{"id":860,"date":"2018-10-30T14:03:36","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T18:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/?p=860"},"modified":"2018-10-30T14:03:36","modified_gmt":"2018-10-30T18:03:36","slug":"paul-i-through-french-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/2018\/10\/30\/paul-i-through-french-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul I through French Eyes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By Zinaida Osipova<\/p>\n

Hardly one of the greatest but certainly one of the most peculiar Russian rulers was the son of Catherine the Great, Paul I (1796\u20131801). I have always been fascinated by his personality: being in the shade of his mother most of his life, Paul spent his short reign abolishing her decrees and alienating nobles, who eventually assassinated him in his newly-built Saint Michael\u2019s Castle in 1801. Could there be anything on Paul here, at Miami University? As it turns out, the Havighurst Special Collections has three volumes of the 1800\u20131802 Secret Memoires on Russia: and Particularly on the End of the Rule of Catherine II and the Beginning of That of Paul I (M\u00e9moires secrets sur la Russie : et particuli\u00e8rement sur la fin du r\u00e8gne de Catherine II et le commencement de celui de Paul I<\/em>) <\/em>by Charles Fran\u00e7ois Philibert Masson. The texts cover a wide range of topics, from Catherine\u2019s favorites and Paul\u2019s character to Russia\u2019s financial and educational systems and its involvement in wars. In his account of Paul\u2019s reign, Masson presents his analysis of figures of the court; however, while he tries to be fair in his memoir, his contempt for many of whom he speaks is clear. Nonetheless, Secret Memoirs<\/em> offers some valuable insights from an insider to late eighteenth-century Russia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Charles Masson (1762\u20131807) was a tutor of the children of Nikolay Saltykov, who, in turn, was a tutor of the grand dukes Konstantin and Alexander, the children of Paul. Eventually, Masson became a mathematics teacher to the Romanov children as well. As a liberal and a supporter of the French Revolution, he had to hide his views from the royal court and keep his educational program in check. Additionally, Paul, who had no control over his sons\u2019 education, detested Masson, and as soon as Catherine died, he expelled the teacher from Russia.[1]<\/a> His Secret Memoires <\/em>were written shortly after he lost his position, which undoubtedly affected the undertone of his work. Although Masson\u2019s Secret Memoires<\/em> cover a diverse range of subjects, driven by my interest in Paul\u2019s life, I focused on his account of the tsar\u2019s character and reign.<\/p>\n

An educator, Masson sees Paul\u2019s character flaws as products of Catherine\u2019s mistreatment, for she \u201cmorally killed her son\u201d by repressing his good traits, making it to his list of her worst crimes along with the murder of her husband, Ivan VI, and usurpation of the throne. Masson compares Catherine\u2019s conduct toward Paul with that of Elizabeth toward Peter III, Paul\u2019s father: \u201cThey only sought to prolong their childhood, to perpetuate their nullity, and even to make them hate and despise people.\u201d[2]<\/a> From this brief pedagogical analysis we learn that the two Russian empresses sought to keep power by rendering their heirs unworthy of the throne and that Masson had disdain for their conducts.<\/p>\n

Masson claims to be fair in his representation by including an account of the \u201cglimpses of reason, justice, and sense\u201d (such as Paul entrusting his sons with a regiment of guards, confirming the ministers in their positions and reburying previously dishonored Peter III) lest they become lost in \u201cthe heap of violence, eccentricity, and pettiness\u201d (such as arrests for wearing round hats, changes to the military uniform and requirement of elaborate etiquette rules). \u201cHe wanted not to improve but to change\u201d is his take on Paul\u2019s first days of his reign.[3]<\/a> The author\u2019s focus on Paul\u2019s edicts regarding trivial matters shows both the tsar\u2019s fastidiousness and Masson\u2019s desire to expose this trait of his ex-master specifically. Since Masson was expelled quickly after Paul\u2019s ascension to power in 1796, but published his memoir in 1800, his references to the many absurdities and violence must not have been based on first-hand knowledge.<\/p>\n

Masson gives credit to the tsar\u2019s initial desire to answer his subjects\u2019 letters and fix the country\u2019s economic situation, which Paul deemed to be the government rogues\u2019 fault. This is where the author comments that \u201ctheft is an inherent vice of the Russian government, which stems from the national character, which lacks morals, probity and public spirit.\u201d Discussing the tsar\u2019s punishment of court members, Masson notes that \u201cPaul could not but hit the guilty ones as those who were about the throne were corrupt.\u201d[4]<\/a> These are unflattering comments about those around whom Masson spent many years of his life, which, unsubstantiated, imply more bitterness than justice on the author\u2019s part.<\/p>\n

Since Secret Memoirs <\/em>was published in 1800, the author could not have been aware of the plots that would soon lead to Paul\u2019s assassination.\u00a0 The timing of publication makes Masson\u2019s conclusions, in a chapter titled \u201cShould Paul Fear the Fate of Peter III?,\u201d all the more intriguing. \u00a0Masson argues that because Paul received a better education, has a more able entourage, and possesses better knowledge of the national character (still referring, one assumes, to the character that lacks morals), the catastrophe \u201cis not probable: or at least it is distant.\u201d Ironically, he also discards the possibility of the threat coming from Platon Zubov, the last favorite of Catherine; as we know, Zubov was one of the conspirators of Paul\u2019s assassination.[5]<\/a> Masson\u2019s question and his analysis served as his claim to importance, but they also tell us that when Masson was still in Russia in 1796, there were no signs of incipient conspiracy.<\/p>\n

