TULA. 
245 
copses we found the Potentilla Anserina, which 
we had also seen at Tula ; the Asperula odorata ; 
and a species of Geum that appeared new to us. 
The view of Tula from the elevated plain 
above it, over which the road passes towards 
Woronetz, is very fine. There is not a more 
pleasing prospect in Russia. The town itself, with 
its numerous white buildings, domes, towers, and 
rising spires, is a noble object. Trees appeared 
skirting the suburban downs, and spreading 
here and there into the valley, while cattle were 
grazing in the surrounding pastures. At the 
same time, our ears were greeted with the cheer- 
ful sounds of industry issuing from different 
manufactures ; with the ringing of bells ; the 
lowing of the herds; and a loud chorus of pea- 
sants, singing their national airs, who accompanied 
their voices, either with the clapping of hands, 
or with the wild notes of rustic pipes, constructed 
of the same materials as the sandals on their feet*. 
Numerous caravans were moreover passing from 
the Ukraine and from the Don; and the whole of 
this lively scene exhibited so striking a contrast 
to what we had long been accustomed to witness 
much older. In one of his Letters to dpollinaria (Hi. i. ep. 6.) he 
mentions such ornaments of his Villa in Tuscany. 
(2) See the Vignette to Chapter IX. 
