He (Tsar Nicholas I) is a self-indulgent mediocrity, his vision never surpasses that of a regimental officer, he mistakenly takes cruelty as a sign of perseverance, and stubbornness as a sign of strength... The Tsarist Government has disgraced Russia in front of the whole world. At the same time, it has also disgraced itself in front of Russia, marking the beginning of an unprecedented awakening period.
— Friedrich Engels "On Russia's Social Issues"
Arthur, holding his chin with interest, inquired Pushkin about that 'China expert' translator in the Foreign Office: "Are you telling the truth? You must be deceiving me; even if a priest is negligent to his vocation, he wouldn't entirely neglect appearances, leading to his exile to a desolate place."
