802 



RUSSIA. 



render it a city of palaces. The bouses are usually of brick, covered vvitb stucco, and present 

 a white and dazzbng appearance at a distance. The views upon the borders of the Neva are 

 of an extremely grand and lively description ; the river is deep, rapid, and as transparent as 

 crystal ; and its banks are lined on each side with a continued range of noble buildings. 



One of the chief subjects worthy of attention here, is the equestrian statue of Peter the 

 Great, in bronze, erected by Catherine the Second. The Kazan church, built of marble, is a 

 work of stupendous dimensions ; but that of St Isaac, lately erected, surpasses it in magnifi- 

 cence. The Admiralty is a spacious and magnificent edifice, and the spire being covered with 



The Jidmiralty. 



gilding, is seen from all parts of the city. 



Palace of PetrowsJa^ St. Pctcrsburp 



Bvrninff of Moscmi^ in 1H12 



The Exchange. 



The Exchange is beautifully situated with a quay in 

 front ; it is surrounded with pil- 

 lars, and decorated with marble 

 statutes. During the winter, no 

 part of the city is more crowd- 

 ed than the Neva. Inclosed pla- 

 ces are allotted to the skaters ; 

 and sledge-races, and various 

 other amusements are general- 

 ly practised. The population 

 of St. Petersburg amounts to 

 500,000. The literary institu- 

 tions, and learned societies of 

 St. Petersburg, are numerous. 

 The universit)', the cabinet of 

 natural history, the imperial li- 

 brary of 300,000 volumes, those 

 of the academy of sciences, of 

 the university, &c., the magnifi- 

 cent botanical garden, &c., must not be passed 

 over in silence. 



Cronstadt., on an island in the Gulf of Fin- 

 land, about 20 miles from Petersburg, is the 

 port of the capital, and the chief naval station 

 of the empire. It is remarkable for its vast 

 works, fortifications, docks, arsenals, barracks, 

 &c. Population, 40,000. 



Moscow., the former capital, stands on the 

 river Moskva, 487 miles southeast of St. Pe- 

 tersburg. Before the French invasion, it was 

 the largest city in Europe, being nearly 20 miles 

 in circumference. The Kremlin is a superb 

 structure, or rather a motely mass of gaiuiy 

 buildings, comprehending the imperial palace 

 and rhapcl, tlie public ofhces, the caihedrni, 



