M. Pobiedonostzeff, ex-Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod, died last
Saturday, at the moment when M. Stolypin was promising to lead the country forward in those Constitutional methods which Pobiedonostzeff bad unfalteringly resisted all his life. Twenty-seven years ago, as a result of Pobiedonostzeff 's entreaties, the Loris Melikoff Constitution was withdrawn by Alexander III., although it bad been signed by Alexander II., and had been countersigned by himself just before his father's assassination. Constantine Petroviteh Pobiedonostzeff was born in 1827 at Moscow, where his father was Professor of Russian Literature in the University. He studied juris- prudence and became Professor of Civil Law. In 1880 he became Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod. His influence over Alexander III. and the present Emperor was supreme He was a man of admitted integrity, much ability, and unfailing courage, but he did more to check the tide of Constitutionalism than any man in Russia. In one of his books he explains the philosophical foundation of autocracy. "Representative institutions," he says, "are the great false- hood of our time." He shrank from no measures necessary to make men submit themselves to the divine will of the Sovereign. He was the best-bated man in Russia. A suffer- ing people does not make allowances for the sincerity of Inquisitors.
