Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-01-21
PETER THE GREAT.
The Half Crazy Imperial Genius WI
Created Modern Russia.

The Half Crazy Imperial Genius Who
Created Modern Russia.
In l722 he created himself Emperor,
placing the imperial crown upon his
own head, and soon after on that Of the
Livonian peasant girl whom he married.
the mistress OF his favorite Prince
Menschisof, once an itinerant vender
of meat pies: she afterward succeeded
Peter as Empress Catherine |. His
merciless cruelty WAS shown early, on
his return from his first journey, after
pulling down the revolt OF the Strelets.
body OF janissaries who had risen to
replace his sister Sophia on the throne.
He executed ., 900 OF them in cold blood.
His only son Alexis. who had opposed
his measures and was accused among
other crimes OF defending the prosorib-
ed boards and chsftans of the peasants"
had gone abroad with his wife, but WAS
lnred home by an offer Of reconcilia-
ton, when he was seized and condemn
ed TO death by his father and executed
in prison.
His interference was as trying in
small as in great things. One story OF
his didaotic tyranny sounds like a lesson
out OF 'Sandford and Merton" 1t Ia
told by Frenchman who heard IL on
the spot in Finland, where he was sent
by Louis Phillipes government 10 OBJ
tain blocks OF red poryhyry which
the Car Nicholas had granted
for the tomb OF Napoleon under the dome
of the invalidcs at Paris. Peter was
travelling incognito in part OF Finland
Just conquered. where he was executing
some naval works. lie me, an over-fat
Petersburg. ''wha, fors'' asked the
Gar. To consult a doctor shout my
fat which has beccme very oppressive"
DO ron know any doctor there9" NO"
''fheu | WILL give you 3 word to my
friend. Prince Menschikofi and he will
introduce you to one OF the fmreror's
physicians" The traveller went to the
princes house with a note, the answer
was not delayed; the next day, tied
hand and feet. the poor man was dragged
on on a cart 10 the mines. Two years
after Peter tho Great was visiting tho
mines when suddenly the miner threw
down bis pick. rushed mp 10 him. and
fell at bis feet, crying; Grace, grace.
~hat is 1t | have done7" Peter looked
at him astonishcd, until he rcmem bered
the story and said. ''0h. so that 10 you:
! hope you are pleased with mo. Stand
mp How thin and slight you have be-
eomel You are quite delivered from
your over-tat; IL Is a hrst-rste cure. Go,
and remember that work Is the best
antidote against your complaint" Prob
ahlV rs oypr-fat il n disease the poor
man died of his "cure."
"rhe impatient activity OF Peter." a.
German writer calls IL, attempted inn
possibilities: perfectly barbarous PEG
pie could not be dragged up 70 the level
OF civilization OF other nations by more
force Of a despots will without passing
through any Of the intermediate stages
Accordingly the mass of the Russian
people continues much the same In hAb
Peter began his reforms, and a sort o
vaneer among tho people and military
classes covers degree Of bar
bsrism and corruption which th'
rest of Europe has long lef
behind The restless ambition which
he hequeathed 10 hts sGocAssors has gon,
on 10 the present day, Cut of at hrs
both from the Baitic and Black seas
they conquered the intervening terri
tory in each case, and now declare tina
they viii never rest until they get pos
session of the Dardsnciles, ''withou
which We have not the key to our owl
house, said Alexander the First. Nine
teenth Century.