of his odes, the most dangerous enemy not only of moral, but likewise of poetical truth, cannot destroy the power of his truly poetical genius.  His ode To God has obtained the distinction of being translated not only into several European languages, but also into Chinese, and hung up in the emperor’s palace, printed with golden letters on white satin.[25] Further, Vasilii Kapnist, born 1756, ob. 1823, who as a lyrical poet stands next to Dershavin; Bobrof, familiarly acquainted with English literature, which he endeavoured to imitate, full of imagination, but bombastic and obscure; Prince Dolgoruky. distinguished by a philosophical vein; Neledinsky-Meletzky, whose songs are known even by the lower classes.

During this period also the field of translation was not less cultivated.  Kostrof translated the Iliad in rhymed verses, A.D. 1787, and also Macpherson’s Ossian from the French.  Petrof gave a version of the AEneid in 1793.  Bulgakof first made the Russian public acquainted with Ariosto; Popovsky with Pope and Locke, etc.—­As a writer of general and favourable influence on literature, we must not forget to name N. Novikof, editor of several periodical journals, author of the first Russian bibliographical work, and a man of that general literary activity, which, even without productiveness of its own, induces others to exercise theirs.

The patriotism which caused the Russians ever to pay a certain degree of attention to their national history, deserves the highest praise.  During all periods of their literature, this branch has been attended to with diligence.  It is however especially the laborious collection and faithful preservation of materials, for which posterity is indebted to them; since there is little of a philosophical spirit to be found in their arrangement of these materials; and in regard to the language in which they are presented, it is striking to observe how the Russian prose was always far behind the Russian poetry.  G.F.  Mueller, ob. 1783, a German by birth, but who devoted all his life to Russian literature, published the first Russian periodical, dedicated chiefly to historical objects.[26] He also caused several old manuscripts to be printed; and added greatly to their value by his investigations and commentaries.  Prince Shtsherbatof wrote fifteen volumes of Russian history, besides several smaller works,—­a mere collection of facts, but rendered more important by a review and criticism upon them by Boltin, ob. 1792, a distinguished historian.  Tchulkof wrote a history of commerce; Jemin, Rytchkof, Golikof, and others, wrote on particular portions of Russian history.

For the philological studies of the language, the foundation of the Russian Academy.  A.D. 1783, was of great importance.  A standard grammar and etymological dictionary were published by it in 1787-90, founded on a plan perfectly new, and in the merit of which the empress Catharine had no small personal share.  Her example awakened not a few Mecaenases among the magnates of the country; and it became a point of high ambition to favour literature and literary men.[27]