Astracan is the natural port of the Volga, from which a voyage to Petersburg)) occupies about two years. A range of comparatively high country runs along the east ern side of the lakes Hunen, Ladoga, and Onega, dividing the waters of the Neva from the Volga. Captain Perry levelled ai,line at each of these three places, and reports that, 1st, In the middle or most direct line, that is, fol lowing the livers Sass and Fiffin, he found that, from the summit to the lake Ladoga, there was a fall of 897 feet upon 174 Russian versts, ancl front the sumtnit, in the op posite direction, down the rivers Chocodasha and AIologa, to where the Shaxna joins the Volga, the fall was 562 feet upon 420 versts.
2. In the southern track, by the river Emsta, the lake Milan, and the river Volchoff, to the Ladoga, the fall was 568 feet upon 550 versts ; ancl from the summit in the other direction, by the rivers Twere and Volga, as far as the mouth of the Shaxna, the fall was 223 feet upon 720 versts. This has been the usual linc of navi gation.
3. In the northern track, by the river Whitegra, the lake Onega, and river Swire, into the lake Ladoga, the descent was 445 feet upon 278 versts; and from the summit in the other direction, by the river Kioska, lake Bello, and fiver Shaxna, to the Volga, the fall is 110 feet upon 418 versts.
This last, although 102 versts longer than the first mentioned track, being much the lowest part of the general summit, was recommended to be adopted for a navigation. In point of lockage, it has the advantage of 450 feet of less elevation than the first, and 123 feet less than the second. It has now been rendered passable by means of the Mavie Canal, and will enable a communi cation to be opened to the northern Dwina.
The direct line, although interrupted by a porter age of 60 miles, is yet the channel of a considerable trade.
We avoid entering upon the numerous projects which have been formed between the Neva and the Volga, being yet only matter of speculation.
The southern track, through Novogorod and the lake Hunen, was opened for navigation in the reign of Peter, by the construction of the canals of Ladoga and Vishnie Voloshok ; but it was not rendered complete until 1732, in the reign of the empress Ann.
The Ladoga canal is formed along the southern shore of the lake of that name, to avoid the inconvenience of navigating it. The canal commences at Schlusselburg, and is carried on one level 6N miles to New Ladegaat, the mouth of the Volkof. There is a icgulating lock at each extrernity. The breadth of the canal is 70 feet, mean depth of water in summer seven feet, and in spring ten feet. It is supplied by the Volkoff, and eig-ht rivu
lets. Opposite to New Ladoga a cut was completed in 1801, ten versts in length, to continue the canal naviga tion to the mouth of the Sass river.
The Volkof, although it has various dangerous rapids, forms the natural navigation from the city of Novogorod and lake Hunen to the lake Ladoga. Above it the line comes !vont the Msta river through the lake Hunen ; but this has lately been improved from the Msta to the Volkof called the Novogorod canals. The gleat line comes by the river Msta in a very winding course from Vishnie Voloshok, where there is a canal connecting the Msta with the Twere, a navigable branch of the Volga. The rivers Msta and Twere, near the summit level, have not sufficient water for a constant supply ; and it is ne cessary to pound up the rivers and lakes, for a flash, or artificial flood. This is accomplished by pen sluices, and some short cuts. The course of the Msta, to the lake Hunen, is 234. miles ; the Volkof to New Ladoga, 130 miles. The whole voyage from Vishnie Voloshok to Petersburgh, is performed in a month.
The third line of communication, by lake Onega, called the Marie Canal, from the Volga, the river Shaxna, is ascended 350 versts to the lake Belozero. It admits vessels drawing- 3 to 31feet water. The channel is interrupted by reefs of stones. The passage to the river Kofstha is performed in small vessels with sails, which suit both lake and river. These vessels are from 56 to 91 feet long, 25 to 27 feet in breadth, and carry ftom 50 to 90 tons. After passing- the lake Belozero, the navigation continues by the river Kofscha, 65 versts, to the Junction Canal. This river has only eleven feet fall, and locks have been adopted. 'Iwo of these were completed and in use in 1808. From the Kofseha there is an ascent to the summit of 48 feet. The Junction Canal, including its basins, is about nine versts in length ; the canal part is 70 feet wide at top water, and 56 at the bottom. Upon this summit, the lake Nlatkosero waS found insufficient for supplying water ; but, at thc dis tance of 10 versts, the Great Lake Kofscha was quite ade quate, and upun a proper level to supply by means of a feeder. From the Junction Canal to the town of Wit tegra, 67 versts, the river has a fall of 198 feet. For 10 versts, its bed is obstructed by stone reefs and cataracts. These have been obviated by side-cuts, locks, and %viers.