Chapter I: Preface

The world is now too busy to read voluminous history. The interminable details of battles, and the petty intrigues of courtiers and mistresses, have lost their interest. In this volume it has been our object to trace perspicuously the path which Russia has trod from earliest infancy to the present hour. The career of this empire has been so wild and wonderful that the historian can have no occasion to call in the aid of fancy for the embellishment of his narrative.

The author has not deemed it necessary to incumber his pages with notes to substantiate his statements. The renowned Russian historian, Karamsin, who wrote under the patronage of Alexander I., gives ample authentication to all the facts which are stated up to the reign of that emperor. His voluminous history, in classic beauty, is unsurpassed by any of the annals of Greece or Rome. It has been admirably translated into French by Messrs. St. Thomas and Jauffret in eleven imperial quarto volumes. In the critical citations of this author, the reader, curious in such researches, will find every fact in the early history of Russia, here stated, confirmed.

There are but few valuable works upon Russia in the English language. Nearly all, which can be relied upon as authorities, are written either in French or German. The writer would refer those who seek a more minute acquaintance with this empire, now rising so rapidly in importance, first of all to Karamsin. The "Histoire Philosophique et Politique de Russie Depuis les Temps les Plus Recules Jusqu'au Nos Jours, par J. Esneaux," Paris, five volumes, is a valuable work. The "Histoire de Russie par Pierre Charles Levesque," eight volumes, is discriminating and reliable. The various volumes of William Tooke upon Russian history in general, and upon the reign of Catharine, contain much information.

It is only since the reign of Peter the Great that Russia has begun to attract much attention among the enlightened nations of Europe. Voltaire's life of this most renowned of the Russian sovereigns, at its first publication, attracted much notice. Since then, many books have been written upon fragments of Russian history and individual reigns. From most of these the author has selected such events as have appeared to him most instructive and best adapted to give the reader a clear conception of the present condition and future prospects of this gigantic empire. The path she has trod, since her first emergence into civilization from the chaos of barbarism, can be very distinctly traced, and one can easily count the concentric accretions of her growth. This narrative reveals the mistakes which have overwhelmed her with woe, and the wisdom which has, at times, secured for Russia peace and prosperity.

In writing these histories of the monarchies of Continental Europe, the author has no wish to conceal his abhorrence of aristocratic usurpation. Believing in the universal brotherhood of man, his sympathies are most cordially with the oppressed masses. If the people are weak and debased, the claim is only the more urgent upon the powerful and the wise to act the part of elder brothers, holding out the helping hand to those who have fallen. The author feels grateful for the reception which the first number of this series, the Empire of Austria, has received from the American public. He hopes that this volume will not prove less interesting or instructive. In the course of a few months it will be followed by the History of Italy.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PARENTAGE AND BIRTH OF RUSSIA.

From 500 B.C. to A.D. 910.

Primeval Russia.--Explorations of the Greeks.--Scythian Invasion.--Character of the Scythians.--Sarmatia.--Assaults Upon the Roman Empire.--Irruption of the Alains.--Conquests of Trajan.--The Gothic invasion,--The Huns--their Character and Aspect.--The Devastations of Attila.--The Avars.--Results of Comminglings of these Tribes.--Normans.--Birth of the Russian Empire--The Three Sovereigns Ruric, Sineous and Truvor.--Adventures of Ascolod and Dir.--Introduction of Christianity.--Usurpation of Oleg.--His Conquests.--Expedition Against Constantinople.

CHAPTER II.

GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION OF RUSSIA.

From 910 to 973.

Expedition to Constantinople.--Treaty with the Emperor.--Last Days of Oleg.--His Death.--Igor Assumes the Scepter.--His Expedition to the Don.--Descent Upon Constantinople.--His Defeat.--Second Expedition.--Pusillanimity of the Greeks.--Death of Igor.--Regency of Olga.--Her Character.--Succession of Sviatoslaf.--His Impiety and Ambition.--Conquest of Bulgaria.--Division of the Empire.--Defeat, Ruin and Death of Sviatoslaf.--Civil War.--Death of Oleg.--Flight of Vladimir.--Supremacy of Yaropolk.

