New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

famous epigram upon tne Empress
Russia was at once at its zenith OF
material proves and its nadir OF moral
and spiritual abasement PROFESSOR
Kornilov begins his narrative at mat
point: considers the condition OF Rus
STA at that time; passes briehy, OF
course. over the Insignificant reign OF
Paul: and then addresses himself.
deliberately to the supremacy important
contradictory and mystical reign OF the
first Alexander. IL was then That re-
forms began, that secret socletles'weIe
organized, that Pan-Slayism became
force. that plans for a Russian republic
were formed. and that the tickle mon
arch finally ropudiateG the reforms
which he had sanctioned and estaD-
lished the reign of obscurantism.
There followed the memorable reign
Of the first Nicholas, with its three
strongly marked and much differing
periods. In domestic affairs the ques-
tion of the peasants was dominant
throughout, with a great development
of commerce and industry, and the es-
Establishment of the protective tariff sys-
ten. Bakunin and Bielinsky arose, and
Heoelanism was widely cxtant. Inc
"Intelligentzia" also belonged TO TINS
reign. In foreign affairs Nicholas was
especially active; interested IN and IN
huenced by the revolutions Of 1913, IN
tervening in Hungary, and reachlng
tragic climax in the Crlmean war IN
the reign of Alexander ii came the
emancipation Of the serfs, the organl-
zation of the Zemstvo Department and
the development OF Zemstvo instltu-
tions the liberal press. the rise OF M,
hilism. Young Russia" educational
reform. agrarian agitation, the VIII
of the people," and at last. assasslna-
ton. As for Alexander III. his reign
NAV be summed up in the one FORBID
ding name of Pobiedonostzev. .,
With all the varied characters ana
acts in this mighty drama, our MS
torian deals with imperial autheentlclty;;
His knowledge is encyclopedia, ana ana
his gift for imparting 1T with lucldity
and with convincing power is admira-
bile. He has the penetration OF VISION
the breadth of judgment, the catholic
imnartialitv. of the master of history
lie is therefore, not content with
merely chronic,ing events, no matter
how well. lie discovers causes, traces
their lines of influence, no matter now
latent tortlous or protracted, ana
demon strates their effects. Thus Is
perceived the logical purpose in making
MS narrative extend from the great
Catherine 10 the second Nicholas. IL
il had begun at later date, the maj
chapters would have been unintelllgl-
Bile, for nobody can understand the
movements in Russia OF the nrst years
of tho twentieth century without first
gaining a comprehension of the closing
wears OF the eighteenth century. 30
If the narrative had ended al an Garner
date. it would have seemed unhnlshed
and unsatisfacto like the endlng OF
"Raeselas," q conclusion IN when noun
ING is concluded. That IS why the
complementary chapters by MI haun
are 10 be so highly priced. Manifestiy'
they could not well have been written
by Professor Kornilov himself. Iney
fiji the last quarter OF the second VOL,
ume, and cover the reign OF NichoIas ii
down to less than year ago.
II is gratifying to add that Professor
Kornilov possesses-and his accom-
plisbed translator has happily pre-
served-a literary style of singular
effectiveness ard charm, making his
pages delightful reading just for the
sake cf their verbal beauty. The style
of Mr.. Kauns chapters differs mate
rally from that of Professor korni-
lows. but it is by no means unattrac-
tive or unworthy of the former;. while
his work is. Of course. animated b. the
same high spirit of fidelity to truth and
the inflexible purpose TO make the work
no. the special plea Of partisan or
propaeandist, but real history in the
best sense of the term. An ample bib
biography and some well-executed maps
complete noble work, which will be
a lasting honor to Russian scholars hip
and literature. and which, appearing
at this psychological moment, is an
inestimable boon to the entire reading
. world.