h such force that they are propelled up the
opposite slope.

But this was only a small part of the entertainment prepared for the
people. There were fountains which, instead of throwing up jets of
cold, insipid water, were to spout forth incessantly into huge tanks a
stream of the much-loved vodka, from which all around might draw forth
and drink to their hearts' content.

What more perfect idea of a terrestrial paradise would a thirsty mujick
seek for than did these preparations afford him? How munificent and
kind must he have considered the Emperor who could provide such an
entertainment for him, especially when near to the fountains of vodka
there were spread out long tables and benches, covering some acres of
ground, which it was said were to be loaded with provisions, of which
all-comers of humble rank might partake!

The travellers had to drive in and out among the tables, and they
pictured to themselves the jovial, happy crowd who would soon be
assembled around them, enjoying themselves, and drinking long life and
prosperity to their Czar--a perfect picture of an Arcadian banquet.
Farther on were large booths, containing the kitchens where the
provisions for the vast multitudes were to be cooked; and there were
also other sheds, where the bread, and meat, and grain of all sorts were
to be stored. All this feasting and amusement was to last three days,
and no one seemed to be able to estimate how many thousands of persons
would attend the rural banquet.

"Alas!" exclaimed Cousin Giles, "this may be a certain way of winning
the momentary applause of an ignorant mob, but it is a miserable way of
gaining the love of a people, of improving their character, of
instructing them in their duties, by thus pandering to their lowest
tastes. I suspect that it will not even secure the object desired.
What a contrast does it afford to the way our own enlightened sovereign
takes to win the affections of her people!"

"We had the fireworks at the peace," observed Fred; "they were only to
please the mob."

"Yes, to be sure," said Cousin Giles; "that was an old-fashioned way of
letting the people know that peace was concluded. They could in days of
yore, when newspapers were rare, have scarcely known it without; now
such a proceeding is quite unnecessary. A large sum was squandered
which would have been much better spent in enabling our artisans in the
dockyards, thrown out of employment by the peace, to emigrate; besi