Administration of Feodor.--Death of Feodor.--Incapacity of Ivan.--Succession of Peter.--Usurpation of Sophia.--Insurrection of the Strelitzes.--Massacre in Moscow.--Success of the Insurrection.--Ivan and Peter Declared Sovereigns under the Regency of Sophia.--General Discontent.--Conspiracy against Sophia.--Her Flight to the Convent.--The Conspiracy Quelled.--New Conspiracy.--Energy of Peter.--He Assumes the Crown.--Sophia Banished to a Convent.--Commencement of the Reign of Peter. CHAPTER XIX. PETER THE GREAT. From 1697 to 1702. Young Russians Sent to Foreign Countries.--The Tzar Decides Upon a Tour of Observation.--His Plan of Travel.--Anecdote.--Peter's Mode of Life in Holland.--Characteristic Anecdotes.--The Presentation of the Embassador.--The Tzar Visits England.--Life at Deptford.--Illustrious Foreigners Engaged in His Service.--Peter Visits Vienna.--The Game of Landlord.--Insurrection in Moscow.--Return of the Tzar, and Measures of Severity.--War with Sweden.--Disastrous Defeat of Narva.--Efforts to Secure the Shores of the Baltic.--Designs Upon the Black Sea. CHAPTER XX. CONQUESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF PETER THE GREAT. From 1702 TO 1718. Peter takes Lake Lagoda and the Neva.--Foundation of St. Petersburg.--Conquest of Livonia.--Marienburg Taken by Storm.--The Empress Catharine.--Extraordinary Efforts in Building St. Petersburg.--Threat of Charles XII.--Deposition of Augustus.--Enthronement of Stanislaus.--Battle of Pultowa.--Flight of Charles XII. to Turkey.--Increased Renown of Russia.--Disastrous Conflict with the Turks.--Marriage of Alexis.--His Character.--Death of his Wife.--The Empress Acknowledged.--Conquest of Finland.--Tour of the Tzar to Southern Europe. CHAPTER XXI. THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION OF ALEXIS, AND DEATH OF THE TZAR. From 1718 to 1725. The Tzar's Second Visit to Holland.--Reception in France.--Description of Catharine.--Domestic Grief.--Conduct of Alexis.--Letters from His Father.--Flight To Germany.--Thence to Naples.--Envoys Sent to Bring Him Back.--Alexis Excluded from the Succession.--His Trial for Treason.--Condemnation and Unexpected Death.--New Efforts of the Tzar for the Welfare of Russia.--Sickness of Peter.--His Death.--Succession of the Empress Catharine.--Epitaph to the Emperor. CHAPTER XXII. THE REIGN OF CATHARINE I., ANNE, THE INFANT IVAN AND ELIZABETH. From 1725 TO 1769. Energetic Reign of Catharine.--Her Sudden Death.--Brief Reign of Peter II.--Difficulties of Hereditary Succession.--A Republic Contemplated.--Anne, Daughter of Ivan.--The Infant Ivan Proclaimed King.--His Terrible Doom.--Elizabeth, Daughter of Peter the Great, Enthroned.--Character of Elizabeth.--Alliance with Maria Theresa.--Wars with Prussia.--Great Reverses of Frederic of Prussia.--Desperate Condition of Frederic.--Death of Elizabeth.--Succession of Peter III. CHAPTER XXIII. PETER III. AND HIS BRIDE. From 1728 TO 1762.