The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-11-16
BY The MAILS.
NEW YORK. OCT. IS.
COMMITTEE.

NEW YORK, OCT IS.
No sovereign of modern times, has
discovered mote extraordinary qualities of
mind, than the Emperor Of Russia. Hav-
ing passed thro' scenes OF the most interest
ing, and, indeed, terrific character, since his
accession TO the throne OF that imme nse
empire, and seen universal peace succeed
10 the storms which had vas ed and impov-
erished Europe during nearly q quarter of
a century, immt diately upon the restora-
tion OF general tranquility, lie bcgar: 10 ex
ecute the laborlCus plan Of civiliz ing, in
structins, and chris'ianizing, the countless
tribes Of his almost hounGe.s dominions
To the accomplishments oftlj, great objec,,
he has for several years bent all the powers,
Of his comprehensive and benevolent mind,
assisted by the talents and labours Of his
ministers and distinguished officers Of gov
ernment And the progress 'p,t .hey have
already made cannot fail to astonish every
observer.
We have been accustomed, in this coun-
Try, TO consider the Russian nation, as .
vast horde OF barbarIans, without knowl
edge, and without civilization. This idea
has come down from the period Of The reign
of Peter the Great, " no has himself been
considered as at least half savage. 1t is diff
fcult, at this distance of time, and with such
information as we possess of the true state
Of things in Russia a century ago, TO form
true estimate of The character OF such a
monarch as Peter. He was undoubtedly
great mainland laid the foundation Of The
aourishing and powerful empire, over which
Alexander now reIgns with SUCH distinguish
ed reputation,
What will be the result of the astonish
ing advance OF this mighty nation in
moral as well as physical force, upon the
surrounding nations, il is not easy 10 con
lecture. Should the present Emperour's
lie be prolonged 10 the ordinary age of men,
and the empire advance in improvement for
the ensuing twenty or thirty years, in pIo
portion as it has for six Yeas past, by the
close of the period above mentioned, in the
hands of an able ambitious man, it will be
able TO give laws 10 Europe,
Our thoughts have been turned 10 this
subject, by reading he following article in
the Christian Observer, for August, SIG
II dscloses the rapid progress that is mex
ing in the gigantic plans of the Car. and a,
the Same time furnishes matter for serious
consider alton and reflection on The events
Of The times.
The Emperor OF Russia, among his other
jealous efforts for the extension OF religion
and learning, has issu an edict for new
institution OF great importance, to be ent
tied I" The University II So. Pefcrsbu,gh"
Ii Is on large and liberal plan he three
principal faculties will be, Ist Phiiosophi
cal and Iuridical sciences I'd. The Pbysic-
al and Mathematical sciences Sd. The His
toricsl and Pathological sciences. 1 he
most eminent professors, Russian and for
eign, are TO be engaged.
The new system OF education is also
widely eAu nding in Russia and a consid
cradle number OF schools are III action ioi
educating th- children Of soldiers, upon this
economical and efficient plan. Even in 81
IBERIA there is an establishment, Tor training
masters, who, when qualified, are sent TO
diff rent parts of the empire and in III,
neighbour hood OF Odtssa, IN the south Of
Russia, there are schools for above 10000
OF The Russian troops. Al Petersburgh,
there is school Tor the children of soldiers,
extremely wei! organised and another ior
$50 persons, has been opened for The sold
lers themselves, certain number OF whom
are taken out of the different regiments, in
order, when qualified, that they may teach
others by this method. The progress they
make, particularly the Cossacks, is repre-