Like St. Petersburgh, Mosco has its Summer-garden, the favourite resort of persons of all ranks. Its meandering water, undulating grounds, bridges, temples, and umbrageous avenues, render it a very charming recreation during the hot months. It originally belonged to a noble Scot, the friend and confident of Peter the First and in these sacred groves did that immortal Prince imbibe from his good, brave, and wise preceptor that greatness which hereafter entitled him to the admiration of the world. Besides the mansion once belonging to this friend of the Emperor, there is a palace also in the grounds, which is usually occupied by the imperial family whenever they take a summer excursion to their ancient metropolis. At one extremity of the principal walk stands the grand Military Hospital, instituted by Paul: being an elegant and extensive building overlooking the river, it is very well adapted to promote the health of its sick. The waters which flow at its feet, as well as the baths contiguous, are valuable acquisitions, both to the city at large and to the hospital. An English surgeon superintends the whole; and its regularity and neatness does ample honour to his care. It is the depôt for all the invalids sent from the numerous military stations and garrisons in the surrounding provinces. I understand that from two to three thousand are annually received, and that an average of one in thirty dies.

On my return through the walks of these beautiful gardens, I found them filled with crowds of pedestrians of every description, (twice a week it being a fixed promenade); those which most forcibly attract the notice of a stranger are the wives of the native merchants. They are dressed in all the riches their husbands can afford, in a fashion, hot, stiff, and most discordant with their figures. Their petticoat is of brocade