The Nihilists, one would think, would have hoped some- thing
from a new reign, even if they did not pity the Sovereign who has been in the most direct sense their victim. Ap- parently, however, the temptation to shock mankind by re- vealing a pitilessness deeper than that of any Oz ir has overmastered the little judgment they possess, and they have chosen the moment of the Czar's death for a revolting pro- clamation. In it they style Alexander III. a hangman and an assassin ; brand his doctors as " venal ;" warn the Cesarewiteh that he is face to face with an inflexible will; denounce all Liberals as slaves ; and declare their intention of "provoking," as well as applauding, the blows of destiny. They are mad, as well as bad. If they could destroy the whole race of Rurik, they would only hand over Russia to military chiefs, who for their own protection must be harder even than the Romanoffs. It is the most terrible of thoughts, but a taint of true medical insanity seems to have entered into some of the extreme factions, which comes out whenever a great event intensifies mental excitement.
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