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

20MOORISH PALACE.

fices of various styles, all crowded together in one spot, which forms the centre of an immense city, to convey an idea of the effect produced by the congregation of Arabesque palaces, Gothic forts, Greek temples, Indian steeples, Chinese pavilions, all confusedly mingled within a circle of Cyclopian walls, would be utterly impossible. Words cannot paint objects, except by the recollections which they recall; and the recollections of no one who has not seen the Kremlin can serve to picture it.

The lowest story of the little Moorish palace is almost entirely occupied by one enormous vaulted hall, supported on a single pillar, which rises from the centre. This is the hall of the throne; the emperors repah* to it on leaving the church, after their coronation. Every thing there revives the recollection of the magnificence of the ancient Czars, and the imagination goes back to the reigns of the Ivans and Alexis's. The appearance is truly Muscovite. The entirely new paintings, which cover the walls of this palace, struck me as being executed with taste: the tout ensemble reminds me of the pictures I have seen of the porcelain- tower at Pekin.

The group of these varied monuments gives to the Kremlin an aspect of theatrical decoration that is seen nowhere else in the world : but not one of the buildings in that Russian forum will bear a separate examination any better than those dispersed throughout the rest of the city. At the first view, Moscow produces a very powerful impression: to a bearer of despatches, travelling quickly past its Avails, it would, with its churches, convents, palaces, and strong castles, any of which might be taken for the abode