ventured the assertion that there are insuperable obstacles to
a very high order of civilization in Russia. Perhaps this is too
gloomy a view of the case, and, considering the wonderful natural
capacities of the people, it may be thought rather illiberal for an
American; but I must confess the difficulties strike me as very
serious. The severity of the climate in the middle and northern parts
of the empire, the vast proportion of desert and unavailable lands,
and the diversity of fierce and ignorant races to be governed, are
certainly obstacles not easily overcome, if we are to understand by
civilization a predominance of moral and intellectual cultivation,
combined with material prosperity and a reasonable share of liberty
and happiness among the mass of the people. It is not that a few shall
be learned, and intelligent, and privileged above all others, but that
the broad fields of knowledge shall be open to all; that education
shall be general, and the right of every class to the fruits of their
labor and the enjoyment of civil, political, and religious liberty
shall be recognized and protected by the laws of the land. In this
view, it seems to me that the most serious obstacle to civilization in
Russia is presented by the despotic nature of the government, and the
difficulty, under the existing state of things, of substituting
another for which the ignorant masses are prepared. The aristocracy
are constantly clamoring for increased powers and privileges, but it
is very certain they have no affinity, beyond pecuniary interest, with
the middle and lower classes, and that their sole aim is to interpose
every possible obstacle to the progress of freedom. The emperor is
now practically the great conservative power who stands between them
and their dependents. Any increase of authority to the aristocracy
would deprive the masses of the limited protection which they now
enjoy. Already the head and front of Russian despotism are the
camarilla and the bureaucracy, who practically administer the affairs
of the government. So long as they hold their power, they stand as a
barrier to all progress on the part of the people. Thoroughly
aristocratic and tyrannical in all their instincts, they have every
thing to lose and nothing to hope from a constitutional form of
government. Why, it may be asked, if the emperor is sincere in his
professions of regard for freedom and civilization, does he not make
use of the aristocratic powers ve