d. It has been shown
by Thomsen, that all the names mentioned in early Russian history
admit of a Scandinavian explanation; thus Ingar becomes Igor, and
Helga, Oleg. In a few generations the Scandinavian origin of the
settlers was forgotten. The grandson of Rurik, Sviatoslav, has
a purely Sclavonic name.

Christianity was introduced into the country by Vladimir, and the
first code of Russian laws was promulgated by Yaroslav, called
Rousskaia Pravda, of which a transcript was found among the chronicles
of Novgorod.

(_b_) Breaking up of Russia, under the system of appanages, into
some confederate principalities, governed by the descendants of
Rurik. This unfortunate disruption of the country paved the way
for the invasion of the Mongols, whose domination lasted for nearly
two centuries.

During their occupation the Russians were ingrafted with many oriental
habits, which were only partially removed by Peter the Great, and in
fact many of them have lasted till the present day. The influence
of the Mongolians upon the national language has been greatly
exaggerated, as the words introduced are confined almost exclusively
to articles of dress, money, etc. Had the conquests of the Mongols
been permanent, Russia would have become definitely attached to
Asia, to which its geographical position seems to assign it.

(_c_) Division of Russia into eastern and western under the Mongolian
yoke 1228-1328. This is a very dreary period of the national history.

(_d_) Formation in Eastern Russia of the government of Moscow 1328-1462,
which by the energy of its princes became the nucleus of the future
empire; and in Western Russia of the principality of Lithuania,
and its union with Poland 1320-1569.

(_e_) Consolidation of the Muscovite power under Ivan III., who
married the daughter of the Greek Emperor, and succeeded in expelling
the Tartars, and making himself master of their city Kazan. He was
followed by his son Vasilii, who was succeeded by Ivan IV., who
has gained a very unenviable reputation on account of his cruelties.
Already the yoke of the Tartars had begun to have a very deteriorating
effect upon the Russian character, and the more sanguinary code of
the Asiatics had effaced the tradition of the laws of Yaroslav.
Mutilation, flagellation, and the abundant use of the knout prevailed.
The servile custom of chelobitye, or knocking the head on the ground,
which was exacted from all subjects on entering the royal presence