Sa

Arrival took place. Madame Ritzoff was still
bsent, but her place was supplied by Theo-
lora, who had been accustomed to act as the
ld lady's deputy. She and all the family
eceived me with a kindly welcome. New
Year's Day came, with the usual amount of
bell-ringing from all the churches, and good
wishes from friends; and the only regret of
all the Khranskoffs was, that Madame had not
arrived in time for the festival. Brothers and
isters in turn confided to me their surprise at
her unusual stay, with an anxiety which I
could not help thinking superfluous. I had
seen Madame last presiding over one of their
winter parties, and the removal of her ever-
lasting watch seemed to me a cause for general
thankfulness. However, they looked disap- "could not intermeddle therewith."
pointed all day, and in the evening sat down
in very low spirits to a really elegant dinner,
at which I was the only guest.

care could do, she never recovered, but died
on the following day at noon, with her last
look on the holy pictures of Saint Ann, Saint
Sophia, and the Virgin. As the only uncon-
cerned person, I tried to speak of consolation,
but for some time without avail. At length
the storm exhausted itself; their grief grew
calmer, but not less; and with murmured
thanks and apologies to me, the heart-stricken
family retired to a small private chapel, where
their confessor (an old Greek priest) soon
joined them, for the reverend father was ac-
customed to be sent for on all emergencies.
As for myself, being "an English heretic," I
retired to my own room, sincerely pitying
their great sorrow, and feeling that a stranger

The

propriety of cutting short my visit was also
evident. A foreign guest could only be in
the way, where mourning and funeral rites
had to be thought of, and I could not comfort
the Khranskoffs. Accordingly, I took my de-
parture the next morning, with as little cere-
mony as possible, seeing none of the family
but Theodora, who, now that the first violence
of her grief was over, talked of their loss in a
'most pious and sensible manner.
She begged
me to excuse "the selfishness of their sorrow,
and still consider them friends, for the sake
of their beloved aunt, who would have been
so rejoiced to find me in the house." What
I said has escaped my memory, but it was
everything consolatory; and I went home
with a sad impression of the poverty and
emptiness of words, when weighed against
great calamities.

We had finished the dessert, even to the turnips with brandy, which time out of mind has been the Muscovite's last temptation, when a sonorous ringing of the door-bell startled us. I heard the bustle of some unexpected arrival, and a courier in a black cloak and cap entered, with a solemn face and a mourning letter, which he presented to Theodora, saying, Lady, it is the will of God." Scarce had Theodora broken the seal, when she flung it down, shrieking, "O my aunt, my beloved aunt, is dead! One after another of the family caught up the letter; and then there broke forth such a tempest of wild grief as I never witnessed for dead or living. The girls screamed and tore their hair; the young men wept sore, unrestrained by my Nothing was seen of the Khranskoffs for a presence, or any other consideration; while long time after. It was understood they had the servants filled the house with cries and all gone to Novogorod to see their aunt laid lamentations "for their blessed mistress." among her kindred, and erect a splendid tomb My English conscience rebuked me sharply to her memory. On their return the house for the suspicions I had entertained of the remained long closed against visitors, and Khranskoffs' love to their aunt; and I con- they went nowhere but to church. Their cluded that, notwithstanding her harsh look friends thought such sorrow unreasonable, and perpetual watching, there must have particularly for a lady upwards of sixty. But been some singular excellence in the old lady, time softened it; and when fully restored to to call forth such sincere affection. The let the world, every body remarked that the ter, which was given me to read, came from Khranskoffs' dress and housekeeping were on the Superior of the Convent of Saint Sophia a much more liberal scale, that they saw in Novogorod. It briefly stated (but with more company, and launched a new carriage. many expressions of respectful sympathy) It was also observed that Theodora had sucthat Madame Ritzoff, when about to set out ceeded her aunt at once in authority and on her homeward journey, had been seized by watchfulness over the household; but their a sudden fit of apoplexy in the convent chapel, parties were frequent, and at length rather from which, in spite of all that medicine and fashionable. Mr. L and I were often

invited. The Khranskoffs professed strong and antiquities, that all were delighted when

friendship for me; but I thought they stood more on ceremony, and kept at a greater distance, than might have been expected from the circumstances of my visit. The new year's invitation was never repeated, and I found out (as people will when things are over) that the wonder of my friends had been why it was given at all.

