of 30s. per acre were given in Great Britain and Ireland, it would soon introduce the cultivation of it on a great scale; and the bounty might be gradually diminished as it became less necessary. Some weak politicians would startle at the expense it might occasion; but little do they think of the enormous additional price that we pay for hemp, in time of war, which could not be the case were it raised in our own fields, and which would quickly reimburse the expense of the bounty; nor do they consider the risk of having the operations of our fleet entirely crippled for the want of that article, if it were either intercepted by the enemy, or if, in consequence of any dispute with Russia, the exportation of it from that country were prohibited. We might encourage indeed the cultivation of hemp in Poland and in Prussia, and procure from thence considerable quantities; but unless we raise it among ourselves, we can never account ourselves independent in point of naval strength.

The other articles we draw from Russia are of less importance. Timber we might procure from Norway and Sweden, and from the other states in the Baltic, or, were it necessary, even from North America. There is every reason to imagine that we may soon be able to supply ourselves with iron, from the discoveries daily made, in regard to the making of malleable iron with charred coal; and, at any rate, peat would answer as well as wood for the purposes of the furnace. Russian leather might easily be made at home, the preparation being no longer a secret, the smell by which it is distinguished, and which is found so destructive to the insect tribe, arising from a certain proportion of the pitch of the birch-tree being used in the manufacture. In regard to tallow, it is only imported in such large quantities for the purpose of making hard soap; but if, by a wise alteration in the duty, soft soap had the balance cast in its favour, oil instead of tallow would then be consumed, with which we might supply ourselves, greatly to the advantage of our Greenland, and even herring fisheries. For in that event we would find it beneficial to boil our her

rings into oil, according to the Swedish practice; and oil is the basis of soft, as tallow is of hard soap.

I am very ready to confess, that commercial must sometimes give way to political views and interests, nor are some sacrifices to be grudged in point of profit, could we secure Russia in a sincere and hearty connexion with this country. For distant as it is, its friendship is of the utmost importance, as it would always insure an alliance either with the Emperor or with Prussia, with Sweden or with Denmark; in short, so formidable a confederacy, that France would never venture to attack us.

In regard to the idea, that Russia may be raised to such a height, as to endanger the independence of Europe; powerful as it may become, yet, in these enlightened times, with a million of fighting men in Germany alone, no such danger is to be seriously apprehended. Besides, this is an event in which we are less interested than the other European states, since Russia can never reach us, without treading on the necks of France and Germany, either of which, assisted by us, might keep Russia within proper bounds, and repel any invasion from that quarter, however formidable; moreover, the greater that other nations are, of the less comparative importance must France become, on whose permanent friendship we cannot rely.

CONCLUSION.

Of the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Russian Empire. Russia is in the happiest of all political situations, its dominions being so placed, that they can hardly be attacked to advantage, and consequently it is safe at home and abroad it has the choice of allies; for it can play the game of Denmark against Sweden, the Emperor against Prussia, and France against England, or vice versa, as may best suit its

real or supposed interests. Being thus courted on all hands, it has easily contrived to gain by all the alliances it has made with other powers, without making hardly any return.

What return, for instance, has England received, for its naval assistance against the Turks, for preventing its navy being crushed by the House of Bourbon, and gaining, through the medium of British officers, the memorable battle of Chesme? None. Nor will the Emperor gain more by his impolitic connexion with that country, whose ambition scarcely knows any bounds.

The commercial advantages of the empire are too well known to require being enumerated, there being hardly any commodity, of essential use, that it does not furnish within its own bounds; and it produces a variety of articles, so necessary for other countries, that it is enabled to lay considerable duties, even upon their exportation.

The body of the people, also, are hardy, brave, and docile, and peculiarly well calculated for filling the humbler stations of life, whether as soldiers or seamen, as husbandmen or arti

sans.

The disadvantages Russia labours under are, the miseries of a despotic government,-the amazing luxury of the Court and capital,—the idleness, inattention, and, in some instances, as in the case of the armed neutrality*, the corruption of its ministers, the extent of its dominions, which renders it so difficult to be governed, the number of surrounding enemies, who separately are of little consequence, but who might be formidable, were they to understand each other, and to make a joint attack,—lastly, the hazard of revolutions in a country so accustomed to them, and the starting up of another Pugatchef, who, under the pretence of giving liberty to the peasants, might occasion the dismemberment of the empire.

* The real history of that celebrated transaction is given in the Appendix, No. XI.

RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE.

1. LE COMTE DE ROMANZOFF,

Chancellor of the Russian Empire.

From the friendship which I had established with the celebrated Marshal Romanzoff Sadounaisky*, it naturally followed, that I should not be unknown to his son, Le Comte de Romanzoff, who was elevated, by the Emperor Alexander, to the high office of Chancellor of Russia. I had several communications from him on agricultural subjects, more especially regarding his wish, that I should recommend to him a Scotch overseer for the management of his farms in Russia. The following letter relates to those statistical inquiries which I was anxious should be carried on in Russia :

MONSIEUR +,

Petersbourg, à 25. Juin V. P. 1815.

Je vous suis très obligé de la lettre que vous m'avez fait l'honneur de m'écrire, et de l'envoi de l'opere statistique de

See the Marshal's letter to me, vol. i. p. 209.

SIR,

+ Translation.

Petersburgh, June 25. 1815. I am extremely obliged by the letter which you did me the honour to write me, and for the copy of the statistical work upon Scotland, which I have read with deserved interest. Being anxious to introduce it to the knowledge of my countrymen, I wrote immediately to the Minister of the Interior to acquaint him with it, and to request that he would have it translated and printed in a paper which is published under his auspices, and is in great circulation. I have reason to believe, Sir, that this will be done.

You continue to sustain, in an honourable manner, the noble task which you imposed upon yourself. You labour, Sir, to enlighten men upon the sources of public prosperity, and on the manner of appreciating them.

Accept, I entreat you, Sir, the assurances of the real and very distinguished regard with which I have the honour to be, Sir, your very humble and obedient servant,

THE COUNT DE ROMANZOFF.

l'Ecosse, que j'ai lu avec un juste intérêt ; et desirant le porter à la connaissance de mes compatriotes, j'avois écrit par le champ à Monsieur le Ministre de l'Interieur, pour le lui communiquer, et le prier de le faire traduire et le faire imprimer dans une feuille qui se publie sous ses auspices, et a beaucoup de vogue. J'ai lieu de croire, Monsieur, que cela se fera.

Vous continuez à soutenir d'une manière honorable la belle tâche que vous vous êtes imposé vous-même. Vous travaillez, Monsieur, à éclairer les hommes sur les sources de la prospérité publique, et la manière de les apprécier.

Agréez, je vous prie, Monsieur, les assurances de la considération réelle et très distinguée avec laquelle j'ai l'honneur d'être, Monsieur, votre très humble et obéissant serviteur, LE COMTE DE ROMANZoff.

2. THE COMTE DE MARCOFF.

During my residence at Stockholm, I had formed an intimacy with Monsieur de Marcoff, who was Minister from the Court of Petersburgh to the King of Sweden. I found him a very able man, distinguished by a flow of easy and pleasant conversation, occasionally interspersed with lively sallies of wit, and much information regarding the political state of Europe. He was a warm Russian patriot, and had a high idea of the power and importance of that empire. He was much disliked by the King, and by the Swedes in general, on that account, and for undervaluing, and seeming to despise their country. He was afterwards appointed third Minister in the foreign department at Petersburgh; for in that great branch of politics they have three Ministers. He was supposed to be a decided enemy to France, and attached to the English interest. The following letter from that distinguished statesman proves the friendly terms on which we corresponded together: