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

96ТПЕ TRUE POLICY OF RUSSIA.

If the Czar Peter, instead of amusing himself with dressing up bears and monkeys—if Catherine II., instead of meddling with philosophy—if, in short, all the Russian sovereigns had wished to civilise their nation by cautiously cultivating and developing the admirable seed which God had implanted in the hearts of this people—these last comers from Asia — they would have less dazzled Europe, but they would have acquired a more solid and durable glory ; and we should now see them pursuing their providential task of making war with the old Asiatic governments. Turkey in Europe herself would have submitted to their influence, without the other states being able to complain of such extension of a power really beneficent. Instead of this irresistible strength, Russia has, among us, the power only that we accord to her — the power of an upstart, more or less skilful in making us forget her origin. The sovereignty over neighbours more barbarous and more slavish than herself is her due and her destiny ; it is written, if I may use the expression, in her future chronicles; but her influence over more advanced people is contingent and uncertain.

However, this nation once launched on the great higli road of civilisation, nothing will be able to make her return to her own line. God alone knoAvs the result. Peter the Great, it must be remembered, or rather Peter the Impatient, was the cause of her error. The world will also not forget that the only institutions whence Russian liberty could have sprung —the two chambers—were abolished by that prince.

In politics, arts, sciences, and all other branches of human attainment, men are only great by com pa-