we caught sight of its vast old ramparts, and entered its ruined and deserted streets. You have doubtless read of the place, how great it was in the middle ages as a mart for Europe and Asia, how fallen and depopulated it is now; but we had some reason to be pleased with its decline of trade and travellers, for that, together with our courteous companion, It was three years after Madame Ritzoff's procured the whole party a hospitable invita death; the good lady, with all her watching tion to the governor's house, where we were and economy, seemed fairly forgotten, even by kindly entertained, and had the help of the family who had so sorely lamented her, authority to see all that was worthy of note when I accompanied Mr. L- on a journey, in the city. This was no small privilege. partly of business and partly of curiosity, to Novogorod contains sixty-two churches, some the Eastern Provinces. As is commonly the of them the finest in Russia, not to speak of case in Russia, we travelled with a consider- ancient monuments, palaces, and public buildable party, whom chance and a very slight ings of all sorts; but what most interested us acquaintance had brought together. There ladies was a store of clerical vestments, unewere two Petersburg merchants going to buy qualled in age and embroidery, which were corn, a Swedish iron-master, a Polish land- said to be laid up in the convent of Saint Sosurveyor, a German who dealt in government phia, and shown only to favored visitors. The contracts, his wife, and a young officer, who coveted sight was procured for us I know not was nephew to the governor of Novogorod. how; there was a deal of delay and evident We could all speak French, and that made us unwillingness on the part of the worthy nuns; sociable, notwithstanding the difference of na- but government influence is strong in the tions; moreover, the young officer's uniform north, and at the hour appointed, namely, six secured us attention at the post-houses, where in the morning, we were at the convent gate we had to change horses and postillions. He was the great man of the party, but no one could be more courteous and obliging, though he talked a great deal, and expected to be listened to, as he was with silent acquiesence The convent of Saint Sophia stood about & by all, except the German lady. She was a mile from the governor's house, on ground homely-looking dame, from the Prussian fron- that had formerly been a populous suburb, bat tier, with a strong determination to save now showed only the remains of very crooked money; indeed I was told she travelled with streets, blocked up with ruins, amongst which her husband expressly to prevent unnecessary stood a few old timber houses. The buildexpenses on his part, and there was nothing ing had been erected in the tenth century, else remarkable about her, but a habit of ask- and was a fine specimen of ancient monastic ing questions, without regard to time, place, establishments in the north. A massive or person. So determined was the lady to square fabric, with thick walls, battlemented get into the heart of every matter which roof, and ponderous iron gate, it had stood & caught her eye or ear, that I had sometimes siege by the Tartars, under a warlike lady suoccasion to wish for a less curious travelling perior, who armed her vassals for that purcompanion. It was pleasant, however, to pose; and I was told it required only cannon journey in the long but soft and hazy days of to be a tenable fortress in modern warfare. the Russian summer, through pine-woods The German lady and myself were admitted and strangely-built villages, and wide silent by a portress clad in black (which was the plains. There were towns, too, in our track; color of the Order). I know not her age, but whatever we went to see, church, convent, she looked large and grim; and a nun of or castle, tuc young officer assured us there similar aspect introduced us, through a long was something much better at Novogorod. arched passage, across a paved court, where The city of his uncle's government was his we saw no one, and everything was stone, to glory. We heard so much about its wonders the chapel porch. Here she told us in plain

with our attendant cavaliers, who were there taught a lesson of humility, being obliged to wait without, for no man might pass the sacred portal.

but

"Have you many there now?" inquired my companion, as if the answer would save her a

"No," said the nun confusedly, for she was trying in vain to open the last of the chests. "There is no one in it, nobody needs penance in our convent; but this is the wrong key — wait a minute."

