New-York tribune., 1871-12-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MISS pRocToRs RUSSIAN JOURNEY.

Of Russian society Is derived from tlie repoits vi
Englsh Travellers and although Miss Proctor Is not
literally the first American who has explored the |
mysteries of that comparatively strange Sclavonic
life she has been excelled by previous writer In
saaacity of observatio copousncss Of material or
nsturalness of description decided vein of poetry
Il in true runs through her sketches, and they con-
INST In part of brief narratives in verse but her
fancy never gets the better of her cyesght nor does
sbe Weld to the temptation, if it ever crosses her
PATH of laying too bright cOlOrs for the sake OF
picturesQue effect. Her imagination serves to give
warmth and light to her "reminiscences, but appa-
rcntly it dstorts facts from their true proper
tions, or exchanges them for illusions.
The first view of st. Petersburg. its shining
domes arose above the pale birches and pines of the
bleak morass by which it is approached, recalled the
image of Venice on the bosom of the Adriaic, ana
Amsterdam seated in Dntch solidity on the Zuyder
Zee. Tall ships and laden boats thrOnged around
the wondering travellers Stately houses lifted them
selves np in long rows to tho ewil'!ered eye
Crowded streets opened on every hand ana IN the
midst Of this poverty OF nature and spehdor oi u'
the steamer which bore the American party rounded
into her dock the Neva, and they knew that they
were in the capital Of the Cars. ST. Peters sourg al
the present day, affords singular contrast 10 its
original site which at the time OF the foundaioh OF
the city, was quaking bog, scarcely above the lever
Of the B9Itc, CONtIttl Will sbo" i'' NV -
the year. and subject with every Spring to fearful
inundatious. Now il is a capital of more than half
a million Of people covering not less than thirty
eouare miles with broad streets and stately squares
lined with noble buildings. compared with which
the more Southern cities. Copenhagen, Stockholm,
aud Chrstiana, appear like ovcrgrown villages
The impression however, received by the author OF
this volume was by no means charming st. Peters
burg overwhcms rather than delights. 1t is vast,
amazing in its grim strength, but appears like the
work of tine Titans rather than Of the Graces The
churches present all that Is pcculiarin Russian arc-
lecture, and the other buildings arc mainly con-
structcd on classic models, which have no harmony
with the prevailing lcadcn sky. Miss Proctor has
given an admirable description of the principal
church which we are glad to transfer to columns.
St Isaac Is the g4nest church in Russia and in all
northern Eurol%; and its nagilcence OF ,..ze ana
stead Of an Italian pc. i might. perhaps have been me
grancst in the world The s" where 1t st%nds in ,hs
or, at square the from the founding "i
the city designed for the site OF The finest steal
structure. The present edhce was begun by Alexander
and completed and dedicated with all The spcndor OF
the Greek ceremonial few years after the accession o
in sinking pics for its ioundgion and untold SUMS have
been laVished upon the cathedraitset. bHIt 9 Finland
each Of its onr s.s YOU ascend by thr' flights %, OF
four noble entrances the par Of whose rortlcoes are
n"noluhs larger than those Of the Roman Pantheon
and AKIN to te columns hewn by Genil for the syrlan
Temple Of the sun Ihc bases AMI Cornthian capitals or
ia, columns 0f bronze. OF wUnZe, also. are the
groups ILLUSTRATIVE OF Scripture history and commemora
of apostles. saints. and martyrs filling the petmcnts
the sonocr back ground; while the great Byzntine dome,
eucrclod by smaller doncS at the ANGLES o he roof, and
mss. ovcriaid with gold and surmount. by golden
cross, which n far w ath,r to thosc VINO miles away
hike unfading star. Within. all is gorgeous gloom
PcrJs tua twilight rell> under the lofty vault and the
lamps burning night ard day before the sacred pictures
help TO interpret the wealth of mosacs and marpies and
tho otpendcr Of the tall colamn. Of mslchte and lapis
lz upholdne the ikouasas interpOsed before the III
nost slrins-'hgir mingled uts OF green and blue hay
rroo under the wave. The shrine Itself Enclosed
adorned With gold; while everywhere JASPER and por
phi! and whatever rare and beautiful materials Rus
floor Artists smay point t" its over decoration architects
may sSr 5 IN ,Sf sTs spae S eS 3nS % %a d s m
main one Of the superb buildings of the world.
arc continually entering for their deVctions Purchasing
small wax candle from table near the door and adj
vancng of ih shrines, proraons and signs
Q, me rc<s they light the taer at e sacred lamp aud
place In the silver stand pierced with hoes then KISS
looking toward the altar; while without those who pass
Maendcent Temple Of the North is s. Isaaes Yet
even in "a noon. and fitted toinsprc fcarand awe
rather than hope and love God would slcak * to me more more
win the Sla ea wv ip@ for .n9 ou tha wt t tlSd s1S
prayer OF lriest and deNotcc
The author left st. Petersburg for Moscow towards
the last Of July bu at that time the brief Russian
Summer already gave signs of approaching dissou-
ton The air WAS damp with chill vapOrs, and every
breath waited shower Of yellow leaves from the
ncir, boring brchcs No sound. says Miss Proctor
can compare in sadness with the wall of the Russian
winds in the low pine for ss, ae they blow straight
from the Wastes Of polar ice. The blasts of the
desert M lit the sonl; those Of tie wild northern
stepJes parayzc il with fear. The approach to
Moscow suggests lively picture. advancing day
revealed an afmOsplere undimnpd lv the fOgs of ST.
Petersburg, ard through which the sun shOne with
warmer ray. Fields Of rye and barley began to gain
upon the r-woods: The grass grccncr: the trees
taller the monotony Of the vast plain relieved by
marked undulations; aud at lengtl-like Madrid
shining in the morning aS You approach it over
the wint-swopt ,ablc-ands of Castillo but far more
gloljoue-bc1ore us rose an assemblage of brilliant
white wallsand Of gttering dOInes and towers and
We were in that Asiatic city planted the steppes
Of Europe Holy Mother Moscow" The ClImpses
which obtain of the city from Miss PrOctOrs
graphic sketches are for the most part singularly
inpre ssiye. and help to satisfy. While they stimulate
the curiosity OF the reader. The familiar details in
the paragraphs below show her power of Observa-
ton. though che makes comment on the identity
Of the custom noticed at the close with that which
prevailed at the tea tables Of the KnickerbOcker
gentry in the days Of the good Wouter van Twiller
MOSCOW is full Of interest outside Of Krcmlin nnd
chuyth and pa;re Its situation H. high and healthfn
and its half million Inhabitants spread
fadT than 'ha % OF any o,nEr EC city Except
having within it's walls and suburbs nearly two hundred
rs%ays have penetrated the East viii c the nari Of
exchange for Europe aud Asia It's nollcH follow the
court to sf. Petersburg Menhant princes are taking
On ienchng the city established ourselves, after
~ Bi.io which we found very comfortable The land
lord, sentiensnly Swiss had what seems TO be thought
hrra lu.nn nf Nsllsrf.t