Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

174SITE OF NIJNI-NOVGOROD.

CHAP. XXXTII.

SITE OF NIJNI-NOVGOROD.PREDILECTION OF THE EMPEROR FOR

THAT CITY.ТПЕ KREMLIN OF NIJNI. — CONCOURSE AT THE FAIR.

THE GOVERNOR. BRIDGE OF THE OKA. DIFFICULTY IN

OBTAINING A LODGING.THE PLAGUE OF PERSICAS. PRIDE

OF THE FELDJÄGER. THE FAIR-GROUND. SUBTERRANEAN

CITY. SINGULAR APPEARANCE OF THE RIVER. THE CITY OF

TEAOF RAGS. OF WHEELWRIGHTS' WORK. OF IRON.

ORIGIN OF THE FAIR. PERSIAN VILLAGE. SALT FISH FROM

THE CASPIAN. LEATHER. FURS. LAZZARONIS OF THE

NORTH. BADLY CHOSEN SITE. COMMERCIAL CREDIT OF THE

SERFS. —THEIR MODE OF CALCULATING. BAD FAITH OF THE

NOBLES. PRICES OF MERCHANDISE. TURQUOISES OF THE

BUCHARIANS.KIRGUIS HORSES. THE FAIR AFTER SUNSET. —

THE EFFECT OF MUSIC IN RUSSIA.

The situation of Nijni is the most beautiful that I have beheld in Russia. I see no longer a little ridge of low banks falling upon a large river, but a real mountain, which looks down on the confluence of the Volga and the Oka, two equally noble rivers; for the Oka, at its mouth, appears as large as the more celebrated stream. The lofty town of Nijni, built on this mountain, commands a plain, vast as the sea. A land without bounds spreads before it, and at its foot is held the largest fair in the world. During six weeks of the year the commerce of the two richest quarters of the globe meet at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga. It is a spot worthy of being painted. Hitherto, the only truly picturesque scenes that I had