C H A P . ir.
Eleâlion o f Staniflaus Auguftus.— His excellent regulations
oppofed by the neighbouring powers.— Hi/lory o f the DiJJi-
dents— their privileges abolijhed by the diet o f 1766.—
■Confederacies in their favour fupported by the Emprefs of
Ruffia.— Rejlored to their rights by the diet o f 1 7 6 8 .—
Proceedings o f that diet.— Rife o f the civ il commotions.
T J P O N the demife of Auguftus II. Staniflaus Auguftus, CHAP-
ion of Count Poniatowiki the friend and companion ■ *!' '
■of Charles XII. was fupported in his pretenfions to the crown
by the Emprefs of Ruffia, and the King of Pruffia ; their af-
fiftance,, joined to that of a ftrong party among the nobles who
had declared in his favour, and aided by his great perlonal ac-
compliffiments, raifed him to the throne of Poland. Five
thoufand Ruffian troops ftationed at a fmall diftance from the
plain of Vola, wherein the diet o f eledlion was affembled,
fecured good order and overawed the violence of the oppo-
fite party. The practice of cantoning a body of foldiers nea-r
the plain where the Poliih kings are eleded, has been adopt- ..
ed by different foreign powers for near a century ; a mode
of proceeding, which, however galling it may appear to the
licentious nobility, prevents the effufion of blood that formerly
deluged thefe popular affemblies.
Staniflaus was in the 3 ad year of his age when he
afcended the throne in 17 64, and feemed calculated by his
virtues and abilities to raife Poland from its deplorable ftate ;
i f the defeds of the conftitution had not fettered his exertions
VoL- 1 D for