Alexander was twenty-three years of age when he ascended the throne.  A Swiss, by the name of Laharpe, a man of great intelligence and lofty spirit, and a republican in principle, had been for many years the prominent tutor of the young prince, and had obtained a great control over his mind.  The instructions of Laharpe, who wished to make a Washington of his pupil, were much counteracted by the despotic lessons he had received from Catharine, and by the luxury, servility and corruption which crowded the Russian court.  Naturally amiable, and possessed of by no means a strong character, the young monarch was easily moulded by the influences which surrounded him.  He evidently commenced his reign with the best intentions, resolved, in every way, to promote the prosperity of his subjects.  It is painful to observe the almost inevitable tendency of power to deprave the soul.  History is filled with the records of those sovereigns who have fallen from virtue to vice.

The commencement of the reign of Alexander was hailed with general joy.  All his first proclamations breathe the spirit of benevolence, of generosity, of the desire to ameliorate the condition of the oppressed millions.  The ridiculous ordinances which Paul had issued were promptly abrogated.  By a special edict all Russians were permitted to dress as they pleased, to wear twilled waistcoats and pantaloons, instead of short clothes, if they preferred them.  They were permitted to wear round hats, to lead dogs with a leash, and to fasten their shoes with strings instead of buckles.  A large number of exiles, whom Paul had sent to Siberia, were recalled, and many of the most burdensome requirements of etiquette, in the court, were annulled.

Though Alexander was an absolute monarch, who could issue any decree, subject to no restraint, he conferred upon the senate the power to revise these decrees, and to suggest any amendment; and he also created a legislature who were permitted to advise respecting any regulations which they might think promotive of the interests of the empire.  The will of the emperor was, however, absolute and unchecked.  Still the appointment of these deliberative and advising bodies was considered an immense stride towards constitutional freedom.  The censorship of the press was greatly mitigated, and foreign books and journals were more freely introduced to the empire.

Two new ministries were established by Alexander, with extensive responsibilities—­the Ministry of the Interior, and that of Public Instruction.  All the officers of government were rendered accountable to the senate, and responsible to the sovereign.  These elements of accountability and of responsibility had hitherto been almost unknown in Russia.  Charitable institutions were established, and schools of different grades, for the instruction of all classes of the people.  Ambitious of rendering the Russian court as brilliant in all the appliances of luxury and art as any court in Europe, the emperor was indefatigable in the collection of paintings, statuary, medals and all artistic curiosities.  The contrast thus became very marked between the semi-barbarism of the provinces and the enlightenment and voluptuousness of the capital.