in private life, bezborodko was a typical catherinian, corrupt, licentious, conscienceless and self-seeking. but he was infinitely generous and affectionate, and spent his enormous fortune liberally. his banquets were magnificent, his collections of pictures and statues unique in europe. he was the best friend of his innumerable poor relatives, and the maecenas of all the struggling authors of his day. sycophantic he might have been, but he was neither ungrateful nor vindictive. his patriotism is as indisputable as his genius.