The character of the Russians and a detailed history of Moscow. Illustrated with numerous engravings. With a dissertation on the Russian language; and an appendix, containing tables, political, statistical, and historical; an account of Imperial Agricultural Society of Moscow; a catalogue of plants found in and near Moscow; an essay on the origin and progress of architecture in Russia, &c. &c / By Robert Lyall.

  • Robert Lyall
Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The character of the Russians and a detailed history of Moscow. Illustrated with numerous engravings. With a dissertation on the Russian language; and an appendix, containing tables, political, statistical, and historical; an account of Imperial Agricultural Society of Moscow; a catalogue of plants found in and near Moscow; an essay on the origin and progress of architecture in Russia, &c. &c / By Robert Lyall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fleets, her territories, her population, her cultivation of the arts and sciences, and of the literary spirit of her people, .and her consequent political influence and power, so as to rank, in the beginning of the 19th century, among the most potent states of Europe, and to hold nations, once powerful and independent, in complete subjection to her will. As the occasional residence of the present sovereign, and other members of the imperial family of Russia, it has many claims to regard ; for it cannot be forgotten that it was this family which gave the first and mightiest impulse to civilization, and prepared the de- velopement of those powers of mind which have since continued exerting themselves in a thousand forms of restless activity, elevating the country which they honour, in the scale of intellectual repu- tation. In spite of numerous physical difficulties, that country, Russia, has already entered upon the great career of improvement; she has begun the march, in which she is obviously destined to move forwards with gigantic strides. Knowledge there will not creep on with a tardy tottering step, for Russia has come into con- tact with enlightened Europe to receive its wisdom ; not with those minglings of doubt and error which mark the progress of enquiry, but with all the advantages of experience, and all the laborious de- ductions of philosophy. Russia will share the triumphs without having been a competitor in the course; and, while thought can hardly embrace the field over which her political power seems des- tined to exert itself, it is most satisfactory to note the humanizing, beneficent and ennobling influence of truth and virtue striking root, and which, it is hoped, will widely spread through her stupendous realms. How much the generous policy of Alexander has contri- buted, and may still contribute, to this end, — his anxiety for the happiness of his people — his attention to their intellectual and religious advancement, — and the state of Russia, will testify to futurity. “ Moscow, while it exhibits the Russian character in its purity, presents at the same time th6 interesting contrast of people gathered [A]2