KARAMSIN, NIKOLAI MIKHAELOVITCH, one of the most eminent writers that Russia has yet produced, and the one to whom its literature is mainly indebted for the popularity it has acquired, and the rapid progress it has made since the commencement of the present century, was born in the government of Simbirsk, Decem ber let, 1765. Having completed his education at Moscow, he served with a commission in the Guards, and in 1789-91 visited Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and England, which tour he has described in his 'Letters of a Travelling Russian,' of which there exists an English translation, or rather a copy of the German one. On his return to Moscow he devoted himself entirely to literature, one of his first under takings being the 'Moscow Journal,' which was succeeded by ' Aglaia,' the Pantheon,' and the Vmstnik Europre,' or European Intelligenccr (1802). Besides various narratives and other papers, both original and translated, the publications contained many articles of criticism by him, and were well calculated to promote a love of reading among all classes of his countrymen. These however were comparatively insigni ficant productions, chiefly remarkable for careful polish and correctness of style. The great work to which he entirely devoted himself from 1803 to his death, is his History of the Russian Empire,' which however he did not live to complete beyond the eleventh volume. This laborious task, which may in more senses than one be said to be the very first historical work in Russian literature, is a monument both of diligence and genius. The labour of collecting and arranging
the vast mass of materials requisite for it must have been immense, yet never was historian more liberally repaid by tho enthusiasm with which his work was instantly received. Its sale and popularity were unprecedented; it was to be seen everywhere, in the hut of the peasant and tho palace of the noble ; and in spite of all the imperfections that the utmost rigour of criticism has been able to allege against it, it is captivating and interesting to all who are capable of perusing it in the original, whether foreigners or natives. It has been translated both into German and French. The first edition, comprising the first eight volumes (1816), produced him the sum of 100,000 rubles, also tho title of counsellor of state, and the order of St. Anne, which were bestowed on him by the emperor Alexander. Karamsin died in the Tauridan palace, where apartments had been assigned him, June 3rd, 1826. The emperor munificently bestowed on his widow and family a yearly pension of 50,000 rubles.
Ilia merits and celebrity as an historian and a prose writer have so completely eclipsed his reputation as a poet, that he is scarcely ever considered in that character, notwithstanding that his poetical pieces are not without their value.