FROM PETERSBURG 
that has been cut through, in forming the 
canal. The merchandize of Astracan, and of 
other parts of the South of Russia, is brought to 
this place. Above four thousand vessels pass 
the canal annually. The town, or village, as it 
is called, is full of buildings and shops. It is 
spacious, and wears a stately thriving appear- 
ance ; forming a striking contrast with the 
miserable villages along this road. 
At the different stations which occur in the 
route from Petersburg to Moscow, are buildings 
appropriated to the Emperor’s use, when he 
passes. This rarely happens above once in a 
reign. As there is hardly any place of accom- 
modation for travellers, no harm would happen 
to the buildings if they were used for this pur- 
pose; neither would the national character 
suffer by such hospitality. Of course we allude 
to changes that may take place in better times ; 
for when we traversed the country, kindness to 
a stranger, and especially to an Englishman, 
was a crime of the first magnitude, and might 
prove the cause of a journey to Siberia. It is but 
justice to make this apology foi* the conduct of 
those under the immediate eye of Government. 
From Vyshney Poloshok we come to TorshoJc, 
seventy-one versts distant, remarkable for a 
