and squabbled with each other for advancement in the very service which we so severely condemned.  If we did not obtain the place we wished we retired to our ancestral estates, where we talked of the crops, fattened in indolence and gluttony, and lived a genuine animal life.  If any one, amidst the general lethargy, suddenly called upon us to rise and fight for the truth and for Russia, how ridiculous did he appear!  How cleverly the Pharisaical official ridiculed him, and how quickly the friends of yesterday showed him the cold shoulder!  Under the anathema of public opinion, in some distant Siberian mine he recognised what a heinous sin it was to disturb the heavy sleep of apathetic slaves.  Soon he was forgotten, or remembered as an unfortunate madman; and the few who said, ‘Perhaps after all he was right,’ hastened to add, ’but that is none of our business.’

“But amidst all this we had at least one consolation, one thing to be proud of—­the might of Russia in the assembly of kings.  ’What need we care,’ we said, ’for the reproaches of foreign nations?  We are stronger than those who reproach us.’  And when at great reviews the stately regiments marched past with waving standards, glittering helmets, and sparkling bayonets, when we heard the loud hurrah with which the troops greeted the Emperor, then our hearts swelled with patriotic pride, and we were ready to repeat the words of the poet—­

“Strong is our native country, and great the Russian Tsar.”

“Then British statesmen, in company with the crowned conspirator of France, and with treacherous Austria, raised Western Europe against us, but we laughed scornfully at the coming storm.  ‘Let the nations rave,’ we said; ’we have no cause to be afraid.  The Tsar doubtless foresaw all, and has long since made the necessary preparations.’  Boldly we went forth to fight, and confidently awaited the moment of the struggle.

“And lo! after all our boasting we were taken by surprise, and caught unawares, as by a robber in the dark.  The sleep of innate stupidity blinded our Ambassadors, and our Foreign Minister sold us to our enemies.* Where were our millions of soldiers?  Where was the well-considered plan of defence?  One courier brought the order to advance; another brought the order to retreat; and the army wandered about without definite aim or purpose.  With loss and shame we retreated from the forts of Silistria, and the pride of Russia was humbled before the Hapsburg eagle.  The soldiers fought well, but the parade-admiral (Menshikof)—­the amphibious hero of lost battles—­did not know the geography of his own country, and sent his troops to certain destruction.

     * Many people at that time imagined that Count Nesselrode,
     who was then Minister for Foreign Affairs, was a traitor to
     his adopted country.