RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 1 17 



of the deceased ; for though the Russians do not believe in purga- 

 tory, yet they imagine that their departed friend may be assisted 

 by prayer in his long journey to the place of his destination after 

 this life. 



At the new year is usually held a feast of the dead, on which every 

 one visits the grave of his relations, lays some victuals upon it, and 

 hears mass, in payment for which the priest gets the victuals. Pro* 

 fligates, such as have come to a miserable end, and all who have 

 died without the sacrament were formerly thrown, without inhuma- 

 tion, into a hut for that purpose, and on the Thursday before Whit- 

 suntide were buried by the clergy, who said masses for their souls, 

 attended by the inhabitants of the place. At present greater indul- 

 gence is shown to these poor wretches. 



The power of the Russians at imitation is said to be very great. 

 Clarke says, the meanest Russian slave has been found adequate to 

 the accomplishment of the most intricate and most delicate works of 

 mechanism ; to copy, with his single hand, what has demanded the 

 joint labours of the best workmen in France or England. A barrenness 

 of invention in matters of art, but great reading and correctness of 

 imitation is a characteristic mark of nations with whom the arts are 

 In their infancy. 



The true manners of the people are not seen in Petersburg, nor 

 even in Moscow, by entering the houses of the nobility only. The 

 real Russian rises at an early hour, and breakfasts on a dram with 

 black bread. His dinner at noon consists of the coarsest and most 

 greasy viands, the scorbutick effects of which are counteracted by 

 baited cucumbers, sour cabbage, the juice of his vaccmhun, and his 

 nectar quass. He sleeps always after eating, and goes early to his 

 bed. The principal articles of diet are the same every where, grease 

 and brandy. In their houses and persons they are remarkably filthy. 



Cities, chief towns, edifices.. ..Petersburg, now the capital of 

 Russia, is situate on both sides of the river Neva, between the lake of 

 Ladoga and the bottom of the Gulf of Finland. In the year, 1703, 

 this city consisted of a few small fishing huts, on a spot so waterish 

 and swampy, that the ground was formed into nine islands, by which 

 its principal quarters are still divided. Without entering into too 

 minute a description of this wonderful city, it is sufficient to say that 

 it extends about six miles every way, and contains every structure 

 for magnificence, the improvements of the arts, revenue, navigations 

 war, commerce, and the like, that is to be found in the most celebrat- 

 ed cities in Europe. 



As Petersburg is the emporium of Russia, the number of foreign 

 ships trading to it in the summer time is extremely great. In winter 

 3000 one-horse sledges are employed for passengers in the streets. 

 It is supposed that there are 170,000 inhabitants in this city ; and it 

 is ornamented with thirty-five great churches ; for in it almost every 

 sect of the Christian religion is tolerated. It also contains five 

 palaces, some of which are superb, particularly that which is called 

 the New Summer Palace, near the Triumphal Port, which is an 

 elegant piece of architecture. There is likewise a foundling-hospi- 

 tal, assistant to the noble one at Moscow, where the mother may come 

 to be delivered privately ; after which she leaves the child to the 

 state, as a parent more capable of promoting its welfare. 



This magnificent city is defended on the side next the sea by the 

 fortress of Cronstadt, which, considering the difficulty and danger of 



