her of a fire or a flood. Fires may occur any day--floods in the
spring chiefly, from the rapid melting of the snows of winter. Red
flags tell of coming floods; black-striped balls by day, and lamps by
night, of fire.

An omnibus, probably built in England, passed us with four horses; a
postilion, dressed in a drosky driver's hat and long coat, rode the
leaders, while another man in a similar costume sat on the box to steer
the wheelers. The omnibuses are painted black or dark red--very
sombre-looking conveyances, making one think of prison-vans or hearses.
Some of the little country carts are curious-looking affairs. They are
built with ribs, and look like a boat with the stem and stern cut off;
the hind wheels are kept on by a bow, one end of which comes out from
the side of the cart, and the other presses the axle.

We remarked the washing stages on the Neva. In the centre is a long
opening, at which the women stand and dip in the unfortunate garments to
be cleansed, and batter them with a mallet.

There are also large stages with buildings on them for swimming baths.
On one we saw "Swimming School," written in German. A foot regiment
passed us with black-and-brass helmets, dark-drab long coats, black
belts and scabbards. They had a very sombre appearance, but were
fine-looking fellows, evidently fit for service.

A number of wood boats are unloading at the quays. They are huge
flat-bottomed barges, of white planks slightly fastened together. They
are broken up and burnt like their cargo. The wood they bring is
chiefly birch, and is cut up in pieces fit for the stove. The canals
are crowded in some places with these boats. A number of vessels,
chiefly Dutch, were unloading at the quays close to the Winter Palace;
but not a particle of mercantile dirt or litter was to be seen. Carts
came and quickly transported the cargo to less polished regions. It
took us just two minutes and a half to walk rapidly from one end of the
Winter Palace to the other. That does not seem much, but let any one
try how much ground he can get over in that time at a walk, and it will
give him a good idea of the extent of the building.

Droskies can be hired at a very cheap rate. For less than sixpence one
may go from one end of the city to the other, and that is no trifling
distance.

The peasant women whom we have seen in the city are dressed in rough
greatcoats and boots, with coloured handkerchiefs tied over their head