The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-28
Prince MsnschIknH.

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from early times, but, on the contrary, was founded
by Of their ancestors becoming favorte OF Peter
the Great From that time the star OF the Mems
chkoff family has been in the ascendant, until the
present Prince has become very powerful noble
and great favorite OF the Emperor Nicholas. He
now belongs in the very front rank OF the public
men of Russia along with Nesselrode Teherncheff,
Bludoff, Kisseior, Hugeroff, 0rlofi Senawin, and
very few others He is one OF those admitted to al
most daily intercourse and intimacy with the EN-
peror. OF them all he is perhaps the most ambi-
tious, and certainly the most conccited. Ills own
mental organization is, however not OF high order.
For twenty years nearly he has been Governor Gen
eral of Finland and Minister of the Marine, though
in all his life lie never sailor, and for long
time held steam vessels in holy horror, wing to
which there are comparatively very few OF them III
the Russian navy at this day.
On the other hand, he Goes not lack certain sort
OF superficial capacity In his youth ne studied Tor
awhile at the University Of Liepzic, and has since
kent IN varnish Of information by that kind of
general reading which gives the air Of knowing
everything without having a profound Or exact
Acquaintance with anything. Thus, in the salons
of ST. Petersburg he has acquired the reputation OF
immense and many-sided abilities, which must rem
der him successful in whatever he might undertake
This fame has not been diminished by bitter and
sarcastic humor which loves to riot at the cost OF
others and has long rendered him the first wit and
author of boas mots at the court.
In the court of ST. Petersburg there are two lead
ing political parties, the Russian and the German.
The former cherishes the idea of predomnance in
Europe and particularly desires extension in the East
with the absorption OF Turkey.
On the other hand the German party are more pa
cifc, and desire'to aggrandze Russia in the West
The leader Of this party is Count Nesselrode sup
ported chiefly by Baron Brunow, the Russian Am
bassad.r at London and other powerful mobiles OF the
German family. The subject Of our notice, Prince
Menschkcf, is the leader of the Russian party, and
he was accordingly chosen by the Emperor to pro-
coed to Constantinope as his special envoy, to ar
range his differences with the Sultan In the course
Of bis mission, the Prince presented his three famo:
ultimatums, all of which were rejected, as our read
ers are already aware. He then returned to St. Pc
tersburg, disappointed in his mission, and was ap
pointed by the Emperor Nicholas Admiral and Pre-
sident of tie Marine. Department.
Menschkof-though diciple OF Voltalre, as far a.
religious ideas are concerned holds to the influence
of the Greek church the principal lever Of Russian
action in the Orient In fact this is his hobby Thus
after the campaign of 1922 ending with the treaty
OF Adrianople our hero-who had held the position
of Chief of the Staff under the late Prince Peter
Wokenskey, and had distinguished himself the veal
before at the capture of Warna where he was Sc
vcrely wounded-qutted the service, because IN HI;
opinion the treaty did not sufficiently the
rights ofthe Greek-O1iental Church.a
The ambition Of Menschikoff has always aimed
as high as that of Russian noble is allowed to aim.
He has sought to acquire controlling influence over
the mind Of the Gar and to hold the first pa &c IN
his councils But the monarch has never allowed
himself to be entrapped The truth is, he has rather
dishked the obsequious yet arrogant seductions OF
the ambitious courtier. IL default OF the rst object
of his desires the Prince has however in latter years
succeeded in gaining a considerable influence ovel
| the heir to the throne.
| Afraid OF dying without rendering his name illus
trous either warrior or statesman, he resolved
possible when the'age of seventy, to occup.
the attention Of all Europe, by straining every nerve
| to superseCe Generals Rosen, Grabbe, and Lass
| who ere not very successful in carrying on the wa
! with Circassa, and accordingly he implored thu
! Emperor (who, yexed at the defeats OF his army
had resolved to send general OF the Russian part,
/ 10 make amends for the losses of the German gene
rals) to grant him the favor of the command OF thu
| army, destined for the purpose OF extlrpating tn
people Of CiTcassia: but 1t was refused by the Car
! who afterwards appointed Count Worontzew (sinc
raised to the rank of prince,) TO the command Thu
! rival carried of the honors which Menschik@f g
much coveted, and endeaWuled so hard to obtain
by bringing into play all daEees of influences witt
! the aid both men al d wrRen
In this way the jealous cOurtier grew to be som
seventy years OF age without the desired opportunt
Of adding historic ustre to his name. In the a
fairs Of Germany, in 1919, the German party ha
had its way, and it seemed opportune now to Civ
the Russian party chance 10 the Oriental .que'
| ton. or that party and its discomfort Menschiko
was the organ and the trumpeter at ST. Petersburg
| He not only gave out in private that the momen
reason why something should be done to gratif
| of Naval Minister to the Grand Duke Constantine
ment of his family, who had been educated sailor
son why Mepschikoff was sent to Constantinople.