“I shall keep the depositions of Pugatshef secret, that they may not aggravate the disgrace of those who spurred him on.”

The empress was ambitious to make her influence felt in every European movement, and she was conscious that, in order to command the respect of other courts, she must ever have a formidable army at her disposal.  In all the great movements of kings and courts this wonderful woman performed her part with dignity which no monarch, male or female, has ever surpassed.  It is strange that it has taken so many centuries for the nations to learn that peace, not war, enriches realms.  Had Russia abstained from those wars in which she has unnecessarily engaged, she might now have been the most wealthy and powerful nation on the globe.  Admitting that there have been many wars which, involving her national existence, she could not have avoided, still she has squandered countless millions of money and of lives in battles which were quite unnecessary.  Russia, like the United States, is safe from all attacks from without.  Had Russia employed the yearly earnings of the empire in cultivating the fields, rearing towns, and in extending the arts of industry and refinement, infinitely more would have been accomplished for her happiness and renown than by the most brilliant conquests.  But Catharine, in her high ambition, seemed to be afraid that Europe might forget her, and she was eager to have her voice heard in the deliberations of every cabinet, and to have her banners unfurled in the march of every army.

There was an office, in the court of the empress, sanctioned by time in Russia, which has not existed in any other court in Europe.  It perhaps originated from the fact that for about three fourths of a century Russia was almost exclusively governed by women.  The court favorite was not merely the prime minister, but the confidential friend and companion of the empress.  On the day of his installation he received a purse containing one hundred thousand dollars, and a salary of twelve thousand dollars a month.  A marshal was also commissioned to provide him a table of twenty-four covers, and to defray all the expenses of his household.  The twelve thousand dollars a month were for what the ladies call pin money.  The favorite occupied in the palace an apartment beneath that of the empress, to which it communicated by a private stair-case.  He attended the empress on all parties of amusement, at the opera, the theater, balls, promenades and excursions of pleasure, and he was not allowed to leave the palace without express permission.  It was also understood that he should pay no attention to any lady but the empress.

The year 1775 dawned upon Russia with peace at home and abroad.  Catharine devoted herself anew to the improvement of her subjects in education and all physical comforts.  Prince Gregory Orlof had been for many years the favorite of the empress, but he was now laid aside, and Count Potemkin took his place.