ALEXANDER II., Emperor of Russia. was b. April 20, 1818. Ile was carefully educated by his father, Nicholas, who professed himself delighted with the manifesta tions of "true Russian spirit" in his son. At 16, he was declared of age, made com mandant of the lancers of the guard, hetman of the Cossacks, first aide-de-camp of the emperor, and subjected daily to a life of manoeuvring, reviewing, and military parade, which at last seriously injured his health. He then traveled through Germany to recruit his energies, and while there, concluded a marriage with the princess Maria, daughter of the grand duke of Darmstadt, in 1841. Be now vigorously applied himself to his duties as chancellor of the university of Finland. By his dexterous and subtle manners, he insinuated himself into the affections of the Finns, and weakened their love of inde pendence. IIe founded a chair of the Finnish language and literature, and defrayed the expenses of remote explorations undertaken by their saran, such as Cygnmus, Wallin, and Castren. In 1850, he visited southern Russia, Nicolaleff, Sebastopol, Tiflis, Erivan, etc. It is said that he witnessed with regret the attitude which his father assumed towards Europe, and that he altogether disapproved of the Crimean war. On his accession to the throne, Mar. 2, 1855, he found himself in a very critical position. He had two parties to conciliate at home—the old Muscovite party,.blindly zealous for
war, and the more peaceable and intelligent portion of the nation, who possessed, his personal sympathies. He pursued a course calculated to encourage both ; spoke of adhering to the policy of his "illustrious ancestors," and at the same time concluded peace. Since then he has shown a strong desire to purge the internal administration of its impurities; he has sharply rebuked the corruption of functionaries, and severely punished some, as a warning to the rest. An honorable recognition has been given to public instruction, which he has placed under his own superintendence. By a ukase of May 27, 1850, he granted to all Polish exiles, who were willing to express repentance for the past, permission to return home ; but though desirous of preserving the nationality of Poland, he will not have it separated from the "great Russian family." The -grand achievement of his reign, however, is the emancipation of the serfs-23,000,000 souls— by a ukase of Mar. 3, 1861. This marks an epoch in the national history. In 1865, A. established elective representative assemblies in the provinces. He carried on wars against Bokhara in 1866 ; Khiva, in 1873 ; and Khokan, in 1875-76. The czar took the field with the army during the momentous war between Russia and Turkey, in 1877-78.