ism the established religion of his country: it had

been introduced in 1526.

1559. Frederic II., his son: he imitated his father's conduct : he abolished popery in most of the provinces of Denmark.

1588. Christian IV.-He held the crown sixty years: a prince of eminent talents: Denmark flourished, so as to excite the envy of neighbouring states.

1648. Frederic III., his son, succeeded him.-Though his attempts against Sweden were unfortunate, he displayed ability in war and in civil administration.

1660. The states of the kingdom conferred upon him the absolute authority of the kingdom, and he made it hereditary. The commons oppressed by the nobles, surrendered their liberties to the king; he was thus made absolute; and he issued a code, the "Royal Law," which has since been considered as the national code.

1670. Christian V.: prudent, brave: a peaceable reign. 1699. Frederic IV.: he was conquered in a war with Charles XII.; but during Charles' captivity in Turkey, he drove the Swedes from his dominions.

1720. After the peace of Fredericsburg, the state enjoyed a long repose; but the wounds inflicted by its ill success, and its defective form of government, could not be healed by the peaceful system now adopted.

1730. Christian VI.: peaceful; attentive to trade; solicitous for the welfare of his subjects.

1746. Frederic V. He formed the resolution of discharging all the debts of the crown.

1766. Christian VII. A weak man, and governed by his ministers. He married Caroline Matilda, sister to George III., of England.

1772. Count Struensee was conducted to the scaffold.

1784. Frederic VI., appointed regent.

1801. Battle of Copenhagen. Nelson takes the Danish fleet. 1807. Copenhagen capitulates to Lord Cathcart; the fleet was delivered up to the British.

1808. Frederic VI. A prince of considerable abilities and

virtue.

1814. Denmark concluded peace with England, and entered into an alliance against France.—It ceded Norway to Sweden, and received for it, Swedish Pomerania. 1815. It ceded Pomerania and Rugen to Prussia, and received for them Lauenburg and a pecuniary compensation.

1840. Christian VIII.

11. Russia.

Russia is the ancient Sarmatia and Scythia. The early inhabitants were Nomadic tribes, Sarmatians and Scythians.— People of Slavonian stock covered the face of the country before the ninth century; but it is not known when the Slavi first settled in Europe.-The Finns, Tartars, Moguls, and Slavi, are the primitive national roots of the Russians: but we chiefly regard two---the Slavi and the Varangians.

Middle Ages.

In the fifth and sixth centuries the Slavonians had two capitals, Kief and Novogorod, (new town.)

It is about the middle of the ninth century that the history of Russia begins.

862. Rurik, one of the Varangians, (Scandinavian pirates,) seizes on Novogorod.

The Slavi of Novogorod submit.-The country takes the name of Russia.-He ruled seventeen years, in ease

and safety. He gave laws to the people; and divided the empire into principalities.

879. Igor, his son: Oleg, his guardian, rules.-He takes Smolensk: 883. Kief, tolerates Christianity.-904. Invades Constantinople.

913-945. Igor I. Domestic contests.-941. War against the Greeks: Constantinople: Grecian fire: Igor defeated,

&c. assassinated, 945.

945-955. Olga, widow of Igor.-The first Russian monarch who embraced Christianity.—Her character was a

compound of extremes.—955. She abdicated the throne: died 969.

955-972. Sviatozlaf I. He treated improvements with contempt: war and conquest were his ambition.— Defeated by the Greeks, (John Zimisces); slain by the Petchingans, who lived near the Dnieper.-He left three sons: we pass over their bloody strife. 980-1015. Vladimir I. One of the greatest men of his age: cruelty, licentiousness, heroism.

He was baptized at Cherson.—988. Destroys idols.-—His character underwent a change.-His life (a singular chapter in history) presents a series of victories, acquisitions, and advances to civilization.—He set an example of practical Christianity; erected palaces, churches, and public institutions; established seminaries for education, &c.

1015-1019. Sviatopolk.

assassinated.

He causes his three brothers to be

1019-1054. Yaroslaf.-Various wars: he gave Russia a code of laws; which divided the people into nobles, freemen, and slaves: he was an able theologian: His wisdom, &c. died with him. His reign was followed by anarchy, &c.

1054. Isiaslaf I. Civil wars broke out over the whole empire. 1084. Vsevolod's accession to the throne. -Increasing revolution and confusion.

1093. Sviatopolk, king. Foolish contests; imprudent quarrels. 1114-1125. Vladimir Monomachus, king.—He reigned with honour; ameliorated the laws; united the lords against external enemies; &c.

1125. Renewed outrages followed the death of Vladimir. Eleven princes filled the throne of Kief in the course of thirty-two years.

1154-1157. Igor, prince of Souzdal, filled the throne.—The comprehensive scheme of his son Andrew for uniting and consolidating the empire: decline of Kief: prosperity of Novogorod: 1170, Andrew, grand Prince: 1174, He is assassinated.-Russia was soon broken up into various parts; enfeebled; an easy prey to any foreign enemy.

1223. Ghengis Khan reaches Russia.-1137. Batu (grandson of Ghengis) penetrates into Russia.-1243. The Kipzak (one of the five parts of the Mogul empire) was erected into a separate government; and maintained a despotic authority over the Russians. 1252-1264. Alexander, grand Prince.-1256. A successful expedition against Sweden.-A wise statesman, and

-we

a brave soldier: repaired and built cities, &c.-v pass over a period of contention to 1327-1341. Ivan I. (prince of Moscow) grand Prince:

covetous, ambitious, intriguing: he was called Kalita,

or the Purse, on account of his wealth: but commerce flourished.

1341. Simeon, grand Prince; Ivan, his brother, prince of Moscow. A pleasing example of fraternal union

and concord: growing prosperity in the country. Simeon reigned thirteen years: his brother

1353. Ivan II. succeeded as sole sovereign.-1350. Dmitry, grand Prince. Then Dmitry Donskoi, son of Ivan II. The Tartars grew indolent: the spirit of the

Russians revived: the former were more divided, the latter more united, among themselves.-1380. The Tartars were defeated in the battle of the Don. 1382. The hordes of the Don and Volga burn Moscow. 1389-1425. Vassily (his son) grand Prince: an able ruler, suited to the times.

1398. Tamerlane having subdued the Kipzak, invaded Russia, and approached to the gates of Moscow.--He suddenly directed his course to India.

1425-1462. Vassily the Blind, grand Prince. Usurpation of Yury; with various commotions and changes. 1462-1505. Ivan III., or the Great, ascended the throne.

His object was to make Russia independent.-1465. He evades the tribute to the Khan:-1470, conquers Kasan: 1478, subdues Novogorod:-extinction of the Tartars. He introduced fire-arms into Russia: assumed the title of Czar: and made the indivisibility of the empire a fundamental law. He laid the foundation of the present empire by subduing petty princes, and uniting their dominions to his

own.

Modern History.

1505-1533. Vasili Ivanovitch.-He subdued the rebellious Tartars; also the city of Pskof;-also the principality Severia. He left Russia enlarged, improved, and perfectly consolidated. (Vitch, vitsch, or witz, means son of.")

66

1533-1580. Ivan IV: a minor: 66 a minority of blood," suc

ceeded by a sanguinary reign.-He who wishes to read a chapter of the terrible in history, may find it in the life of Ivan IV.: few probably would wish to read it a second time." He resembled an incarnate demon."