Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

224 UNENVIABLE TOSITION OF THE EMPEEOIÏ.

rehearsals. No one knows his part, and the day for the representation never arrives, because the manager is never satisfied with the proficiency of his corps. Actors and managers thus pass their life in preparing, correcting and perfecting their interminable drama of society, the title of which is " The civilisation of the North." If it be so fatiguing to the audience, what must it be to the performers !

The emperor is, by extraction, more a German than a Russ. The fineness of his features, the regularity of his profile, his military figure, his bearing, naturally a little stiíf, all remind one of Germany rather than of Muscovy. His Teutonic temperament must have been long schooled and fettered ere he could have become, as he now is, a thorough Russian. Who knows ? — he was perhaps born a plain good-natured man ! If so, what must he not have endured before he could appear only as the chieftain of the Slavonians? The obligation of achieving a continual victory over himself in order to reign over others, will explain much in the character of the Emperor Nicholas.

Far from inspiring me with dislike, these things attract me. I cannot help viewing with interest one feared by the rest of the world, and who is, in reality, only so Jiiuch the more to be commiserated.

To escape as much as possible from the constraint which he imposes on himself, he is as restless as a lion in a cage, or a patient in a fever; he is constantly moving on foot or on horseback ; reviewing, carrying on little wars, sailing, manoeuvring his fleet, giving and receiving fetes. Leisure is that which is most dreaded at tliis court; whence I conclude that