he summer the weather
is warmer than here."

"And are there any towns and cities in Russia, sir, as there are in
Britain?" said the old man who had resigned his seat in the
chimney-corner to me; "I suppose not, or if there be, nothing equal to
Hereford or Bristol, in both of which I have been."

"Oh yes," said I, "there are plenty of towns and cities. The two
principal ones are Moscow and Saint Petersburg, both of which are
capitals. Moscow is a fine old city, far up the country, and was the
original seat of empire. In it there is a wonderful building called the
Kremlin, situated on a hill. It is partly palace, partly temple, and
partly fortress. In one of its halls are I don't know how many crowns,
taken from various kings whom the Russians have conquered. But the most
remarkable thing in the Kremlin is a huge bell in a cellar or cave, close
by one of the churches; it is twelve feet high, and the sound it gives
when struck with an iron bar, for there are no clappers to Russian bells,
is so loud that the common Russians say it can be heard over the empire.
The other city, Saint Petersburg, where the Court generally reside, is a
modern and very fine city; so fine indeed, that I have no hesitation in
saying that neither Bristol nor Hereford is worthy to be named in the
same day with it. Many of the streets are miles in length, and straight
as an arrow. The Nefsky Prospect, as it is called, a street which runs
from the grand square, where stands the Emperor's palace, to the
monastery of Saint Alexander Nefsky, is nearly three miles in length, and
is full of noble shops and houses. The Neva, a river twice as broad and
twice as deep as the Thames, and whose waters are clear as crystal, runs
through the town, having on each side of it a superb quay, fenced with
granite, which affords one of the most delightful walks imaginable. If I
had my choice of all the cities of the world to live in, I would choose
Saint Petersburg."

"And did you ever see the Emperor?" said the rough fellow, whom I have
more than once mentioned, "did you ever see the Emperor Nicholas?"

"Oh yes: I have seen him frequently."

"Well, what kind of a man is he? we should like to know."

"A man of colossal stature, with a fine, noble, but rather stern and
severe aspect. I think I now see him, with his grey cloak, cocked hat,
and white waving plumes, striding down the Nefsky Prospect, and towering
by a whole head over other people."

"Bravo