NOVGOROD, the capital of the above government, stands on the Volchov, where it issues from Lake Ilmen, 120 miles S.S.E. of St Petersburg. It is one of the most ancient towns in Russia, having been founded in the fifth century of the Christian era by the Slavonians, who had long previously invaded Europe, and followed a wandering mode of life. Their government was at first democratic, but dissensions having broken out and greatly weakened their power, Ruric was invited in the ninth century to assume the government, and he established at Novgorod the original foundation of the Russian monarchy, the seat of which was soon afterwards removed to Kiev. Novgorod afterwards acquired many privileges from the Russian archdukes; and in the twelfth century became an independent republic under a hereditary magistrate of limited power. In the thirteenth century a factory of the Hanseatic League was established here; and for a long time Novgorod was the most important commercial city in the north-east of Europe. Its fairs were resorted to by the Hanse merchants, and by people from all the neighbouring countries; and in the fifteenth century it is said, though not probably with truth, to have contained 400,000 inhabitants. Indeed, so great was its power and prosperity at this time as to give rise to the saying, "Quis contra Deum et magnam Novgorodiam?" But this did not last long; for in 1477 its independence was completely destroyed by Ivan Vassilievich I.; and in 1570 Ivan IV. took occasion, from a treasonable correspondence of some of the citizens with Poland, to massacre more than 25,000 of the inhabitants. The trade of the place was still considerable, until the foundation of St Petersburg, which monopolized the Baltic trade, and completely destroyed the importance of Novgorod. It now presents most unmistakable marks of fallen greatness in its ruinous buildings, dilapidated walls, and grass-grown streets. The Kremlin, or fortress, stands on the north side of the river, and is connected by a fine stone
Novgorod-Sieverk
I
Nowanuggur.
bridge with the commercial town and Sophiskaia on the other side. There are numerous churches, the principal of which is the cathedral in the Kremlin; three monasteries, a bazaar, a palace, a poor-house, and an orphan school. Sail-cloth, leather, soap, and candles are manufactured. Pop. 16,781.