Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memoirs Of Her Late Imperial Majesty, Catharine Ii.
sufficient , therefore to say , that she had been much indisposed during the month of October 1795 ; that on the seventeenth of that month her illness became very alarming ; and that on the eighteenth she expired , being in the 67 th year of her age , and 34 th of her reign . Upon a general review of the character of Catharine II . we cannot but consider her as the most illustrious sovereign , after the exit of Frederick the Great , King of Prussia , on the theatre of Europe ,
for comprehension of mind , vigour of character , and lofty ambition : an ambition not merty directed to the extension and security of the empire by means of policy and war ; but to the civilization and welfare of subject nations , by the introduction of arts , liberal and mechanical , and the improvement of manufactures and commerce : and all this by means more gentle and gradual than many of those employed bPeter the' Greatand consequently more effectual . In all
y , her wars she was successful ; in all her regulations for the internal government of her mighty empire , there appeared that benevolence , which , for the honour of human nature , is usually found in conjunction with sublimity of genius . She wished , soon after her accession to the throne , to introduce civil liberty among the great mass of the
people , by the emancipation of the peasantry . It was found impracticable to emancipate their bodies , without enlightening their minds . To this object she bent the powers of her inventive , yet prudent genius—Schools were instituted in all parts of her dominions-, and a . way was opened for the lowest of her subjects to liberty , by certain privileges within the scope of industry and merit . The code of laws drawn up by her own handwas never exceeded in point
, either of sagacity or goodness : for , we are always to bear in mind that even Solon found it expedient not to . dictate the best laws , but the best that the people for whom he dictated , were capable of bearing . Her military plans partook of the strength of simplicity . She did not feed the flame of war to no purpose , by throwing in , as it were , faggot after faggot , nor waste time in tedious detours , but , with
a mighty and irresistible concentrated force , proceeded directly to her object . She had not the art of appearing affable , humane , and magnanimous , but the merit of really being so . She was not only a patroness , but a great proficient in literature ; and had not her life been spent in great actions , it would probably have been employed , though with somewhat less glory , in celebrating the illustrious achievements of others . '
Thus far we have considered the fair side of the character of this illustrious woman ; and though it may appear invidious to pry with too much curiosity into her frailties , yet we cannot but consider her as seated on a throne , the foundations of which were laid in the blood ' of a husband . Self preservation it has been urged justified the deed ; but successful ambition always finds the voice of adulation ready to sanctify enormity and crime . The mysterious tragedy which closed
the life of the unfortunate Prince Ivan , will ever be a " stain on Catharine ; and perfidy was added to cruelty by the unjust execution of Colonel Mirowitz , On the partition of ' Poland we have alread y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memoirs Of Her Late Imperial Majesty, Catharine Ii.
sufficient , therefore to say , that she had been much indisposed during the month of October 1795 ; that on the seventeenth of that month her illness became very alarming ; and that on the eighteenth she expired , being in the 67 th year of her age , and 34 th of her reign . Upon a general review of the character of Catharine II . we cannot but consider her as the most illustrious sovereign , after the exit of Frederick the Great , King of Prussia , on the theatre of Europe ,
for comprehension of mind , vigour of character , and lofty ambition : an ambition not merty directed to the extension and security of the empire by means of policy and war ; but to the civilization and welfare of subject nations , by the introduction of arts , liberal and mechanical , and the improvement of manufactures and commerce : and all this by means more gentle and gradual than many of those employed bPeter the' Greatand consequently more effectual . In all
y , her wars she was successful ; in all her regulations for the internal government of her mighty empire , there appeared that benevolence , which , for the honour of human nature , is usually found in conjunction with sublimity of genius . She wished , soon after her accession to the throne , to introduce civil liberty among the great mass of the
people , by the emancipation of the peasantry . It was found impracticable to emancipate their bodies , without enlightening their minds . To this object she bent the powers of her inventive , yet prudent genius—Schools were instituted in all parts of her dominions-, and a . way was opened for the lowest of her subjects to liberty , by certain privileges within the scope of industry and merit . The code of laws drawn up by her own handwas never exceeded in point
, either of sagacity or goodness : for , we are always to bear in mind that even Solon found it expedient not to . dictate the best laws , but the best that the people for whom he dictated , were capable of bearing . Her military plans partook of the strength of simplicity . She did not feed the flame of war to no purpose , by throwing in , as it were , faggot after faggot , nor waste time in tedious detours , but , with
a mighty and irresistible concentrated force , proceeded directly to her object . She had not the art of appearing affable , humane , and magnanimous , but the merit of really being so . She was not only a patroness , but a great proficient in literature ; and had not her life been spent in great actions , it would probably have been employed , though with somewhat less glory , in celebrating the illustrious achievements of others . '
Thus far we have considered the fair side of the character of this illustrious woman ; and though it may appear invidious to pry with too much curiosity into her frailties , yet we cannot but consider her as seated on a throne , the foundations of which were laid in the blood ' of a husband . Self preservation it has been urged justified the deed ; but successful ambition always finds the voice of adulation ready to sanctify enormity and crime . The mysterious tragedy which closed
the life of the unfortunate Prince Ivan , will ever be a " stain on Catharine ; and perfidy was added to cruelty by the unjust execution of Colonel Mirowitz , On the partition of ' Poland we have alread y