The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-04-04

from the city. on foot, with her child in
her arms. She was pursued by horse.
men who followed her tracks in the snow.
The convent OF the Trinity, house Of
refuge, was before her. and the soldiers
in hot pursuit behind. She reached the
house, and placed her child upon the altar.
but the brutal soldiers followed! They
rushed to the child with drawn swords and
his existence, when the tramp OF Narash-
kin horsemen was heard outside, and the
soldiers were compelled TO fly for their
lives. To succeed in this contest Sophia
did not hesitate to sacrifice her fortune
| and her virtue. She was soon compelled
however. to associate Peter with Ivan as
Car, while she was regent But she con
trived to have him sent to distant village.
where she surrounded him with carousing
companions. His education had been
entirely neglected. He soon became a
habitual drunkard, and an abandoned
llibertine ..t-,...4
His taste for military lille induced him
to offer his services as drummer to com.
pany OF troops, and they were accepted.
His energy and perseverance now had an
opportunity to be displayed. and a few
months found him in command. fie now
began to feel the Importance Of his posi-
ton and his vicious habits were 10 great
extent forsaken. He had been under the
tuition oi one OF his companions, and
such was his powers OF mind, that in
shor: time he was master OF most Of the
modern European languages. He visited
Moscow, was married TO the daughter o.
a Russian colonel, and even entered the
Senate and took his seat on the throne.
Sophia. alarmed at his rapid rise, again
determined TO destroy him. Accordingly,
body OF six hundred soldiers were des.
patched to his residence with orders 10
never return while he was living P.ter.
being apprised OF their approach, fled TO
the convent of the Triuiiy. where he was
joined by large number Of the people.
who beat off the soldiers OF Sophia as
they approached. When she learned
this. she mounted her horse and galloped
iuriously through The streets. calling upon
the soldiers who were formerly her friends
to come 10 her aid; bui for once the elo-
quence OF her beauty was powerless. The
soldiers joined Peier. and Sophia's troops
were routed and driven off. She was
compelled TO abdica,e the regency. and
when Peter became sole monarch. which
was in 1859, he ordered her head TO be
shaved, and her person confined.
Now commenced the reign of that re-
lnarkable man of whom, il is said: ale
seems rather an embodiment Of the prn-
ciples Of national progress than mem.
Der Of the human race. He mad no rev.
erence for God nor pity for man; bu,
trampled under foot, humanity. religion
and love. If his heart ever warmed it
was at the sight Of a gallant ship; if he
worshiped any God. itgwas Russia; il he
ever loved anything it was work, obstacles
and difficulties. Danger was his delight:
whether physical or moral. he reveled in
its encounter He MAS a man of sim
gle idea. he labored Tor single object.
and ali that stood between him and his
object, whether high or low, great or small.
friend or foe, met with the same fate. His
energy and perseverance, are almost with
ou, a parallel. He entered the army as
a private, and rose regularly through all
tho grades. He went to Holland and
learned the rudiments OF ship building,
and thence to England. Here the SOW
ereigns desired TO receive him with roy al
Fhonors. but he has,ened to a shipya ard and
obtained employment, at which he con.
tinued receiving ordinary wages. until he
could build as good ship as any one in
England. He then returned home, bull,
a number Of vessels and spent some years
in learning himself. and teaching his sub.
jects the art Of navigation.
/, Peter treated his vile with heartless
cruelty. although he had son by her
the ill-fated Alexis. He neglected her
almost entirely for the society of Ger.
man mistress. This mistress was soon
put aside for a young girl who was taken
prisoner by General Bauer. Bauer sold
her to Mentzikoff. and Mentzikoff sold
her to the Czar. This girl he christened
Catharine, and afterwards married. 1t
was at the instigation Of this wife that
Peter treated SO barbarously. and finally
put 10 death his son Alexis. She was in
the latter part OF Peters reign associated
with him on the throne, and appointed by
him to be his successor.
At Peters death, his grandson, the son
Of Alexis. disputed the throne with Cath.
arine but getting the soldiers on her side,
she became SOVEREIGN The world ras