form a day's useful labor in his life. Such, indeed, was
the heroic character of these doughty knights, that, having plunged
the whole country into ruin and distress, the peasants, driven to
desperation, rose upon them in 1560, and completely routed and
destroyed them, killing many, and compelling the remainder to seek
some other occupation. This was rough treatment for gentlemen, but it
happens from time to time in the course of history, and shows to what
trials chivalrous blood is exposed when it can't have its own way.
Finally Esthonia and Livonia fell into the hands of Charles II. of
Sweden, from whom they were wrested by Peter the Great. Since that
period these provinces have continued under the Russian dominion. From
the time of Peter to the reign of the present emperor, Revel has been
a favorite summer resort of the Czars. It has been rebuilt, patched,
fortified, and improved to such an extent that it now represents
almost every style of architecture known in Northern Europe since the
Middle Ages. The people partake of the same characteristics, being a
mixture of every Northern race by which the place has been inhabited
since the reign of Eric XIV. of Denmark. I spent some hours visiting
the churches and other objects of interest, a detailed description of
which would scarcely be practicable within the brief limits of a
letter. The Ritterschaftshaus, containing the armorial bearings of the
nobility, is a place of great historical interest; but I saw nothing
that afforded me so much amusement as the scenes in the Jahrmarket,
where the annual summer fair is held. Here were booths and tents, and
all sorts of wares, much in the style of the markets of the Riadi in
Moscow, of which I have already given a description. The crowds
gathered around those places of barter and trade appeared to enjoy a
very free-and-easy sort of life. I could see nothing about them
indicative of an oppressed condition. Most of them were reeling drunk,
and such as were not drunk seemed in a fair way of speedily arriving
at that condition of beatitude.

From the Jahrmarket I strolled out to the Cathermthal, a favorite
resort of the citizens during the heat of the day. The shady
promenades of this magnificent garden, its natural beauties, and the
display of equipages and costumes, render it an exceedingly agreeable
lounging-place for a stranger. Every thing is in the Russian
style--the pavilions, the music, the theatrical exhibitions, and the