72 
MOSCOW. 
CHAP. 
IV. 
' ' 
the deep mud which surrounded the cathedral. 
After completing the third circuit, they all 
halted opposite the great doors, which were 
still closed; the archbishop, with a censer, 
then scattered incense against the doors, and 
over the priests. Suddenly, these doors were 
opened, and the effect was magnificent beyond 
description. The immense throng ot spec- 
tators within, bearing innumerable tapers, 
formed two lines, through which the arch- 
bishop entered, advancing with his train to a 
throne near the centre. The profusion of lights 
in all parts of the cathedral, and, among others, 
of the enormous chandelier in the centre, the 
richness of the dresses, and the vastness of the 
assembly, filled us with astonishment. Having 
joined the suite of the archbishop, we accom- 
panied the procession, and passed even to the 
throne: here the police-officers permitted us 
to stand, among the priests, near an embioi- 
dered stool of satin placed for the archbishop. 
The loud chorus, which burst forth at the en- 
trance to the church, continued as the proces- 
sion moved towards the throne, and after the 
archbishop had taken his seat ; when my atten- 
tion was for a moment called oft, by seeing 
one of the Russians earnestly crossing himself 
with his right hand, while his left was employed 
