164 Nations lately becDJiie Literary. [CiL XXVL 



beside others, drawn from different countries, 

 afford abundant evidence, that, even in the inhos- 

 pitable climate of Russia, the elegant arts can live 

 and flourish. 



The study of Languages has been, for a num- 

 ber of years, more cultivated in Russia than could 

 have been expected, considering the infant state 

 of literature in that country. Beside all the at- 

 tention paid to the cultivation of the vulgar 

 tongue, ■which was before noticed, and the nu- 

 merous instances of profound acquaintance with 

 the best writers of Greece and Rome*, consi- 

 derable labour has been bestowed, by a number 

 of the literati of that empire, on the study of va- 

 rious living languages. The astonishing monu- 

 ment of learning and industry, in this branch of 

 inquiry, given to the public by professor Pallas, 

 was mentioned in a former chapter, as doing him 

 great honour. The translator Y?erig is sup- 

 ported by the academy, to study the Alongolian 

 language among that people. Leontief, of the 

 college of foreign affairs, has translated a great 

 number of works from the Cliinese language, and 

 may be considered among the most accomplished 

 scholars in Chinese literature now living in 

 Europe. And there is no want of works in Russia, 



* Among n>any persons who might be mentioned as having 

 distinguished themselves by their attainments in classic litera- 

 ture, it would be improper not to take some notice of Plato, 

 archbishop of Moscow, and Eugenius, a naturalised foreigner, 

 archbishop of Slavensk and Kherson. The former has the cha- 

 racter of a profound scholar ; but the latter is perhaps still more 

 celebrated for his translation of the iic/oj^j;« and Geor^/cs of Vir- 

 gil into Greek hexameters, which was a few years ago splendidly ' 

 printed in folio, at the expense of prince Poterakin. 



