The Title of Tzar.--Marriage of Ivan IV.--Virtues of His Bride.--Depraved Character of the Young Emperor.--Terrible Conflagrations.--Insurrections.--The Rebuke.--Wonderful Change in the Character of Ivan IV.--Confessions of Sin and Measures of Reform.--Sylvestre and Alexis Adachef.--The Code of Laws.--Reforms in the Church.--Encouragement To Men of Science and Letters.--The Embassage of Schlit.--War With Kezan.--Disasters and Disgrace.--Immense Preparation For the Chastisement of the Horde.--The March.--Repulse of the Tauredians.--Siege of Kezan.--Incidents of the Siege. CHAPTER XIV. THE REIGN OF IVAN IV.--CONTINUED. From 1552 to 1557. Siege of Kezan.--Artifices of War.--The Explosion of Mines.--The Final Assault.--Complete Subjugation of Kezan.--Gratitude and Liberality of the Tzar.--Return To Moscow.--Joy of the inhabitants.--Birth of An Heir To the Crown.--Insurrection in Kezan.--The Insurrection Quelled.--Conquest of Astrachan.--The English Expedition in Search of a North-East Passage to India.--The Establishment at Archangel.--Commercial Relations Between France and Russia.--Russian Embassy to England.--Extension of Commerce. CHAPTER XV. THE ABDICATION OF IVAN IV. From 1557 to 1582. Terror of the Horde in Tauride.--War with Gustavus Vasa of Sweden.--Political Punctilios.--The Kingdom of Livonia Annexed to Sweden.--Death of Anastasia.--Conspiracy Against Ivan.--His Abdication.--His Resumption of the Crown.--Invasion of Russia by the Tartars and Turks.--Heroism of Zerebrinow.--Utter Discomfiture of the Tartars.--Relations Between Queen Elizabeth of England, and Russia.--Intrepid Embassage.--New War with Poland.--Disasters of Russia.--The Emperor Kills His Own Son.--Anguish of Ivan IV. CHAPTER XVI. THE STORMS OF HEREDITARY SUCCESSION. From 1582 to 1608. Anguish and Death of Ivan IV.--His Character.--Feodor and Dmitri.--Usurpation of Boris Gudenow.--The Polish Election.--Conquest of Siberia.--Assassination of Dmitri.--Death of Feodor.--Boris Crowned King.--Conspiracies.--Reappearance of Dmitri.--Boris Poisoned.--The Pretender Crowned.--Embarrassments of Dmitri.--A New Pretender.--Assassination of Dmitri.--Crowning of Zuski.--Indignation of Poland.--Historical Romance. CHAPTER XVII. A CHANGE OF DYNASTY. From 1608 to 1680. Conquests by Poland.--Sweden in Alliance with Russia.--Grandeur of Poland.--Ladislaus Elected King of Russia.--Commotions and insurrections.--Rejection of Ladislaus and Election of Michael Feodor Romanow.--Sorrow of His Mother.--Pacific Character of Romanow.--Choice of a Bride.--Eudochia Streschnew.--The Archbishop Feodor.--Death of Michael and Accession of Alexis.--Love in the Palace.--Successful intrigue.--Mobs in Moscow.--Change in the Character of the Tzar.--Turkish invasions.--Alliance Between Russia and Poland. CHAPTER XVIII. THE REGENCY OF SOPHIA. From 1680 to 1697.