of Denmark.

Early the following morning we anchored opposite Copenhagen, and a boat
being sent off for provisions, enabled some of us to go ashore and walk
through some of the principal streets and take a glance at one of their
numerous public gardens.

On resuming our course, we passed a long range of nets kept afloat by
logs of wood every thirty or forty yards; and near Goat Island we
observed a large number of planks floating by for several hours, the
cargo of some unfortunate vessel. Here we saw three gulls, the only
birds we had observed in all our passage, and no fish, not even a
porpoise, which should more readily be excused as they are mostly seen
in stormy weather.

In the course of conversation with one of the passengers we were glad to
learn that our Russian friend was residing in one of the palaces at St.
Petersburg, and also that he would be able to render us most valuable
services.

We arrived at Cronstadt on the 24th, having had on the whole a pleasant
voyage, with agreeable company, but not without some feeling of
commiseration for the poor stokers working so hard in a dusty heated
atmosphere.

Cronstadt is the chief station of the Russian navy, and the
fortifications are very extensive, including two circular batteries a
short distance from the shore, having three tiers and a range of guns at
the top, but so ill-constructed, we were told, as to be rendered almost
useless for want of ventilation.

Here our passports were examined, and the passengers along with their
luggage were transferred to a smaller steamer to convey us up the Neva
to St. Petersburg.

Soon after leaving Cronstadt, on the right are seen the gilded towers of
the palace of Peterhof, and a little further we discern a large golden
ball, the dome of St. Isaac, with the glittering taper spire rising from
the Admiralty. Approaching nearer, we see numerous domes and spires,
painted blue and green, with silver and golden stars.

Along the banks of the Neva are quays, constructed in the most
substantial manner out of large blocks of granite.

Before being permitted to land there was a further inspection of our
passports, and our luggage was conveyed to the searching house. Here we
found a commissioner from the Miss Bensons, the proprietresses of a
celebrated boarding-house, to whom we had written a short time before.
Having but a few books, the examination passed off very quickly, and we
were soon conveyed to their delightful esta