International Quarterly Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...to recall the summary military execution by the Austrians in 1848? How many victims then perished And no vulgar conspirators either, but noble warriors who had fought openly and bared their breasts to the enemy. But of all the European nations, Spain assuredly holds the palm for cruelty. In 1824, seven Free Masons were there executed, simply for having held a meeting In 1,831, a young man was hung for having cried "Hurrah for Liberty " A woman was hung in Granada for having embroidered a flag with the inscription, "Law, Liberty Equality." Such examples might be multiplied. But these which I have just cited are sufficient, it seems to me, to show that the Russian government is far, indeed, from being as cruel as those of Western Europe. Simply because it is autocratic, while the others are constitutional, it enjoys a reputation which it does not always merit. What I have just said is to prove what I have already advanced on the subject of the good nature of the Russian people. But, in consequence of the unevenness of character which is one of their dominant traits, this habitual good nature may be transformed at times into very great brutality, as I shall have occasion to point out when I come to speak of politics. Next to their good nature, one of the most universal traits of the Russian people is a large share of melancholy and sadness. The life of the Russian is far from being a very happy one. The country itself is not cheerful. During six months of the year, it is shrouded in snow, and, in Summer also, the coloring is rather dull. The great pine forests which occupy all the northern part have a melancholy aspect. But even the caducous species which prevail in Russia (the birch, for example, ) have not very brilliant...