BAKUNIN THE APOSTLE OF NIHILISM. 205 
interest, one single thought, one single passion—the Revolution. 
..He has only one aim, one science—destruction. For that, 
and for nothing else, he studies mechanics, physics, chemistry, 
and sometimes medicine. With the same object, he observes 
men, characters, the situations and all the conditions of the social 
order. He despises and detests existing morality. For him, 
everything is moral that helps on the triumph of the Revo 
lution, everything is immoral and criminal that hinders it 
Between him and society there is war—war to the death, inces 
sant, irreconcilable. He ought to be ready to die, to endure 
torture, and with his own hands to kill all who place obstacles 
in the way of the Revolution. So much the worse for him if he 
has in this world any ties of relationship, of friendship, of love ! 
He is no true revolutionist if these attachments stay his arm. 
Nevertheless, he must live in the midst of society, feigning to 
be what he is not. He must penetrate everywhere, among the 
upper classes as well as among the middle—into the merchant’s 
shop, into the church, into the Government offices, into the 
army, into the literary world, into the detective force, and even 
into the imperial palace. ... He must prepare a list of those who 
are condemned to death, and despatch them in the order of 
their relative misdoings. A new member can only be admitted 
into the Association by a unanimous vote, and after his qualities 
have been proved, not by words merely, but by deeds. Each 
‘ companion ’ should have under his control several revolution 
ists of the second or third degree, not wholly initiated. He 
should consider them as part of the revolutionary capital placed 
at his disposal, and he should expend them economically and so 
as to abstract the greatest possible profit out of them. . . . The 
most valuable element are women who are completely initiated, 
and who accept our whole programme. Without their aid we 
can effect nothing.” 
Bakunin’s instructions have been followed out to the letter 
in this respect, in Russia. As a matter of*fact, in all the con 
spiracies there we find rich and cultured women, even daughters 
of State functionaries, of military officers, and of nobles. The 
secret is so well kept that when the police lay hands on the 
Nihilists they never succeed in tracking out the main body of