The Russian sovereigns have done much to promote science and learning ; academies and schools have been founded and liberally endowed by them, and learned men Invited from foreign countries. Among these establishments are—the university, founded in 1819; the academy of sciences, founded by Peter I., on tho plan of Leibnitz; the academy of fine arts; the pedagogical institution for training teachers in the higher departmente of learning; the ecclesiastical seminary in the convent of St. Alexander Nevsky ; the mediee-chirur gical academy ; four gymnasia ; the Oriental institution ; numerous institutions for the army and navy ; tho mining academy; the female schools of St. Catherine ; the Stnolnoi convent; and the foundling hospitals. The collections of all kinds are very rich. In the splendid collection of minerals of the Mioiog Aca•lenty there is a lump of native gold weighing 80 lba, and a lump of platinum of 10 lbs. The Imperial public library consists of above 400,000 volumes; that of the Academy of Sciences of 100,000 volumes ; and almost every establishment has its own library. Hospitals and charitable institu tions of all descriptions are numerous and well supported.
The ground on which St. Petersburg stands is low and swampy, and the surrounding country is a =rant and forest, except where it has been ameliorated by industry and art It is liable to be inundated by the Neva. In general the ice iu the Neva does not break up before the 22nd of March, nor later than the 27th of April; the earliest time of the river's freezing is the 20th of October, and the latest the let of December. The few bright days are generally during the greatest heat or the severest cold. The spring is very short ; a sudden transition brings summer at once, which all classes hasten to enjoy, in the adjacent villas, in hospitality and social amusements. In summer the nights are bright and generally warm. During the night, parties, frequently attended by music, pro monde the streets in every direction ; and the simple melody of the popular ballads floats ou the air from the boats that glide on the canals and the emeith surface of the Neva. In autumn St. Petersburg is one of the most disagreeable spots on the face of the earth. In winter the cold, when it once sets in, is equal and constant, and it Strencthene and braces the body. Travelling iu sledges over the hard snow is convenient and agreeable, and the people defend themselves very efficiently against the cold. All commercial intercourse with foreign countries being suspended during the winter, the citizens indulge their national fondness for luxury and amusements. The great masked ball (as it is called) on New Year's Day brings together persons of all classes In the Winter Palace; tickets are very easily obtained, and above 30,000 are usually issued. Nobody however is masked, nor is there tiny
dancing. The river being frozen over for several months, the populace an, amused with swings, roundabouts, and the like ; and by the ice hills, which are inclined plains of considerable height, covered with blocks of Ice. The ascent is by a flight of steps at the back. A low sledge with one person in It glides down the plane with such rapidity that it Is carried by the impetus to the next ice-hill, when the driver takes his sledge on his back, ascends the steps, and descends on the other side. There are likewise great popular amusements during Lent in Isaac's-square. The bath establishments are much frequented.
In summer those persons who have the means go into the country. There are numerous country-houses in the islands, nud on the road to Peterhof, Strelns, and Omnlenbaum. Peterhof, on the Bay of Cron stadt, the road to which is • noble canseway bordered by fine gardens and countryeteata, has a large garden and fine waterworks. A grand filtas is generally celebrated here on the 13th of July in honour of the birthday of the empress Alexandra, when the gardens are splendidly illuminated and enlivened with bands of music, and somatitnee as many as 250,000 persons are assembled. Oranienbaum, on the Gulf of Finland, is still more beautifully situated then Peterhof. Zarskoje Selo is a very magnificent imperial country-seat, with an immense park and noble gardens. A large portion of this palace was burnt down in 1820. At a short distance is the Pulkowabeig, a fine observatory, erected by the emperor Nicholas. Pavlovsk, near the town of the same name, is an imperial country-sent, with a fine park laid out in the Eugli'h style by Brown. At Gatschina, Tschcsme, and Strelna, there are likewise country-Bente belonging to the imperial family. [Cewf.-ram] In 1854 batteries and strong defenelve works were erected on both 'idea of the Neva, in anticipation of an attack by the Anglo-French fleet upon Crenetadt and the capital St Petersburg Is not only the capital but the greatest manufacturing city of the empire. There are numerous manufactories of silk, cotton, woollen, leather, glass, gold and silver article; watches, surgical instru ments, paper, snuff and tobacco, sugar, &e. Some manufacturing establishments the government has considered It advisable to carry on upon its own account; such are the great manufactory of tapestry, a large manufactory of aqua-fortis, with an amity-office and a mint ; plate-glass manufactory, which produces mirrors 14 feet high and 7 feet wide; • porcelain manufactory ; a great manufactory of cotton and linen, in which steam-engines are employed, at Alexandrovsk, near the city ; a cannon-foundry, and powder-mills.