1 Schnitzler, 143. Generous conduct of the emperor on the Place In of China. The climate there is somewhat less | But her petition was sternly refused. "I am severe than in the same latitude in other parts astonished that you venture to speak to me," of Siberia; and the humanity of the emperor said he to the lady who ventured 1 Custine, permitted a few articles of comfort to be intro- to present it, "in favor of a fam- iii. 31, 41'; duced, which softened the asperities of that ily which has conspired against Schnitzler, deep solitude. Tchitinsk, where they were all me.' ii. 313, 316. assembled, became a populous colony, an oasis According to an established usage in Russia, of civilization in the midst of an immense des- a solemn religious ceremony was 144. ert. The forced labor of the convicts extended performed on the termination of the Expiatory only to a few hours a day; some slender com- great contest with the principles of ceremony forts, and even luxuries, were stealthily intro- anarchy which had signalized the of the Sen duced; and a library containing a few books, emperor's accession to the throne. ate. permitted by the police, enlivened the weary "On the spot," said the emperor in July 21. hours of solitude by the pleasures of intellect- another proclamation, "where seven months ual recreation. But the simple duties of their ago the explosion of a sudden revolt revealed situation left them little leisure for such amuse- the existence of a vast conspiracy which had ments, and the regular routine of humble life, been going on for ten years, it is meet that a last if it deprived them of the excitement, at least act of commemoration-an expiatory sacrifice saved them from the torment of ennui, the bane-should consecrate on the same spot the memand punishment of civilized selfishness. Many ory of the Russian blood shed for religion, the of them tasted a happiness, in this simple and throne, and the country. We have recognized patriarchal existence, to which they had been the hand of the Almighty, when He tore aside strangers amidst all the splendors of St. Peters- the vail which concealed that horrible mystery: burg. The Princess Troubetzkoi had been on it permitted crime to arm itself in order to asdistant terms with her husband before his ban- sure its fall. Like a momentary storm, the reishment, and she had no family; but misfor-volt only broke forth to annihilate the conspirtune did that which prosperity had failed to acy of which it was the consummation."* effect-they were drawn together by suffering conformity with these ideas, the whole garriin common; they lived contentedly son of St. Petersburg, sixty thousand strong, ii. 311, 313 together in their humble cottage, was on the morning after the execution of the Custine, iii. and she is now the happy mother conspirators assembled on the Place of the Sen29, 31. of five children.' ate, where the mutineers had taken their staThe emperor behaved generously to the fam- tion. The emperor issued from the Church of ilies and relations of such as had the Admiralty, which is the centre of St. Peterssuffered either death or exile for burg, led by the Metropolitan Archbishop, clad their political offenses. So far from in his pontifical robes, and accompanied by the involving them in any species of re- Empress and Prince Charles of Prussia, her sponsibility, he in many cases did brother. A solemn thanksgiving was then permuch to relieve them from the con- formed at the altar, and the priests, descending sequences of that which they had already from the steps, scattered holy water over the undergone in the punishment of those who soldiers, the people, and the pavement of the were dear to them. He gave 50,000 rubles square. When the purification was (£2500) to the father of Pestel, with a valua- completed, the bands of all the regi-i. 318, 320 ble farm on one of the domains of the crown, ments struck up a hallelujah; and Journal de and appointed his brother, a colonel in the the discharge of a hundred guns an- St. Péterschevalier guards, one of his own aids-de-camp. nounced that the expiation was conbourg, July 27, 1826. He was extremely anxious to relieve the dis- cluded and the crime effaced.2 tresses of Ryleif's widow, who had been left in Nicholas made, in one important respect, a very destitute circumstances, and sent repeat- noble use of his victory. During the edly to inquire into her necessities; but this course of the long investigation which Great rehigh-minded woman, proud of her suffering, re- took place into the conspiracy, great forms in all fused all his proffered kindness, and said the part of which was conducted by the depart only favor she asked of him was to put her to emperor in person, ample revelations troduced death, and lay her beside her husband. Un- were made, not merely in regard to by the emknown to her, he caused relief to be conveyed the extent and ramifications of the peror. to her children, with whose maintenance and conspiracy, but to the numerous social and poeducation he charged himself. But to the wo-litical evils which had roused into such fearful men who had accompanied their husbands into exile he showed himself inexorable; he thought The address contained these words, applicable to all that by