Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Scientific Magazine, And Freemasons' Repository, For January 1797.
As soon as he had signed this abdication , he was conveyed a prisoner to Robscha , a small imperial palace twenty miles from Peterhof ; and the empress returned to Petersburg-fi . About seven o ' clock in the evening she made her triumphant entry on horseback , amidst continued huzzas ; the streets were filled with a prodigious concourse of people , who were drawn up in linesand kissed her handswhich she held out
, , to them ; and the clerg $ who crowded the avenues of the palace , were treated by her in a maimer expressive of the hi ghest deference . Thus did the vigour and policy of this extraordinary woman , without any right of blood , seat her on the throne of the "Czars ; and thus was a revolution , which transferred the greatest empire on earth , effected in a few hours , without bloodshed and almost without confusion
or tumult . Over the conclusion of the story of the unfortunate Peter we could wish to draw a veil ; but the pen of history must record facts impartially . Such a prisoner , it is natural to suppose , . could not remain long in that condition . On the ninth day subsequent to his seizure it was reported he had a disorder in his bowels , and soon after his death was publicly announced . We know no more . Historyin
, some future age , may possibly elucidate his end ; but in this century it is not likely such a secret will be divulged . Though we would not , however indirectly , appear to apologize for crimes , yet justice requires we ' should say , that beside state policy ( by which mankind are too apt to justify fraud and force ) the empress mi ghtpleadself-defence , if noteven self-preservation , as a motive for her
conduct . Peter , as has been already stated , had concerted , and would have carried into execution , the most severe measures against her , if lie had not been prevented by the vigour and celerity with which Catharine acted in bringing about the revolution , and these reasons will , perhaps , induce us to look with candour on an action , which policy first seemed to require , and subsequent circumstances rendered unavoidable .
We now come to consider the acts of Catharine when seated on the imperial throne ; and foremost among these must be placed her regulations for the internal administration of the empire . Many sovereigns subsequent to the time of Alexey Michaelovitch , and particularl y Peter I . had framed the project of amending and reforming the Russian jurisprudence , but had never carried it into execution : the
conviction of this great and arduous undertaking was reserved for Catharine II . who in 1767 , summoned deputies to Moscow'from every part of her extensive dominions , and having appointed commissioner ' s for composing a new code of laws , delivered to them her Grand Instructions , which she had previously composed in the true spirit of genuine legislation . In conformity to these instructions , the first part of
a new code made its appearance in 1775 , and a second part in 1780 ; both of which have been received in many of the new governments into which the empire has been divided . To give au ample detail of all these regulations would be in our limits impossible ; we cannot , however , forbear enumerating a few of the most striking peculiarities , iii the extensive plan which changed and modified the whole system of government .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Scientific Magazine, And Freemasons' Repository, For January 1797.
As soon as he had signed this abdication , he was conveyed a prisoner to Robscha , a small imperial palace twenty miles from Peterhof ; and the empress returned to Petersburg-fi . About seven o ' clock in the evening she made her triumphant entry on horseback , amidst continued huzzas ; the streets were filled with a prodigious concourse of people , who were drawn up in linesand kissed her handswhich she held out
, , to them ; and the clerg $ who crowded the avenues of the palace , were treated by her in a maimer expressive of the hi ghest deference . Thus did the vigour and policy of this extraordinary woman , without any right of blood , seat her on the throne of the "Czars ; and thus was a revolution , which transferred the greatest empire on earth , effected in a few hours , without bloodshed and almost without confusion
or tumult . Over the conclusion of the story of the unfortunate Peter we could wish to draw a veil ; but the pen of history must record facts impartially . Such a prisoner , it is natural to suppose , . could not remain long in that condition . On the ninth day subsequent to his seizure it was reported he had a disorder in his bowels , and soon after his death was publicly announced . We know no more . Historyin
, some future age , may possibly elucidate his end ; but in this century it is not likely such a secret will be divulged . Though we would not , however indirectly , appear to apologize for crimes , yet justice requires we ' should say , that beside state policy ( by which mankind are too apt to justify fraud and force ) the empress mi ghtpleadself-defence , if noteven self-preservation , as a motive for her
conduct . Peter , as has been already stated , had concerted , and would have carried into execution , the most severe measures against her , if lie had not been prevented by the vigour and celerity with which Catharine acted in bringing about the revolution , and these reasons will , perhaps , induce us to look with candour on an action , which policy first seemed to require , and subsequent circumstances rendered unavoidable .
We now come to consider the acts of Catharine when seated on the imperial throne ; and foremost among these must be placed her regulations for the internal administration of the empire . Many sovereigns subsequent to the time of Alexey Michaelovitch , and particularl y Peter I . had framed the project of amending and reforming the Russian jurisprudence , but had never carried it into execution : the
conviction of this great and arduous undertaking was reserved for Catharine II . who in 1767 , summoned deputies to Moscow'from every part of her extensive dominions , and having appointed commissioner ' s for composing a new code of laws , delivered to them her Grand Instructions , which she had previously composed in the true spirit of genuine legislation . In conformity to these instructions , the first part of
a new code made its appearance in 1775 , and a second part in 1780 ; both of which have been received in many of the new governments into which the empire has been divided . To give au ample detail of all these regulations would be in our limits impossible ; we cannot , however , forbear enumerating a few of the most striking peculiarities , iii the extensive plan which changed and modified the whole system of government .