SAVED BY SUPERSTITION

Where is truth, where lies the only path to lead the blinded herd to its goal – freedom and eternal bliss? Alas! Since the world has existed this problem has baffled the best and the wisest. How many of Russia’s bravest sons have succumbed to their ideals, after having striven to secure the happiness of their country. In many respects the rising that took place in 1825, when Nicholas I ascended the throne, can be likened to events of the present day. The Decembrists were highly educated men of the best families, and were desirous of bestowing the benefits of Western civilisation, a Monarchical Constitution, on their country. We find men implicated like Prince Trubetskoy, Prince Obolensky, Colonel Pestel and many others, in all about 250, amongst them the poet Pouchkine, young, handsome, gifted, the favourite of society. An amusing story is told in connection with him which proves the superstitious character of the Slav race. One cold and frosty night, Pouchkine had consented to drive from his country place near Pskoff to the house of a friend where a meeting of the conspirators was to take place. The moon was shining brightly, and he sleighed through the snow, wrapt in furs and deep thought. Suddenly a hare crossed his path. Quick as lightning, the poet bade his driver turn the horses and returned to his home. That same night the meeting-place was raided and the conspirators led to their doom, some to death and some to exile. Pouchkine escaped danger, saved by superstition. A short time after, however, he, too, was convicted and transported to the Caucasus, where he spent many years in exile. Whilst there the scenery and tranquillity of his seclusion inspired some of his best poems. The conspiracy of the Decembrists was put down with the thunder of cannons, and Nicholas I ascended the throne of his fathers.