2018 Issue №1

The article explores the life of the Königsberg preacher Ludwig Ernst Borowski (1740—1831). Special attention is paid to his biography and his pastoral activities. A detailed analysis of Borowski's patriotic sermons (1806—1816) is undertaken; the idiosyncrasies of his literary style are emphasized. The main themes and subjects of pastor Borowski's sermons are vcarefully examined. The author emphasizes the significance of Borowski's personality for the intellectual and political life of Königsberg and East Prussia at the beginning of the 19th century.

This article focuses on reviews published in the “Istoricheskij Vestnik” at the beginning of 20th century. The reviews of this journal performed some functions unusual for a journal — the didactic, educational etc. The study compared the critique in the “Istoricheskij Vestnik” with other scholarly historical journals.

The article analyzes the administrative control over the elections to the State Duma of the third convocation of the Russian Empire in the Northwestern provinces. The local and central administration employed a wide variety of methods. The electoral legislation was radically changed (the provision on elections to the State Duma of June 3, 1907); the government removed unreliable candidates, supported loyalists, instructed officials of all levels, and organized campaigns in the press. In the Northwestern provinces, the process of administrative control was the most visible. Along with dismissal of some candidates, there were difficulties during the issuing of voter certificates; voters were not informed of the election day, polling stations were located extremely inconveniently, and so on. On the other hand, the government supported loyal political forces, providing them with financial support and creating 'their own' party blocs. The Novgorod and Pskov deputies elected to the Third State Duma proved to be much more moderate than their predecessors were. The same situation occurred at the central level, where the Cadets too only 54 seats, giving way to the Octyabrists.

The article is a critical review of the PhD student V. Rubashkin’s research work. There are numerous factual, thematic and logical mistakes which affect the content of his research work. Special attention is paid to the necessity of a wider use of historical documents.