CHAPTER III.

REIGNS OF VLADIMIR, YAROSLAF, YSIASLAF AND VSEVOLOD.

From 973 to 1092.

Flight of Vladimir.--His Stolen Bride.--The March Upon Kief.--Debauchery of Vladimir.--Zealous Paganism.--Introduction of Christianity.--Baptism in the Dnieper.--Entire Change in the Character of Vladimir.--His Great Reforms.--His Death.--Usurpation of Sviatopolk the Miserable.--Accession of Yaroslaf.--His Administration and Death.--Accession of Ysiaslaf.--His Strange Reverses,--His Death.--Vsevolod Ascends the Throne.--His Two Flights to Poland.--Appeals to the Pope.--Wars, Famine and Pestilence.--Character of Vsevolod.

CHAPTER IV.

YEARS OF WAR AND WOE.

From 1092 to 1167.

Character of Vsevolod.--Succession of Sviatopolk.--His Discomfiture.--Deplorable Condition of Russia.--Death of Sviatopolk.--His Character.--Accession of Monomaque.--Curious Festival At Kief.--Energy of Monomaque.--Alarm of the Emperor At Constantinople.--Horrors of War.--Death of Monomaque.--His Remarkable Character.--Pious Letter To His Children.--Accession of Mstislaf.--His Short But Stormy Reign.--Struggles For the Throne.--Final Victory of Ysiaslaf.--Moscow in the Province of Souzdal.--Death of Ysiaslaf.--Wonderful Career of Rostislaf.--Rising Power of Moscow.--Georgievitch, Prince of Moscow.

CHAPTER V.

MSTISLAF AND ANDRE.

From 1167 to 1212.

Centralization of Power At Kief.--Death of Rostislaf.--His Religious Character.--Mstislaf Ysiaslavitch Ascends the Throne.--Proclamation of the King.--Its Effect.--Plans of Andre.--Scenes At Kief.--Return and Death of Mstislaf.--War in Novgorod.--Peace Concluded Throughout Russia.--Insult of Andre and Its Consequences.--Greatness of Soul Displayed By Andre.--Assassination of Andre.--Renewal of Anarchy.--Emigration From Novgorod.--Reign of Michel.--Vsevolod III.--Evangelization of Bulgaria.--Death of Vsevolod III.--His Queen Maria.

CHAPTER VI.

THE GRAND PRINCES OF VLADIMIR, AND THE INVASION OF GENGHIS KHAN.

From 1212 to 1238.

Accession of Georges.--Famine.--Battle of Lipetsk.--Defeat of Georges.--His Surrender.--Constantin Seizes the Scepter.--Exploits of Mstislaf.--Imbecility of Constantin.--Death of Constantin.--Georges III.--Invasion of Bulgaria.--Progress of the Monarchy.--Right of Succession.--Commerce of the Dnieper.--Genghis Khan.--His Rise and Conquests.--Invasion of Southern Russia.--Death of Genghis Khan.--Succession of His Son Ougadai.--March of Bati.--Entrance into Russia.--Utter Defeat of the Russians.

CHAPTER VII.

THE SWAY OF THE TARTAR PRINCES.

From 1238 to 1304.

Retreat of Georges II.--Desolating March of the Tartars.--Capture of Vladimir.--Fall of Moscow.--Utter Defeat of Georges.--Conflict of Torjek.--March of the Tartars Toward the South.--Subjugation of the Polovtsi.--Capture of Kief.--Humiliation of Yaroslaf.--Overthrow of the Gaussian Kingdom.--Haughtiness of the Tartars.--Reign of Alexander.--Succession of Yaroslaf.--The Reign of Vassuli.--State of Christianity.--Infamy of Andre.--Struggles With Dmitri.--Independence of the Principalities.--Death of Andre.

