The good bishop could not understand that a mind which seemed to be chiefly occupied with questions about the best place for a capstan and the best way of rigging a jury mast might be capable, not merely of ruling an empire, but of creating a nation.

He complained that he had gone to see a great prince, and had found only an industrious shipwright.

Nor does Evelyn seem to have formed a much more favourable opinion of his august tenant.

It was, indeed, not in the character of tenant that the Czar was likely to gain the good word of civilised men.

With all the high qualities which were peculiar to himself, he had all the filthy habits which were then common among his countrymen.