1793- oration of Lomonofsoff. 307 
represent his image lively to our memories, this is 
testified by whole cities and kingdoms, who, actuated 
by his fame, flocked to meet him, and to wonder at 
a face worthy of a great monarch, and characteristic 
of his great actions. Shall ] take my beginning 
' from the firmnefs of his spirit? But his unremitting 
watchfullnefs, without which it was impofsible to 
have performed actions so great and so numerous, 
affords us a proof of this. I proceed then to an .e- 
numeration of them, well knowing it is easier to en- 
gage in the commencement than to attain the end; 
and, that this great man cannot be better praised 
than by him who {hall distinctly and truly delineate 
his labours: if to delineate them be pofsible ! 
As much then as my ability and the fhortnefs 
of time allowed will permit, I fhall mention his more 
important labours, then represent the difficulties to 
be overcome in perfecting them; and in the end 
mark the virtues that in such undertakings sustained 
him. 
This wise monarch foresaw that to execute his 
great plans, it was necefsary to extend every kind of 
knowledge in his empire ; and to increase the number 
of people fkilled in the sciences, as well as to multi- 
ply artizans and tradesmen. His fatherly attention 
in this respect I formerly hinted at ; which, were ] 
to describe circumstantially, this subject alone would 
exceed the bounds of my discourse. Like the swift 
winged eagle, he flew round the European nations, 
and excited, partly by his commands, partly by 
his own powerful example, numbers of his subjects* 
to relinguifh for a while their native country, and 