CHAPTER VIII.

RESURRECTION OF THE RUSSIAN MONARCHY.

From 1304 to 1380.

Defeat of Georges and the Tartars.--Indignation of the Khan.--Michel Summoned To the Horde.--His Trial and Execution.--Assassination of Georges.--Execution of Dmitri.--Repulse and Death of the Embassador of the Khan.--Vengeance of the Khan.--Increasing Prosperity of Russia. --The Great Plague.--Supremacy of Simon.--Anarchy in the Horde.--Plague and Conflagration.--The Tartars Repulsed.--Reconquest of Bulgaria.--The Great Battle of Koulikof.--Utter Rout of the Tartars.

CHAPTER IX.

DMITRI, VASSALI, AND THE MOGOL TAMERLANE

From 1380 to 1462.

Recovery of Dmitri.--New Tartar invasion.--The Assault and Capture of Moscow.--New Subjugation of the Russians.--Lithuania Embraces Christianity.--Escape of Vassali From the Horde.--Death of Dmitri.--Tamerlane--His Origin and Career.--His Invasion of India.--Defeat of Bajazet.--Tamerlane Invades Russia.--Preparations for Resistance.--Sudden Retreat of the Tartars.--Death of Vassali.--Accession of Vassali Vassilievitch.--The Disputed Succession.--Appeal to the Khan.--Rebellion of Youri.--Cruelty of Vassali.--The Retribution.

CHAPTER X.

THE ILLUSTRIOUS IVAN III.

From 1462 to 1480.

Ivan III.--His Precocity and Rising Power.--The Three Great Hordes.--Russian Expedition Against Kezan.--Defeat of the Tartars.--Capture of Constantinople By the Turks.--The Princess Sophia.--Her Journey To Russia, and Marriage With Ivan III.--Increasing Renown of Russia.--New Difficulty With the Horde.--The Tartars invade Russia.--Strife On the Banks of the Oka.--Letter of the Metropolitan Bishop.--Unprecedented Panic.--Liberation of Russia.

CHAPTER XI.

THE REIGN OF VASSILI.

From 1480 to 1533.

Alliance With Hungary.--A Traveler From Germany.--Treaty Between Russia and Germany.--Embassage to Turkey.--Court Etiquette.--Death of the Princess Sophia.--Death of Ivan.--Advancement of Knowledge.--Succession of Vassili.--Attack Upon the Horde.--Rout of the Russians.--The Grand Prince Takes the Title of Emperor.--Turkish Envoy to Moscow.--Efforts To Arm Europe Against the Turks.--Death of the Emperor Maximilian, and Accession of Charles V. to the Empire of Germany.--Death of Vassili.

CHAPTER XII.

IVAN IV.--HIS MINORITY.

From 1533 to 1546.

Vassili At the Chase.--Attention To Distinguished Foreigners.--The Autocracy.--Splendor of the Edifices.--Slavery.--Aristocracy.--Infancy of Ivan IV.--Regency of Helene.--Conspiracies and Tumults.--War with Sigismond of Poland.--Death of Helene.--Struggles of the Nobles.--Appalling Sufferings of Dmitri.--Incursion of the Tartars.--Successful Conspiracy.--Ivan IV. At the Chase.--Coronation of Ivan IV.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE REIGN OF IVAN IV.

From 1546 to 1552.

The Title of Tzar.--Marriage of Ivan IV.--Virtues of His Bride.--Depraved Character of the Young Emperor.--Terrible Conflagrations.--Insurrections.--The Rebuke.--Wonderful Change in the Character of Ivan IV.--Confessions of Sin and Measures of Reform.--Sylvestre and Alexis Adachef.--The Code of Laws.--Reforms in the Church.--Encouragement To Men of Science and Letters.--The Embassage of Schlit.--War With Kezan.--Disasters and Disgrace.--Immense Preparation For the Chastisement of the Horde.--The March.--Repulse of the Tauredians.--Siege of Kezan.--Incidents of the Siege.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE REIGN OF IVAN IV.--CONTINUED.

