In the first storey hangs a bell, which but for its mightier neighbour below would appear stupendous, being 60 tons. To ring it is impossible; even to toll it requires the united strength of three men pulling with separate ropes the vast clapper; above this are 40 or 50 more. The cathedral of St. Basil, situated outside the Kremlin, is a truly grotesque building, having no less than 20 towers and domes, all of different shapes and sizes, and painted in every possible colour. Some are crowned with a network of green over a surface of yellow; another dome is bright red, with broad white stripes, and a third is gilded. It is said to be a whim of the Tzar Ivan the Terrible to see how many distinct chapels could be erected under one roof in a given space of ground, so that services could be performed at one time without interrupting each other. It is further related that the Tzar was so delighted with the architect that when the edifice was finished he sent for him, pronounced a high eulogium on his work, and then ordered his eyes to be put out so that he could never build such another. The chapel of the Iberian Mother of God is situated in an archway; and at the further end is the saint herself in a kind of sanctuary. Her complexion, like most of the Russian saints, is a dark brown, not to say black. Round her head is a net of pearls, on one shoulder a large jewel is fastened, and another of equal brilliancy rests on her brow, above which, the whole being lighted up by thirteen silver lamps, glitters a splendid crown. Pass whenever he pleases, the traveller will find the chapel beset by worshippers. Her hand and the foot of the child are covered with dirt from the abundant kissing, and have almost disappeared. None ever pass, however urgent their business, without bowing and crossing themselves; the greater part actually enter, kneel devoutly before the Mother, and pray with fervent sighs. Fashionable ladies leave their equipages and prostrate themselves in the dust along with the meanest beggars. It is frequently visited by the Tzars, and it is said that Alexander the First never omitted to do so, and more than once in the middle of the night he wakened the monks that he might perform his devotions. In addition to all these places of worship, there is an immense cathedral dedicated to Jesus, erected on rising ground a little out of the city. It has taken 21 years in building, and will require as many more to complete it; the interior presenting only a forest of props placed in all directions. The dome is very large, resembling that of St. Isaac, and equally splendidly gilt. Besides the churches, there are numerous convents and monasteries. Two of the principal we visited, and found them to consist of several churches, surrounded by a high wall, with many towers and a few pieces of ordnance, having all the appearance of a fortress.