II
everything which concerns Russia; but among the majority of intelligent people in Europe and America this information has not yet taken any definite shape, owing to the want of a book in foreign languages, which would give a general and more or less popular picture of our organization as a State.
The present work is intended, to a certain extent, to supply that general picture. Here the reader will find an exposition of the principles underlying the organization of the State, and the rules which regulate the separate departments of government. This book, however, does not profess to give all the details of government business, nor the fullest statistical data on every question: the facts, historical details and figures which it affords are simply by way of supporting and illustrating the narrative.
The first volume contains an account of the principles of Russian State organization; a description of the higher institutions of State and those attached to the person of the Emperor, and likewise the branches of administration: international relations, State Defence, Finances and Agriculture.
The second volume contains a sketch of industry and trade; ways of communication; church administration and popular education; different branches of the police of security (public charity, national food supples, preservation of public health, etc.); justice, and finally, the organization of local administration and local self-government.
