philosophic investigations "with a candor and real love of improvement
which give the best omens of a still higher success." Fortune, indeed,
has cast them also into a cavern, and they are groping around darkly.
But this prisoner, too, is a giant, and he will, at length, burst forth
as a giant into the light of day.

(Notes, pp. 310-314.)




CHAPTER III

THE DAWN OF HASKALAH

1794-1840


A glimmer of light pierced the Russian sky at the accession of Catherine
II (1762-1796). This "Semiramis of the North," the admirer of Buffon,
Montesquieu, Diderot, and, more especially, Voltaire, whose motto, _N'en
croyez rien_, she adopted, endeavored, and for a while not without
success, to introduce into her own country the spirit of tolerance which
pervaded France. Her ukases were intended for all alike, "without
distinction of religion and nationality." Her regard for her Jewish
citizens she showed by allowing them to settle in the interior,
establish printing-presses (January 27, 1783), and become civil and
Government officers (April 2, 1785). In the edict promulgated by
Governor-General Chernyshev it is stated that "religious liberty and
inviolability of property are hereby granted to all subjects of Russia