File:Norway nights and Russian days (1887) (14578132258).jpg

Identifier: norwaynightsruss00davi (find matches)
Title: Norway nights and Russian days
Year: 1887 (1880s)
Authors: Davis, S. M. Henry
Subjects: Norway -- Description and travel Russia -- Description and travel
Publisher: New York, Fords, Howard, & Hulbert
Contributing Library: University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Digitizing Sponsor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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)ound (a ruble being generally equivalent to sev-enty-five cents or three shillings sterling, but inthe present state of Russian funds a third less).Tchai slamomnn is made from an inferior qualityof leaf; but we found it very palatable—a harmlessbeverage, as universal as beer in Germany and vinordinaire in P^ranee. THE CATHEDRAL. The world-renowned Cathedral of St. Isaacsstands conspicuously in a large open square, sur-rounded by several of the finest edifices and mon-uments in the city. A few words will recall themany descriptions given of it by clever writers. Itis a Greek cross in form; the four ends are ter-minated by porticos which are reached by flightsof red-granite steps ; above these stand stately pol- S7\ PETERSBURG, 231 ished columns of the same material, sixty feethigh and seven in diameter, with bronze Corin-thian capitals. They support a massive friezefrom which rises the dome of bronze overlaid withburnished gold, also supported by a circle of granite
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^il^ The Neva—The Bridge—St. Isaacs. pillars. From the centre, again, rises the rotunda,or lantern, a miniature repetition of the wholeedifice, surmounted by a golden cross. Foursmaller domes stand above each end of the armsof the cross and complete the harmony. Each 2^2 RUSSIAN DAYS. flight of Steps as well as each column is formed ofa single block of granite : all of them, as well ashundreds more in other churches and palaces, wereconveyed from Finland on rollers, their weightbeing too great for wheels. The Tsars are asrich as were the Pharaohs in unlimited quarriesof marble. Ponderous sculptured bronze doors lead to theinterior, where floor, walls, and supporting pillarsare of polished marbles, verde antique, Sienna yel-low, porphyry, and jasper. Gilded angels of vari-ous sizes, pictures of Christ, the Virgin, and saints,ensconced in gilding and jewelled mosaics, gleamthrough a mystic twilight. Sculptures are for-bidden by the Greek Church, but the commandagainst graven images

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