Transcriber's Notes:

Punctuation has been standardized; spelling has been preserved as in the original publication except as follows:

Page 64
the vote was not unamimous was changed to
the vote was not unanimous

Page 145
is by far the most improtant crop was changed to
is by far the most important crop

Page 158
wrested the crown from Sviotopolk was changed to
wrested the crown from Sviatopolk

Page 161
In 1845 he was succeeded was changed to
In 1645 he was succeeded

Page 164
member of the Romanof family was changed to
member of the Romanoff family

Page 167
disintered his mother's last favorite, was changed to
disinterred his mother's last favorite,

Page 176
by which vesvels may go up was _changed to_
by which vessels may go up