Cronstadt is the chief station of the Russian navy, and the fortifications are very extensive, including two circular batteries a short distance from the shore, having three tiers and a range of guns at the top, but so ill-constructed, we were told, as to be rendered almost useless for want of ventilation. Here our passports were examined, and the passengers along with their luggage were transferred to a smaller steamer to convey us up the Neva to St. Petersburg. Soon after leaving Cronstadt, on the right are seen the gilded towers of the palace of Peterhof, and a little further we discern a large golden ball, the dome of St. Isaac, with the glittering taper spire rising from the Admiralty. Approaching nearer, we see numerous domes and spires, painted blue and green, with silver and golden stars. Along the banks of the Neva are quays, constructed in the most substantial manner out of large blocks of granite. Before being permitted to land there was a further inspection of our passports, and our luggage was conveyed to the searching house. Here we found a commissioner from the Miss Bensons, the proprietresses of a celebrated boarding-house, to whom we had written a short time before. Having but a few books, the examination passed off very quickly, and we were soon conveyed to their delightful establishment, beautifully situated on the English Quay. It was well that we had written, as we found the house quite full, consisting chiefly of English travellers; everything proved so nice and comfortable that we soon found ourselves more at home than we could have expected. So far I have proceeded as from a diary, but in future, though I shall confine myself almost entirely to such objects as come under our actual notice, I shall find it necessary in describing many particulars to quote largely from Murray and some other authorities. The weather, we were told, had been very wet and cold for a much longer period than usual, but had suddenly changed to brighter skies and a delightful atmosphere. The days, of course, are here much longer, but what surprised us most was the brilliant twilight, eclipsing every star and enabling us to read the newspaper at midnight. Our first business was to communicate by telegraph the important news of our safe arrival; and early the following morning we received the joyful intelligence of all being well at home. To some of you this may be considered a circumstance hardly worth relating, but let such persons go a considerable distance from home leaving behind them valuable treasures and their views and feelings will undergo considerable change. On enquiring about Adlerberg, my quarantine associate, we were sorry to learn that he had set off that morning with the Emperor for Archangel, proving himself by that circumstance, as well as from what we heard in all quarters, to be no unimportant personage, second only, they said, to the Emperor himself.