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CATHARINE I-CATHARINE II. 585
roff, endeavored to win over the grand CATHARINE II empress of Russia, a
vizier; and, having succeeded, by bribing woman of remarkable ability, was born
his confidant with her jewels, she dis- at Stettin, April 25, 1729, where her father,
closed her plan to the emperor, who gave Christian Augustus, prince of Anhaltit his approbation, and was soon relieved. Zerbst, and Prussian field-marshal, was
She afterwards received many proofs of governor. Her name was originally Sophia
the gratitude of her husband. (Her coro-.l'ugusta. Th1e empress Elizabeth, at the
nation, as empress, in Moscow, which instigation of Frederic II, chose her for the
some place in 1718, took place, according wife of Peter, her nephew, whom she apto Weber and Bergholz, in 1724.) Peter pointed her successor. The young prineven deemed her worthy of being his cess accompanied her mother to Russia,
successor. But, in the latter part of 1724, where she joined the Greek church,
she fell under his.displeasure. Her chain- and adopted the name of Catharine Allexberlain Mons, with whom Peter had found iewzna, given to her by the empress. The
her tete'a tte, was beheaded, on pretence marriage was celebrated Sept. 1,1745. It
that he had been bribed by the enemies was not a happy one, but Catharine found
of Russia; and she was obliged to view recreation in the improvement of her
the head of Mons nailed to a gibbet. mind. She was endowed with uncommon
This, however, is only an anecdote, and strength of character;but the ardor of her
the affair of Mons remains a mystery. temperament, and the ill-treatment of her
Menzikoff, who had always manifested husband, led her into errors which had
much attachment to her, had now been the most injurious influence on her whole
in disgrace for some time, and Peter had political life. Amongst the friends of her
very frequent attacks of bodily pain, husband, count Soltikoff was distinguishwhich were interrupted by dreadful ex- ed for talent and the graces of his person.
plosions of rage. These circumstances He attracted the attention of Catharine,
made Catharile's situation critical, and and an intimate connexion between them
her anticipations of the future must have was the consequence. When Soltikoff,
been the more melancholy, as the empe- who was employed in foreign embassies.
ror had uttered some threats of a change grew indifferent to Catharine, a young
in the succession to her disadvantage. Pole, Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowskli,
To prevent such an event, she applied to celebrated both for his good and ill forJIenzikoff; and, by the prudence of Ja- tune, gained, the affections of the grand
guschinski, who then enjoyed the favor princess. Their intimacy was known tc
of Peter, and whom she gained over, a the empress, but did not appear to disreconciliation was effected with the em- please her; and it was at her recommenperor. The empress and the favorite dation that Augustus III appointed Powere laboring to confirm their improving niatowski his ambassador at the court of
prospects, when Peter the Great died, St. Petersburg. This connexion created
Jan. 28, 1725. Catharine, Menzikoff and alarm at Paris. France, at that timne at
Jaguschinski considered it necessary to war with England, had formed a secret
keep the death of the emperor secret, treaty with Austria, and drawn Russia
until, by judicious arrangements, they had into the same. Poniatowski was known
secured the succession of the throne to to be a warm adherent of England, and it
the empress. Theophanes, archbishop of was feared that, through his influence on
Plescow, swore before the people and the princess, he might prejudice Elizabeth
troops, that Peter, on his death-bed, had against France; and Louis XV endeavordeclared Catharine alone worthy to suc- ed to induce the king of Poland to recall
ceed him in the government. She was him. In the year 1761, Elizabeth died,
then proclaimed empress and autocrat of and Peter III ascended the throne. The
all the Russias, and the oath of allegiance to emperor now became still more alienated
her was taken anew. At first, the cabinet from his wife. Peter lived in the greatpursued the plans of Peter, and, under est dissipation, and on such intimate terms
AMenzikoff's management, the administra- with a lady of the court, named Elizabeth
tion was conducted with considerable foronzoff, that it was generally thought
ability. But the pernicious influence of that he would repudiate Catharine, and
favorites was soon felt, and great errors marry his mistress. The empress, therecrept into the administration. Catharine fore, was obliged to take measures for
died suddenly, on the 17th of May, 1727, her personal security. At the same time,
in the 42d year of her age. Her death Peter grew continually more and more
was probably hastened by excess in the unpopular with his subjects, owing to his
use of Tokay wine and ardent spirits. blind predilection for the Prussian military