Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

DOTE OF THE EMPRESS CATHERINE. ANECDOTE OF THE CON

VENTION OF PILNITZ. — FAMILY MEMOIRS. — SOUVENIRS OF THE

REVOLUTION. GENERAL CUSTINE.HEROISM OF HIS DAUGH-

TER-IN-LA`SY. HIS SON.TRAGIC PRISON SCENE. EARLY IM

PRESSIONS OF INFANCY.

It must be owned, though to the disgrace of human kind, that there exists for the multitude, a happiness which is altogether material. This is a happiness which Germany, and more especially Prussia, is now enjoying. By means of its admirable roads, its custom-house system, and its excellent political administration, this latter country, the cradle of Protestantism, has, in the present day, taken the lead of us in the road of physical civilisation: which is a species of religion of the senses, that has made human nature its god. It is only too true that modern governments favour this refined materialism — ultimate result of the religious reform of the sixteenth century. Limiting their efforts to the development of temporal good, it would appear as though their sole object was to prove to the world, that the idea

* Written at Berlin. в 4

8MUSIC A MEANS OF EDUCATION.

of Divinity is not necessary to the wellbeing of a nation.*

Nevertheless, the wisdom and economy which direct the administration of affairs in this country, are, to the Prussians, just subjects of pride. Their rural schools arc conscientiously conducted, and rigidly inspected. In every village, music is employed as a means of amusing, and, at the same time, of civilising the people. There is no church without an organ, and in every parish, the school-master possesses a knowledge of music. On Sundays he instructs the peasants in singing, accompanying them upon the organ. They are thus, in the smallest villages, able to perform the chefs-d`?uvre of the old Italian and German school of religious music. Pieces of this ancient and severe school are not written for more than four voices. Where is there the country school-master who cannot find among those around liim a bass, a tenor, and two children, first and second soprano, to sing these pieces ? Every school-master in Prussia is a village Hullah.† These rural concerts preserve a taste for music, form a counter-attraction to that of the tavern, and prepare the minds of the people for religious instruction. ‡ This latter has degenerated among the Protestants into a course of practical morals ; but the time is not far distant when religion will resume her rights: the being endowed with im-

* The flight of three years, and a new reign, have already deprived this remark of a great part of its point.

† In the original, a 'Wilhem Champetre.'—Trans.

I Could there not be found in France men who would devote themselves to establishing among us a system so excellent, and which has so long existed in Prussia ?

PRUSSIA ТПЕ AUXILIARY OF RUSSIA.9

mortality will not always rest content with a terrestrial empire, and the people the most ready to appreciate the pleasures of art, will also be the first to comprehend the new evidences of the Divine revelation.* It is, then, only just to admit that the Prussian government is worthily preparing its people to perform a part in that renovation of religion, whose approach is already announced to the world by signs that cannot be mistaken.

Prussia will soon discover that her philosophy is insufficient to impart mental satisfaction. Though this glorious future may be expected, the city of Berlin belongs at present to the least philosophical country in the world — to Russia; and, notwithstanding this, the German people, seduced by the display of a skilful administration, turn their thoughts towards Prussia. They fancy that it is from this quarter they will obtain those liberal institutions which many yet confound with the conquests of industry, as though luxury and liberty, opulence and independence, were synonymous.

The grand fault of the German people, whose character was personified in Luther, is an inclination to animal enjoyments. In our times nothing opposes this inclination ; every thing contributes to foster it. Thus, sacrificing their liberty and independence to the barren hope of a prosperity altogether material, the Germans, enchained by a political system that addresses the senses, and by a religion of intellect, fail in their duty towards themselves and towards the world. Nations, like individuals, have their vocation,

* ' Les nouvelles preuves des revelations du cieL' в 5

10FRENCH MINISTER AT BERLIN.

If Germany forgets hers, the fault is mainly owing to Prussia, the ancient focus of that inconsistent philosophy, by courtesy denominated a religion.*

France is now represented in Prussia by a minister who unites all the requisites of an enlightened modern diplomatist. jNTo mysterious airs, no affected reserve, no unnecessary concealment, betray the opinion that he might entertain of his own importance. One scarcely recollects the post he occupies, until reminded of it by the ability with which its duties are fulfilled. Appreciating with the happiest tact the wants and the tendencies of modern society, he tranquilly proceeds in advance of the future, without, however, disdaining the lessons of the past; in a word, he is one of the small remaining number of those men of former times who are now become so necessary to the present.

Originally from the same province as myself, he has related to me details connected with the lustory of my family, with which I was unacquainted, and from which I derived much gratification. This I admit without hesitation, for that pious admiration with whieh we contemplate the heroism of our fathers ought not to be identified with pride.

I knew that there existed in the archives of the French legation at Berlin, letters and diplomatic notes possessing a high interest for the world in general, and for myself in particular: they are my father's.

* These remarks on protestantism may be less offensive to the English reader, when he recollects that it is German protestantism by which they are more immediately suggested. — Trans-

FAMILY MEMOIRS.

11

In 1792, when but twenty-two years old, he was selected by the ministers of Louis XVI., who had then been constitutional king for about a year, to manage a delicate and important mission to the Duke of Brunswick. The object was to induce the Duke to decide in refusing the command of the army allied against France. It was hoped, and with reason, that the crisis of our revolution would prove less dangerous to the country and the king, if foreigners did not attempt violently to interfere with its progress.

My father arrived at Brunswick too late. The Duke had given his word. The confidence which the character and ability of young Custine inspired in France, was, however, such, that, instead of being recalled to Paris, he was sent to the Prussian court, to make new efforts to detach King William II. from that same coalition whose armies the Duke of Brunswick had promised to command.

Shortly before the arrival of my father at Berlin, M. de Segur, the French ambassador in Prussia, had failed in this difficult negotiation. My father was sent to replace him.

King William had not treated M. de Segur well. On one occasion, the latter returned home so exasperated, and under such an impression that his reputation as a skilful diplomatist was for ever compromised, that he