From 1552 to 1557.

Siege of Kezan.--Artifices of War.--The Explosion of Mines.--The Final Assault.--Complete Subjugation of Kezan.--Gratitude and Liberality of the Tzar.--Return To Moscow.--Joy of the inhabitants.--Birth of An Heir To the Crown.--Insurrection in Kezan.--The Insurrection Quelled.--Conquest of Astrachan.--The English Expedition in Search of a North-East Passage to India.--The Establishment at Archangel.--Commercial Relations Between France and Russia.--Russian Embassy to England.--Extension of Commerce.

CHAPTER XV.

THE ABDICATION OF IVAN IV.

From 1557 to 1582.

Terror of the Horde in Tauride.--War with Gustavus Vasa of Sweden.--Political Punctilios.--The Kingdom of Livonia Annexed to Sweden.--Death of Anastasia.--Conspiracy Against Ivan.--His Abdication.--His Resumption of the Crown.--Invasion of Russia by the Tartars and Turks.--Heroism of Zerebrinow.--Utter Discomfiture of the Tartars.--Relations Between Queen Elizabeth of England, and Russia.--Intrepid Embassage.--New War with Poland.--Disasters of Russia.--The Emperor Kills His Own Son.--Anguish of Ivan IV.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE STORMS OF HEREDITARY SUCCESSION.

From 1582 to 1608.

Anguish and Death of Ivan IV.--His Character.--Feodor and Dmitri.--Usurpation of Boris Gudenow.--The Polish Election.--Conquest of Siberia.--Assassination of Dmitri.--Death of Feodor.--Boris Crowned King.--Conspiracies.--Reappearance of Dmitri.--Boris Poisoned.--The Pretender Crowned.--Embarrassments of Dmitri.--A New Pretender.--Assassination of Dmitri.--Crowning of Zuski.--Indignation of Poland.--Historical Romance.

CHAPTER XVII.

A CHANGE OF DYNASTY.

From 1608 to 1680.

Conquests by Poland.--Sweden in Alliance with Russia.--Grandeur of Poland.--Ladislaus Elected King of Russia.--Commotions and insurrections.--Rejection of Ladislaus and Election of Michael Feodor Romanow.--Sorrow of His Mother.--Pacific Character of Romanow.--Choice of a Bride.--Eudochia Streschnew.--The Archbishop Feodor.--Death of Michael and Accession of Alexis.--Love in the Palace.--Successful intrigue.--Mobs in Moscow.--Change in the Character of the Tzar.--Turkish invasions.--Alliance Between Russia and Poland.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE REGENCY OF SOPHIA.

From 1680 to 1697.

Administration of Feodor.--Death of Feodor.--Incapacity of Ivan.--Succession of Peter.--Usurpation of Sophia.--Insurrection of the Strelitzes.--Massacre in Moscow.--Success of the Insurrection.--Ivan and Peter Declared Sovereigns under the Regency of Sophia.--General Discontent.--Conspiracy against Sophia.--Her Flight to the Convent.--The Conspiracy Quelled.--New Conspiracy.--Energy of Peter.--He Assumes the Crown.--Sophia Banished to a Convent.--Commencement of the Reign of Peter.

CHAPTER XIX.

PETER THE GREAT.

From 1697 to 1702.

Young Russians Sent to Foreign Countries.--The Tzar Decides Upon a Tour of Observation.--His Plan of Travel.--Anecdote.--Peter's Mode of Life in Holland.--Characteristic Anecdotes.--The Presentation of the Embassador.--The Tzar Visits England.--Life at Deptford.--Illustrious Foreigners Engaged in His Service.--Peter Visits Vienna.--The Game of Landlord.--Insurrection in Moscow.--Return of the Tzar, and Measures of Severity.--War with Sweden.--Disastrous Defeat of Narva.--Efforts to Secure the Shores of the Baltic.--Designs Upon the Black Sea.

