Alexander I., emperor of Russia

Contents

Introductory Anecdotes Page xiii

Chapter I

Alexander's education, marriage, disposition. — Conspiracy against the Emperor Paul I. — His death. — Accession of Alexander.— Another account — Conduct of Paul. — Count Pahlen. — Paul's suspicions. — Madame de Gagarin. — Proceedings of the Conspirators. — Death of Paul. — Grief of Alexander. — Behaviour of the Empress Maria. — Count Pahlen obliged to leave Petersburg . . .1

Chapter II

Alexander's proclamation. — Wish for peace. — Letter to the King of England. — Pacific measures towards England. — Peace. — Internal administration. — Secret inquisition abolished. — Negociations with France. — Georgia annexed to the Russian Empire. — Negociations respecting Germany. — Interview between Alexander and the King of Prussia. — Commerce. — Schools, &c, — German Colonists. — Relief of the Vassals. — Southern Russia — Trade in Asia. — Embassy to Japan. — Universities. — Differences with Sweden. — Population. — Republic of the Seven Islands 30

VI

Chapter III

Murder of the Duke d'Enghien. — Russian notes presented at Ratisbon and Paris — M. d'Oubril leaves Paris. — Misunderstanding with France. — Armaments. — Territorial Division. — Commercial restrictions. — Censorship of the Press 55

Chapter IV

Armaments. — Restriction on Colonisation. — New Code. — The Senate. — Enfranchisement of Vassals. — Treaty with England. — Coalition. — War with France. — Alexander arrives at Berlin. — Visits the tomb of Frederick II. — Arrives at Olmutz. — Battle of Austerlitz. — Retreat of the Russian army. — Embarrassment of Prussia ....... 72

Chapter V

Animosity of Russia towards France. — Offer of support to Prussia. — Extraordinary Armaments. — Spirit and organisation of the Russian army. — War between Prussia and France. — Battle of Jena. — Of Eylau. — Of Friedland. — Meeting of Alexander and Napoleon at Tilsit. — Peace. — Humiliation of Prussia. — Extraordinary change in the sentiments of Alexander. — His admiration of Napoleon.^ — Anecdotes . . . .90

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Chapter VI

Observations on the peace of Tilsit. — War on the Persian frontiers. — Assassination of Prince Zizianoff. — War with Turkey. — Armistice of Slobosia. — Alexander's return to Petersburg. — The peace unpopular. — Its disadvantages. — English Expedition against Copenhagen. — Motives of the English government. — Alexander's remonstrances with England, — His declaration . . . 103

Chapter VII

Internal state of Russia, and its inhabitants.— -Alexander's wise and beneficent measures. — Improved legislation. — Religious toleration. — Vassallage mitigated. — Manufactures. — Trade. — Revenue. — War with Sweden. — Finland conquered by the Russians, and incorporated with the Russian empire. — Naval engagements. — Bad

policy of Napoleon Congress at Erfurth — Anecdotes.

— Subjects discussed at Erfurth. — War between France and Austria. — Defeat of Austria. — Peace. — Oldenburgincorporated with France. — 1Q09 and 1810, internal administration of Russia. — War with Turkey and Persia. .117 viii

Chapter VIII

1811. — Finance. — Commerce. — Education— Literature- Preparations for war. — Apprehensions. — War with Turkey. — Secret animosity of Napoleon towards Alexander. — Anecdote ..... 140

Chapter IX

1812. — Policy of the Russian cabinet — Amount of the Russian military force. — Mission of Count Narbonne. ■ — Alexander leaves St. Petersburg. — Alliance between England, Sweden, and Russia — Peace with Turkey. — French army enters Russian Poland. — Impolitic precipitation of Napoleon. — Consequences. — Negotiation.— Advance of the French to Smolensk. — Interview of Alexander and Bernadotte. — Anecdote. — Kutusoff commander in chief.— Battle of Borodino. — Moscow abandoned — taken by the French — burnt. — Infatuation of Napoleon. — French leave Moscow. — Loss by the fire. — Restoration of the city. — Fatal retreat of the French army. — Napoleon's ignorance of Russia. — Loss of the French army.— Patriotism of the Russians. Capitulation of General York . . 149

