credible, they are faid to be above 1800, but many of them are very mean, and most of the pictures were done when the art of painting was in its infancy.

One of the moft remarkable things in this city is the great bell, which is of a ftupendous fize, and affords a furprizing proof of the folly of those who caufed it to be made; but the Ruffians have from time immemorial, been extreamly fond of great bells. This is 443,772 pounds weight, and was caft in the reign of the late Empress Ann. But the beam on which it hung being burnt, it fell, and a large piece is broke out of it.

Mofcow being in the heart of the empire, is the refidence of those of the nobility who are not obliged to follow the court, and is particularly inhabited by the chief merchants and manufacturers. It would be amazing, that the dreadful fires that have here fpread fuch devaftation through that city, have not prevented building with wood, did not the cheapness of that kind of building, and the poverty of many of the inhabitants, render it in a manner neceffary. However, by a late decree of the Ruffian fenate, wood houses are limitted to a certain quarter of the city, and in all other places they are to be built with brick and stone,

The Ruffians in general preferve a great fhare of the fimplicity of their forefathers: the modern refinements which in some countries have rendered it unpolite for a fon to call his father by that indearing name, is little known among them; and here in the politeft correfpondencies

N 3

refpondencies a man's chriftian name, with that of his father's, as John the fon of Thomas, is efteemed the most respectful address.

(KKKKKKKKK

CHA P. III.

The Author leaves Mofcow, and purfues bis Journey; he enters Tartary, defcribes the Manners of the Coffacks, and arrives at Zaritzen on the Banks of the Volga. Remarks on the Khalmuck Tartars. Of the Pirates who infeft the Volga, The Veffels used on that River, and the Author's Voyage down it to Aftrachan.

N the 24th of September having provided

fuch provifions as were thought neceffary, Mr. Hanavay left Mofcow, and paffed through feveral villages near the western banks of the Occa. The country is hilly, but abounding in arable land, and adorned with a beautiful variety of groves. The next day he arrived at Kolumna, 80 werfts from Mofcow: which makes a better appearance than moft cities in that part of the world; for it has many ftone and brick buildings, and a good wall it has likewife feveral turrets of a very irregular figure, but being covered with gilded tin they make a good appearance.

After paffing the Occa, he fill found the country very pleasant. The horses were now

feeding

feeding on the rye juft fprouting from the earth.

Being advanced on the 26th to Periflawl Riazanfkoi, he found himself in another climate; for the harveft was not yet gathered in. The roads are for the most part very good: the country has little wood, but is delightfully watered; but the people are extremely poor, as appears by the houfes of the peasants that are covered with ftraw, in a manner that shews even their ignorance of thatching. Their language and drefs are different from thofe of the more northern Ruffians. Mr. Hanway was furprized to behold fo fine a country at no more than 200 werfts from the metropolis, make fuch an appearance of indigence; but the Lords are fuch bad oeconomists, that they defeat their own defigns, and before the peasants feel the fweets of their labour, not only refufe to affift them; but in a great measure obftruct their industry. He was now in an open fertile country; but the people were fo indigent, that many of their cottages confifted only of one room, about five or fix yards fquare, which often contained fix or eight perfons of both fexes; but the inhabitants are neither numerous nor very reserved with regard to the ordinary confequences of fuch cohabitations.

Having travelled 300 werfts from Kolumna, he arrived at Koflove, a city fortified with a wall of earth, and fome wooden turrets, which formerly ferved to fecure it from the invasions of the Tartars.