300 PROJECTS FOR REFORMING THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIONlandlord could buy and sell at will, and the idea of mutual obligationsfor the general benefit to society had been lost. It was this evolution,
Speransky believed, which lay at the root of all the evils and abuses to
which the serfs were subject in his time. Neglect of serfdom's historical
and legal foundation had resulted in the practical loss of the peasant's
rights. Not even the state could now protect him effectively against
the cruelties of his master.
Speransky reflected, however, that processes were taking place which
served to show clearly the drawbacks of serfdom, even from the point
of view of the landowners. As serf relations had been dissociated from
land tillage, the number of domestic serfs had grown to unmanageable
proportions. At first, the numerous domestics had satisfied the vanity
and craving for luxury of their owners. But by now they had become
a costly and inefficient labor force. Their upkeep was growing to be
more and more of a burden to the average nobleman, and their useful-
ness was very limited at best. Economic unproductivity had resulted in
the demoralization of both serfs and owners. At the same time, the last
decades had witnessed an increase in education, a raising of the level
of enlightenment, and a growing awareness of the destructive effects of
serfdom. Since the second half of the 18th century, there had taken
place among the best men of Russian society - no doubt Speransky had
in mind his friend Radishchev and the latter's teacher, Novikov - a
moral revulsion against the conditions of serfdom. In other words,
both interest and moral sentiment were turning the educated Russians
against serfdom. An ever growing number of individuals was recognizing
the desirability and even necessity of emancipation.
While the actual economic condition of the personal (private) serfs
was deteriorating, their tastes, desires, and needs were developing and
growing. This was one result of the spread of enlightenment, of the
example set by their masters, and of the success attained by some serfs
in trade. The serfs found it more and more difficult to accept their
condition. Their propensity to rebellion was awakening anew and the
danger to public peace was waxing more threatening. Furthermore,
serfdom prevented the full development of trade and industry in the
cities. Serf labor was not encouraged and stimulated by competition;
it was not eager to increase its productivity, for it could not dispose of
its fruits in full. Speransky's basic economic ideas, discussed earlier,
had made him keenly aware of the economic consequences of serfdom.
But we also note that the major ground for his criticism of the
institution was not so much the economic disadvantages by themselves,