and language, as well as their own administration.

Under Nicholas I, a ruler devoted to the military power of his Empire,
there was little chance of freedom. He had himself no love of the West
and the bold reforms {217} which might bring him enlightened and
discontented subjects. He crushed into abject submission all opposed
to his authority. The blunt soldier would cling obstinately to the
ancient Muscovy of Peter. He shut his eyes to the passing of
absolutism in Europe and died, as he had reigned, the protector of the
Orthodox Church of Russia, the sworn foe of revolutionaries.

Alexander II succeeded his father while the Crimean war was distracting
the East by new problems and new warfare. Christian allies fought for
the Infidel, and France and England declared themselves to be on the
side of Turkey.

At the famous siege of Sebastopol, a young Russian officer was fighting
for promotion. He wrote vivid descriptions of the battle-fields and
armies. He wrote satirical verses on the part played by his own
country. Count Leo Tolstoy was only a sub-lieutenant who had lived
gaily at the University of Kazan and shared most of the views of his
own class when he petitioned to be sent to the Crimea. The brave
conduct of the private soldiers fighting steadfastly, without thought
of reward or fear of death, impressed the Count, with his knowledge of
the self-seeking, ambitious nobles. He began to love the peasantry he
had seen as dim, remote shadows about his father's estate in the
country. There he had learnt not to treat them brutally, after the
fashion of most landowners, but it was not till he was exposed to the
rough life of the bastion with Alexis, a serf presented to him when he
went to the University, that Tolstoy acquired that peculiar affection
for the People which was not then characteristic of the Russian.

After the war the young writer found that, if he had not attained any
great rank in the army, high honours were awarded him in literature.
Turgeniev, the veteran {218} novelist, was ready to welcome him as an
equal. The gifted officer was flattered and feted to his heart's
content before a passionate love of truth withdrew him from society.

After the death of Nicholas reaction set in, as was inevitable, and
Alexander II was eager to adopt the progress of the West. The German
writers began to describe the lives of humble people, and their books
were read in other lands. Russia followed with desc