so doing they had adopted their crimes, instead of extenuating it by the opposite vir- ages and people: "May the fathers of families by this sad example be led to pay proper attention to the moral tues. After undergoing fifteen years of exile in education of their children. Assuredly it is not to the their appointed place of banishment, the Prin-progress of civilization, but to the vanity which is the result of idleness and the want of intelligence-to the want cess Troubetzkoi earnestly petitioned the emof real education-that we are to ascribe that licentiousperor for a removal, not into Russia, but to a ness of thought, that vehemence of passion, that halfplace where the climate was milder, and she knowledge, so confused and perilous, that thirst after exmight obtain the rudiments of education for treme theories and political visions, which begin with demoralizing and end by ruining. In vain will the Governtheir children, and be near an apothecary to ment make generous efforts, in vain will it exhaust itself tend them when ill. She wrote a touching let-in sacrifices, if the domestic education of the people does ter to the emperor, which concluded with the words, "I am very unhappy; nevertheless, if it was to do over again, I would do the same." to the relatives of the convicts. 2 Schnitzler, 145. ments in activity so large a portion of the most intrepid not second its views and intentions, if it does not pour into the hearts the germs of virtue."-Journal de St. 316. Petersbourg, July 24, 1826, No. 86; and SCHNITZLER, ii. and patriotic of the higher classes. The leaders, who were examined by the emperor, unfolded without reserve the whole evils which were complained of, in particular the dreadful corruption which pervaded every branch of the administration, and the innumerable delays and venality which obstructed or perverted the course of justice in every department. He was so horror-struck by the revelations which were made, that for a long time he despaired of success in the attempt to cleanse out so vast and frightful an Augean stable; and his spirits were so affected by the discoveries made, that gloom pervaded the whole court for a long time after his accession. But at length he rose superior to the difficulties with which he was environ1 Ann. Hist. ed, and boldly set about applying a ix. 334; remedy, in the only true and safe Schnitzler, method, by cautious and practical ii. 135, 138. reforin.' ror. 146. a hid what may be termed private ukases, being addressed to individuals, not the Senate, and yet binding on the whole community. They formed, as was well observed at the time, den code of laws yet ruling the empire." To remedy this great defect, a complete collection of the ukases, which formed, like the rescripts of the Roman emperors, the laws of Russia, was formed, printed, and codified by the order of Nicholas. The great work proved to be one of immense labor; but by the vigilant attention and incessant energy of the emperor, it was completed in a surprisingly short space of time. The printing commenced on the 1st May, 1828, and was concluded on 1st April, 1830. It then embraced 35,993 ukases or acts, of which 5075 had been pronounced since the accession of the present emperor, and the collection which was sent to all the judges amounted to fifty-six large quarto volumes. In addition to this, Nicholas His first care was to dispatch circulars to all undertook, and successfully carried through, a the judges and governors in the em- still more difficult undertaking-viz., the conGreat legal pire, urging them in the most earn- struction of a uniform code, forming a complete reforms of est way to the faithful discharge of system of law, out of the enormous and often the empe- their duty, under the severest penal- heterogeneous materials. This gigantic underties, and inculcating in an especial taking, akin to the Institutes and Pandects of manner the immediate decision of the numerous Justinian, was completed in seven years more, cases in arrear before them, both in regard to and now forms the "sood" or body of Russian persons and property. With such success was law. Thus had Nicholas the glory, after havthis attended, that out of 2,850,000 processes de- ing rivaled Cæsar in the courage with which he pending in the beginning of 1826, nearly all had had suppressed military revolt, of emulating been decided before the end of that year; and Justinian in the zeal with which he prosecuted out of 127,000 persons under arrest, there re-legal reforms. Yet must his antagonists not be mained only 4900, in the beginning of 1827, in denied their share in the honor due to the foundcustody. The change was so great and satis-ers of the august temple; for if the 1 Ann. Hist. factory, that it was with reason made the sub- emperor raised the superstructure, it ix. 342; ject of a special congratulation from the em- was the blood of the martyrs which Schnitzler, peror to the Minister of Justice. Some of the cemented the foundations. ii. 134, 140. laws which pressed with most severity on the Yet was the crime of these generous but deCossacks and the southern provinces were re- luded men great, and their punishpealed. But the grand defect, which struck ment not only necessary, but just. Crime