CHAPTER XX.

CONQUESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF PETER THE GREAT.

From 1702 TO 1718.

Peter takes Lake Lagoda and the Neva.--Foundation of St. Petersburg.--Conquest of Livonia.--Marienburg Taken by Storm.--The Empress Catharine.--Extraordinary Efforts in Building St. Petersburg.--Threat of Charles XII.--Deposition of Augustus.--Enthronement of Stanislaus.--Battle of Pultowa.--Flight of Charles XII. to Turkey.--Increased Renown of Russia.--Disastrous Conflict with the Turks.--Marriage of Alexis.--His Character.--Death of his Wife.--The Empress Acknowledged.--Conquest of Finland.--Tour of the Tzar to Southern Europe.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION OF ALEXIS, AND DEATH OF THE TZAR.

From 1718 to 1725.

The Tzar's Second Visit to Holland.--Reception in France.--Description of Catharine.--Domestic Grief.--Conduct of Alexis.--Letters from His Father.--Flight To Germany.--Thence to Naples.--Envoys Sent to Bring Him Back.--Alexis Excluded from the Succession.--His Trial for Treason.--Condemnation and Unexpected Death.--New Efforts of the Tzar for the Welfare of Russia.--Sickness of Peter.--His Death.--Succession of the Empress Catharine.--Epitaph to the Emperor.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE REIGN OF CATHARINE I., ANNE, THE INFANT IVAN AND ELIZABETH.

From 1725 TO 1769.

Energetic Reign of Catharine.--Her Sudden Death.--Brief Reign of Peter II.--Difficulties of Hereditary Succession.--A Republic Contemplated.--Anne, Daughter of Ivan.--The Infant Ivan Proclaimed King.--His Terrible Doom.--Elizabeth, Daughter of Peter the Great, Enthroned.--Character of Elizabeth.--Alliance with Maria Theresa.--Wars with Prussia.--Great Reverses of Frederic of Prussia.--Desperate Condition of Frederic.--Death of Elizabeth.--Succession of Peter III.

CHAPTER XXIII.

PETER III. AND HIS BRIDE.

From 1728 TO 1762.

Lineage of Peter III.--Chosen by Elizabeth as her Successor.--The Bride Chosen for Peter.--Her Lineage.--The Courtship.--The Marriage.--Autobiography of Catharine.--Anecdotes of Peter.--His Neglect of Catharine and his Debaucheries.--Amusements of the Russian Court.--Military Execution of a Rat.--Accession of Peter III. to the Throne.--Supremacy of Catharine.--Her Repudiation Threatened.--The Conspiracy.--Its Successful Accomplishment.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE CONSPIRACY; AND ACCESSION OF CATHARINE II.

From 1762 to 1765.

Peter III. at Oranienbaum.--Catharine at Peterhof.--The Successful Accomplishment of the Conspiracy.--Terror of Peter.--His Vacillating and Feeble Character.--Flight to Cronstadt.--Repulse.--Heroic Counsel of Munich.--Peter's Return to Oranienbaum.--His Suppliant Letters to Catharine.--His Arrest.--Imprisonment.--Assasination.--Proclamation of the Empress.--Her Complicity in the Crime.--Energy of Catharine's Administration.--Her Expansive Views and Sagacious Policy.--Contemplated Marriage with Count Orlof.

CHAPTER XXV.

REIGN OF CATHARINE II.

From 1765 to 1774.

