268 ofation of Lomonofioff. Oct« 235 
ers, the same divine condescension to her, and to our 
¢ommon country, at which we wondered in her birth, 
and in the attainment of her patrimonial rank. Her 
birth was made conspicuous by signs foretelling regen 
ey; her accefsion tothe throne by an unseen power from 
on high; and the joyous afsumption of her father’s 
crown, by miraculous victories from the hand of the 
Lord. Did any one entertain a doubt whether po- 
tentates on earth are appointed by Heaven, or whe- 
ther they attdin dominion by chance, the birth of 
our great sovereign is sufficient to convince him, see- 
ing that fhe was then chosen to rule over us. It is 
neither the doubtful guefsings of astrology founded © 
on the conjunction of planets, nor other changes and 
appearances dependent on natural causes, but evi- 
dent intimations of divine providence, that serve-as 
proofs of this afsertion. Peter’s most glorious victo- 
ry over his enemies at Poltowa happened in the same 
year with the birth of his great daughter ; and Eli- 
zabeth on entering the world, met the conqueror 
éntering Moscow in triumph. Is not the finger of 
Heaven here obvious? Do not we hear with the 
ear of imagination, a voice proclaiming, “ Behold, 
and Anne of Mecklenberg his mother, who acted as regent in his 
name, and Elizabeth establifhed on the throne. Under her reign Rui- 
“cia once more attained a stability of government somewhat of the 
same nature it had experienced during the latter part of the reign 
of Peter; but with the favourable difference of a gentler ad- 
ministration and lefs severity in executing the laws, so that the people 
experienced a degree of happinefs they never had formerly enjoyed ; 
and the empire attained adegree of respectability among neighbour- 
‘ing nations which it had lost for many years ny the cruel anarchy 
that had there prevailed, 