of the emperor in the internal administration of The beneficial results which follow- the insurRussia, was the want of any regular code of ed their insurrection were accidental gents. laws in the hands of all the judges, accessible only, and arose from its defeat; had it been to all, according to which justice might be uni- suppressed by other hands, or proved successformly administered in all the governments. ful, it could not have failed to have induced This was the more essential, since, as already the most terrible calamities. Met and crushed noticed, in a great proportion of the govern- by Ivan the Terrible or the Empress Catherine, ments the ukases of the emperors had never it would have drawn yet closer the bands of reached the judges. Great part, indeed, were tyranny on the state, and thrown it back for While the conspirators avowed that their designs centuries in the career of real freedom. No ultimately involved the destruction of the emperor and man had a right to calculate on the suppression his family, and expressed the deepest contrition for that of the revolt being immediately followed on the offense, they at the same time portrayed with courage part of the conqueror by the compilation of the and fidelity the social evils which consumed their country, and had induced them to take up arms. Many of Pandects. It was utterly impossible that a milithem, Ryleif and Bestoujif in particular, evinced a noble tary revolt, of which a few officers only knew spirit in misfortune. "I knew before I engaged in it," the object, into which the private soldiers had ruin me, but I could no longer bear to see my country been drawn by deceit, and to which the common people were entire strangers, could, if successful, terminate in any thing but disaster. Even the Reign of Terror in France would have been but a shadow of what must have ensued in the event of success; the proscriptions of Marius and Sylla, the slaughter of Nero, the centralized unmitigated despotism of the Lower Empire, could alone have been looked for. Benevolent intentions, generous self-devotion, patriotic spirit, are neither alone sufficient in public men, nor do they afford, even in the light of morality, an adequate vindication of their acts, if the laws are infringed. It is the first duty of those who urge on a movement to consider said the former to the emperor, "that my enterprise would under the yoke of despotism: the seed which I have sown, rest assured, will one day germinate, and in the end bear fruit." "I repent of nothing I have done," said Michel Bestoujif; "I die satisfied, and soon to be avenged." The emperor was so struck with the courage of his answers, and the hideous revelations which he made in regard, to the abuses of the public administration, that he said to him, "I have the power to pardon you; and if I felt assured you would prove a faithful servant, I would gladly do so." "That, sire!" said he, "is precisely what we complain of; the emperor can do every thing, and there is no law. In the name of God, let justice take its course, and let the fate of your subjects not in future depend on your caprices or the impressions of the moment." They were noble men who, in presence of the emperor, and with the ax suspended over their heads, could express such sentiments in such language SCHNITZLER, ii. 134, 135. 147. 148. peror and Moscow. 149. the Great. of Russia, and whom subsequent events have, 150. The coronation of the emperor and empress took place, with extraordinary pomp, Coronation at Moscow on the 22d August (3d of the em- September) in the same year. The empress at youth and beauty of the two sovereigns, the dreadful contest which had preceded their accession to the throne, the generous abnegation of self by which the mutual renunciation of the throne by the two imperial brothers had been characterized, gave an extraordinary interest to the august spectacle, and crowds of the most distinguished strangers from every part of Europe flocked together to witness it. The entry of their imperial majesties took place on the 5th August (17th), the emperor riding between the Grand Duke Michael and Prince Charles of Prussia; the empress followed in a magnificent chariot, drawn by eight horses, having her son, the heir of the empire, by her side. Enthusiastic acclamations burst from the immense crowd, which advanced several miles on the road to St. Petersburg to meet them. Moscow exhibited the most splendid spectacle. All traces of the conflagration of 1812 had disappeared, magnificent buildings had arisen on every side, and the quarters which had suffered most from its ravages could now be traced only by the superior elegance and durability of the Nicholas, on the other hand, is essentially stone structures, by which the former wooden Russian in all his ideas. He is heart palaces and buildings had been replaced. On and soul patriotic, not merely in He is essenthe 15th, when, according to the custom of wish, but in spirit and thought. He tially RusRussia, a great religious ceremony took place, wishes to improve and elevate his sian. an unexpected event threw the people into country, and he has done much to effect that transports of joy. The emperor appeared, hold- noble object; but he desires to do so by