How much other wise regulations promoted this end 1 fhall pass over in silence, and take notice only of the increase of external revenue. The council of the Most High, aided the solicitude, and good intentions of Peter, and opened by his hands new harbours in the Varyashkoe sea*, near towns subdued by his bravery, or raised by his toils. Great rivers were united by canals, for free communication to the merchants of Rufsia; tarifs were composed, and commercial treaties were concluded with various nations. Thus, by increasing plenty at home and abroad, how much he advanced the revenue, even in the beginning of these regulations, is amply manifested by considering that Russia, carrying on a heavy war for the space of twenty years, was free of debt.

What are all the great actions of Peter already delineated by my weak pencil? O! how much toil yet remains to my tongue, voice, and consideration! Hearers! I refer to you and to your knowledge, to describe how much attention the foundation and regulation of justice, of the supreme senate, of the most sacred synod, of the public colleges chanceries, and other courts, with their laws, regulations and statutes; regulation of ranks; institution of marks intimating destinctions for services and favour; and lastly politics, embassies, and treaties with foreign states, demanded. Do you represent all these in your own minds enlightened by Peter. 'Tis mine to give a short detail of the whole. If it had happened to any one to leave his Russian native country before the beginning of Peter's under.

*Baltic.

Nov. 13. takings, and visit distant lands, where his name had not yet reached, if there exists such a country, seeing on his return, in the people, new arts, new garbs, and new manners; new architecture, and domestic ornaments; new forts, a new fleet and army; not only a new form given to all these things, but a change in rivers, and in the bounds of the ocean : what would then have been his reflections? He could have concluded no lefs than that he had been travel, ling for many ages, or that all was finished by the u nited strength of the whole human race; by the creating hand of the Most High, or that all was the inchantment of a transitory dream.

From this discourse, fhewing the fhadow only of the actions of Peter, we may conceive something of their magnitude. But what fhall I say, of the terrible and dangerous obstructions that opposed him in his giant like course? These more exalt his fame. The condition of humanity is subjected to such changes, that unfavourable arise from favou rable, and favourable from unfavourable events. What could be more unfavourable to our happi nefs, incursions from without, difsentions from within, danger threatened on all sides, and led to conse quences destructive to Peter, about to renovate Rufsia, and to the country itself. War interrupted domestic affairs, and domestic affairs interrupted a war which even at its commencement was found burdensome. Our great soveriegn left his native country with a great embassy to visit the Euro pean kingdoms, and get acquainted with their situations, that on returning, he might employ them to

the advantage of his subjects. He had scarcely paf sed the frontiers of his own dominions, when he eyery where found great and secretly concerted opposition. But as these are known to the whole world, I do not mention them. It appears to me, that even inanimate things perceived danger approaching to the hope of Russia. The streams of Dwina felt it, and amidst thick ice, opened a way of safety to their future master from lurking treasons; and overflowing their banks, informed the Baltic fhores of the dangers they had warded off. Having escaped danger, he hastened on his joyous journey, delight, ing his eyes and heart, and improving his intelligence. But, oh! unwilling he interrupts his glorious career. How he strugled with himself! On the one hand, curiosity and thirst of knowledge necefsary to the advantage of his native country, drags him on; on the other, the same distressed native country, with arms outstretched to him her only hope, exclaims, "return, make haste to return; traitors tear me within! You travel for my happinefs; I acknowledge it with gratitude: but first tame the ferocious. You deserted your house and your relations for the increase of my fame; I respect with sincerity: but--regulate dangerous disorder. You left a crown and sceptre bestowed on you by God, and hid the rays of your majesty under a private character for my improvement; 'tis what I long for with joyous hope: but remove the gloomy threatenings of difsention from the domestic horizon." His heart torn with such agitations, he returned to quell a terrible storm. Such difficulties obstructed

our hero in his glorious course! With how many enemies was he every where surrounded! From without, Sweden, Poland, Crim, Persia, many eastern nations, the Ottoman Porte. From within, Strelits, Rascolnicks*, Cofsacks, robbers. In his own house, by his own relations: by his own blood,-malignity, hatred and treachery were pointed at his own life. To relate all would be difficult, and to hear painful. Let us return to joy and happy times.

The Most High aided Peter to overcome all obstacles and to elevate Rufsia. He granted religion, wisdom, magnanimity, manlinefs, truth, condescension, industry. His sincerity and faith towards God is well known to all. His chief delight was in the house of the Lord. He was not only a hearer of divine service, he himself afsisted in the performance. He roused the attention and reverence of the hearers by his own monarchical voice; and leaving his imperial place, on a footing with the common singers, he stood before the Lord. We have many instances of his religion; but one now will suffice. Going out to meet the body of the holy and brave Knoese Alexander †,

Difsenters from the Greek church,

When Peter had founded 1 etersbur h, he founded also a maHe is said to have been sove nastery to the memory of this saint.

reign of the country. After his death his body was deposited in the interior parts of Russia, and was brought to Petersburgh with great ceremony, which is here alluded to, and deposited in the new mona stery. He is called by the Russians, Alexander Neisky, is e. Alexander of the Neva. There is an order of knighthood constituted in honour of him.

47 he, by this action, full of solemn respect, drew out the whole city; he attracted the streams of Neva. Strange spectacle! knights ply the oars ;-the mo narch himself sitting at the helm, steers the vefsel, and before the face of the people, stretches out his anointed hands to perform the labour of common men. By faith supporting him, he often repelled the impetuosity of blood-thristy rebels. The Lord covered his head with his power from above, in the day of battle at Poltowa, and warded off the impending weapon! scattered before him like the walls of Jericho, those of Narva, not in the time of battering with fire belching engines, but in the time of di vine service.

Sanctified and protected by religion, God blefsed him with wisdom. What seriousnefs in council, what unaffected brevity in discourse, exactness in description, distinctnefs in pronounciation, thirst after knowJedge, patient attention to prudent and useful conversation; in his eyes and in his countenance, the constancy of understanding. Russia afsumed a new appearance through these qualifications of Peter; the arts and sciences were established, treaties and embafsies instituted, the cunning intrigues of some courts against our native country defeated, to some sovereigns, their kingdoms and despotism secured, and to others, crowns, torn from them by their enemies, restored.

This wisdom effused to him from above, was aided by herioc courage. By that he amazed the world, by this he terrified his enemies. In infancy,