MOSCOW. 
151 
veneration, and they would not allow even a chap. 
grain to be filed off. At the same time, it may _ 
be observed, that the compound has a white 
shining appearance, unlike bell-metal in gene- 
ral ; and perhaps its silvery aspect strength- 
ened, if not caused, the conjecture respecting 
the nature and value of its chemical consti 
tuents. 
On festival days, the peasants visit this bell 
as they would resort to a sanctuary; consider- 
ing it as an act of devotion; crossing themselves 
all the way as they descend and ascend the 
steps. We found the bottom of the pit covered 
with water, mud, and large pieces of timber; 
which, added to the darkness of the place, 
render it always unpleasant and unwholesome, 
independently of the danger arising from the 
rotten ladders leading to the bottom. We went, 
however, frequently thither, in order to ascertain 
the dimensions of the bell with exactness. To 
our surprise, during one of those visits, hall a 
dozen Russian officers, whom we found in the 
pit, agreed to assist us in making the admeasure- 
ment. It so nearly agreed with the account 
published by Jonas Hanway, that the difference 
is not worth notice. This is somewhat remark- 
able, considering the difficulty of exactly mea- 
suring what is partly buried in the eai th, and 
