"The government of Russia, under the Emperor, is in the hands of four great councils, the principal of which is the council of the empire, consisting of the Ministers, the Grand Dukes, and such other members as the sovereign may appoint. Though this board has a president, the emperor often presides at its sessions. Its general duties are to propose new laws, or alterations in old ones, and to attend to the execution of the laws. The second council is called the Directing Senate, and it is also the high court of justice, controlling all the inferior tribunals. It is resolved into eight committees, five of which sit at St. Petersburg, and three at Moscow, each of which has its peculiar function. Appeals from the lower courts go to this council, either in committee or as a whole, though the former may decide certain cases. This body examines into and reports upon the revenues and expenditures of the empire, appoints many public officers, and advises the sovereign in matters within its jurisdiction. The third council is the Holy Synod, having charge of all matters pertaining to religion. It is composed of the chief dignitaries of the church, of which the emperor is the head, and its decisions have no force without his approval. The fourth board is the Council of Ministers, consisting of eleven members, whose functions are substantially the same as in other countries. Of course the emperor has absolute control over these councils, to the extent he pleases to exercise it. "You have already noticed that this map is cut up into small divisions. These are governments, corresponding to departments in France, and counties in America. Besides these, the country is divided into vice-royalties, or general governments, at the head of each of which is a viceroy, or general governor, who represents the emperor, commands the troops, and has the supreme control of all affairs, civil and military. In each government, or province, a civil governor is appointed to represent the general governor, who is advised by a council. Governments are divided into districts, which are again subdivided into smaller ones. The officers of these smaller districts are elected by the people. Every five houses in a place may choose one delegate to the assembly of the commune, who elect delegates to the district assembly, one for every ten houses. There are certain village courts, presided over by two members elected by the commune, called 'conscience men,' who try cases relating to property in which no more than five rubles is involved. You see that the Russians vote under their absolute monarchy.