GROWTH OP EUSSIA. 



203 



herself be one day dismembered to the advantage of her neighbours ? Mean- 

 time the European frontier is fixed by a double line of fortresses and custom- 

 houses with as much precision as those of other continental states. In Asia, on 

 the contrary, the limits are, so to say, fluctuating; and in spite of provisional 



Fig. 99. — Growth of thk Russian Empire. 

 According to Dragoman o v. 



loiG 



mm 



Russia before 

 Peter the Great. 



Conquests of 

 Peter the Great. 



Conquests between 

 17^6—1795. 



Annexatiops 

 under Paul I. 



Annexations in 

 Nineteenth Century. 



, 600 Miles. 



treaties, drawing the line at certain rivers or mountain ranges, Russia must go 

 on annexing fresh lands until she meets compact masses or military powers strong 

 enough to resist her advances. Though considerably reduced by the acquisition 

 of Eastern Manchuria, the space intervening between Siberia and the densely 

 peopled plains of China is still extensive, while many stages must be made 



