34 SIBERIA 



and precious stones abound, one ikon in particular 

 having two large diamonds in place of eyes. Russian 

 churches have, usually, no seats, and the singing 

 is unaccotspanied by instruniental music. Candles, 

 generally of wax, are used— gas and electricity are 

 uncanonical. Leaving the church I turned to photo- 

 graph it, and included a group of students in the 

 picture. They were quite willing, and all raised 

 their uniform: caps and moved on as soon as the 

 operation was completed. 



Hailing a drosky I drove along the broad 

 thoroughfare and across one of the many bridges 

 that span the Neva to Prince Khilkofif's ofifices. The 

 Neva is lined on either side by granite embank- 

 ments. The granite comes from Finland. It is 

 composed of felspar, mica, and quartz, differing only 

 in one constituent from that of Egypt, which is closer 

 grained. Two sphinxes from Thebes have been 

 erected in front of the Academy of Arts on the 

 Vassili Island and serve admirably for purposes of 

 comparison. The supports of the Nicolai Bridge, 

 the oldest stone bridge across the Neva, are of grey 

 granite obtained from the small islet of Serdobol 

 in Lake Ladoga. The caryatides which support the 

 portico of the historic Hermitage founded by 

 Catherine the Great, and now the repository of 

 priceless art treasures, are of the same material. 

 These caryatides are magnificent in proportions and 

 execution, and highly polished. It is marvellous how 

 they have withstood the winter cold, which has 

 transformed the numerous statues in the Summer 

 Garden, for instance, into an assemblage of 

 melancholy cripples in all stages of disfigurement. 



I was received by the officials at Prince Khilkoff's 

 offices with marked courtesy, and the desired letter 

 of introduction to the authorities in Siberia was duly 

 forwarded to my hotel. 



