The History of the Baltic Campaign of 1854 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. XXIII. SIR C. NAPIEIl'S NOTES ON RUSSIA. RESOURCES Or RUSSIA.--A GREAT FALLACY TO SUPPOSE THAT THEY CAW BE CRIPPLED.--THE PAPER-MONEY OF RUSSIA.--ST. PETERSBURG THE WONDER OF MODERN TIMES. NO FAILURE DURING THE RECENT WAR OF THE CZAR's RESOURCES. THE GREATEST LIVING SOVEREIGN.--AD MIRAL's DESCRIPTION OF CRONSTADT AND IT8 FORTS.--ITS DOCKS AND ARSENALS, BARRIERS AND BATTERIES, INFERNAL MACHINES, REDOUBTS, AND NEW DEFENCES.--GUNS MOUNTED IN THE SEA FORTS. As this volume has of necessity extended to a somewhat unreasonable length, we must perforce comprise the Admiral's " Notes on Russia" within a small compass, selecting such only as bear more immediately on the subject of our narrative. During the war much was said in this country about " crippling the resources of Russia," " reducing her to distress for want of money," &c, &c. There can be no greater fallacy than this. It is impossible for Russia to want money, so long as her people are satisfied with her monetary system, as was the case in the war, is at present, and in all probability will be for the future. So long as Russia possesses a paper-making machine and a printing press, she cannot want money. The paper rouble issued by the Government has precisely the same value as the silver rouble; i. e., no tradesman will give you more 590 THE PAPER-MONEY OF RUSSIA. for a silver rouble than he will for a paper rouble. Nor can this affect her foreign commerce, since, as every one knows, foreign commerce is carried on by paper also, viz., bills of exchange. Whenever gold appears in the transaction, it is when the exports of a country exceed the imports, so that the balance is in favour of the exporting country, which, instead of sending gold out, gets gold in. Whatever may be the...