deing with his right hand the Grand Duke Con- veloping, not changing the national spirit, by stantine, who had arrived the evening before making it become a first Russia, not a second in Moscow, and with his left the Grand Duke France or England. He has adopted the maxim Michael. Shouts of joy arose from the assem- of Montesquieu, that no nation ever attained bled multitude, but the cry which resounded to real greatness but by institutions in conformabove all, "Hourra, Constantine!" at first start- ity with its spirit. He is neither led away by led the emperor; he had heard it on the Place the thirst for sudden mechanical improvement, of the Senate on the 26th December. It was like Peter, nor the praises of philosophers, like but for a moment, however, and his counte-Catherine, nor the visions of inexperienced nance was soon radiant with joy, when that prince was the first to do him homage, and threw himself into his arms. The universal acclamations now knew no bounds, the reality of the self-sacrifice was demonstrated; future concord was anticipated from the happy union in the imperial family. Splendid reviews of fifty thousand of the guards and chosen troops of the empire, and a hundred and sixty guns, succeeded, and the coronation took place on the day fixed, 22d August (3d September), in the cathedral of Moscow, with circumstances of 1 Ann. Hist. unheard-of magnificence and splenix. 353, 356; dor. The Grand Duke Constantine Schnitzler, was the first to tender his homage ii. 350, 357. to the new sovereign.1 Nicholas I., who, under such brilliant circumstances, and after the display of such invincible resolution, thus ascended the throne philanthropy, like Alexander. He has not attempted to erect a capital in a pestilential marsh, and done so at the expense of a hundred thousand lives; nor has he dreamt of mystical regeneration with a visionary sybil, and made sovereigns put their hands to a holy alliance from her influence. He neither corresponds with French atheists nor English democrats; he despises the praises of the first, he braves the hostility of the last. His maxim is to take men as they are, and neither suppose them better nor worse. He is content to let Russia grow up in a Russian garb, animated with a Russian spirit, and moulded by Russian institutions, without the aid either of Parisian communism or British liberalism. The improvements he has effected in the government of his dominions have been vast, the triumphs with which his external policy have been attended His 151. al appearance and failings. innocent from the guilty, and has often evinced a noble and magnanimous spirit in separating the one from the other, and showing oblivion of injury, even kindness to the relatives of those who had conspired against his throne and life. But toward the guilty themselves he has not been equally compassionate. He has not always let the passions of the contest pass away with its termination. He is an Alexander the Great in resolution, but not in magnanimity. He wants the last grace in the heroic character-he does not know how to forgive. The unbounded; but they have all been achieved, upbraided him for some military error at the head of his * "It is in regard to political offenses of a serious dye, however, that this severity chiefly applies. In lesser matters, relating to order and discipline, he is more indulgent, and at times generous. At his coronation at Moscow, his eyes met those of General Paskewitch, who had severely A striking proof of the emperor's simplicity of character is recorded by the Marquis Custine, who had frequent and confidential conversations with him. Speaking of his norais ce que j'allais faire, j'étais inspiré.' 'Pour avoir conduct on the revolt of 26th December, he said: " 'J'igde pareilles inspirations,' disait le Marquis, il faut les meriter.' Je n'ai fait rien d'extraordinaire,' répliqua l'Empereur; j'ai dit aux soldats, retournez à vos rangs; et au moment de passer le régiment en revue, j'ai crié, à genoux. Tous ont obéi. Ce qui m'a rendu fort, c'est que l'instant auparavant, j'étais résigné à la mort. Je suis reconnaissant du succès, je n'en suis pas fier; je n'y ai aucun mérite.' Votre majesté,' répliqua Custine, 'Je n'ai pas été sublime,' répondit l'empereur, je n'ai fait que mon métier. En pareille circonstance, nul ne peut savoir ce qu'il dira; on court au-devant du péril, sans se demander comment on s'en tirera.'"-LE MARQUIS DE CUSTINE, Russie en 1839, ii. 40, 41, 57. Lamartine has frequently said in society, in reference to his conduct when he persuaded the people to lay aside the red flag at Paris, on is the difference between the simplicity of the really magthe revolution of 1848, "J'étais sublime ce jour-là." Such nanimous and the self-love of those in whom it is deformed by overweening and discreditable vanity. I have heard this anecdote of Lamartine from two ladies of high rank, both of whom heard him use the expression on dif ferent occasions in reference to his own conduct, which was really noble and courageous on that day. CHAPTER IX. ROYALIST REACTION IN FRANCE. FRANCE FROM THE COUP D'ETAT OF 5TH MARCH, 1819, TO THE ACCESSION OF THE PURELY ROYALIST MINISTRY IN DECEMBER, 1821. 