rced by a steam-engine into a
basin at the top of a lofty tower in Garden Street, where pipes carry it
to the various reservoirs in different directions for the supply of the
houses. Over every spring in Russia, preserved for the use of man, is
placed the picture of a saint, who is supposed to have the special
charge of the water. Over this reservoir there is one of particular
sanctity, but I am not acquainted with his name. This tower, which is
called the Sukhareva Bashnia, is the most lofty in the city, and a view
is to be obtained from it still more interesting than that from Ivan
Veleki, because one sees, not only the surrounding city, but the
wonderful Kremlin itself. At the top of the tower the Russian eagle,
made of silver, expands its wings over a silver basin, and from this
silver basin radiate fifty pipes, each an inch in diameter, which carry
fifty streams for the supply of the inhabitants.

"One of the most curious ceremonies of which we heard in the Greek
Church is that of cursing the heretics. First, there is a grand mass,
and much singing and lighting of tapers, and then the chief priest, who
has always a powerful, deep voice, pronounces an awful curse on the
false Demetrius, Mazeppa, and several other noted worthies, long
departed from all terrestrial influence. Many people, and heretics of
all descriptions, are also cursed, and then the choir chants forth in
melodious tones the words _anafema, anafema_, repeated sometimes by all
the congregation with most startling effect. The Russians are, however,
more given to blessing than to cursing. The priests, at the same time,
consider themselves entitled to payment for their blessings. No true
believer is content unless all his possessions are especially blessed:
his house, his cattle, his horses, flocks; the fruits growing in his
garden; his corn-fields, his children; the well which supplies him with
water; indeed, all he possesses. He believes that nothing he undertakes
will prosper unless the priest has first blessed the implements he uses,
and his religious instructor takes no pains to undeceive him. One of
the most curious ceremonies is that of blessing the waters. It is
performed three times in the year; once in spring, once in midsummer,
and once on the ice in winter. The latter is the most curious. The
nearest large piece of water is selected--either a river, a lake, or a
pond. On the ice a large arbour, composed of birch trees, is formed