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