book jn the ftreets that Demetrius had efcaped from his affaffins,
III. . . • •
<— s <and claimed allegiance as their rightful fovereign. This infurreftion
was indeed immediately quelled ; but an almoft
univerfal belief fpread itfelf through all ranks, that the pretender
to the throne was the real fon of Ivan Vaffilievitch II.
although Boris Godunof inflicted the fevereft puniihment
upon his adherents, though the patriarch publiihed a ban of
excommunication againft him and his party, and though
VaffiliShuiiki openly affirmed that he had himfelf examined
the body of the deceafed prince at Uglitz.
The fudden death of Boris Godunof, which happened in
the month of April, 1 60 5,haftened the fuccefs of Demetrius.
Feodor Borifovitch was fcarcely declared fucceffor to his father
by the patriarch and nobles who were prefent at Mof-
cow, before he was deferted by the principal generals of the
Ruffian army, and by many per fans of diftinCtion. His
troops at this inaufpicious juncture were fuddenly attacked
and defeated, and thofe who efcaped were perfuaded to fwear
fealty to Demetrius, who, ftrengthened by this acceffion,
advanced by hafty marches towards the capital without the
leaft oppofition : the highways were lined with people ; the
towns opened their gates with every demonftration of joy,
while Demetrius fupported the prepofleffion of the Ruffians
in favour of his birth by the affability of his demeanour,
and the gracefulnefs of his perfon. Having publiihed a
manifefto, in which he held out to the inhabitants of Mofcow
offers of clemency and favour on their return to their
duty, they rofe in arms, ftormed the palace, depofed and
ftrangled Feodor Borifovitch, and recognized his title. On
the 30th of June the new tzar entered Mofcow in triumph,
and took poffeffion of the throne with univerfal approbation.
His pretenlions to the crown, as real fon of Ivan Vaffilievitch
vitch II. were ftill further confirmed by the public teftimony c h a p .
of Maria Feodorofna, whom Boris Godunof had imprifoned >■ ^ -
in a diftant monaftery, and whom Demetrius, at his acceffion,
inftantly releafed from her confinement. Upon her approach
to Mofcow, on the 8th of July, Demetrius rode to meet her
at the head of a numerous proceffion; and at the firft appearance
of her carriage, he alighted from his horfe, and ran
to embrace her. The tendernefs. and affeCtion which
both parties difplayed on this interefting occafion drew tears
from the fpecftators ; and the ftrong expreffions of tranfport
with whjch the tzarina openly acknowledged him for her
fon, feemedto afford a pofitive confirmation o f the reality of
his imperial lineage. Soon after this interview he was
crowned with the ufual pomp and magnificence, and feemed
now firmly feated upon the throne; in the poffeffion of
which he would have maintained himfelf, whether he were
the real Demetrius or an impoftor, by a proper conformity
to the manners of his fubjedts, and by a prudent deference to
their civil and religious eftabliihment. But his avowed contempt
of the Ruffian cuftoms, and, above all, his publick
negledt of their religious ceremonies, foon alienated the af-
fedtions of his fubjedts, and precipitated him from the throne
as rapidly as he had afcended it.
Margaret, who had frequent accefs to the perfon of Demetrius,
has iketched his portrait in the following ffiort, but lively
manner. “ He h ad no beard, was of a middle ftature, and of dark
“ complexion, his limbs were ftrong and nervous, and he had a
“ wart under his right eye. He was adti ve, fpirited, and merci-
“ ful, foon offended, and as foon appeafed; liberal, ambitious,
“ anddefirousofmakinghimfelfknowntopofterity; in aword,
“ he was a prince who loved honour, and recommended it
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