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Chapter X

Defection of Napoleon's German allies. — Prussians and Russians cross the Elbe. — Napoleon retires from France to Saxony. — Battles of Liitzen and Bautzen. — Armistice. — Austria joins Russia. — Battle of Dresden. — Loss of the Austrians. — Moreau killed. — His letter to Alexander. — The Emperor's letter to Madame Moreau. — Manner of Moreau's death. — Grief of Alexander. — The Prince Regent sends commissioners to carry the insignia of the garter to Alexander. — They arrive at Toplitz. — The investiture. — Great battle of Leipzig gained by the Allies. — Retreat of the French. — Death of Prince Poniatowsky. — Allied Sovereigns enter Leipzig. — Battle of Hanau ; General Wrede wounded. — Declaration of the Sovereigns issued at Francfort. — Allied armies cross the Rhine. — Convention of Chaumont. — Hopes of the Royalists. — Battles. — -Allied armies march towards Paris. — Maria Louisa leaves that city. — Paris capitulates. — Entrance of the allied sovereigns into Paris. — Acclamations of the people. — Conduct of Alexander. — Anecdotes. — Declaration of the Sovereigns. — Abdication of Napoleon. — Bourbons restored — Armistice — Alexander's affability. — Answer to the Senate. —Answer to the Institute. —

X

Visit to Mr. Lafitte.— Arrival of Louis 18th in France — Alexander visits the Empress Josephine. — Affecting interview. — Death of Josephine. — Behaviour of Alexander. — Visit to Versailles. — Letter to the mayor. — Visit to the mint. — Anecdote of Peter the Great. — Bon mot of Alexander — Visitto the museum — Madame de Stael. — Louis XVIII. enters Paris. — Return of the allied armies towards the Rhine.— Rage of the French. — Peace. — Delille's address to Alexander. — Alexander and the King of Prussia arrive at Boulogne. — Embark for England. .... 172

Chapter XI

Royal visitors land at Dover. — Rejoicings. — Reception of Bliicher. — He arrives in London, and waits on the Prince Regent. — Interesting scene. — King of Prussia and Emperor of Russia arrive in London. — First visit to the Prince Regent. — Splendid court at Carlton House. — Chapter of the order of the garter. — King of Prussia invested with the order. — Lord Erskine introduced to Alexander. — The sovereigns visit Oxford. — Grand entertainments at Merchant Taylor's Hall, and at Guildhall. — Alexander's reply to the address of the corporation of Loudon. — His visit to St. Paul's. — Review in Hyde Park. — Grand naval xi review at Portsmouth. — Royal visitors leave England. — Alexander in Holland, visits Saardam, and the house of Peter I. — Proceeds to Carlsruhe, — meets the Empress Elizabeth. — Flattery of Alexander. — He refuses the title of Blessed, offered by the senate. — Forbids all preparations for receiving him at St. Petersburg. — Joy of the citizens. — Change of ministry.—- Ukase to the synod, &c. — Recompences to the army. — Act of justice. — Congress at Vienna.- — Alexander King of Poland. — Return of Napoleon from Elba. — Resolution of the congress. — Battle of Waterloo. — Alexander at Paris. — Review on the plain of Vertus. — Origin of the holy alliance. — Alexander returns to St. Petersburg. — Influence of Russia. — Stourdza. — Kotzebue. — Convention with France. — First Polish diet. — Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle, . . . 209

Chapter XII

Policy of Russia — -Differences with Turkey. — Spain and Portugal. — Meeting of the Emperors Alexander and Francis. — Negociations with the Porte. — Perseverance of Alexander in the system adopted with respect to Greece. — Relations with England, China, and Persia . , . . . . . . 245

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Chapter XIII

General view of the improvements in the internal administration of the Russian empire during the reign of Alexander. — Alexander leaves Petersburg. — Arrival of the Emperor and the Empress Elizabeth at Taganrog. — Description of that town. — Alexander visits Novo Tscherkask. — Return to Taganrog. — Second tour in the Crimea. — Visits Sebastopol. — His wish. —Returns to Taganrog. — His death. — Admirable conduct of the Empress Elizabeth.— Her letters to the Empress Maria. — Diary of the emperor's illness. — Occurrences at St, Petersburg. — Proclamation of Constantine I. — His renunciation. — Conclusion 266

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES

TO THE

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER.

