The Washington herald., 1910-11-06

One of the most remarkable rulers OF
modern times was Catherine II Of Rus
sia. who has been styled the Great In
GATHERINGS ambitions were boundless and
her energy tireless, and both served
chiefly one aim-that OF developing all Of
the resources Of Russia and transforming
that empire into the most powerful and
most splendid state OF Europe.
Sophia Augusta, daughter of the Prince
| OF Anhalt Zerbat, assumed the name Of
Catherine upon her conversion TO the
Greek faith She married Peter OF
| Holstein-Gottorp when she was sixteen
years of age. Peter. being a nephew OF
| the Empress Elizabeth. ascended the
throne at the latter's death. He was a
pl ofigate monarch, and treated Catherine
shamefully. Whether he was justified in
so doing is hard to answer, for Cath
crimes department was anything but ex-
| emplary At any rate. their differences
became 50 strained that Peter threatened
10 divorce Catherine. but she was too
clever for him. and as the clergy and the
army had been aiienated from him, they
were easily persuaded TO support the rev.
oIution which Catherine and her fayorites
planned for his overthrow.
! The scheme was carried out on the
morning OF the 9Th OF July. 1862. when
Catherine, supported by the army. pro-
claimed herself sole monarch. and Peter
was arrested and in week following
was dead. According TO accounts COM
monly credited, he was poisoned, and
then strangled, because the poison did It's
deadly work too slowly. There Is little
doubt that Catherine commanded this
| deed Of blood.
/ Thus was lnaugurated the reign of
Catherine II, woman whose capacities
were early felt 10 be great, but were
great for evil as well as good. She was
without scrupie IN the qualification OF her
passions. and without delicacy In their
| conceaiment. Yet she was great un-
doubtedly as a sovereign. With clear
and cultivated intellect, with high aims
and breadth Of views, and fearless be-
cause despising the opinions Of others,
she could plan and she could achieve
lher country's greatness: and in the ex-
tended dominions and improved civiliza-
/ ton which she bequeathed 10 her sue
| cessor is found true claim 10 the graft
tude of her subjects
| II was not long before the great En-
press OF the North had daZzled Europe
| by the vastness OF her power and her
designs. She gave close personal atten-
ton 10 the work OF government and by
liberal expenditure and the patronage of
letters and art made her court one OF the
most brilliant IN Europe. 1t has been
said that she found St Petersburg a
villag,. OF novels and left II a city OF
brick and marble.
| In the management of men, Catherine
was simply marvellous. She employed all
the resources Of a trained diplomatist. OF
a subtle psychologist, and of woman
who knows the art Of fascination; and
employed them together or a part As
/ her biographer says: IF 1t Is true that
/ she sometimes takes her lovers for gen.
erals and statesmen, IL is no less trae
! that she treats on occasions her generals
and statesmen as lovers. II Il avails
! nothing TO command. TO threaten. or &c
punish, she becomes coaXing and wheed-
/ ling. Toward the soldiers that she sends
| to death. bidding them only win for her
victory. she has delicate attentions, fiat-
| tering forethought. adorable little WAYS
| should fortune smile upon the efforts
she has thus provoked and stimulated
she is profuseiy grateful; honors. pen
sions, gifts OF money. OF presents. OF
land. rain upon the artisans of her glory.
Blu; sne does not abandon those who