“When these considerations are impressed on the mind, the nature of the late secession from the coalition, [49] and of the incalculable indignities offered to the Government of Great Britain, can alone be fairly estimated.... but the ties which bind her (Great Britain) to the Russian Empire are formed by nature, and inviolable. United, these nations might almost brave the united world; divided, the strength and importance of each is fundamentallyimpaired. England has reason to regret with Russia that the imperial sceptre should he thus inconsistently wielded, but it is the sovereign of Russia alone who divides the Empires.”
The Reverend Gentleman concludes his account by the words:
“As far as human foresight can at this moment penetrate, the despair of an enraged individual seems a more probable means to terminate the present scene of oppression, than any more systematic combination of measures to restore the throne of Russia to its dignity and importance.”
Chapter II
The documents published in the first chapter extend from the reign of the Empress Ann to the commencement of the reign of the Emperor Paul, thus encompassing the greater part of the 18th century. At the end of that century it had become, as stated by the Rev. Mr. Pitt, the openly-professed and orthodox dogma of English diplomacy,