and imperial presence. Each class or grade becomes
independent, despotic, and corrupt in proportion as they recede from
the central authority, having a greater latitude of power, and being
less apprehensive of punishment for its abuse. In truth, the nobles
and aristocracy are the immediate oppressors of the ignorant masses,
who are taught to regard them as demigods, and bow down before them in
slavish abasement. Now and then, in extreme cases, where the autocrat
discovers abuses which threaten to impair his authority, he sends some
of these aspiring gentlemen on a tour of pleasure to Siberia, and thus
practically demonstrates that there is a ruling power in the land. As
all authority emanates from him, and all responsibility rests with
him, so all justice, liberality, fair dealing, and humanity are apt to
find in a good sovereign, under such a system, their best friend and
most conscientious supporter. The success of his government, the
prosperity and happiness of his people, even the perpetuity of the
entire political system, depend upon the judicious and equitable use
which he makes of his power. There are limits to human forbearance, as
sovereigns have discovered by this time. The Czar is but a man, a mere
mortal, after all, and can only hold his authority through the
consent, indifference, or ignorance of his subjects; but should he
oppress them by extraordinary punishments or exactions, or withdraw
from them his protection against the petty tyranny of his
subordinates, he would find, sooner or later, that the most degraded
can be aroused to resentment. It is the belief on the part of the
peasantry, of which the population of Russia is in so large a part
formed, that the emperor is their friend--that he does not willingly
or unnecessarily deprive them of their liberties. This tends to keep
them in subjection. Indeed, they have but faint notions of liberty, if
any at all, born as they are to a condition of servitude, and reared
in abject submission to the governing authorities. They are generally
well satisfied if they can get enough to eat; and, when they are not
subjected to cruel and unusual abuses, are comparatively happy.

The unreasonable assumptions of power on the part of their immediate
governing authorities present a trait common to mankind. We know from
experience in our own country that the negro-driver on a Southern
plantation--a slave selected from slaves--is often more tyrannical in
the use of authorit