ter the creation of serfdom, and by adventurers
and fugitives from justice at all times. It was a military
organization, and its Constitution was a pure democracy. Freedom and
independence were their first necessity. Their Hetman, or chief, held
office for one year only, and anyone might attain to that position.
Their horsemanship was unrivaled--they were fearless and enduring, and
stood ready to sell their services to the Khan of Tatary, the King of
Poland, or to the Tsar of Russia. In fact, they were the Northmen of
the South and East, and are now--the Rough-Riders of Russia.

They had long ago divided into two bands, the "Cossacks of the
Dnieper," loosely bound to Poland, and the "Cossacks of the Don,"
owning the sovereignty of Russia. The services of these fearless
adventurers were invaluable as a protection from Turks and Tatars; and,
as we have seen in the matter of Siberia, they sometimes brought back
prizes which offset their misdoings. The King of Poland unwisely
attempted to proselyte his Cossacks of the Dnieper, sent Jesuit
missionaries among them, and then concluded to break their spirit by
severities and make of them obedient loyal Catholic subjects. He might
as well have tried to chain the winds. They offered to the Tsar their
allegiance in return for his protection, and in 1681 all of the
Cossacks, of the Dnieper as well as the Don, were gathered under
Russian sovereignty. It was this event which, in the long struggle
with Poland, turned the scales at last in favor of Russia.

One of the most important occurrences in this reign was the attempt of
the Patriarch Nikon to establish an authority in the East similar to
that of the Pope in the West--and in many ways to Latinize the Church.
This attempt to place the Tsar under spiritual authority was put down
by a popular revolt--followed by stricter orthodox methods in a sect
known as the _Raskolniks_.

Mikhail died in 1645, and was succeeded by his son Alexis. The new
Tsar sent an envoy to Charles the First of England to announce his
succession. He arrived with his letter to the King at an inopportune
time. He was on trial for his life. The Russian could not comprehend
such a condition, and haughtily refused to treat with anyone but the
King. He was received with much ceremony by the House of Lords, and
then to their consternation arose and said: "I have come from my
sovereign charged with an important message to your King--Charles the
First.