When, lastly, he observed the grandeur and magnificence of so many palaces, the wealth which they displayed, the luxury of the equipages, the multitude of slaves and servants, the splendour of those gorgeous spectacles, the noise of those sumptuous festivities, entertainments, and rejoicings, which incessantly resounded within its walls, he fancied himself transported into a city of kings, into an assemblage of sovereigns, who had brought with them their manners, customs, and attendants from all parts of the world.

They were, nevertheless, only subjects; but opulent and powerful subjects; grandees, vain of their ancient nobility, strong in their collected numbers, and in the general ties of consanguinity contracted during the seven centuries which this capital had existed.  They were landed proprietors, proud of their existence amidst their vast possessions; for almost the whole territory of the government of Moscow belongs to them, and they there reign over a million of serfs.  Finally, they were nobles, resting, with a patriotic and religious pride, upon “the cradle and the tomb of their nobility”—­for such is the appellation which they give to Moscow.

It seems right, in fact, that here the nobles of the most illustrious families should be born and educated; that hence they should launch into the career of honours and glory; and lastly, that hither, when satisfied, discontented, or undeceived, they should bring their disgust, or their resentment to pour it forth; their reputation, in order to enjoy it, to exercise its influence on the young nobility; and to recruit, at a distance from power, of which they have nothing farther to expect, their pride, which has been too long bowed down near the throne.

Here their ambition, either satiated or disappointed, has assumed, amidst their own dependents, and as it were beyond the reach of the court, a greater freedom of speech:  it is a sort of privilege which time has sanctioned, of which they are tenacious, and which their sovereign respects.  They become worse courtiers, but better citizens.  Hence the dislike of their princes to visit this vast repository of glory and of commerce, this city of nobles whom they have disgraced or disgusted, whose age or reputation places them beyond their power, and to whom they are obliged to show indulgence.

To this city necessity brought Alexander:  he repaired thither from Polotsk, preceded by his proclamations, and looked for by the nobility and the mercantile class.  His first appearance was amidst the assembled nobility.  There every thing was great—­the circumstance, the assembly, the speaker, and the resolutions which he inspired.  His voice betrayed emotion.  No sooner had he ceased, than one general simultaneous, unanimous cry burst from all hearts:—­“Ask what you please, sire! we offer you every thing! take our all!”

One of the nobles then proposed the levy of a militia; and in order to its formation, the gift of one peasant in twenty-five:  but a hundred voices interrupted him, crying, that “the country required a greater sacrifice; that it was necessary to grant one serf in ten, ready armed, equipped, and supplied with provisions for three months.”  This was offering, for the single government of Moscow, eighty thousand men, and a great quantity of stores.