NOBTHEBN RUSSIA. 



to inform yon. He has indeed no information on such 

 points ! Most amiable, accomplished, and learned, yet 

 ignorant professor ! I mention him merely as a type of 

 a large class of Russians. Their rule is "get" (never 

 " give ") all thou canst. 



* High Heaven rejects the lore, 

 Of nicely calculated less or more." 



No wonder such persons should be considered " spies." 

 If we conclude that they are not, no thanks to them for 

 so favourable a judgment. But look abroad 1 



Below is the street, with a drosky-stand, bounded 

 fifty feet across by the granite quay, and beyond, the 

 Neva flowing past, broad, deep, and swift. There are 

 no vessels so high up, except a steamer or two on the 

 opposite wharf. 



" What a stupid, dull place," exclaims the naval officer ; 

 4t how I hate it I " 



"And I." 



" Ditto, ditto," exclaim others. 



" Please give me a light for my cigar," asks a com- 

 mercial man of his neighbour, " I am dying of ennui." 



"What a glorious evening! What a sunset! Only 

 look ! ' cries an enthusiastic new-comer. 



It is indeed a glorious evening. Just watch across the 

 Neva the remains of the sunset over Vassali Ostroffl 

 What a marvellous combination of colour in the sky! 

 How deeply calm and lovely are the heavens, from the 

 horizon to the zenith 1 What exquisite colouring of blues, 



