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

330FRIENDSHIP OF IVAN AND

offer to the Tartars, Kazan and Astrachan, which he had formerly taken from them so gloriously. At a later period he yielded to Stephen Batori, Livonia, that price of blood, the object of his people's efforts during many ages. But notwithstanding these treasons of her head, Russia, indefatigable in servility, did not for one moment falter in her disgraceful obedience.

Under this reign Siberia may be said to have been first discovered and conquered by heroic Muscovite adventurers. It was the fortune of Ivan IV. to bequeath to his successors that instrument of tyranny.

Ivan felt for Elizabeth of England a sympathy which had the nature of an instinct. These two wild beasts understood each other, even at a distance; the affinities of their dispositions operated, notwithstanding that difference in their situations which explains the difference in their acts. Ivan IV. was a tiger at liberty, Elizabeth was a tigress in confinement.

Ever a prey to imaginary terrors, the Muscovite tyrant wrote to the cruel daughter of Henry VIII., the triumphant rival of Mary Stuart, to beg of her an asylum in her realm in case of a reverse of fortune. She replied to him in a long affectionate letter. Karamsin only cites parts of this letter in the original language. It is preserved, he says, in the archives of Russia. I translate literally the English passages which he gives us.

" To the most high and mighty Prince, our beloved brother the Emperor and Grand Duke Ivan Vassili, Sovereign of all the Russias.

" If at any time it should come to pass that you should, by any casual event, by any secret conspi-