the Grand Vizier,
Balthazi, was the vulnerable spot. He loved gold better than glory.
Two hundred thousand rubles were quickly collected--Catherine throwing
in her jewels as an added lure. The shining gold, with the glittering
jewels on top, averted the inevitable fate. Balthazi consented to
treat for peace upon condition that Charles XII. be permitted to go
back to Sweden unmolested, and that Azof be relinquished (Treaty of
Pruth). Peter's heart was sorely wrung by giving up Azof, and his
fleet, and his outlet to the Southern seas. The peace was costly, but
welcome; and Catherine had earned his everlasting gratitude.

The Tsar now returned to the task of reforming his people. There were
to be no more prostrations before him: the petitioner must call himself
"subject," not "slave," and must stand upright like a man in his
presence, even if he had to use his stick to make him do so! The
Asiatic caftan and the flowing robes must go along with the beards; the
_terem_, with its "twenty-seven locks," must be abolished; the wives
and daughters dragged from their seclusion must be clothed like
Europeans. Marriage must not be compelled, and the betrothed might see
each other before the wedding ceremony.

If it is difficult to civilize one willing barbarian, what must it have
been to compel millions to put on the garment of respectability which
they hated! Never before was there such a complete social
reorganization, so entire a change in the daily habits of a whole
people; and so violently effected. It required a soul of iron and a
hand of steel to do it; and it has been well said that Russia was
knouted into civilization. A secret service was instituted to see that
the changes were adopted, and the knout and the ax were the
accompaniment of every reforming edict. This extraordinary man was by
main force dragging a sullen and angry nation into the path of
progress, and by artificial means trying to accomplish in a lifetime
what had been the growth of centuries in other lands. Then there must
be no competing authorities--no suns shining near to the Central Sun.
The Patriarchate--which, after Nikon's attempt in the reign of his
grandfather, had been shorn of authority--was now abolished, and a Holy
Synod of his own appointing took its place. For the _Sobor_ or
States-General there was substituted a Senate, also of his own
appointing. The _Streltsui_, or militia, was swept out of existence;
the military Cossacks