At that time the two famous decrees were being prepared that so agitated society--abolishing court ranks and introducing examinations to qualify for the grades of Collegiate Assessor and State Councilor--and not merely these but a whole state constitution, intended to change the existing order of government in Russia: legal, administrative, and financial, from the Council of State down to the district tribunals.

Now those vague liberal dreams with which the Emperor Alexander had ascended the throne, and which he had tried to put into effect with the aid of his associates, Czartoryski, Novosiltsev, Kochubey, and Strogonov--whom he himself in jest had called his Comite de salut public--were taking shape and being realized.

Now all these men were replaced by Speranski on the civil side, and Arakcheev on the military.

Soon after his arrival Prince Andrew, as a gentleman of the chamber, presented himself at court and at a levee.

The Emperor, though he met him twice, did not favor him with a single word.