t the prayers of mortals should especially be addressed to
their guardian angels. Only one name is given, because it is said that
a person can have only one guardian angel; if he had two, it might be
doubtful which was to watch over him, and to which he should address his
prayers. Cousin Giles observes that, when once people depart from the
simple truths of Christianity, it is impossible to say what absurdities
they may believe, or of what follies they may be guilty. As the people
become enlightened, the priests of a false faith are compelled to refine
their system; at present, in Russia, nothing is too gross for the
credulity of the people to swallow.

"We attended mass the other day at the Uspensky Sabor (the Cathedral of
the Resurrection). It was a very gorgeous ceremony, although, as it
lasted three hours, it was very fatiguing; but we determined to stand it
out, and afterwards never to go to another. I can only attempt to give
an outline of the ceremonies. The church being crowded with people, a
priest came through one of the side doors of the screen, and in a
stentorian voice, with hand uplifted, announced that service was
beginning. Some ceremony then took place behind the screen. Soon
afterwards another priest entered, with two attendants, bearing over his
head a huge Bible with a richly ornamented cover. It was allowed just
to touch his forehead. Being placed on a desk in front of the chief
door in the screen, another priest in a very irreverential and hurried
manner read some chapters from it, the choir constantly repeating the
words, `_Gospodi poluomini_,' (the Lord have mercy on us). The effect
of these words, in a rich chant, soft, full, and swelling, is very
beautiful. They continually occur throughout the service. We could see
the high priest all the time through the open work of the chief door
moving about before the altar. At length a fine psalm was sung, the
chief door was thrown open, the high altar and its splendid decorations
were displayed, and from the side doors issued forth the whole troop of
officiating priests bearing the bread and wine for the sacrament,
preceded by one man with a lighted taper, and the high priest coming in
the rear with a silver chalice; the procession is closed by a priest
with a salver on his head. Again they all entered the sanctuary, the
bread and wine were placed on the altar, and the priest kneeling, what
is called transubstantiation is supposed to take