The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-30
Summer 81 Winter Nights in 81. Petfrsbnr:

In the middle of the city, the Newa is
werst in breadth, and, reckoning the
great windings, above three German miles
in length. Hence it may easily be con-
ceived what deserts its surface must pre-
sent in winter, from the irregular freezing
of the flakes of ice that commonly take
place. You may then make journeys at
night here in the heart of the city where
you may fancy yourself as lonely as in the
sea solitudes of England. The lights in
the houses glimmer only in the distance |;
the moon and the aurora borealis light the
traveller; and he regulates his course by
the compass and the stars. Dangerous as
these nocturnal excursions on the ice in
winter are repeated-it is then that rob-
berry and murder are most frequent-and
fain as one would avoid them, the case is
altered in summer; then water excursions
are the most fayorite and charming amuse-
ments. The glistening river then encom-
passes the finest parts of the city with a
magnificent frame of silver. The nj ghts
are mild and amazingly clear; and the
Petersburgers, who care less about POM
pous sledge parties than we Germans, be-
cause with them sledges are rather an ar
ticle of necessity than of luxury, indulge
the more eagerly in the pleasure of boat
| ing, because it is allowed them but for a
short time. In the fine warm months Of
June and July, the arms of the Newa are
studded night and day with boats, large
and small, sailing and rowing, which never
cease to present a most enchanting picture
20 eye and ear; and all the magic scenes,
which the canals of Venice with their
gondolas have to boast of, are insignificant
in comparison with the picturesque life
here developed in the then SO soft climate
of the north. Imagine an atmosphere
famed by the genilcst zephyrs, warm and
mild, the suns rays not oppressive, as
though the warmth oozed from the distan,
stars, enchaniingly clear and bright,
though the source of light is not visible
above the horrizor--a night in which no.
thing secrctes itself, nothing slumbers,
neither the iwitting birds nor wakeful man,
nor the plants and Covers, whose colors
are Observation-Disclosures short, night pos
scssing all the charms Of night, together
with all the convenience Of day, as though
garsh day had merely put on the more
sober mantle Of night. Here a river,
sportively dividing into a number OF
branches, and presently uniting again into
large streams, flowing on, placid, clear
and majestic there an archipelago OF
islands, the one half of them studded will
magnificent palaces, the other adorned
with delicious gardens, tasteful pavilions
and luxurious hernitages; yonder the
wide sea, before the gates of the city, ant
close to each Of the six mouths of the
rivers---conceive, | say, all this, animated
with thousands of boats and vessels
Engishmen, ofnautlcal experience, prouC
of their superiority to all others in thu
management of their little barks German
citizens, indulging at night with thei
l families in iorgetfuness Of the cares of tn
day; Russians, pouring forth over tn
$ waters the harmonious airs oftheir nationa
songs, the great and wealthy of the empire
: attended by bands of their slaves, enter
A tanning them with that enchanting horn Q
e music; the seamen belonging to the ship
, ping of all the maritime nations admirln
n the marvels of the splendid nights-forr
e a lively conception Of all this, or rattle
e step into one of those elegant boat;
d making tour of the islands, and in val
d would you seek city on the face of tn
If globe that can afford any thing to be CON
|. pared with the charms of these summt
II night water excursions in Petersburg.