The " Zemski Sobor," which, it is rumoured, the Czar
intends to summon, is an Assembly of Notables, con- sisting of nobles, merchants, priests, and peasants, nominated by the County Councils. It has been called three or four times in Russian history, and though with- out legal power except to advise, has in grave contingencies been most influential. The first Romanoff owed his election in part to its approval. The great weakness of its position is that it has no necessary permanence—the great strength that the moment it is called all eyes will fix on it. It is even thought that it might demand a written Constitution, in which case, it is added, the members would be sent home, and re- pression begin again. The revolutionaries, it is declared, will not be even partly contented with such an assembly ; but experience seems to show that if it is called, all classes will await its action before renewing the struggle between the people and the Throne.
