BO O K
ni.
One ftriking feature in Sophia’s character, which I had
no opportunity of mentioning, while my inquiry was chiefly
confined to her political conduit, muft not be omitted in this
place. She deferves the veneration of pofterity for the patronage
which fhe afforded to perfons of genius and learning,
and for encouraging, by her own example, the introduction
of polite literature into Ruffia, then plunged in the
deep eft ignorance. At a period, when there was no national
theatre, and when the loweit buffooneries, under the name
of moralities, were the foie dramatick reprefentations even at
court; this elegant princefs tranflated the Médecin malgré lui
of Moliere into her native tongue, and performed one of the
characters herfelf. She alfo compofed a tragedy, probably
the firft extant in the Ruffian language ; and fhe compofed
it at a time, when the moft violent cabals were excited
againft her miniftry, and when the moft weighty affairs
feemed to engrofs her foie attention.
confirmed by the following paffage in Per- 44 was a princefs endowed with all the aery
’ s State o f Ruffia. “ I remember, that “ complifhments o f Body and mind to perupon
a certain occafion, when mention “ feétion, had it not been for her boundlefs
«• was made o f her [i. e. Sophia], the c z a r , “ ambition and infatiable defire o f govern*
44 himfelf gave her this ehara&eF, that fhe M ing.” V o l. p p. 138,
T R A V E L S
T R A V E L S
I N T O
R U S S I A .
B O O K IV.
C H A P . I.
Departure from Mofcow.— Arrival at Tver.— Hijlory and
defcription o f that town.— Productions o f the neighbouring
country.— Quadrupeds.— Birds.— Fifh.— Defcription of the
Sterlet.— Continuation o f the journey.— Torihok.-— Yiflinei
Volofhok.— Valdai hills and lake.— Bronitza.__
Wooden road, bow formed.— Further account o f the pea-
fants.— Their cottages, manners and cujloms.— O f the
Yamfhics, ' who furnijh poft horfes.— Singing extremely
common among the Ruffians.— On the fubjeSls o f their fongs,
8cc. 8tc.
Y \ 7"E quitted Mofcow on the 14th of September, and c h a p .
W- traverfed a gently rifing country, fome part of it open,, L ,
and the reft overfpread with forefts. We palled the night
H h h 2 at