122 POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS. Deserted by us, the Grand Signior has little chance of making any efficient resistance against the forces of Russia, whenever the latter power shall deem it expedient to come to extremities, and to strike a decisive blow. Whether Russia would be content with the advantages thus gained, and use them fairly, such a change be beneficial to Europe generally, or whether it would only be the precursor of greater contentions, are questions to which even the keenestsighted politician may not be prepared to give a satisfactory reply. With regard to the claims of Greece on our sympathy and assistance, it is not easy to see how we can redress her wrongs, without openly deserting and opposing the Turk, and thereby leaving him an easy prey to the power of Russia; unless some mutual compact, so devoutly to be wished, could be made by all parties, insuring the independence of Greece, pacification of the Levant, and giving her the undisturbed possession of the Morea and the islands, to be consolidated into one active power, or form of government, suited to the ancient recollection and conciliating conduct of Sir Robert Liston, British ambassador, who, while resident there, was held in the highest estimation, and certainly evinced great diplomatic tact, generally carrying his measures without giving umbrage to the Porte; a point that frequently required no common address, and some firmness of purpose. POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS. 123 of the high importance and distinction of Greece; and on those conditions, permitting the Ottomans to retain their other European possessions unmolested. In the present struggle, no doubt can be entertained that both parties have been culpable, and a series of butcheries have taken place, without any decisive blow having been made on either side. Concession and adjustment of differences are lost sight of, so that probably after years of protracted bloodshed, pillaging, and other horrors, matters will terminate pretty nearly as they commenced. If other powers interfere at all, it is their most imperious duty to do so peremptorily and effectively, otherwise they had better leave the combatants to themselves, and be content with remaining passive spectators of the fray. CHAP. VI. Return to St. Petersburg. - Bible Society. Character of the Emperor Alexander. Death of his consort. Insurrection of St. Petersburg. Nicholas' coronation. Anecdotes. Difficulty in obtaining passports. Final departure from St. Petersburg. HAVING now viewed, as far as our time would permit, all the more important objects in this truly interesting capital, to which we regretted that we could not devote a few more weeks, we returned direct to St. Petersburg, where we immediately began to make preparations for our journey to England, by way of Finland. Before, however, I speak of the difficulties we encountered with regard to passports, &c. I shall introduce, in this chapter, some miscellaneous information relative to Russia, and a few details connected with circumstances that have taken place since we quitted the country, but for which I have not been able to procure authentic documents. Among those institutions, respecting which I was desirous of obtaining some particulars worth communicating, was the Bible Society, connected with the parent institution in London.* *For twenty-three years the British Bible Society has been making the most unparalleled exertions for the dissemination BIBLE SOCIETY. 125 This Society was founded at St. Petersburg in 1813, when the Emperor Alexander became a zealous member of it, and presented a donation of 25,000 rubles, besides a yearly subscription of 10,000. Its object was, to furnish every family in the Russian empire with a Bible, at least a Testament, that all, from the "least to the greatest," might have opportunity of perusing the word of truth. The printing of the Scriptures, in the different dialects, was accordingly proceeded with; a stereotype office was established at St. Petersburg, with all the necessary apparatus; and men of talent, fidelity, and zeal, were employed on the spot to superintend it. A depôt was also opened by the Society, for the reception of such Bibles as were printed in the capital, or received from England. Without, however, entering into all its details, it will here be sufficient to say, that there have been printed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other places, (for the Society had 289 sections, or central quarters, and auxiliaries, to co-operate with that at St. Petersburg,) 704,831 copies of the Scriptures; and those received at the depôt, between 1813 and 1823, were of the Word of God. During that period it has sent forth five million copies of the Scriptures, and has expended in the prosecution of this work 1,424,985. sterling; of which 461,000l. has been devoted to its distribution in foreign lands. 156,136; and the number issued were 427,704. In addition to the support afforded by the Emperor, the Society received the marked countenance of Prince Galitzin, and others of His imperial Majesty's council; nor were the bishops, and other persons of ecclesiastical and civil rank, less zealous in co-operating with the Society. Besides which, an ukase was formally issued, February 28. 1816, enjoining the circulation of the Bible. Matters continued to go on thus prosperously for upwards of ten years, during which the members of the Society showed the most laudable activity in promoting the great objects of this truly Christian undertaking; and although, during the latter part of his reign, the Emperor might, from the peculiar circumstances in which he was placed, have probably found himself under some difficulty as to countenancing the Society to the same extent as at first, yet he never did any thing that could be construed as a wish to fetter the operations of the Society, or oppose any of its measures. Contrary to all expectation, however, every thing was completely at a stand when we were here. A new ministry had taken place, in consequence of the removal of that excellent man, Prince Galitzin; and a blow has since been directed to the labours of the Society, by an ukase, 12th April, 1826, on the part of the present Emperor, |