MOSCOW. 
143 
with all the fulness and variety of tone which c ^ p - 
distinguishes the nightingale in its natural state'. 1 
The price of a nightingale, in lull song, is about 
fifteen roubles. The Russians, by rattling beads 
on one of their tables of tangible arithmetic 2 , can 
make these birds sing at pleasure during the 
day : but nightingales are heard throughout the 
night, making the streets of the city resound the 
melodies of the forest. 
The promenades at this season of the year 
are among the many sights in Moscow which are ing Easier. 
interesting to a stranger. The principal pro- 
menade is on the first of May ( Russian style), 
in a forest near the city. It afiords a very 
curious spectacle, because it is frequented by the 
bourgeoisie as well as by the nobles, and the 
national costume may then be observed in its 
greatest splendour. The procession of car- 
riages and persons on horseback is immense. 
Beneath the trees, and upon the greensward, 
Russian peasants are seen seated in their gayest 
dresses, expressing their joy by shouting and by 
tumultuous songs. The music of the balalaika. 
(1) X have been since informed, that this method of keeping and 
feeding nightingales is becoming prevalent rn our own country. 
(2) This kind of Counting-Table, universally used in Russia, and 
which appears in the paintings of the Chinese, is the Abacus of the 
Antients. 
