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 CHAPTER X

TURGENEV AND WESTERN INFLUENCES

N the previous chapters I have attempted to give the meaning of the political achievements of the Russian people, and to vindicate the prominent place which they may claim in the history of modern civilization. I have described the guiding principles which, amidst many errors and deflections, have directed Russian policy. I have also shown how the internal and external policy of the Government is rooted in the ideas and aspirations of the people, and how those ideas have been affected by the peculiar geographical and physiographical conditions of the Russian Empire. No survey of Russian history would, however, be complete which would fail to explain, however briefly, how those Russian ideals and inspirations have found adequate expression in the masterpieces of Russian literature.