And she ran up the stairs, while the German lady turned her wonder on the chest

'Why it was so large, and why there were lion's heads carved on it?"

I cannot say what it was that made me look at the grating, as the nun disappeared and my companion turned away. There seemed to be a slight noise somewhere in that direction, and at the same moment there was thrust through the bars the broad bony hand, which none who had ever seen it could mistake, for on the back was the key-like scar, and I think its blue had grown deeper. My presence of mind was, I am thankful to say, sufficient to keep me from uttering a word; I turned to see if the nun was coming, and when I looked again the hand was gone. My inquiring friend remained at the chest, and our guide came back with the right key. She opened and showed us silks and velvets, and cloths of gold and silver, which had been wov

erms we were to make our offerings, at the charge, to demand the purpose of that gratame time pointing to a black marble table being. Twice our guide seemed too much ocheath the picture of the patron Saint, very cupied to hear or heed, but the third time our looking, and rather dirty. I suppose she said with some sharpness, "Madame, it he said offerings were satisfactory, for after serves to light our penitentiary." ve deposited them our guide became less reerved; and at length discovering, I forget ow, that my companion came from the bor-dollar at least. ers of her native Courland, the nun grew ositively good-humored. She showed us all he splendors of the chapel, pictures and recs, tombs and gifts. The latter formed as arge a display of gold and silver as I ever aw, and conspicuous among them stood the seven-branched candlestick, of which I had heard so often at Petersburg. From the vesry, another arched passage, secured by trong doors at either end, led us to a windng stair, on descending which we were conlucted through a sort of gallery to the store room of sacred needle-work. This door was astened with three massive padlocks, which our guide said were as old as the convent. There was a skylight of thick glass, with iron tanchions, in its vaulted roof; and all around the bare gray walls stood ponderous but richy-carved chests, which the nun proceeded to open one after another. Never did I see such varied and splendid embroidery, nor such a quantity of rich material for clothing the hunan form, in all my searches after finery. There were robes stiff with flowers, made of ninute gems. There were robes wrought like apestry in scripture scenes, with thread of gold on white velvet. There were lace trim-en in the looms of Constantinople when Greek nings, that would have made the heart of a emperors reigned there; but the sight I had obfew dealer leap for joy, and marvellous mus- served at the grating shut out their splendors gins and cambrics, in every form of surplice. from my mind, and I do not remember ever indeed the variety of the vestments seemed feeling so anxious to leave any building as ndless; but the Greek Church gives large that convent. Of course I told Mr. L mployment to the needle, and the convent in extreme confidence, and for a considerable of Saint Sophia deserved its fame, for many time he maintained I had been dreaming, but of the chests contained garments wrought he agreed to say nothing about it on the hree hundred years before. Our guide was journey; and after our return to Petersburg, loquent on their cost and history; she told a French gentleman, who had been a tutor in s how many hands had labored upon them, ow some had descended as heir-loom's, hrough three or four generations; and I night have remembered her discourse better, ut for the inquiring mind of the German lady, which had fixed itself not on the celebrated obes, but an iron grating, set high in the vall of the store-room. Three times she inerrupted the nun, when most deeply engaged with the beauties or peculiarities of her

several poble families, and was our particular friend, advised us to keep the same resolution while we lived in Russia. I never attended any more of the Khranskoffs' parties; but when the war came on, and we thought it better to move, they were getting into very good society; and it is probable nobody but themselves will ever know the explanation of my adventure in that Russian convent.

From the Athenæum.

a

Letters of George the Third to Lord North. Appendix to "Historical Sketches.' By Henry Lord Brougham. Griffin & Co. OUR opinion of the "Historical Sketches " was given long since, and we only refer to this new edition that we may notice a curious Appendix," containing the letters, or abstracts of the letters, of George the Third to his Minister Lord North, written between February, 1768, and October, 1783; momentous period, in which great constitutional principles were brought under discussion, great constitutional principles established, when general warrants were formally and legally condemned, -the right of a jury to judge both of the law and the fact in cases of libel asserted, the right to report the debates and the proceedings in Parliament practically established, and in which we lost America.