In offering to the public an account of the life of the Emperor Alexander, we do not pretend to give, in so short a compass, any thing more than a sketch of the principal events of his reign : but, imperfect as it necessarily is, it will, we trust, be found to contain an impartial view of them, and to afford a fair estimate of his character.

If ever it is required of a writer to observe the maxim of the poet, " nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice," it is peculiarly so in a case like the present, where the original,

b

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whose portrait is to be delineated, is placed in a situation too remote, or too elevated, for the artist accurately to discriminate those finer traits, those fleeting shades of expression, which mark the workings of the inward mind. In such a case the first part of the above maxim might even admit of some latitude, and the " nothing extenuate" be understood to include only actions manifestly indefensible, while indulgence, if not approval, should be extended to others, for which au apology may be found in the peculiar circumstances, whether of a public or private nature, which must have exercised a commanding influence over the conduct. Happily for the fame of Alexander, his natural disposition led him to mix so much in society, to show himself so unreservedly to those who approached him, that he afforded the world ample opportunity to be convinced, that if Providence had not thought fit, for the benefit of a vast empire, to make him the most powerful of sovereigns, he would still have been in private life, one of the most virtuous and amiable of men..

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The numerous anecdotes recorded in the following pages must contribute, we are persuaded, to give our readers this favourable impression of his character ; which would be still stronger if we had merely traced, what may be called, his private career, without any interruption from the overpowering public events of his memorable reign. With a view therefore to do him entire justice as a man, as well as a sovereign, we will here subjoin a few miscellaneous anecdotes for which no appropriate place was found in the narration, or the chronological order of which cannot be well ascertained.

"Alexander, when an infant/' says an able writer, " needed not the appendages of royalty to render him interesting. Nature had formed him in a beautiful mould, and his features were expressive of beauty, gentleness, and innocence."

From his earliest years he was remarkable b 2

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for his respect and attachment to the persons entrusted with his education, and for his exemplary conduct towards his mother, the Empress Maria, which truly deserved the name of filial piety, being in him a feeling next akin to religion, a holy flame which burnt with unvarying splendour from his childhood to his grave. So entirely innate in him was this feeling, that he beheld with abhorrence, and when the occasion served, marked by his serious displeasure any violation of the divine precept, " Honour thy mother;" and it was but a few months^ before his death, that a young prince, who had treated his mother with disrespect, received orders to reside only in Moscow, under the special superintendence of Prince Golyzin, the military governor general, and of the guardians appointed for him, who were at the same time commanded to take the administration of his property into their hands. He not only treated his tutors with respect while under their care, but continued through life, to give them proofs of his gratitude and affection. For Count

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Soltikoffhe shewed unabated veneration during his life, and in 1818 followed his corpse, on foot and bareheaded, to the grave. Of his regard for Colonel Laharpe many instances are re corded, of which the following may find a place here.

His attachment to Laharpe was rather filial than that of a pupil ; his greatest delight was in his society, and he would cling round his neck in the most affectionate embraces, by which frequently his clothes were covered with powder. " See, my dear prince," Laharpe would say, " what a figure you have made yourself." " Oh, never mind it," Alexander replied; " no one will blame me for carrying away all I can from my dear preceptor." One day he went to visit Laharpe, as was his custom, alone ; the porter was a new servant, and did not know him ; he asked his name, and was answered Alexander. The porter then led him into the servants' hall, told him his master was at his studies, and could not be disturbed

Xviii INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES.

for an hour. The servant's homely meal was prepared, and the prince was invited to partake of it, which he did without affectation. When the hour was expired, the porter informed Laharpe that a young man of the name of Alexander had been waiting some time, and wanted to see him. " Shew him in." But what was Laharpe's surprise to see his pupil ! He wished to apologize ; but Alexander placing his finger on his lips, said, " My dear tutor, do not mention it ; an hour to you is worth a day to me ; and besides, 1 have had a hearty breakfast with your servants, which I should have lost, had I been admitted when I came." The poor porter's feelings may be better imagined than described ; but Alexander, laughing, said, " I like you the better for it, you are an honest servant, and there are an hundred rubles to convince you that I think so."

