When it became evident that Russia was about to engage in a trial of strength with the Western Powers, this optimism became general.  “The heavy burdens,” it was said, “which the people have had to bear were necessary to make Russia the first military Power in Europe, and now the nation will reap the fruits of its long-suffering and patient resignation.  The West will learn that her boasted liberty and liberal institutions are of little service in the hour of danger, and the Russians who admire such institutions will be constrained to admit that a strong, all-directing autocracy is the only means of preserving national greatness.”  As the patriotic fervour and military enthusiasm increased, nothing was heard but praises of Nicholas and his system.  The war was regarded by many as a kind of crusade—­even the Emperor spoke about the defence of “the native soil and the holy faith”—­and the most exaggerated expectations were entertained of its results.  The old Eastern Question was at last to be solved in accordance with Russian aspirations, and Nicholas was about to realise Catherine II.’s grand scheme of driving the Turks out of Europe.  The date at which the troops would arrive at Constantinople was actively discussed, and a Slavophil poet called on the Emperor to lie down in Constantinople, and rise up as Tsar of a Panslavonic Empire.  Some enthusiasts even expected the speedy liberation of Jerusalem from the power of the Infidel.  To the enemy, who might possibly hinder the accomplishment of these schemes, very little attention was paid.  “We have only to throw our hats at them!” (Shapkami zakidaem) became a favourite expression.

There were, however, a few men in whom the prospect of the coming struggle awoke very different thoughts and feelings.  They could not share the sanguine expectations of those who were confident of success.  “What preparations have we made,” they asked, “for the struggle with civilisation, which now sends its forces against us?  With all our vast territory and countless population we are incapable of coping with it.  When we talk of the glorious campaign against Napoleon, we forget that since that time Europe has been steadily advancing on the road of progress while we have been standing still.  We march not to victory, but to defeat, and the only grain of consolation which we have is that Russia will learn by experience a lesson that will be of use to her in the future."*

     * These are the words of Granovski.

These prophets of evil found, of course, few disciples, and were generally regarded as unworthy sons of the Fatherland—­almost as traitors to their country.  But their predictions were confirmed by events.  The Allies were victorious in the Crimea, and even the despised Turks made a successful stand on the line of the Danube.  In spite of the efforts of the Government to suppress all unpleasant intelligence, it soon became known that the military organisation was little, if at all, better than the