John Randolph and Miss Edgeworth [pp. 725]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MAESSENGER.
725
from the rightful heir, and loudly complained of the
regular line of succession being thus infringed. Conspiracies were formed among the citizens-a mutinous
spirit broke out in the army, and the public voice loudly
called on Constantine to yield to the wishes of the
whole empire. Had there been the shadow of insincerity in the intentions of that Prince, he might yet
have changed his purpose and have assumed the purple, without incurring the charge of falsehood and dissimulation; nay, he might truly have urged the most
patriotic motives, as his continued refusal certainly
exposed his country to a civil war. But his purpose
was not to be shaken, and the only use he made of the
popular favor he enjoyed, was to turn it to the suppression of the spirit of rebellion, and to discover the dark
conspiracy which aimed at destroying the life, as well
as the power of his brother.
Whatever were the faults of Constantine,-and they
were neither few nor small,-he must have possessed
great magnanimity and moderation, thus to have renounced a prize, which in every age and every nation,
has been considered as the most glorious object of human attainment, and thus zealously and generously
have used his influence in securing it to his brother.
Yet it is difficult to comprehend the union of such
magnanimity and moderation, with the known vices of
Constantine's character. The impulsive force of a
violent and dominant passion, readily accounts for his
original abdication of his birthright; but the constancy
of his purpose under such strong temptations to change,
is almost miraculous, being in opposition to all the
common laws wlhich govern human conduct, and must,
unless time developes other motives than have hitherto
been assigned, remain an anomaly in the history of
mankind. Nor is the equal moderation of Nicholas
less wonderful and less admirable. Instead of eagerly
seizing on the offered crown, he long persisted in refusing it-unless, indeed, he were aware of the opposition of the nation to such a violation of the established
order of succession, and foresaw the danger to which
it would expose him. Of this he was soon convinced.
The universal discontent soon broke out in rebellion,
or more fatally exerted its power in dark conspiracies,
which aimed at the life as well as the power of the
young Emperor. Instead of the glad spirit and public
rejoicing, that is generally exhibited on the commencement of a new reign, a universal gloom spread not only
over the court, but through the whole circle of society.
Suspicion and distrust destroyed social confidencerumors of secret combinations, and dark plots, and
threatened violence against the Emperor, excited alarm
and apprehension in every mind. A tribunal of inquiry
was established, and during its investigations, all public
festivities and entertainments were suspended. The suspected conspiracy was proved to exist, and so extensive were its ramifications, that there were few great
families in the metropolis, who in a greater or less degree, were not implicated, and deeply interested in the
results of the examinations going on in the court of
inquiry. Suspense and anxiety pervaded every bosom,
and a dark cloud lowered over the public mind, as well
as the social circle.
The whole progress of this judicial inquiry was
most honorable to the Russian government, but peculiarly so to the character of the young Emperor, who,
by his disposition to pardon and his moderation in
punishing offenders, proved that it was the public weal
and not personal revenge that actuated him in this
prosecution of the conspirators. The mercy he displayed so far transcended the expectations, or even
hopes of the public, that hostile sentiments were
changed into personal affection and confidence. But
though many were pardoned-many were punished
with death and exile-conspiracies were baffled —insurrections suppressed-justice was tempered with mercy.
The storm that had threatened the public tranquillity
was happily dissipated, and the sunshine of confidence
and cheerfulness was restored.
The coronation, which had been long delayed, now
took place. It was celebrated at Moscow, with all the
pomp that the splendid ritual of the Greek church
could bestow on this grand and solemn ceremony. To
this religious spectacle, was added the brilliant and
unparalleled magnificence of the assembled representatives of all the crowned heads of Europe, united to an
unprecedented display of national rank, wealth and
beauty. Princes, nobles, and citizens, hastened from
all parts of the empire to pay their homage to their
new sovereign.
But into what insignificance does this pomp and
splendor dwindle, before the spectacle of moral grandeur that was exhibited on this great occasion! Unrequired, unlooked for, Constantine entered this august
assembly. Who could behold, without the thrill of high
emotion, this young prince, in the prime of life, brave,
intrepid and enterprising-the legitimate heir of empire-the favorite of the people, thus coming forward,
in the midst of all that was most alluring to ambition
and most dazzling to vanity-the homage paid to power-the splendor encircling royalty-to place on the
head of his brother the imperial crown, which, by the
riglht of birth, should have glittered on his own brow,
and hear him at the same time pronounce the oath of
allegiance to the younger born, whom he had exalted to
be his sovereign?
The annals of history, while they record thousands
of instances in which individuals have waded through
the blood of slaughtered parents, brothers, friends, aye,
of desolated nations, to grasp a crown, contains not
another such example of
"A THRONE REJECTED."
JOHIN RANDOLPH AND MISS EDGEWORTH.
Mr. Randolphl's admiration of Miss E. was almnost
unbounded. Several of his letters that have been published, manifest it: but none of them so strikingly as a
passage of his powerful though eccentric speech in the
U. S. Senate, February, 1828; aoanienally on retrenchment and reform —really, de omnibus rebus, et quiibusdam aliis, but especially intended to put down the
administration of Mr. Adams, and to raise General
Jackson to the Presidency. Speakingof Irish Squireenas
and.gents-he says-" For a description of these varieties of the plagues of Ireland, see Miss Edgeworthdelightftil, ingenious, charming, sensible, wilty, ihimitable,
though not tunimitated JMiss Edgeworth."