The mask of westernisation created by Catherine the Great puts the notion of influence in perspective. Omel'chenko has observed that Westernisation was the result of appropriation of Western values rather than Western influence.1 Indeed, the term influence carries the idea of passivity, whereas Westernisation in Russia was the result of an active process, which the State presided over for the most part. This process of conscious emulation had the aim of increasing Russia's reputation, and earning revenue to the State. Westernisation therefore appears to be a cynical process in some regards, and this is highlighted by Rousset de Missy. Indeed, his description of the 1701 decree emphasises the taxes perceived by the State after the promulgation
