TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
accomplished friend, who was snatched from 
the pursuit of worldly honours by a fate as 
untimely, although not so sudden as his own 2 , 
thus briefly, but emphatically, characterizes the 
state of refinement in the two great cities of the 
Russian Empire 3 . “ A journey from Petersburg 
to Moscow is a journey from Europe to Asia. 
With respect to the society of the former city, 
I am almost ashamed to state my opinion, after 
the stubborn fact ol my having twice returned 
thither, each time at the expense of a thousand 
miles : but although I had not imagined it pos- 
sible that any place could exist more devoid of 
the means of enjoying rational conversation, I 
am now, since my residence here, become of 
a different opinion. Not that I have not been 
excessively interested, both during this and 
my former visit to Moscoio. The feudal magni- 
ficence of the nobility, the Asiatic dress and 
manners of the common people, the mixture 
of nations to be seen here, the immensity, 
the variety, and the singular architecture 
of the city, present, altogether, a most curious 
( 2 ) Rev. G. D. IVhittington, author of an “ Historical Survey of 
Gothic Architecture,” published since his death by certain of his distin- 
guished friends. See the elegant tribute to his memory, in a Preface 
t-o that work, by the Earl of Aberdeen. 
(1) This Letter is dated, Moscow, April 13 th, 1809. 
