The Times correspondent in Paris draws a most dreary picture
of the internal condition of Russia. Count Tolstoi, the Minister of the Interior, exaggerates the old despotism, suppresses even local Councils, prohibits the discussion of any internal events in the Press, and hunts incessantly for Nihilists, who begin to be found even in the ranks of the Army. He is, con- sequently, the special object of Revolutionary detestation, receives frequent menaces of death, and never stirs from his house without special police protection. The Emperor himself passes most of his time at Gatschina; and from want of com- munication with his counsellors, has made no progress in the art of governing. He trusts only extreme reactionaries, and never loses the fear of assassination. There may be much exaggeration in this account, for it must not be forgotten that some of the external details would be true if related of Lord Spencer in Ireland ; but it is certain that intelligence from inside Russia has become singularly scarce and trifling. The repres- sion is complete ; but it may be doubted if it is yet deeply felt by the body of the people. They have no new taxes; the Mir, the one local institution they care about, is untouched, and they do not read newspapers. What one would like to know is, what the great body of military officers think of the situation ; but that information is unattainable.
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