-

With the more important of these Letters -those relating to the American Warsome of our readers are already acquainted. It is just twenty years since they were, in substance, published in this journal, from copies submitted by Lord Holland to Mr. Jared Sparks, and by Mr. Jared Sparks trans

mitted to the Athenæum.

of Govt,-that he thot himself obliged, as wel in conscience as in wisdom, to desire an imme diate dismissal from his employment, - that he had no connection with any of the inembers of the Opposition, which he thought as wicked as the Administration is weak, that noths can afford the least hope but a Coalition, and he is afraid even that remedy may be too late,-that he feels the greatest gratitude for the many marks of royal goodness which he has received, but that he does not think it the duty of a faithful servt to endeavor to preserve a system which must end in the ruin of H. M. and of the country. He is determined never again to take Office, but to support Govt in his private capacity. La N. thinks that La Gower's resignation at the present moment must be the ruin of the Administration. In Ld N.'s Argts wh Ld G., La N. owns that he had certainly one disad vantage, which is, that he holds in his heart, and has held for these three years, just the same opinion with Lord Gower.'

Lord Brougham, of course, condemns the conduct of Lord North, which, he says, was

an

ages.'

"offence only palliated by considering those kindly feelings of a personal kind which governed him; "and he urges, in mitigation, we believe, the like delinquencies of other Ministers. We cannot see the force of this palliation; nor does the judgment answer to the conditions laid down by Lord Brougham It is not often that critics, or even his- himself, that those "who would forge fetters torians, get a peep into a king's cabinet. In for their fellow-creatures or squander their this instance the letters, or fragments, or substance or their blood" should be "exhibit condensations, are so bald that the reader ed to the scorn and hatred of after must find the light by which to read and There was a good deal of squandering both interpret them. So read, they often raise of substance and blood during the American questions of great general interest. They War. But assume its force, what then is prove, for instance, that Lord North, the the worth of the Revolution of 1688, and of Minister, for years carried on the war against all the precautionary measures subsequently America in support of those impolitic and taken? Up to 1688 the powers and prerog unjust measures which first drove the Amer-atives of the Crown were undefined, and the icans to remonstrance, and then to resist ance, that for years Lord North carried on this war against the liberties of a free people, and defended the policy of doing so, day by day, or night by night, in the House of Commons, contrary to his own judgment, and with a firm conviction that the issue of that war-the waste of millions and the sacrifice of the lives of thousands-must be disastrous, and therefore disgraceful, and was hopeless as to other issues. The correspondence for mary years proves this, but one letter to the King under his own hand is conclusive. The date is uncertain, but is assumed to have been either October, 1779 or 1780.

King was held to be, and more than one was made, personally responsible; after that Revolution it was generally understood that responsibility attached to the Minister. But Lord Brougham tells us that the American War was

"driven on by the tyrannical bigotry which presided over our councils, and for which the King was really answerable, although by the fictions of the constitution his servants only could be blamed."

- Fictions of the Constitution! Then Charles the First, we suppose, lost his head, and James the Second his crown, and the British people went through two Revolutions, and suffered a Restoration, all for want of fiction!

"Lord Gower came to La North to inform him that he had long felt the utmost uneasiness at the situation of H. M.'s affairs, that nothing Lord Brougham describes George the Third can be so weak as the Govt, that nothing is as a tyrannical and obstinate bigot, and Lord 29 on whom done, that there was no discipline in the state, North as a "well-natured person,' the army or the navy, and that impending Ruin the King's importunity easily produced "i must be the consequence of the present system intended effect." Be it so: then, assuming

