The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-31

produced, into which the fair skaters are
coyly hidden and quickly whirled away to
other scenes Of gayety.
Returning from the festive skating scene
had to cross the Neya between the Winter
Palace and the Stock Exchange The Bridge
Of Boats which spans the river at this point
is removed before the ice appears. But when
the river is frozen hard, roads traverse the
smooth surface in every direction. In fact
the river is a common highway with lamps
oil lamps it is rue-and snowy sidewalks.
1t was one Of the most enchanting
scenes | have ever witnessed-this drive
across the Nevl on frosty starlit night,
Imagine Venice with the lAgoons ice blocked.
There is the same mysterious silence. The
sleighs as they whirl across the smooth track
make no more noise than the silent gOndola.
Stretching away for miles on this, tho Grand
Canal of the Northern Venice, are the lordly
palaces rimed with pearly dots that mark the
gusut embankmcnts. The cilded cupola Of
st. Isaac's lifts itself solemnly into the
heavens; and on the other side Of the river
is the tall straight spirc OF the fortress church
Of st. Peter and Paul, beneath which the Cars
have their last rest Over all is the glory Of
the northern sky.
On the way We PASS clean swept ice path
banked by high walls Of snow These paths
are kept clear for a curious reason. The
boatmen who in summer will row you from
place to place for q few kopecks, have devised
q scheme for continuing their work when the
water is all hard frozen. They keep an ice
road across the river, over which they will
convey You on a rough chair ON runners for
five kopecks .2l l-2 centsl OF course these
men use skates. You can find such crossings
at regular intervals along the embankment.
In the middle Of the frozen river We drove
by a scene that brought back memories of
Fenimore Cooper Three conical masses,
with poles sticking out at the apex whence a
thin line Of smoke assembled, proclaimed the
typical wigwam. But this was not an encamp-
ment Of Sioux. The occupants Of the skin
tents are Samoyedes A number Of them
come here with their reindeer and dogs every
winter 1t is quite treat for the st. Peters
burgh youngster to indulge in ride on one
Of the comical reindeer sleighs. The other
attactions OF the camp are mostly in the eat
ing line, that is watching the Sans" at their
repast. 1t is a disgusting sight. In the
absence Of blubber these hcathens eat raw fish.
But they are particularly dolightadifa visitor
buys them live fish from the neishbornc
vendor The whole family, men, women and
children fight for the prize like a LOT Of sea
gulls. The one who can get the fish into his
mouth swallows it whole. Only then is ne
sure Of having it.
"Maslianitza' is the Russian word for car
niyal; literally it means the "Time Of Butter.
It must bee remembered that during Lent
butter is tobooed, only vegetable oil being
allowed, Even marsarGo is placed under the
ecclesiastical bau. Masliantza then is the
Russians opportunity for having a good time
as far as eating goes and also in other Ways
They have huge fair on the Champ de Mars,
whose gores might arouse envy in the hearts
Of managers Of the Midway Plaisancc The
| people turn out in thousands to take part in
the fun, while the aristocrats drive grandly
round, occasionally condescending to look
| in at the shows.
| The gentlemen who hold forth on every
side Of each booth are apt to crack personal
jokes at any wcll-drc5sed person who goes
by, much to the amusement Of the crowd
This is the only time in the year that the
and they don't miss any opportunities The
funny man at tho fair is always dressed in
one particular way. lie wears an uncouti