When he was at Paris in 1814, he paid a visit to the wife of M. Laharpe. As she remained standing, he said to her, " You are

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. xix

much altered, madam." " Sire," she repli ed " I, like others, have suffered from circumstances." — ee You mistake me ; I mean that you do not sit down, as you used to do, by your husband's pupil, and chat familiarly with him."

Madame Laharpe speaking to him of the enthusiasm with which his virtues and affability inspired the Parisians, he answered, " If I possess any qualities that please, to whom do I owe them ? — If there had been no Laharpe, there would have been no Alexander."

The liberality of Alexander in relieving distress of every kind is so notorious that it cannot be necessary to dwell upon it here. Even the limits of his vast empire seemed too narrow for his inexhaustible munificence. The wretched of all countries, and of all religions, found in him a father and a friend. The large sums contributed by him to relieve the distresses of those who suffered by the dreadful inundations in Germany and Holland, in the spring of 1825,

XX INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES.

are recent proofs of this disposition. But if the affording of pecuniary relief may appear an equivocal proof of humanity in the absolute sovereign of a great empire, let us turn to his behaviour after the dreadful inundation at St. Petersburg, on the 19th November, 1824. That he should attempt to repair the damages caused by it, might be expected from a naturally humane and generous prince ; but Alexander was not content with this ; he went day by day, alone, and in a boat, to the poorest and most obscure suburbs of the capital; he examined with his own eyes the extent of the damage that had been done; he distributed with his own hands the relief immediately necessary, and was rewarded by seeing the victims of this scourge, the indigent who had lost their little all, prefer the consoling words of their benefactor to the gifts of his munificence, and think themselves indemnified for their losses by the presence of their sovereign.

The following circumstance, which occurred

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. XXi

in 1807, has become well known in England, but still must not be omitted in a sketch which is designed to illustrate Alexander's private character.

The emperor in one of his journeys through Poland being considerably in advance of his attendants, saw several persons assembled on the banks of the little river Wilia, and approaching the spot, found that they had just dragged out of the water a peasant who appeared to be lifeless. He instantly alighted, had the man laid on the side of the bank, and immediately proceeded to strip him, and to rub his temples, wrists, &c. The emperor was thus employed when his suite joined him, whose exertions were immediately added to those of the emperor. Dr. Wylie, his majesty's physician, attempted to bleed the patient, but in vain ; and after three hours fruitless attempts to recover him, the doctor declared that it was useless to proceed any further. The emperor, much chagrined and fatigued with the continued exertions, en-

XXil INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES.

treated Dr. Wylie to persevere, and to make a fresh attempt to bleed him. The doctor, though he had not the slightest hope of being successful, proceeded to obey the positive injunctions of his imperial master, who, with Prince Wolkonsky and Count Lieven (now ambassador at the British court), made a last effort at rubbing, &c. At length, the emperor had the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing the blood make its appearance, while the poor peasant uttered a feeble groan. The emotions of Alexander at this moment could not be described ; and in the plenitude of his joy, he exclaimed, "Good God! this is the brightest day of my life ;" while tears involuntarily stole down his cheek. Their exertions were now redoubled ; the emperor tore his handkerchief, and bound the arm of the patient, nor did he leave him until he was quite recovered. He then had him conveyed to a place where proper care could be taken of him, ordered him a considerable present, and afterwards provided for him and his family.

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. Xxiii

This fact coming to the knowledge of the Royal Humane Society of London, it was resolved by the board to send a gold medal to the emperor, with a suitable address. Alexander seems to have been much gratified at this tribute, and wrote to the president the following handsome answer :—

" Mr. President, " The Marquis of Douglas and Clydesdale, his Britannic Majesty's ambassador at my court, has delivered to me the highly flattering marks of the approbation given by your Society to an action which has such feeble claims to notice, in annals destined to preserve the memory of important services rendered to mankind.

" Without, however, considering this action, so natural in itself, as entitling me to the distinction it has procured me ; I accept it with pleasure and gratitude, being unwilling to deny myself the satisfaction of belonging to a Society, the object and the labours of which are so

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highly interesting to the cause of humanity, and so congenial to the dearest emotions of my own breast.

