1814.] Population of Russia. 271 



south of Russia. For example, the astonishing commerce of grain 

 at Odessa between 1800 and 1805 increased the value of all the 

 lands as far as Kiew, and even the fertile steppes were cultivated. 

 Workmen were wanting, and even half the produce was offered to 

 those who would gather in the other half. The commerce of 

 Taganrok likewise furnishes ground for hope : and agriculture 

 appears to be making some progress among the Nomades. 



A country is sufficiently peopled when almost all the inhabitants 

 are in easy circumstances. Such a population alone is desirable, 

 and useful to Government. A country is not sufficiently peopled 

 when the demand for workmen, and the means of maintaining 

 tl^m, are excessive, as in some of the southern provinces of 

 Russia. A country suffers from its population when the thousands 

 cf rich are obliged to maintain the millions of poor. Such aa 

 abusive population must either perish, or leave the country, or 

 produce revolutions. 



In the old provinces of Russia there are not any beggars. 

 Tbe inferior class of nobility, which is the most numerous, live at 

 their ease in the country. They constitute the true Russian 

 farmers : their existence depends on the progress of agriculture, 

 and it prospers in their hands. The Russian peasants are very far 

 from being unhappy. They are in general much more at their ease 

 than the same order of men was in France in the time of Lady 

 Mary Wortley Montagu, who met none else than beggars betv,een 

 Lyons and Paris. Even the number of rich peasants is consider- 

 able ; and it must become every day greater, as long as they pre- 

 serve the ancient simplicity of their manners. Their savings 

 necessarily accumulate under the form of capitals, and these capitals 

 become by degrees productive ; for many peasants have already 

 abandoned agriculture, and occupy themselves with other branches 

 of industry, as arts, and trades, and even commerce. It is only in 

 Finland and the Poliaii provinces that the peasants are poor. 



The power of a state does not depend upon the number of its 

 inhabitants alone, but upon their wealth and activity. Russia has 

 no reason to complain in this respect. She is sufficiently peopled 

 for the actual state of her national riches. What would not tins 

 empire become if her population were more concentrated ? 



