latter, as well as the panes, being all formed of ice. The sides of the doors and windows were painted in imitation of green marble. On each side of the door was a dolphin, from the mouths of which, by means of naphtha, volumes of flames were emitted in the evening. Next to them were two mortars, equal to eighty pounders, from which many bombs were thrown, a quarter of a pound of powder being used for each charge. On each side of the mortars stood three cannons, equal to three pounders, mounted upon carriages, and with wheels, which were often used. In the presence of a number of persons attached to the court, a bullet was driven through a board two inches thick, at the distance of sixty paces, by one of these cannons, a quarter of a pound of powder being also used for a charge. The interior of the edifice had no ceiling, and consisted of a lobby and two large apartments, one on each side, which were well furnished, and painted in the most elegant manner, though formed merely of ice. Tables, chairs, statues, looking-glasses, candlesticks, watches, and other ornaments, besides tea dishes, tumblers, wine glasses, and even plates with provisions, were seen in one apartment also formed of ice, and

painted of their natural colours, while in the other were to be seen a state bed with curtains, pillows, and bed clothes, two pair of slippers, and two night-caps of the same cold material. Behind the cannon, the mortars, and the dolphins, stretched a low balustrade. On each side of the building was a small entrance. Here were pots with flowers and orange trees, partly formed of ice and partly natural, on which birds sat. On the right of one of them stood an elephant, which was hollow, and so contrived within as to throw out burning naphtha; while a person within it, by means of a tube, imitated the natural cries of the animal. On the left of the other pyramid was seen the never-failing concomitant of all princely dwellings in Russia, a banya, or bath, apparently formed of balks, which is said to have been sometimes heated, and even to have been appropriated to use.

The appearance of the ice palace, it is said was remarkably splendid when lighted up in the evening with numerous candles. Amusing transparencies were usually suspended in the windows, to increase the effect; and the emission of flames by the dolphins and the elephant, all

tended to excite greater surprise, while the people beheld the crystalline mass.

Thus there wanted not, to carry on the parallel between this palace and the magical edifice which Milton describes,

Of starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed
With naphtha and asphaltus, yielding light
As from a sky. The hasty multitude

Admiring entered; and the work some praise,
And some the architect."

Crowds of visiters were continually seen around this fantastic and unique construction, which remained entire from the beginning of January almost to the middle of March. The glassy fabric then began to melt, and was soon afterwards broken into pieces, and the ruins were conveyed to the imperial ice cellar. On the wisdom displayed in the construction of this costly emblem of mundane glory, the reader may make his own comment.