CHAPTER III. 
THE SVIR. 
THE aspect of the shores of the Neva, seen from the 
river, differs not more from that of the Saima Canal than 
does the appearance of Lake Ladoga differ from that of 
the Saima See, the latter studded with islands, or 
branching out in innumerable lakelets—thus one broad 
expanse of waters like to Lake Ontario, and some of the 
other lakes of North America, presenting nothing to view 
within the horizon but water, water, water, generally 
smooth, but liable like these to be tossed into billows, 
when lashed by a storm. : 
But near the mouth of the Svir wooded islands again 
appear, and ere the voyager is aware, he has passed from 
creeks between islands into the continuous flow of the 
river, which, in consequence of its rapid descent, has a 
current of considerable force. The surface of the river 
throughout lengthened stretches present appearances 
characteristic of rapids—now that of the surface of molten 
lead, now that of a shallower stream passing over a rocky 
bed, and at times the steamer quivers as it stems the 
torrent. The banks are covered with trees, but most of 
them comparatively young. Floating rafts of timber, 
barges laden with deals, piles of firewood a fathom in 
height, stretching in some cases as at Vajnee for versts 
along the shore, tell of what has occasioned this. All the 
older trees have been felled, and these are the reproduced 
forests in a condition which may be compared to that of 
youth and early manhood. 
Four hours or four and a half hours brings the steamer 
across the lower end of the lake, from Schlusselburg to 
