which
we found to be a sort of weak muddy beer, rather acid.

A little further on the way we heard a shepherd amusing himself and his
flock by playing on the green willow.

We visited the fish market, containing a great variety of fish, many of
them all alive in large tanks of water, and others carefully preserved
in blocks of ice.

On revisiting the Kremlin for the last time, we were fortunate in
witnessing an extraordinary procession, more than 200 priests in their
varied gorgeous robes, bearing canopies, holy standards, and other
insignia, amidst the jingling of scores of bells, which only ceased
after they had all entered the cathedral.

Before quitting this wonderful city I took a parting glance from the
terrace on the roof of our hotel, whence I counted more than 250 domes
and spires, many of them gilt, and others, with the roofs of many of the
houses beautifully coloured, forming a truly splendid panorama.

On our return at 12 o'clock noon, the same hour we left for St.
Petersburg; we took two second-class tickets, and found ourselves more
comfortable than in the saloon of the first class, arriving very
punctually at 8 o'clock the following morning.

The same day we renewed our visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral, which we
found surrounded by a numerous concourse of people, with a military
guard stationed at the chief entrance, and a splendid carpet covering
the steps leading to the cathedral.

We hastened through one of the side doors, and secured a good position
on the steps near to the altar, whence we had a fine view of the
procession of the numerous priests in most gorgeous dresses, bearing a
canopy over the Metropolitan and swinging incense from side to side,
amidst the most beautiful chanting, sometimes in deep bass tones,
followed by youthful choristers in the most delightful gentle strains,
swelling forth into a grand chorus, and filling the centre of this vast
cathedral.

When the music had ceased, and the priests had retired behind the altar,
we had a most energetic sermon, which not being able to understand, left
us time to survey once more the interior of this most magnificent
edifice.

After the service was ended one of our friends from the hotel, a very
intelligent lady from the Channel Islands, went up to two ladies
standing near us, to make enquiry about certain parts of the ceremony,
when after some explanation, they kindly invited us to call upon them in
the evening, and bring along wit