"Moscow was until 1720 the capital of the Russian empire," said he. "This part of it was called Muscovy, and came to include Novgorod and Tver, the two provinces, or governments, through which we passed in coming from St. Petersburg. What is called Great Russia comprises sixteen governments, among which are nearly all the ancient grand dukedoms. It was founded in the middle of the twelfth century, and was taken and plundered by Tamerlane in the fourteenth century; nearly consumed by fire in 1536, and again in 1572, when it was fired by the Tartars, and one hundred thousand people perished in the flames and by the sword; the Poles fired it in 1611, and in 1812 it was burned by the Russians to prevent the French from wintering in it. Moscow is the Holy City of the Russians. It is a place of great commercial importance, having a vast trade, extending into Asia, and it is also a large manufacturing place. The emperors are crowned here, and on account of its holy character and sacred associations, no Czar would dare to neglect at least a semiannual visit; and custom requires that he should present his oldest son and heir in this city soon after he becomes of age. "Moscow is one of the most irregularly built cities in the world. The Kremlin is in the centre. Half a mile from it there is a series of streets nearly encircling it, on the site of which was formerly the moat of the castle. A mile and a half distant there is another series of avenues, which form a complete circle. Within this line the map of the city looks very much like a well-constructed cobweb; but the town extends far beyond this line, and has a circumference of twenty miles. The Moscow river, a branch of the Oka, runs through the city, with a great bend extending up to the Kremlin." "What is the Kremlin, sir?" asked a student. "It was originally the citadel or fortress of the city. It was first enclosed with oak walls, and afterwards with stone. It is in the form of a triangle, with a perimeter of about a mile, and contains the palace, the holiest churches, and many other public buildings. Moscow has between three and four hundred churches, the number being variously estimated, for some writers include several in one establishment, while others count all as one. A monastery may have two or three churches within its walls. Now we will walk to the Kremlin, and ascend the Tower of Ivan Veliki, or John the Great, from which you will obtain a fine view of the whole city."