Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/346

 308 Readings in European History 350. General Gordon's impressions of Peter the Great. The tsar, after hearing him very patiently, said, " Well, sir, your accusers have done you justice by allowing you to beat six men ; I will also do you justice." On saying this he withdrew, and in a few minutes returned with a major's commission, which he presented to Mr. Gordon with his own hand. This anecdote of our author's history he once told, and we believe never but once ; not out of vanity, for no man had a larger share of modesty, but in accidental conversation on the fierceness of the tsar's disposition, and how much his displeasure was dreaded by his greatest subjects. The impressions which Bishop Burnet records of Peter (see above, pp. 303 sq.) may be compared with those of General Gordon, who had different opportunities of observing the tsar. This great emperor came in a few years to know to a farthing the amount of all his revenues, as also how they were laid out. He was at little or no expense about his per- son, and by living rather like a private gentleman than a prince he saved wholly that great expense which other monarchs are at in supporting the grandeur of their courts. It was uneasy for him to appear in majesty, which he seldom or never did, but when absolutely necessary, on such occa- sions as giving audience to ambassadors or the like; so that he had all the pleasure of a great emperor and at the same time that of a private gentleman. He was a lover of company, and a man of much humor and pleasantry, exceedingly facetious and of vast natural parts. He had no letters ; he could only read and write, but had a great regard for learning and was at much pains to introduce it into the country. He rose early; the morn- ing he gave to business till ten or eleven o'clock at the farthest ; all the rest of the day, and a great part of the night, to diversion and pleasure. He took his bottle heartily, so must all the company; for when he was merry himself he loved to see everybody so ; though at the same time he