98 NORTHERN RUSSIA. 



deep, pure, rapid, proud, and majestic ; whether one 

 gazes on its waters flowing beneath sun-set, crosses 

 them in the light and painted ferry-boats, quafis them, 

 or bathes in them, one is in no case disappointed. 



But why should we express any astonishment that 

 this great capital should in any respect disappoint us ? 

 The wonder rather is that such a city has risen in such a 

 country in so short a time. Old General Wilson told me 

 that he had, when a child, been spoken to by " Catherine 

 the Great," whom he distinctly remembered, and she was 

 married to Peter the Third, the grandson of Peter the 

 First, who founded St. Petersburg. 



