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Story of Peter the Great
ETER I, called the the Black Sea, and he resolved to create a "Great," began his fleet which should enable him to hold his reign with the firm conquest and make him the superior of resolve to make Turkey.
Russia one of the In order to do this, and to learn the arts leading States of of civilization, which he meant to intro- Europe. It was al- duce among his people, Peter placed the ready a powerful government in the hands of an old noble, country, but was and travelled into foreign countries to cut off from all relations study their institutions and learn the inwith European States. He dustrial arts by which they had gained believed that to give his their prosperity. He visited Sweden and country the importance she Brandenburg, and fixed his residence at was entitled to in the Euro- Saardam, in Holland, where he worked as pean system she must have a a common ship carpenter, receiving his more extended sea coast. In wages every Saturday night, and living in 1696 he conquered and an. all respects like the other workmen. nexed to his dominions the Thus he learned by actual experience territory of Azov, which had been held by the art of ship-building, and observed with the Turks. This gave him a footing on vigilant eyes the other sources of the prospougo PETER THE GREAT WORKING AS A SIIIP CARPENTER IN HOLLAND. (227) perity of Holland. During this time he Peter now built canals and factories, kept a close watch over the affairs of Rus- and paved the streets of Moscow and St. sia, and directed the government of that Petersburg, adding ornaments to these country from his laborer's hut in Holland. streets which have not disappeared In 1698 he visited England at the request entirely up to the present time. To of William III, by whom he was cordially polish the manners of his court, he received; but instead of giving himself ordered the young nobles to visit Westup to court festivities, he passed his time ern Europe in company with their wives. in visiting the dock-yards and perfecting He also founded at St. Petersburg the his knowledge of ship-building. He thus Academy of Sciences, a famous instituprepared himself to be the civilizer of his own country-a noble ambition which goes far to redeem his faults. tion of learning.
At last, afflicted with a dangerous disease, he appointed the Empress Catharine Peter In company with the Empress Catharine his successor, and caused her to be pubhe made a tour of Europe in 1716, and licly crowned a few days before his death. was received at Paris with great splendor. His bi-centennial anniversary was cele- He carried back a large quantity of brated with great pomp in Moscow and works of art to adorn the new city of St. St. Petersburg, June 10, 1872. Petersburg. His son, Alexis, the child of the Great was a man of conspicuous his first marriage, and heir to his throne, faults and failings, but he did so much to was a headstrong youth, and showed a strengthen the Russian Empire, develop treasonable spirit, as Absalom did in the its resources, give it power and prestige story of David. Promptly Alexis was among the nations, that his name is held tried and condemned to death; a few in honor, and Russian bards still chant days afterward he died in prison under his glory, and tell the achievements which highly suspicious circumstances. have made him famous.
