting 
for  his  indepcndeuce  amidst  inaccessible  moan- 
tains,  lie  may  flatter  himself  that  he  shall 
make  any  one  repent  who  attempts  to  subdue 
him.  Violence  can  efiect  nothing  with  him; 
he  delights  in  the  sight  of  blood:  on  the  grarc 
of  every  brothcr  slain  by  a  Christian  he  places 
a  mark,  which  he  does  not  remoTC  till  be  has 
reyenged  his  death  by  that  of  an  enemj. 
Ciyilization  with  ail  its  séductions  has  no 
charms  for  thèse  men,  and  they  ahut  their 
hearts  against  every  feeliug  that  might  en- 
danger  their  independence.  The  Circasnans 
enroUed  among  the  Russian  troopa  retamaU 
their  nationality  and  the  warmest  loTe  of  tbeir 
country.  The  very  boys,  who,  carried  to  SL 
Petersburg,  brought  up  in  the  Greek 


NICHOLAS  THE   FIRST.  329 

were  afterwards  sent  to  their  own  country  as 
missionaries,  flung  their  books  înto  tbe  first 
Circassian  river,  and  retumed  to  their  homes 
with  the  sentiments  which  they  had  carried 
away  with  them,  and  frcquently  with  increased 
hatred  of  the  Russians;  at  other  times  their 
brethren  bave  made  cartridges  with  the  bibles 
of  the  Russian  emissarics.  Hence  people  are 
convinced  that  it  is  better  to  tolerate  their 
reUgion,  and  the  Circassian  cadets  at  Peters- 
burg  bave  a  moullah  who  comes  to  instruct 
them  in  their  faith. 

Divided  into  tribes  independent  of  each 
othcr,  at  times  obeying  merely  the  commands 
of  a  prophet  or  a  moullah  whom  they  belieye 
to  be  inspired,  or  a  prince  who  finds  means 
to  gain  an  influence  over  them,  if  they  could 
eyer  forget  their  intestine  quarrels  and  range 
themselres  under  one  and  the  same  banner, 
no  power  in  the  world  could  conquer  them. 
The  best  thing,  therefore,  that  the  Russians 
could  do  is  not  to  suiflFer  the  influence  of 
Schamile  to  increase,  in  hopes  that  the  severity 


XICHQLAS   THE   FIRST.  331 

In  this  war  no  quarter  is  given;  the  faarshest 
filaverj  is  the  lot  of  the  Russian  prisoners;  and 
to  withhold  from  the  Circassians  the  pecuniaay 
means  of  prolonging  the  war,  the  Government 
has  adopted  the  principle  of  not  ransoming 
them.  If  the  Russians  were  to  treat  their 
Tscherkessian  prisoners  better  than  they  now 
do — for  they  rarely  fail  to  beat  them  cruelly 
B8  Boon  as  they  are  taken — they  might  hope 
to  see  their  number  increase.  Meanwhile  the 
coui^age  and  the  fanaticism  of  the  Circassian 
cause  him  very  often  to  put  an  end  to  his  life 
Tather  than  surrender  to  the  Russians.  One 
day  a  Circassian,  after  his  horse  had  been 
killed  under  him,  found  himself  surrounded  by 
about  twenty  officers  of  the  Russian  guard. 
Jlesolutely  presenting  his  fiisil,  he  manifested 
a  détermination  to  dispatch  the  first  who 
should  approach  him.  The  officers  consulted 
whether  one  of  them  should  encounter  Ûm 
4anger,  or  whether  they  should  ail  rush  upon 
jh^jn  at  once,  and  leave  to  their  gallant  adyèr- 
sary  the  choice  of  his  yictint     They  adopted 


8am( 

&abr< 

sack 

ererj 

on  m 

with 

three 

the  fi 

Circai 

officei 

tainec 

fiustaij 

perish* 

inspeci 

sold  tl 


NICHOLAS  THE  PIR8T.  333 

the  most  expert  in  the  management  of  the 
fîisil,  Iiad  fallen  furthest  adyanced  in  the 
enemy's  ranks,  after  breaking  his  weapon  in 
several  places;  and,  when  dead,  liis  hand  still 
grasped  the  beard  of  a  Tscherkess.  The  Rus- 
sian  soldier,  on  his  part,  uses  the  but  of  his 
pièce  ahnost  as  cleverlj  as  the  Circassian  does 
the  barrel  ;  he  prefers  it  to  the  bayonet,  with 
which,  he  sajs,  you  can  kill  but  one  man  at  a 
time,  whereas  with  the  but  you  may  knock 
down  two  or  three  at  a  single  blow,  Hence, 
on  a  day  of  battle,  most  of  the  Russian  buts 
are  broken,  and  the  soldier  frequently  applies 
to  his  of&cer  for  permission  to  retum  his 
musket.  The  Pôles  had  the  same  prédilection 
for  fighting  with  the  but,  which  has  thus  be- 
come  a  favourite  practice  with  the  Slavonians  ; 
and  it  certainly  requires  some  strength  to  wield 
the  weapon  in  this  way  with  facility. 

