r a plan to effect this important change gradually. It was
discussed in the Council of State. The majority approved, but a bitter
opposition was manifested by the other members. The czar himself was
in favor of it, but the persons with whom he came into daily contact
caused him to hesitate. He told Melikof that he would give his final
decision on March 12.

On that day he had not made up his mind, but on the 13th, he ordered
that Melikof's scheme should become a law, and that it be published in
the Official Gazette. That afternoon, as he was returning from his
usual drive, and his carriage was passing between the Catherine Canal
and Michael's Garden, a bomb was thrown under his carriage and (p. 239)
exploded, killing or wounding a number of the guard, but Alexander was
unhurt. He was hurrying to assist the wounded, when another bomb
exploded near him and he was dreadfully mangled. He regained
consciousness for a moment while his attendants were bearing him to
the palace, but died at 3.30 P.M., without having spoken a word.

A man named Rissakof, said to be a nihilist, was arrested for throwing
the bomb; but there were ugly rumors that the assassination was
committed under the direction of parties interested in maintaining an
autocratic government at all risks. Owing to the secret proceedings in
Russian courts, the murder of Alexander the Liberator still remains a
mystery.

[Illustration: Alexander III] (p. 240)

XXVI--ALEXANDER III, THE PEASANTS' FRIEND. (p. 241)

The atrocious death of The Liberator gave the throne to his son, who
succeeded as Alexander III. The new czar was thirty-six years old.
Nicholas, the eldest son of Alexander II, had died of consumption in
1865, and, since he had been the heir, his younger brother had not
received any special training. His principal tutor had been
Pobiedonostzeff, a man who believed in autocracy. He had imbued his
pupil with a deeply religious feeling, and imparted to him a thorough
knowledge of Russia's history. Alexander III was of powerful build and
possessed unusual strength. He was loyal to his word, and tenacious in
his likes and dislikes. Married to Princess Dagmar of Denmark, he was
a model husband and father. His education made him a firm believer in
autocracy.

The sudden and tragic death of his father moved him so deeply that he
gave orders that the last wishes of the late czar should be r