762

mother; and Lord Brougham countenances this opinion:

responsibility to be "a fiction of the Constitution," the value of what are called the liberties of Englishmen is just the chance of "Although much of the character now pora "tyrannical bigot" meeting with " a wellnatured" gentleman. Be this chance what trayed had its origin in natural defect, and part of it in a mind tinged with disease, yet they it may, we say the bigot had, in this instance, who had the care of his youth are deeply answeran honorable superiority over the "well-able for the neglect which both added to it many natured person. No one can doubt that defects, and prevented those of nature from being George the Third was sincere in his belief eradicated or counteracted.” that it was his duty to persevere in the war, and never to submit; as he declared over and I over again to Lord North, he never would submit to the dismemberment of the Empire. In our opinion, all the consequences of the wilfulness, ignorance, and obstinacy which Lord Brougham charges against the King ought to be weighed against the character of Lord North, - and with enormous increase of the criminality, for he acted in opposition to his convictions and against his conscience.

We are not at all inclined to overrate George the Third-we never fell into the fashion of calling him " George the Good"

66

says

but justice, we say, for the King as for the humblest of his subjects; and certainly all the later revelations show that he was conscientious according to his limited understanding; and that is more than can be said of his "well-natured" Minister. George the Third was a man of an iron will and of inflexible obstinacy, which he mistook, and others have mistaken, for intelligence and George, be a King,' integrity. Wraxall, was the advice dinned into his boyish ears by his mother, -just the highprerogative nonsense which, according to old Sarah of Marlborough, was eternally whispered to Queen Anne; and, of course, in proof.that you are a King, act on your own opinion, trust in your own judgment or no-judgment. So he did so did Queen Anne; and both resented all remonstrance as hard usage and personal offence. George the Third, uninformed as to all great principles of government-ignorant as to all great questions often took, and was more frequently led, unconsciously, to take, narrow, partial, and personal views of questions that affected the interest of the nation; and, once resolved, his dogged nature knew no change. He was born in an age of transition, when old forms, usages, and opinions were fast passing away; they were gone before his weary head was laid in the grave; yet he kept his eye ever on the past, until it became a feeling, and a principle of duty and conscience to cling to it, to resist all change, to obstruct all progress.

It is usual to attribute many of his errors to want of education, or to the mis-direction of his education, intended to perpetuate a state of pupilage and dependence on his

43

It is difficult, perhaps impossible—at least we have found it so-to discover what are the facts as to the education of the King, for party spirit and party misrepresentation then raged like an epidemic, and the friends of Leicester House to-day were its enemies to-morrow. Of course good Whig authority can be adduced in support of Lord Brougham's charges against those who had the care of his youth. Here, for example, is the strong condemnation of Archbishop Herring, in a confidental letter to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke:

"As to the sentiment of the old Whigs, of great account in the kingdom, I know it goes to the heart of them, that the education of the young princes should be at all trusted to men who were brought up in the school of Bolingbroke, for that is certainly the case with Scot and Cresset; and I have some reason to say that one of that bad man's principles is already stirring in the R. Family,-viz., that a king of Engl. is a king of his people, not of Whigs and This is a noble principle, it must be owned, and I would to God it took effect truly, but what must be the consequence when it is only made the vehicle of Jacobitism, and tends be supported upon Whig principles.” — Life of to overturn a governmt wch began, and can only Hardwicke, Vol. II., p. 478.

Tories.

Who can doubt after this? One of that

bad man's principles was, it appears, a noble
principle, but the noble principle was a bad
principle, because it tended to shake that
Whig monopoly of power and place which
the old Whigs held to be the only true prin-
ciples on which government could be sup-
ported. After this the logic of an Arch-
bishop-" that bad man
may be excused
for hinting in his letter to Wyndham, that
there is no length of assertion or action
which men will not go, "to secure to them-
selves the enjoyment of all the places in the
kingdom.'

There is no doubt on our minds that the King had been educated in that bad man's bad principle, that "a king of England is a king of his people, not of Whigs and Tories,'

and, as we said long since, he could only, like a Whig Archbishop, misread or misin terpret such a noble principle." To be a king was, with him, to break down the power and ascendancy of the great families

1