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COXE’s TRAVELS IN RUSSIA, 821
from the moment of his enrolment. In all thefe cafes the Emprefs has facilitated the
means of obtaining freedom, by waving feveral rights of the crown, which, in fome
meafure, obftructed this emancipation. Although the fovereign cannot alter the funda-
mental {tate of property, by conferring on the peafants, as individuals, privileges which
might infringe thofe of the nobles; yet fhe has alleviated their condition by ifluing fe-
veral laws in their favour. By allowing free peafants to fettle in any part of her do-
minions, and enrol themfelves among the burghers or merchants, according to their
refpective capital. She has given a ftability to their freedom, and afforded the flrongeft
incitements for the exertions of induftry. She has repealed thofe oppreflive laws,
which forbad, in certain dittricts, all peafants to marry without the confent of the go-
vernor of the province, or the vayvode of the town, who ufually exacted a prefent
from the parties *.
- From this general review of the various inhabitants in Ruffia, it may be perceived,
that, though proceeding towards civilization, they are ftill far removed from that ftate ;
that a general improvement cannot take place while the greater part continue in abfo-
lute vaflalage; nor can any effeCtual change be introduced in the national manners, un-
til the people enjoy full fecurity in their perfons and property.
Cuap. XVII.— Academy of Sciences.—Origin and inftitution.—Tran/actions.— Members.
—Library.—Mufeum.—Foffil bones of elephants and other animals found in Siberia —
Native copper and iron.—-Golden ornaments from feveral ancient fepulchres.— Ruffian
coins. —Waxen figure of Peter the Great.— Celeftial Globe of Gottorp.— Academy of Arts.—
Society for the promotion of Agriculture.—Corps decadets.—Convent des demoifelles nobles.
THE Imperial Academy of Sciences owes its inftitution to Peter the Great, who,
during his travels, obferved the advantage of public focieties for the promotion of lite-
rature. By the advice of Wolf and Leibnitz, the fociety was regulated, and feveral
learned foreigners were invited to become,members. Peter himfelf drew the plan, and
figned it on the roth of February 1724; but was prevented by his fudden death, from
carrying it into execution. His deceafe, however, did not prevent its completion; for,
on the 21ft of December 1725, it was eftablifhed by Catherine I. and on the 27th the
firft aflembly took place. On the firft of Auguft 1726, Catherine honoured the meet-
ing with her prefence, when profeflor Bulfinger, an eminent German naturalift, pro-
nounced an oration upon the advances made by means of the loadftone- and needle for
the difcovery of the longitude t.
The Emprefs fettled an annual fund of 5,000l. f for the fupport of the academy ; and
fifteen members eminent for learning and talents, were admitted and penfioned, under
the title of profeffors in the various branches of literature and fcience. ‘The moft dif-
tinguifhed were Nicholas and Daniel Bernouilli, the two de Lifles, Bulfinger and Wolf.
* See 17th article of the Manifefto, at the conclufion of the peace with the Grand Signor: “ In cer-
tain diftri€ts of our empire it has been hitherto neceffary to obtain a permiffion to marry from the governors
of provinces, or the vayvodes of towns, and this permiffion was ufually purchafed by money or cattle.
We abolifh this cuftom ; and from this time every perfon fhall be free to marry without obtaining fimilar
permiffions. : ’
+ See Nachricht von der Kays: Acad. &c. in Schmidt Beytraeye, p. 35; alfo Jour. Pet. for June
1779) P- 383. oe Ai F
$ « Summam a Petro Magno conftitutam viginti-quatuor millium nongentorum et duodecim rubellonum.”
Nov. Com, I. p. 5. it
uring
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