" I beg you will express from me to your Society, the sincere esteem and interest I bear towards it ; and be assured of the sentiments with which

" I am,

" Mr. President,

" Your well-affected,

" Alexander."

If Alexander was himself forward in the practice of humanity, he was ever ready to recompense it in others, of which the following is an instance : —

A young officer of the police, who, at the setting in of the winter, was stationed on the quay of the Neva, to prevent any one from attempting the passage of the river till it was sufficiently frozen, discovered a person on the

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. XXV

ice, who had escaped the notice of the guard, on the opposite side. Apprehensive of his danger, he called to him to return. The other, heedless of his entreaties and his threats, kept advancing, until, suddenly, the ice gave way under his feet, and he sunk. The guard called for assistance ; but, perceiving that none of the spectators attempted to succour the unhappy man, he threw off his coat and plunged in, regardless of his own danger, and, by his strength and courage, brought the man to the shore, who, two minutes later, must have lost his life. The Emperor Alexander, who was riding, arrived on the spot at this interesting moment. He addressed the officer in the most flattering terms, and, giving him a ring from his finger, promoted him to a station greatly superior to that which he had before filled.

A taste for the simple beauties of nature is generally considered as a sure indication of an unsophisticated mind, and Alexander possessed this taste in a remarkable degree. In his fre-

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quent journies, which extended to most of the countries of the European continent, he never failed to notice any remarkable spot that he happened to meet with; but the simple, the soothing, and the amiable scenes of nature were the most congenial to his soul, and the view from Richmond Hill was, in his opinion, the most lovely that he had ever beheld. It was with this same feeling that he was often heard to say, that " an English country gentleman was, in his opinion, the man above all others, within whose reach heaven has placed the means of making life happy."

Of his love of justice, the following is related : —

It once happened, at the very moment when the emperor had given the word of command, and the guard on the parade was just on the point of paying him the usual military honours, that a fellow approached him in ragged garments, with his hair in disorder, and a look of

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wildness, and gave him a slap on the shoulder. The monarch, who was standing at the time with his face to the military front, turned round instantly, and beholding the wretched object before him, started back at the sight ; and then enquired, with a look of astonishment, what he wanted ? " I have something to say to you, Alexander Pawlowitsch," said the stranger, in the Russian language. " Say on then," said the emperor, with a smile of encouragement, clapping him on the shoulder. A long solemn pause followed ; the military guard stood still ; and none ventured, either by word or motion, to disturb the emperor in this singular interview. The Grand Duke Constantine alone, whose attention had been excited by this unusual interruption, advanced somewhat nearer to his brother. The stranger then related, that he had been a captain in the Russian service, and had been present at the campaigns, both in Italy and Switzerland ; but that he had been persecuted by his commanding officer, and so misrepresented to Suwarrow, that the latter

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had turned him out of the army, without money and without friends, in a foreign country. He had afterwards served as a private soldier in the Russian army ; and being severely wounded at Zurich (and here he pulled his rags asunder, and shewed several gun-shot wounds), he had closed his campaign in a French prison. He had now begged all the way to Petersburg, to apply to the emperor himself for justice, and to entreat an enquiry into the reason why he had been degraded from his rank in the army. The emperor listened with great patience, and then asked, in a significant tone, " If there was no exaggeration in the story he had told ?" " Let me die under the knout/' said the officer, " if I shall be found to have uttered one word of falsehood." The emperor then beckoned to his brother, and charged him to conduct the stranger to the palace, while he turned round to the expecting crowd. The commanding officer, who had behaved so harshly, though of a good family, and a prince in rank, was very severely reprimanded; while

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. Xxix

the brave warrior, whom he had unjustly persecuted, was reinstated in his former post ; and besides, had a considerable present from the emperor.

The affability of Alexander has been much and justly celebrated ; for it was not that formal condescension which only seems to bend, but pure unaffected good nature, the genuine offspring of an amiable disposition. No one ever understood better than he did, how to confer a favour in a graceful manner ; and to double the value of a gift, by the manner in which it was bestowed.

