in 1792 were at last to be realized.

While Europe was wrestling with Revolutionary France, the Muscovite grasp was to tighten on Poland.

It is not surprising that Alexander, on January 13th, commented on the "brilliance of the present situation," or that he decided to press onward.

He gave little heed to the Gallophil counsels of Romantzoff or the dolorous warnings of the German-hating Kutusoff; and, on January 18th, he empowered Stein provisionally to administer in his name the districts of Prussia (Proper) when occupied by Russian troops.
So irregular a proceeding could only be excused by dire necessity and by success.

It was more than excused; it was triumphantly justified.
Four days later Stein arrived at Koenigsberg, in company with the patriotic poet, Arndt.