d, but did not last long. When a new truce was
concluded Michael's title as czar was recognized by Vladislas.

It was entirely the fault of the Polish nobles that Poland lost
Lithuania or White Russia. The only excuse that can be offered, is the
spirit of religious persecution which was rampant all over Europe (p. 141)
in the seventeenth century. It was the ceaseless effort of the Poles
to force the Lithuanians from the Greek into the Roman Church that
drove them into the arms of Russia; but it was not until after the
death of Michael, in 1645, that the consequences of this short-sighted
policy were to show.

Michael was succeeded by his son, who ascended the throne as Alexis
Michaelovitch. He was better educated than his father had been and
resembled him in good nature. He had been taught by a tutor named
Morozof, who during thirty years exerted a great influence over his
pupil. When Alexis married into the Miloslavski family, its members
secured the most influential positions, according to well-established
custom. Morozof did not oppose them; instead he courted and married
the czarina's sister, and thus became the czar's brother-in-law.

The wars in which Russia was engaged and the necessity of maintaining
a large and well-equipped army, together with the increasing expenses
of the Court, and above all, the dishonest practices of the officials
rendered the burden of taxation so unbearable, that several revolts
broke out. In 1648, the people of Moscow rose and demanded the
surrender of a judge and another officer, both of whom were
notoriously corrupt; the two men were promptly murdered. Then the
popular fury turned upon Morozof, who would have suffered the same
fate, had not the czar helped him to escape. The government was
helpless. In some places, such as Pskof, Novgorod, and elsewhere, the
streltsi joined the people, and Russia was for some time at the mercy
of an enemy.

It was fortunate for Russia that just at that time, Poland had (p. 142)
serious trouble at home. A Cossack, owner of a large estate, educated
and brave, was ill-treated and imprisoned by a Polish landowner; and
his little son was publicly whipped. He went to Warsaw and laid his
complaint before the king. Vladislas told him plainly that the nobles
were beyond his control; then, pointing to his sword, he asked if the
Cossack could not help himself. The Cossack took the hint, went home,
and when the Polish landowners tried to arrest him, he