Great men of the second rank are 'forgotten very speedily,
and the death of Count 'Loris Melikoft excites, therefore, com- paratively little attention. Only twelve years ago, however, the Count, who, like General Bagration, was born an Armenian, showed himself, by his invasion of Armenia and capture of Kars, one of the ablest Generals in the Russian service. The Emperor Alexander IT, had the greatest confidence in him, and in 1879 made him practically his acllatus, placing him at the head of a special service of police with dictatorial powers, and asking his advice on all internal questions. The General, who was believed to be one of those who recom- mended that the Czars should retain their autocracy, but call a Deliberative Assembly, managed to penetrate the counsels of the Nihilists, kept his master safe for twelve months, and on March 13th, 1881, besought-the Emperor most vehemently not to stir abroad. Alexander II., however, who was sick of pre- cautions, disregarded the advice, and was blown to pieces. After this event, Count 3felikoff lived in retirement ; but he remained iniavour at Court, and had liberal views ever prevailed, might again have guided the administration. He was born, however, in the South ; the climate of St. Petersburg destroyed his health, and he died at Nice on the 22nd inst., in the sixty-third year of his age.
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