PREFACE. IN presenting this volume to English readers, the author gladly acknowledges the primary assistance obtained from almost every available source of information, on Russian affairs, within his reach nearly fifty separate authors having been diligently searched for materials germane to the various topics treated. To the talented authors, Mr Schuyler, Mr Mac Gahan, Captain Burnaby, and Mr Michell, his acknowledgments are especially due for quotations on the occupation of Turkestan, some of which have appeared in public reviews. Their works are beyond all praise. The earlier chapters are principally derived from Russian sources. The life of IVAN THE TERRIBLE contains a literal translation of selected portions from KARAMSIN, "THE RUSSIAN LIVY." Russia has had her stages in development— savagery, subjection, triumph, and aggression. But no handy book is now extant embracing these questions. The necessary information is scattered over so vast a field of English and foreign literature as to be practically inaccessible to the busy reader of to-day. That this work may be found to fill up a manifest gap is the earnest desire of the writer. The subject is full of an abiding interest. Russia, on her war path, may one day be confronted by the power of England to arrest her march. February 1, 1877. CHAPTER I. ANTIQUITY OF THE RUSSIANS. THAT vast part of Europe, and of Asia, known to-day under the name of Russia, was peopled from all antiquity in its temperate climate; but its savage people, plunged in the thick darkness of a profound ignorance, signalized their existence by no precise historical monuments. We may except some of the tombs inscribed with ancient Hebrew, written by individuals of the dispersed Jews. But the history of Russia commences really with the sons of Japheth. Rōsh' was one of his descendAnd from the earliest times of profane history this name has been preserved. Perhaps above a thousand years before our era, the entrance into the Bosphorus and the terrors of the Black Sea, so called from its storms, had been explored by the Argonauts, and sung by Orpheus. In that song already the name of the Caucasus appeared: the Palus Mootides or Sea of Azof, the Caspian and the Cimmerian Taurus, with its everlasting clouds and impenetrable mists, where it was said the sun never shone, and profound night reigned supreme. ants. Cimmerian (or Crimean) darkness had passed into a proverb. Yet the Homeric genius peopled this country with inhabitants who lived only on the dew and the sweet juices of flowers! where passion and tempests were unknown, and where they passed their innocent lives in the joys of a sweet repose, and who, when too old to enjoy these delights, precipitated themselves into the waves. But 500 B.C. the Greeks began to colonize the coasts of the Black Sea, built a city at the mouth 1 See note at end of chapter. |