After the Polish uprising was suppressed, that period quickly educated us. Nicholas's throne was secure, and tyranny was increasing, but these weren't the sole sources of our suffering. We began to see with anxiety that in Europe, especially in France, the place which ought to provide political signals and commands, things were amiss. The old world had been mocked by Voltaire and crushed by revolution, but the bourgeoisie had resurrected it, offering a transformed and idolized version for their own use. Hence, our old theories started to become doubtful in our hearts.
