ABOUT the year 1841, a young Russian aristocrat arrived at Berlin. Educated at the school for cadets in St. Petersburg, he had been for a brief period an officer in the army; but in 1835 he had thrown up his commission. He was then twenty-one an age when most soldiers are dreaming only of war and military honors. He, on the contrary, was pondering over the writings of Hegel and Schopenhauer. This eccentric stripling was none other than Prince Michael Bakounine, the future founder of the Anarchist party.
On quitting the army, he established himself at Moscow, where he frequented the society of a group of young men, who were endeavoring to penetrate the nebulous and gloomy doctrines of the two German philosophers, studying them passionately, while they watched with attention the intellectual movement of Western Europe. Several members of this circle were destined later on to become known to fame in various ways.
On quitting the army, he established himself at Moscow, where he frequented the society of a group of young men, who were endeavoring to penetrate the nebulous and gloomy doctrines of the two German philosophers, studying them passionately, while they watched with attention the intellectual movement of Western Europe. Several members of this circle were destined later on to become known to fame in various ways.
