It seemed to the Russian people like a revival of their ancient glories when their Tsar, with a great army, was following in the footsteps of the Grand Princes to free the Slav race from its old infidel enemies.  Catherine, from whom Peter would not be separated, was to be his companion in the campaign.  But the enterprise, so fascinating in prospect, was attended with unexpected disaster and suffering; and the climax was finally reached when Peter was lying ill in his tent, with an army of only 24,000 men about to face one of over 200,000—­Tatars and Turks—­commanded by skilled generals, adherents of Charles XII.  This was probably the darkest hour in Peter’s career.  The work of his life was about to be overthrown; it seemed as if a miracle could not save him.  Someone suggested that the cupidity of the Grand Vizier, Balthazi, was the vulnerable spot.  He loved gold better than glory.  Two hundred thousand rubles were quickly collected—­Catherine throwing in her jewels as an added lure.  The shining gold, with the glittering jewels on top, averted the inevitable fate.  Balthazi consented to treat for peace upon condition that Charles XII. be permitted to go back to Sweden unmolested, and that Azof be relinquished (Treaty of Pruth).  Peter’s heart was sorely wrung by giving up Azof, and his fleet, and his outlet to the Southern seas.  The peace was costly, but welcome; and Catherine had earned his everlasting gratitude.

The Tsar now returned to the task of reforming his people.  There were to be no more prostrations before him:  the petitioner must call himself “subject,” not “slave,” and must stand upright like a man in his presence, even if he had to use his stick to make him do so!  The Asiatic caftan and the flowing robes must go along with the beards; the terem, with its “twenty-seven locks,” must be abolished; the wives and daughters dragged from their seclusion must be clothed like Europeans.  Marriage must not be compelled, and the betrothed might see each other before the wedding ceremony.

If it is difficult to civilize one willing barbarian, what must it have been to compel millions to put on the garment of respectability which they hated!  Never before was there such a complete social reorganization, so entire a change in the daily habits of a whole people; and so violently effected.  It required a soul of iron and a hand of steel to do it; and it has been well said that Russia was knouted into civilization.  A secret service was instituted to see that the changes were adopted, and the knout and the ax were the accompaniment of every reforming edict.  This extraordinary man was by main force dragging a sullen and angry nation into the path of progress, and by artificial means trying to accomplish in a lifetime what had been the growth of centuries in other lands.  Then there must be no competing authorities—­no suns shining near to the Central Sun.  The Patriarchate—­which, after Nikon’s attempt in the reign of his grandfather,