ants
more deservedly respected than those engaged in the Russian trade.
Cousin Giles and his young companions made the acquaintance of several,
and found them most pleasing, gentlemanly men. Mr Henshaw took them to
see the portraits of the present and the late Emperor, hanging up in an
inner room of the building. The present Czar is a slighter and shorter
man than his father, and with a far milder expression of countenance.
The picture of Nicholas speaks of undaunted courage and determination,
and at the same time of a relentless and almost a ferocious disposition.

"I am glad he was not my master," exclaimed Harry; "how hard he would
have hit if he had begun to flog one!"

Leaving the Exchange, they returned to the south side, and then crossed
another long bridge of boats, and afterwards a smaller one, to the
Citadel. Here their object was to see the Church of Peter Paul, where
Peter the Great, and all his successors, including the late Emperor, lie
buried. After they had entered within the strongly fortified walls, an
avenue of birch trees took them up to the church, with its lofty gilt
spire. The richly painted roof is supported by massive square pillars,
covered with pictures of saints, as is the pulpit. The altar blazes
with gold and silver, and huge silver candlesticks. The faces and hands
of the saints are all black, and peep out of holes cut in sheets of gold
or silver maiked to represent their robes; thus the artist has very
little labour in producing a picture. The tombs of the Czars are
grouped on either side of the high altar. They are plain sarcophagi,
are usually covered with black velvet palls, very simple and
unostentatious. On the walls and pillars are suspended various trophies
taken in war from the enemies of Russia. Over the windows, as Harry
observed, were some "huge jolly cherubs--that is to say," he added, "fat
heads and nothing else to carry behind them; so it is no wonder their
cheeks get blown out."

"We have seen enough lions for one day," said Cousin Giles as they left
the fortress. "Fred will have work enough to write up his notes as it
is."

After dinner, Fred read out to Cousin Giles and his brother the remarks
he had made on the various scenes they had witnessed in their walks and
drives through the city. They will be found in the following chapter.

CHAPTER SIX.

Remarks from Fred's Note-book about Saint Petersburg, and the Habits
and Customs of the Russians.