Russian Court Memoirs 1914-16 —— With Some Account of Court, Social and Political Life in Petrograd Before and Since the War

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ISBN: 9781333815172 出版年：2016 页码：389 Forgotten Books

It is time that English people should know Russia as she really is, without any attempt to magnify her defects or to embellish her good qualities. This real knowledge can scarcely be acquired by an English writer' who has studied the country only during his travels, and who writes under the in fluence of casual impressions. The conclusions arrived at about matters concerning the inner life of the people depend mostly on the trustworthiness and degree of culture of those who gave him the indispensable explanations. Nor can this know ledge be imparted by a Russian politician (too often a refugee who has emigrated from his country), who sees everything in a distorted light through the glasses of a narrow party prejudice, and who writes with the deliberate object of reviling all those who do not share the opinions of his party, especially those whom he suspects of trying to prevent these ideas from dominating in Russia. Absolutely independent, I belong to no party and do not busy myself with politics. My convictions are strictly monarchical, as are those of nearly all the people belonging to the same social position as myself. But I am not averse to progress, and ac knowledge the urgent necessity of reforms for the enlightenment of the Russian people. I also believe in the strengthening of the country's economical position. I feel deeply convinced that Russia, vast in dimensions and strong in spirit, must preserve its traditions and not break with the historical association of centuries. The British constitution, with a king who reigns but does not rule, could not be adopted in Russia, and any attempt to make her republican would be almost suicidal, for it is opposed to the genius of the people. The object of this work is to speak only the truth and to describe facts and circumstances as they appear to my mental vision the shadows I point out are those which I see myself. I am perfectly aware that the author of this book Will incur in numerable reproaches from various classes of Russian society for choosing this way of making his country known to foreigners. To this criticism I offer the ready retort that in writing this book. I do not wish to be agreeable to anyone. By their attitude towards us during recent years the English people have acquired the right to claim from Russia the truth about Russia and like an honest ally I pay my debt in the best way I can.