The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-19 00:00:00

LECTURES ON THE SLAVONIC

NATIONS.
On Thursday afternoon, Count Valerian Krasinski
delivered his fifth lecture on the political and intellectual
development and present condition of the Slavonic na-
tions, at Willis's Rooms. The lecturer commenced by
calling the attention of his hearers to the latter portions
of his last lecture, which he stated went very far to
prove that the population of Russia was composed of a
mixed number of patties, whose creeds as well as lan-
guage were different in every way to each other. He
likewise glanced at the state of the Slavonic nations
during the eleventh century, when they were ravaged
abroad by the depredations of the blood-thirsty and in-
satiable Tartars, their most deadly enemies, and at home
were subject to the fierce despotism of the tyrants who
sat upon their thrones ; one of whom carried his bar-
barism and cruelty to such a fearful height as to have
many of his subjects put to the most excruciating deaths
that a wicked mind could possibly conceive, in order
that he might delight himself with the torments
of the suffering victims. In proof of this the
Count related two instances. The regal murderer hav-
ing fancied that a conspiracy was on foot to dethrone
him, and that the conspirators had assembled in a cer-
tain village, repaired thither, and put the whole of the
inhabitants to the sword. On another occasion, he
ordered a large number of his subjects to be driven into
the river for the purpose of his beholding them drown.
The Count also observed that the Muscovites and the
Russians were races distinct of themselves, and ought
thenot to be
present
c °u fu
policy
n de ef d t witheach
he R
n sai an o t
che r
ah,
nt
te although
considerit was
them as one and the same people. Leaving these dark
hisand
astot
emnbtiroeoptaosstahgeesmionreh is address,
pleasing
t topic
pioLoefc Lecturer turned
turnd
progresse
made by the Russians in literature and the liberal arts.
The Emperor Alexis, he stated, had made many im-
provements, by giving a new code of laws, which, in
accordance with a certain rule, was enforced by deputies.
Of Peter the Great, he remarked, that that Emperor
had, by his extreme anxiety to arrive at a state of the
utmost perfection, as regarded his army and navy, as it
were almost converted his people into foreigners, by
taking persons of all lands into the important offices of
his kingdom ; and he introduced the present system of
rank in the aristocracy. He, however, did small things
to advance the liberty of his country. But little, the
Lecturer stated, was done in the way of literature until
the reign of the Empress Catharine, when several
useful and instructive works were translated and pub-
lished at the expense of the Government. This Em-
press also assembled the various Deputies, in order,
with their aid and advice, to concoct another code of
laws ; she was, however, frightened at some words
which came from the mouth of one of the Deputies, and
alarmed at the state of France at the time,hene driasmbliesse medald
Deputies with her thanks and an
each. About this time also a lodge of Freemasons, who
honourable
had done much good in the country, was dispersed by
her orders, and the members desired to retire to their
ms
tpartees so
fElizabeth
country;also
didc u country
hsebaytswfaoawhile. The
way of
of
improving theE
many valuable books being translated and published at
the Government expense. The Lecturer then thanked
his auditors, and informed them that for certain reasons
his lecture intended for delivery next Saturday would be
deferred for a few days.
The lecture was attended by a select and highly-
respectable company, who appeared much interested in
'he details laid before them.

TUE GERMAN HOSPITAL.—YesterdaY the annual
general meeting of the subscribers to the
above hospital
was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. His
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge was in the
chair, supported by the Chevalier Bunsen, the Prussian
Minister, Ernest Bunsen, Esq., Baron Knesebeck, Lord
Ashley, the Venerable Archdeacon Robinson, the Che,
Pi
valier Hebeler, &c., &c. The report stated, that since
the opening of the hospital 611 patients had been ad-
mitted into the wards, and 1,998 out-patients had been
relieved. The total amount received during the past
xeevnt
ionrßunsen,
i
year was 2,678/. , and the balance
Ln owArceomnayianliensge
eilanthfaunnd4
h asdeductingbee nfoarl expenses,lmedbym
s
owe
as i
ladies in London and Mau.
relieffLord
u n to
patients 8 e n
Chester, l
, foeratvhineg ther o shheoi
ssp Excellency
el On
ey the
h motion
of
taffordingln pecuniary
Ashley, seconded by
the report was unanimously adopted. The committee
and other
year were then elected k
and a Tote of thanks passed to those retiring. A similar
compliment was paid to the Royal Chairman, after which
officers for the ensuing
the meeting separated.
TIIE NAVY CLUB.—ENTERTAINMENT TO YR*
FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.—The members of the
Navy Club gave their customary annual entertainment
to the First Lord of the Admiralty, on Thursday last,
at the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's-street. The
Earl of Auckland, the First Lord of the Admiralty,
accompanied by the Hon. Captain M. F. Berkeley, and
the Hon. William Cowper, arrived at half-past seven,
shortly after which dinner was announced. Admiral Sir
E. Codrington, G.C.B. and G.C.M.G., presided. The
party separated shortly before eleven o'clock.