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

76GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.

" Come among us, and you will learn to fear some other kinds."

" It will not be you, prince, who will succeed in imbuing me with a bad opinion of Russia."

"Do not judge of it, either by me, or by any other Russian who has travelled : our natural flexibility renders us cosmopolites the moment we leave our own land; and this disposition of mind is in itself a satire against our government! "

Here, notwithstanding his habit of speaking openly on all subjects, the prince began to distrust both himself, me, and every one else, and took refuge in some remarks not very conspicuous for their perspicuity. He afterwards, however, availed himself of a moment when we were alone to lay before me his opinion as to the character of the men and the institutions of his country. The following, as nearly as I can recollect, forms the sum of his observations.

" Russia, in the present age, is only four hundred years removed from the invasions of barbarian tribes, whilst fourteen centuries have elapsed since western Europe experienced the same crisis. A civilisation older by one thousand years of course places an immeasurable distance between the manners of nations.

" Many ages before the irruption of the Mongol», the Scandinavians placed over the Slavonians (then altogether savages) chieftains, who reigned at Great Novogorod and at Kiew, under the name of Varegues. These foreign heroes, supported by a small retinue of armed followers, became the first princes of the Russians; and their companions in arms are the stock whence proceeds the more ancient nobility. The Varegue princes, who were a species of demi-