Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/16

xii without making a generous effort to shake off the yoke of her oppressors. Kosciuszko soon raised the banner of insurrection in 1794, and Niemcewicz hastened immediately from Italy to join him, and to be, during all this war, his inseparable companion, in the camp as well as on the battle-field. It was from his pen that most of the proclamations, orders of the day, and bulletins of that memorable epoch emanated. When, after six months of a contest, often glorious, but far too unequal, Kosciuszko, severely wounded, fell into the hands of the Russians, Niemcewicz, wounded also, and taken prisoner in the same action, shared his captivity at St. Petersburg, after which, being released with Kosciuszko, he offered to accompany him to America, whither they betook themselves through Sweden and England.

Literature consoled Niemcewicz in his second exile, as it had alleviated the severities of his captivity at St. Petersburg, during which, amongst other labours, he wrote his fine translation of the Athalie of Racine and that of Pope's beautiful little poem, the Rape.