1. Great evils at the close of France of 1816. extraordinary degree. The animation on the roads in the interior, on the canals which conveyed merchandise, and in the seaport towns, proved how largely the means of consumption had increased among the inhabitants.' 1 Lac. ii. 319, 322 THERE is no instance in the whole records of able harvest in 1818 and 1819, filled the land history of a country which so rapid- with plenteousness. Great improvements had ly recovered from the lowest point in many places been introduced into this staple of depression, as France did in the branch of the national industry. The division interval from the close of 1816 to of property, which always induces a great inthe beginning of 1820. Every con- crease in the amount of labor applied to the ceivable ill which could afflict a state seemed cultivation, had not as yet been attended by to have accumulated around it at the com- its subsequent effect-an exhaustion of its promencement of that period. Its capital was ductive powers; and the six millions of protaken, its government overturned, its sover- prietors succeeded in extracting a considerable eign a dethroned captive, its army defeated increase of subsistence from the fields. New and disbanded, and eleven hundred thousand and valuable trees had been planted in the armed men in possession of its territory. Con- woods; and horticulture, to which a large part tributions to an enormous and unheard-of ex- of the country near the great towns was detent had been imposed upon its inhabitants; voted, had made rapid strides by the introducthe armed multitude lived at free quarters tion of the improved style of English gardenamong them, and were supported by exactions ing. Population had largely advanced since coming from their industry; and about sixty the peace; but no want was experienced among millions sterling of indemnities had been levied the inhabitants. Commerce had every where on them for the allied powers or their subjects.revived, latterly it had come to flourish to an Such was the bequest of the Revolution to France. The inclemency of nature had united with the rigor of man to waste the devoted land. The summer and autumn of 1816 had been beyond all example cold and stormy; the harvest had proved extremely deficient, and prices risen in many places to a famine level. The capital, in an especial manner, had shared It seemed impossible for human malignity to in the general prosperity, and gave 3. conceive a greater accumulation of disasters, unequivocal proof of its reality and Brilliant or for human ability to devise any mode of extent. The concourse of strangers appearance rendering them bearable. attracted by its celebrity, its monuNevertheless it proved otherwise, and the ments, its galleries, its theatres, and its other resurrection of France was as rapid attractions, was immense; and their great exas had been her fall into the abyss penditure consoled the Parisians for the nationof misfortune. Three years only al reverses which had paved the way for their had elapsed, and all was changed. arrival. The Russians and English, their most Plenty had succeeded to want, con- formidable and persevering enemies, were in an fidence to distrust, prosperity to especial manner conspicuous in this lucrative misery. The Allies had withdrawn, the ter-immigration. Under the influence of such exritory was freed: the contributions were paid or provided for, the national faith had been preserved entire. All this had been purchased by a cession of territory so small that it was not worth speaking of. The public funds were high in comparison of what they had been; and though the loans necessary to furnish the Government with the funds to make good its engagements had been contracted at a very high rate of interest, yet the resources of the country had enabled its rulers to pay it with fidelity and exactness, and strengthened their credit with foreign states. The simple preservation of peace-a blessing so long unknown to France had effected all these prodigies, and worked wonders in the restoration of the national industry. Agriculture, relieved from the wasting scourge of the conscription, had sensibly revived; the husbandman every where rowed in hope, reaped in safety; and the benignity of Providence, which awarded a favor 2. Rapid flow of prosperity which succeeded them in the next year. of Paris. traordinary stimulants, Paris exhibited an unwonted degree of affluence: the brilliant equipages and crowded streets bespoke the riches which were daily expended, while the piles of splendid edifices arising on all sides exceeded any thing previously witnessed in the brightest days of its history, and added 2 Personal daily to the architectural beauties observation. it presented. 4. and revenue Statistical facts of unquestionable correctness and convincing weight attested the reality and magnitude of this change. Exports, The exports, imports, and revenue imports, of the country had all gone on in- of France creasing, and latterly in an acceler- during this ated ratio. The imports, which in period. 1815 (the last year of Napoleon's reign) had been only 199,467,660 francs, had risen, in 1817, to 332,000,000, and in 1821 they had advanced to 355,591,877 francs. The exports also had risen considerably; they had increased |