The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-04
From 4te Philadelphia Inquirer
THE SERFS, THE MOBILES & THE EMPEROR
OF RUSSIA
AN IMPERIAL REFORM.

AN IMPERIAL REFORM.
Perhaps the most important item by the last steam
err is that which alludes to the difficulty between the
Emperor Nicholas, the Nobles and the serfs OF Rus
sia Nicholas is generally regarded in this country,
as monarch of the most determined character, and
thoroughly welded to the old system of government
He is nevertheless fully alive to the welfare OF his
people generally, and has more than once made ef-
forts ameliorate the condition of the Masses al
though at the expense of the power OF the MOBILES The
existing dispute grew out OF determination on the
part of the Emperor, to hberate by single act the
immense portion of the population OF his empire born
in state of seryitude His intention was lately an
nounced at meeting of the Council of State and al
though portion of the members present dissented,
the most decided opposition was manifested by the
old and powerful nobility who declared that such an
act would endanger their lives and property, and
would amount to little less than a revolution. The
matter produced much excitement, and the Autocrat
was finally induced to yield to compromise, although
he Immediately issued an ukase r the modification
of the condition of the seris, which had also led to
great excitement although efforts were made to pre-
vent knowledge of the true state Of the case from
becoming general among the people. We have seen
private letter received by the Brtih Queen, which
states that should the Emperor persht his life would
not be SAFE for although the classes designed to be
benefited by his conduct which is indeed worthy OF
the spirit OF age of civilization and humanity can
not but feel deeply grateful they ere yet too much
under the control of their Immediate masters,
to venture upon any overt act Of opposition to their
will.
We may state here that all the lands with the ex-
ception of few corners, cultivated by Serfs IN
Russia and that the value OF nOtiemans estate is
estimated by the number not of acres but OF slaves
Their treatment, generally is miller than in the
West Indies and they cannot be sod separately from
the estates but orly with such estates, to other pro-
prietors. The most AFFECT submission is required,
and the lash is freely made Of In some instances
they permitted to pay an annual rent, In order to
| allow them to trade in towns on their own account
III IS dIud od
to classes of mobiles and ser One of the former the
head of the Schermetov Family, is said to have 1885,
600 slaves, estimated at $50 roubes each. In 1876
| the peasants of the Crown amounted to 6,323 ,OOO-
those of private individuals to 9,757, OOO-hc whole
of them being Invested of every right political and
personal. The master indict any punishment
which does produce death in twenty -four hours
| The Crown las frequently made efforts to forward
emancipation, while tee old mobiles have as frequently
commended for the old system of bondage. Some OF
these slaves have become quite distinguished me-
chanics and artists With this view of the classes in
Russia the conduct of Nicholas is entitled to the cor
dial appreciation of the friends Of freedom and human
rights throughout the world, aad WILL if persisted in
and rendered successful productive of the hap
piest results. According to al accounts this monarch
is almost remarkable for tie manly beauty of his
personal appearance, as for the Immense power WELD
ed by him over large portion of the human family
A work has just been published in England called
Letters from the Baltic which the writer states
that the Emperor may frequently be seen dashing
along, his white feather streaming and mufied in his
military cloak in his solitary sleAge with horse
or sridnQ with powerful steps, utterly unattended in
the dusk of the evening, the whole length of the
Nevsk He notices a masquerade at the great the
atre Of ST. Petersburg, and the appearance of Nicho
las, thus:
The Heritier, the Grand Duk, Michael, the Duke
de Leuchtenberg, were all seen passing in turn
each led about by whispering mask-Nais on ss.
done pEmpereur p Hmy est pas eeore,' was the an
swer but scarce was this uttered when towering
plume moved, the crowd fell back and, Unframed in
vacant space, stood figure to which there is no Sc
cond in Russia if in the world itelf-a figure of the
grandes beauty, expression, dimeAson and carriage
uniting all the majesties and grades of all the hea
then gods-the little god of love alone perhaps ex-
cepted-on its ample and symmetrical proportions
Had this nobility of person belonged to common
Mo,pik, instead of to the Autocra of all the Rus
sas the admiration could not have been less, nor
scarcely the feeling of moral awe 1t was not the
monarch who magnificent a man. but the man
who was so truly imperial. He Stood awhile silent
and naughty if disdainng all the vanity and levity
around him, when, perceivIng mytwo distinguished
companions, he strobe gradually towards our box,
and just lifting his pumes with lofty bow, stopped
and kissed the Princesss hand who in return i'm.
printed kiss on the Imperial cheek and then, lean
ing against the pillar, remained in conversation.
&C In person. the emperor is a colossal man. in the
full prime of life and health forty Two years of age,
about six feet two inches high, and well filled out,
without any approach to cOrpulency; the head mag
nifcently carried, splendid breadth ofshouder and
chest great length and symmetry oflimb with finely
formed hands and feet His face is strictly Grecan
forehead and nose in grand line the eyes finely
lined, large, open and blue, with calmness cold
ness, freezing dignity, which can equally que an
Instruction daunt an assassin, pafayze petition
err; the mouth regular, fine teeth, chin prominent,
with dark mustache and small whsker but not a
sympathy on his facet"
We may add here, that whatever the indications
of his face, his recent conduct manfests the noble
sympathies Of his heart. We may also state, th the
story of Russia shows that one or two Emperors
have been asassinated and as it is believed through
the agency of the old mobiles, because of disposition,
officially avowed by the Crown, to mitigate the con-
dition of the sers. 1t is to be hoped however that
Nicholas, warned by experience, has adopted the
proper precautionary measures.
j PUNCTUATION.
| Caxton had the merit of introducing the Roman
pointing used in Italy and his successor, Pinson
trumphed by domicilliatng the Roman letter. The
dash, or perpendcula line, thus was the only
| punctuation they used 1t was, however discovered