A Journey in Russia in 1858

d shrubs, and even statues, require a careful covering through the winter.

From the gardens we proceeded to the original wooden palace, or cottage of Peter the Great, situated on one of the islands.

It consists of three small rooms, one his bedroom, another his reception room, and a third his chapel, where the pictures he worshipped are carefully preserved. Many relics are still to be seen, a boat and sails, with an old armchair, all which are said to have been made by his own hands.

The place was crowded by his devoted admirers, more particularly the chapel, which with numerous lighted candles purchased by the visitors, was heated almost to suffocation. The whole is covered over by a brick building to preserve it from the effects of the weather.

We then proceeded to the Botanical Gardens, situated on another island.

Here are numerous conservatories, comprising a great variety of camellias, heaths and ferns and several very large palm-houses, containing some very fine specim