CHAPTER XVIII. 



" HOLY RUSSIA." 



WITH the completion of the equestrian tour from 

 Moscow to Sevastopol, and the return to Moscow 

 by way of the Don and Volga to Nijni Novgorod, 

 thence by rail to the starting point, the " grand tour " 

 through the Czar's European dominions was ended. 

 And as we return westward by rail, halting briefly at 

 Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw, a brief record 

 of impressions, in addition to the observations recorded 

 on the ride, will serve to round out and complete the 

 object of our visit. 



A foreigner visiting Russia for the first time is 

 always deeply impressed by the outward and visible 

 signs of religion that confront him at every turn. 

 Long before he reaches St. Petersburg the golden 

 domes of its splendid churches and cathedrals, twink- 

 ling brightly in the sunlight, have been visible from 

 the deck of the steamer or from the windows of the 

 train. He admires from afar these costly evidences of 

 the religious character of a great nation, and they are 

 among the first places he visits after his arrival. 



St. Isaac's and the Kazan Cathedral of St. Peters- 

 burg, and St. Saviour's of Moscow, each in turn daz- 

 zles and bewilders you by the splendor and wealth of 

 gold altars, ikons all ablaze with diamonds and every 

 variety of precious stones, priceless paintings, columns 



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