Energy of Catharine's Administration.--Titles of Honor Decreed to Her.--Code of Laws Instituted.--The Assassination of the Empress Attempted.--Encouragement of Learned Men.--Catharine Inoculated for the Small-Pox.--New War with Turkey.--Capture of Crimea.--Sailing of the Russian Fleet.--Great Naval Victory.--Visit of the Prussian Prince Henry.--The Sleigh Ride.--Plans for the Partition of Poland.--The Hermitage.--Marriage of the Grand Duke Paul.--Correspondence with Voltaire and Diderot.

CHAPTER XXVI.

REIGN OF CATHARINE II.

From 1774 to 1781.

Peace with Turkey.--Court of Catharine II.--Her Personal Appearance and Habits.--Conspiracy and Rebellion.--Defeat of the Rebels.--Magnanimity of Catharine II.--Ambition of the Empress.--Court Favorite.--Division of Russia into Provinces.--internal Improvements.--New Partition of Poland.--Death of the Wife of Paul.--Second Marriage of the Grand Duke.--Splendor of the Russian Court.--Russia and Austria Secretly Combine to Drive the Turks out of Europe.--The Emperor Joseph II.

CHAPTER XXVII.

TERMINATION OF THE REIGN OF CATHARINE II.

From 1781 to 1786.

Statue of Peter the Great.--Alliance Between Austria and Russia.--Independence of the Crimea--The Khan of the Crimea.--Vast Preparations for War.--National Jealousies.--Tolerant Spirit of Catharine.--Magnificent Excursion to the Crimea.--Commencement of Hostilities.--Anecdote of Paul.--Peace.--New Partition of Poland.--Treaty with Austria and France.--Hostility to Liberty in France.--Death of Catharine.--Her Character.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE REIGN OF PAUL I.

From 1796 to 1801.

Accession of Paul I. to the Throne.--Influence of Hereditary Transmission of Power.--Extravagance of Paul.--His Despotism.--The Horse Court Martialed.--Progress of the French Revolution.--Fears and Violence of Paul.--Hostility to Foreigners.--Russia Joins the Coalition Against France.--March of Suwarrow.--Character of Suwarrow.--Battle on the Adda.--Battle of Novi.--Suwarrow marches on the Rhine.--His Defeat and Death.--Paul Abandons the Coalition and Joins France.--Conspiracies at St. Petersburg.

CHAPTER XXIX.

ASSASSINATION OF PAUL AND ACCESSION OF ALEXANDER.

From 1801 to 1807.

Assassination of Paul I.--Implication of Alexander in the Conspiracy.--Anecdotes.--Accession of Alexander.--The French Revolution.--Alexander Joins Allies Against France.--State of Russia.--Useful Measures of Alexander.--Peace of Amiens.--Renewal of Hostilities.--Battle of Austerlitz.--Magnanimity of Napoleon.--New Coalition.--Ambition of Alexander.--Battles of Jena and Eylau.--Defeat of the Russians.

CHAPTER XXX.

REIGN OF ALEXANDER I.

From 1807 to 1825.

The Field of Eylau.--Letter to the King of Prussia.--Renewal of the War--Discomfiture of the Allies.--Battle of Friedland.--The Raft at Tilsit.--Intimacy of the Emperors.--Alexander's Designs upon Turkey.--Alliance Between France and Russia.--Object of the Continental System.--Perplexities of Alexander.--Driven by the Nobles to War.--Results of the Russian Campaign.--Napoleon Vanquished.--Last Days of Alexander.--His Sickness and Death.

CHAPTER XXXI.

NICHOLAS.

From 1825 to 1855.

Abdication of Constantine.--Accession of Nicholas.--Insurrection Quelled.--Nicholas and the Conspirator.--Anecdote.--The Palace of Peterhof.--The Winter Palace.--Presentation at Court.--Magnitude of Russia.--Description of the Hellespont and Dardanelles.--The Turkish Invasion.--Aims of Russia.--Views of England and France.--Wars of Nicholas.--The Polish Insurrection.--War of the Crimea.--Jealousies of the Leading Nations.--Encroachments.--Death of Nicholas.--Accession of Alexander II.