I79I. LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. 75 



HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



A Curfory VIEW of the Prefent POLITICAL STATE of 

 Europe, continued from page 120. 



RufPa. 

 For. many years paft, the Ruflian empire has made a very 

 confpicuous figure in the political affairs of Europe. yJmbi- 

 Hon, however, rather than 'wtfJom, has characterifed the 

 operations of that court in modern times. The territorial 

 extent of that empire is much greater than to admit of a 

 proper form of government ; yet, blind to this great defedl, 

 the Emprefs has long exerted her utmofl efforts to extend 

 as far as poiTible the boundaries of her dominions -, and witli 

 that view, has kindled up a war that has been produSive of 

 much mifchief, and of little benefit to any one. Little does 

 fhe fecm to think, that (lie is thus preparing afar off, the 

 means of effectually curtailing the enormous extent of her 

 overgrown dominions. 



But though tliis conduft be not wife in the Emprefs, who. 

 cannot foreftc to what point it ultimately tends, it may be 

 very confiflent with the views of fome of her counfellors. 

 For fcveral years pafl, the court of Ruffia has been over- 

 awed by the uncontroulable influence oi Poterukin; a man of 

 a daring and impetuous difpoiition of mind, who has been 

 raifed by the favour of hii, lu\'ereign from a low ellate to 

 the higheft exaltation of power j a power which is now fo 

 firmly eftablilhed, as to give !us recommendations the force 

 of commands, and his fuggeftions a certainty of being im- 

 plicitly adopted, This man, who now poffclles a diclaforiaJ 

 command of tlie army, and an unlimited power of drawing 

 whatever films he pleafes from the public treafury, has car- 

 ried on his. military operations againft the Turks with all 

 , the ardour that miglit be expelled from a man uf undaunted 

 courage in the prime of life, v>ho is bleil'cd with a found 

 I' mfliiution, ;;reat bodily ilniinth, an unbounded com- 



K ; 



