RIDING HOUSE AT MOSCOW. 



205 



such as coronations^ and the trial of high 

 personages^ who may have done amiss." 



But/' said Mr. Longhurst^ " the Riding- 

 House^ at Moscow^ built by the Grand Duke 

 Paul^ of Moscovy^ afterwards Emperor of Rus- 

 sia^ is certainly the most surprising roof we 

 ever heard of. It is of the modern construc- 

 tion^ and ceiled ; and quite unsupported by 

 cross walls or pillars. The length is one thou- 

 sand nine hundred and twenty feet^ and the 

 span of the roof two hundred and thirty-five 

 feet. The floor covers the vast extent of more 

 than ten English acres ! " 



And how large are the largest ships ?" in- 

 quired Harry. " I suppose^ they are made en- 

 tirely of wood ?" 



With here and there just a little bit of 

 iron^ or so/' said Mr. Longhurst^ smiling. It 



