Misc. Subj. CXVIT. Vol. VÌ. No. 75. 



NATIONAL FEAST OF THE RUSSIANS. 



1 heje is a custom in Russia , according to 

 •which the impeiial court bestows a feast 

 Üpön the people of Petersburg, on solemn 

 occasions, such as conclusions of peace, co- 

 ronations andweddings. The annexed table 

 exhibits such a feast, which took place in 

 the year 1790, at the conclusion of the peace 

 made with Sweden. Before the imperial 

 •winter - palace they had constructed two py- 

 ramidical scaffolds, of 20 yards in height, 

 (Fig, 1.) whereof the steps, turning round 

 about, were served up with meats and pa- 

 stry work of every kind. Above each was 

 placed a roasted ox, the one of which had 

 gilded, horns and the other silvered horns. 

 The pyramids were adorned with rose- 

 coloured taffety in a manner that only the 



horns peeped out, which stood in com- 

 petition for the prize. At the signal given 

 by a cannon- shot the people rushed thither; 

 they gained the taffety by pieces; the meats 

 were flung on all sides; a troop of cou- 

 rageous rowers got the golden horns and 

 thereby a premium of 100 rubeis. The py- 

 ramids being stripped, some fountains, at a 

 little distance, began to spout out red and 

 white wine. (Fig. 2.) The people rushed 

 thither in crowds, gathering in hats the 

 delicious drink and presenting it by turns 

 to the neighbours. Some common Russians 

 even climbed up the fountain itself, in 

 order to catch the whole wine -spout, buta 

 well - applied syringe cooled the too bold 

 drinker, repelling him within his bounds. 



