The whole constitution of Livonia and Esthonia is thoroughly German. German customs are followed throughout, and all important offices are filled by Germans, only the minor branches of the administration — the police, the tax-collectors, &c. — are Russian. Still the Germans tremble at the increasing encroachments of the Russians. Russian colonies have formed themselves about Riga and the other cities, and loudly demand an equality of rights with the German citizens, and a seat in their assemblies. The Russian nobility of Moscow and St. Petersburg look with envy on the privileges of the German nobles, and the ministers think it hard that they should always be obh'ged to except from all general rules these privileged provinces. The Czar himself, indeed, still extends the gracious shield of his protection over his German subjects, but who can know whether his successors will continue to do so ?
The Duchy of Courland is in the same position as Livonia and Esthonia, although this province passed under Russian domination without a capitulation or treaty. When, in 1795, the Duke of Courland abdicated his crown, the nobility of the country, not merely in their own name, but in those of the citizens and peasants, sent a deputation to St. Petersbm-g, and offered the Empress Catherine the ducal crown of the province. "Under what conditions?" asked the Empress, turning contemptuously away. They replied, '' Under no conditions : we throw ourselves at your Majesty's feet !" These deputies are now regarded as traitors to the liberties of their country, and it is related as a just retribution upon them, that, though the Russian government loaded them all with titles, honours, and wealth, yet there was not one of them but died in comparative poverty.
The rights of the cities were still less attended to at the cession of Courland than those of the rest of the country. The citizens afterwards sought to gain what they could by deputations to St. Petersburg, and, though much of their former freedom of trade has been taken from them, yet their constitution is still tolerably German. Although the Baltic provinces are discontented with the encroachments of the Russians, yet it nmst not be imagined that this arises from any thing but provincial anxiety for the retention of provincial privileges. It must not be imagined that there exists any disloyal feeling towards the Russian government, any revolutionary tendency, or any political or patriotic sympathy with Germany. The Germans are the most loyal people in the world. They
396 LUTHERANISM AND THE RUSSIAN-GREEK CHURCH.
cling to the present, and whatever may be the nature or origin of the? governing authority for the time being, they always show themselves faithful to it. The inhabitants of the Baltic provinces are, accordingly, the most loyal subjects of the Russian Czar, and although they complain of the system of his government, and the peculiarities of his nation, yet they honour and love their ruler himself, as their beneficent and powerful protector. They have no love or sympathy for any German state, and a German patriot, who, after hearing the complaints of his countryman in the Baltic provinces against Russia, should exclaim " Brothers, cast off the Russian yoke ; throw yourselves into the arms of your great mothercountry !" would receive a cold or indignant reply.