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

272 SINCERITY OF THE EMPEllQIl's LANGUAGE.

pacts, it does not solve questions — it only adjourns difficulties."

The emperor seemed to say, Go on. I continued r

" It is a truce signed between democracy and monarchy, under the auspices of two very mean tyrants, fear and interest; and it is prolonged by that pride of intellect which takes pleasure in talking, and that popular vanity which satisfies itself on words. In short, it is the aristocracy of oratory, substituted for the aristocracy of birth : it is the government of the lawyers."

" Sir, you speak the truth," said the emperor, pressing my hand: " I have been a representative sovereign *, and the world knows what it has cost me not to have been willing to submit to the exigencies of this infamous government (I quote literally). To buy votes, to corrupt consciences, to seduce some in order to deceive others ; all those means I disdained, as degrading those who obey as much as those who command, and I have dearly paid the penalty of my straightforwardness; but, God be praised, I have done for ever with this detestable political machine. I shall never more be a constitutional king. I have too much need of saying all that I think ever to consent to reign over any people by means of stratagem and intrigue."

The name of Poland, which presented itself incessantly .to our thoughts, was not once uttered in this singular conversation.

The effect it produced on me was great. I felt myself subdued. The nobleness of sentiment which the