Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/14

x lower classes of the people, whom it was necessary to elevate, in order to strengthen the national forces. Courage equally great was requisite to oppose the intrigues and menaces of the factions in the Assembly, and energy and talent to electrify the public mind without. Niemcewicz was among the first that supported in this Diet measures for establishing a monarchical power,—hereditary and strong,—together with the emancipation of the peasants, and pleaded always with eloquence, the cause of a wise liberty. Having, with the aid of his colleagues, Castellan Thaddeus Mostowski, and Weissenhoff, the Nuncio of Livonia, established a political newspaper, the National and Foreign Gazette, he rendered by this organ of the opinion of his party, important services to the cause of the reforms which were at that time proposed. We see him now celebrating, in simple and touching verse, the exploits of the heroes of another age, in order to rekindle the patriotism of his contemporaries, then, by the amenity and refinement of his mind,