Since  the  annexation  of  Georgia  and  the 
cession  of  the  Persian  provinces,  the  Russians 
occupy  the  two  faces  of  the  chain  of  the  Oau- 
casus,  which  they  thus  coop  up  on  both  sides. 


1 

p 
h 


KICHOLifl  TH3&  JIBBT.  335 

jeara;  and  that  the  place  where  Sckanûte 
résides  has  been  more  than  fiye  tdmes  in  tbo 
possession  of  the  Russians,  withont  their  being 
aUe  to  keep  it.  The  Gîrcassians  dwelling 
at  the  foot  o£  the  moontains  ostensiblj  recog- 
nize  the  power  of  Russia^  but,  in  the  interrala 
between  the  campaigns,  thej  lend  a  helping. 
hand  to  the  mountaineers,  and  assist  theuL  in 
the  attack  of  the  forts.  If  no  cause  of  com- 
plaint  were  given  them,  they  woidd  not  expose 
themselYes  to  danger  bj  attempts  which  the 
Russians  hare  the  powar  to  punish  severely. 
HithertOy  capitulations  hâve  been  too  easiljr 
granted,  whereas  the  energetic  repression  of 
insurrections  would  hâve  the  infallible  effect  of 
abridging  the  calamities  of  war. 

With  the  means  and  the  men  at  juresent 
employée!»  the  war  in  the  Caucasus  is  a  sté- 
rile war,  and  the  obstinacy  with  which  th0 
Russian  gtHremment  persists  in  its  continoance, 
will  only  serve  to  produce  bloodshed»  to  em- 
bitter  animosities,  and  to  render  recondliatîoa 
impossible.     The  war  that  it  ou^t  abo?e  bII 


Oaucas 

is  not  i 

Thege 

to  retai 

tion;   ; 

ondeiBt 

on  die 

being  cl 

gular  wi 

Attfa 

there  w; 

whose  m 

sians^wh 


pnpil,  G 


NICHOLAS  THE  FIRST.  337 

actions;  but,  fettered  by  the  General-in-Ohiof, 
Baron  Rosen,  and  bj  the  mînistij,  he  wm 
obliged  to  confine  himself  to  the  exécution  of 
their  orders.  The  négligence  and  the  abuses 
laid  to  the  charge  of  General  Rosen,  led  to  his 
dismissal.  General  Golovine,  who  succeeded 
him,  nxanaged,  during  his  command  in  the 
Caucasus,  to  maintain  the  superiority  of  the 
Russian  arms,  and  to  erect  some  adrancdd 
forts»  among  which  that  named  after  him  is  of 
great  utilitj.  Being  soon  disgusted  with  a 
post  more  toikome  than  glorious,  he  gave  it 
up  to  Baron  Neidhardt^  whose  German  pe- 
dantrj  fixed  his  attention  upon  trifles  aud 
endangered  important  points.  The  hopes  of 
the  country  hâve  been  revived  by  the  appoint- 
ment  of  Count  Worontzof,  who,  invested  with 
a  discretionary  power,  has  an  immense  adyux* 
tage  over  ail  his  predecessors.  Haying  dis^ 
playod  some  military  ability  in  the  campaign 
in  France,  and  some  administratire  skill  in  his 
post  of  Govemor-General  of  New  Russia,  he 
appears  to  justify  the  choice  which  has  been 

VOL.  II.  Z 


therc 

the 

milifa 

is  le 

alwaj 

Qpon 

whidi 

before 

had  se 

trade 

human 

enrichi 

refused 

rontzof 

iaToiir  • 


lîICHOLAS  THE   FIBST.  339 

man  lias  deemed  it  right  to  jicld  to  considère 
ations  far  from  courageous  for  authorizing  tlie 
violation  of  a  law  of  humanity  and  re-esta- 
blishing  tlic  white  slave-trade»  at  tbc  same 
time  that  the  Russian  GoTemment  is  protest- 
ing  against  the  trafic  in  blacks. 

Schamilc  appears  to  be  one  of  those  su- 
pcrior  mcn  whom  the  wars  of  independence 
hâve  frequentlj  produced.  He  has  already 
more  than  once  made  the  Russians  severely 
repent  having  suflfered  him  to  rctum  to  his 
mountains.  Being  taken  prisoner  in  1828, 
with  Kasi-Moullahy  his  master  and  prede- 
cesser,  he  was  long  confined  in  a  Russian 
fort,  and  liberated  with  other  prisoners  solely 
because  they  were  ail  believed  to  be  inoflfensive. 
Ilis  son  has  since  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
Russians,  who  are  educating  him  with  the 
cadets  at  St.  Petersburg.  This  chief  exercises 
a  magie  influence  over  his  coimtrjmen,  by 
force  and  by  money,  as  much  as  by  his  moral 
ascendency.  Chaste,  like  ail  men,  who  hâve  a 
high  mission  to  fulfil,  he  disdams  the  law  of 

z  2