Rather unexpectedly, Masson concludes his chapter with a brief paragraph giving credit to some of Paul\u2019s good deeds, stating that \u201cseveral beneficent and just traits testify that he is more of a capricious than a bad man.\u201d Additionally, in his memoir, Masson acknowledges Paul\u2019s superior conduct toward the clergy, mentions some of Catherine\u2019s and Maria Feodorovna\u2019s positive traits, and showers his student, Alexander [the eventual Tsar Alexander I], in compliments. However, in talking about Maria Feodorovna\u2019s progeny, he does not fail to contrast the \u201cbeautiful blood\u201d of Holsteins with the \u201cbarbarity\u201d of that of the Romanovs\u2019.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

Even though Masson must have seen much of what was happening in the court, he offers many other anecdotes that came after he left it. Hence, while his psychological analyses of those whom he knew and his account of Russia contribute to our knowledge of the period, albeit one through a former insider who had lost that status, it is imperative to take his memoir with a grain of salt, especially considering the circumstances of his being expelled from the country.<\/p>\n

Bibliography:<\/p>\n

Masson, Charles Fran\u00e7ois Philibert. M\u00e9moires Secrets Sur La Russie : Et Particuli\u00e8rement Sur La Fin Du R\u00e8gne De Catherine Ii Et Le Commencement De Celui De Paul I.<\/em> [Secret Memoires on Russia: and particularly on the end of the rule of Catherine II and the beginning of that of Paul I]. 3 vols. Paris: Charles Pougens, 1800, Amsterdam: Bertrandet, 1802.<\/p>\n

Skorobogaotv A.V., Kuanchaleeva L.Sh.. “\u0414\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0446\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0442 11 \u041c\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0430 1801 \u0413\u043e\u0434\u0430 (\u0418\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u043a\u043e-\u041f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0435 \u0418\u0441\u0441\u043b\u0435\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435) [Palace Coup of 11 March 1801 (Historical and Legal Research)].” \u0410\u043a\u0442\u0443\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/em> \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0431\u043b\u0435\u043c\u044b<\/em> \u044d\u043a\u043e\u043d\u043e\u043c\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/em> \u0438<\/em> \u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0430<\/em> [Current Issues of Economics and Law] <\/em>2, no. 10 (2009).<\/p>\n

Voshchinskaya, Natalya. “\u0412\u043e\u0441\u043f\u0438\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u041b\u044c\u0432\u043e\u0432: \u0428\u0430\u0440\u043b\u044c \u041c\u0430\u0441\u0441\u043e\u043d \u2013 \u0413\u0443\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043d\u0451\u0440 [Lions\u2019 Upbringing: Charles Masson \u2013 Tutor].” \u0424\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0446\u0443\u0437\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/em>\u0435\u0436\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0434\u043d\u0438\u043a [French Annual] <\/em>43 (2011): 294-314.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Natalya Voshchinskaya, “\u0412\u043e\u0441\u043f\u0438\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u041b\u044c\u0432\u043e\u0432: \u0428\u0430\u0440\u043b\u044c \u041c\u0430\u0441\u0441\u043e\u043d \u2013 \u0413\u0443\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043d\u0451\u0440 [Lions\u2019 Upbringing: Charles Masson \u2013 Tutor],” \u0424\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0446\u0443\u0437\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/em>\u0435\u0436\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0434\u043d\u0438\u043a [French Annual] <\/em>43 (2011): 294, 296-297, 301, 303.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Charles Fran\u00e7ois Philibert Masson, M\u00e9moires Secrets Sur La Russie : Et Particuli\u00e8rement Sur La Fin Du R\u00e8gne De Catherine Ii Et Le Commencement De Celui De Paul I<\/em> [Secret Memoires on Russia: and particularly on the end of the rule of Catherine II and the beginning of that of Paul I], 3 vols, Vol. 1 (Paris: Charles Pougens), 179-180, 253-254.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ibid., 190-207.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ibid., 216-217, 250.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Ibid., 253-290. A.V. Skorobogaotv, L.Sh. Kuanchaleeva, “\u0414\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0446\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0442 11 \u041c\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0430 1801 \u0413\u043e\u0434\u0430 (\u0418\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u043a\u043e-\u041f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0435 \u0418\u0441\u0441\u043b\u0435\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435),” \u0410\u043a\u0442\u0443\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/em> \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0431\u043b\u0435\u043c\u044b<\/em> \u044d\u043a\u043e\u043d\u043e\u043c\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/em> \u0438<\/em> \u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0430<\/em> [Current Issues of Economics and Law] <\/em>2, no. 10 (2009): 117.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Masson, 253-290, 345.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Zinaida Osipova Hardly one of the greatest but certainly one of the most peculiar Russian rulers was the son of Catherine the Great, Paul I (1796\u20131801). I have always been fascinated by his personality: being in the shade of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":781,"featured_media":863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-essays","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/781"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/havighurst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}