When he announced to the brave Kutusoff, his elevation to the rank of Prince of Smolensko, for his services during the campaign of 1812, against the French, he sent with his letter a most valuable jewel, taken from the imperial crown, as a tribute to the valour of a man, by whom it had been so ably defended. He directed the vacancy thus occasioned to be

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filled up with a small gold plate, on which was inscribed the name of Kutusoff.

Dining one day at St. Denis, with a Polish general, Prince P. Count Langeron was one of the company. About the middle of the entertainment, the emperor said to the latter, " I have paid a second visit to Mont-martre, where I found a parcel addressed to you/' " Sire," replied the count, " I have lost nothing." " Oh !" said the emperor, taking a parcel from his pocket, " I am not mistaken — see here." Count Langeron opened it, and found the insignia of one of the Russian orders.

The following are pleasing instances of his equanimity, condescension, and good nature :

A young woman, of German extraction, once waited for the emperor on the stairs, by which he was accustomed to go down to the parade. When the monarch appeared, she met him on the steps with these words: " Please your

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majesty, I have something to say to you." " What is it?" asked the emperor, and stood still, with all his attendants. <tf I have an opportunity of being married, but I have no fortune ; if you would graciously please to give me a dowry?" " Ah! my girl," replied the monarch, " were I to give dowries to all the young women in Petersburg, where do you think I should find money." The girl, however, received by his order a present of fifty rubles.

The hackney-coachmen in St. Petersburg do not much like to drive officers, and seldom let them get out without their having paid them before hand, or leaving something in pledge. They do not object to letting other persons get out whenever they choose, and will even wait hours for them. Alexander, who was generally dressed in a very plain uniform and a grey mantle, was walking one day on the English quay, when suddenly it began to rain very fast, and he would not step into a house. He accordingly seated himself in the first Droschke

c 2

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he found, and ordered the coachman to drive to the Winter Palace. As he passed by the Senate House, the guard was called under arms, and the drums beat. The coachman looked, and said he supposed the emperor was riding by the Guard House. " You will see him very soon," replied Alexander.

They at last arrived at the Winter Palace, and Alexander, who had no money about him, ordered him to stop till he sent his fare down. " No," replied he, " you must leave me something in pledge ; the officers have so many times deceived me. So you must leave me your mantle." Alexander acquiesced, and left it with him. He directly sent down one of his footmen with five and twenty rubles, to give them to the coachman, to say that he had driven the emperor, and to bring him the mantle. The footman did so ; when instead of the coachman's being glad at the honour and the present, he laughed, and said : " Do you think that I am so stupid ? the mantle is

INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES.

xxxiii worth more than twenty-five rubles; who knows what you mean ? perhaps you want to steal it ; no that w'ont do, and unless the gentleman, whom I have driven comes himself, I shall not part with it." Alexander had almost been obliged to go down himself, had not his chief coachman happened to come by, who confirmed what the footman had said. The poor coachman was now almost out of his wits for joy.

The High Chamberlain N** received of the Emperor Alexander a most beautiful star of the order of St. Andrew, set round with diamonds, which was valued at 30,000 rubles. Being in pecuniary distress, he pawned it ; soon after this there was a grand entertainment at court, where N** could not appear without this star. What embarrassment ! money was wanted, and the pawnbroker, an inexorable man, would not part with the star for a quarter of an hour, unless it were properly redeemed. Now there was nobody that could help him out of this dilemma, but the emperor's groom of the bed-

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chamber, who had in his possession two beautiful diamond stars, belonging to the emperor, one of which was but lately finished, and had cost 60,000 rubles. The high chamberlain accordingly had recourse to him, and after many protestations, the gentleman was persuaded by incessant entreaty, and promises of returning it safe to him again after the entertainment, to entrust it to him. N** accordingly made his appearance at court with this star. Alexander soon perceived in the four large diamonds at the corners of the star, a great likeness with his own new star. He fixed his eyes several times on N** 5 and at last said, " I am very much astonished to find you have a star which has a great likeness with one I have just received from the jeweller." N** quite embarrassed, replied only by unmeaning compliments and bows. The emperor, more and more struck with the great resemblance, at last said to him, " I do not know what to say, but I must tell you plainly, that I almost believe that it is my star, the likeness is so very remarkable. ,, N**