230 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



riage ; in the fuburbs, caravanferics, as in the ci- 

 ties of the Eaft, for the entertainment, at a mode- 

 rate expenfe, of travellers from foreign lands ; to- 

 ward the centre of the city, markets of vafl extent, 

 and fiirrounded with houfes fix or feven flories 

 high, for the reception of the poorer fort, who will 

 foon be at a lofs for a place where to lay their 

 head. I would introduce a great deal of variety 

 into their plans and decorations. In the circular 

 furrounding fpace, I would difpofe temples, halls 

 of juftice, public fountains ; the principal ftreets 

 fhould terminate in them. Thefe markets, fhaded 

 with trees, and divided into great compartiments, 

 fhould difplay, in the moft beautiful order, all the 

 gifts of Flora, of Ceres, and of Pomona. I would 

 ereA in the centre the ftatue of a good King ; for 

 it is impoffible to place it in a fituation more ho- 

 nourable to his memory, than in the midft of the 

 abundance enjoyed by his fubjeds. 



I know of no one thing which conveys to me an 

 idea more precife of the police of a city, and of 

 the felicity of it's inhabitants, than the fight of it's 

 markets. At Peterfburg, every market is parcelled 

 out irito fub-divilions, deftined to the fale ot a 

 fmgle fpecies of merchandife. This arrangement 

 pleafes at firft glance, but foon fatigues the eye by 

 it's uniformity. Peier the Firft wns fond of regu- 

 lar formS; becaufe they are flivourable to defpotifm. 



For 



