As it was known that the Emperor would mount his horse-
in that spot, a great crowd was assembled to see him: andl
could not help being struck by the manner in which he was
received, though I am told it was exactly in accordance wiflt
his own wishes. In England the air would have been rent dli
such an occasion by the cheers with which a popular sovereign
would have been received — and popular the Emperor undoubt--
edly is, especially in Petersburg. Here all was calm and
silent. Every head was uncovered, but neither hat nor hand-
kerchief was waved in the air ; and to have waved one, or to
have uttered a shout, would imdoubtedly have been considered
a gross breach of etiquette, and the enthusiasm of the offender
would have been quickly checked by the police. Nothing
can be more graceful and dignified than the manner in which
the Emperor acknowledges the salutes which he receives as
he drives about. He has the royal talent of appearing to
direct his attention to each individual in particular, and he
never fails to return every salute, even that of a private
soldier. With the promenade of Sunday the public festivities
of Easter concluded. Yesterday the exhibitions and katchellies
ceased, and workmen are now busily employed in removing
the booths and in clearing the ground.
The unreasonable number of holidays in this country is a
severe tax on industiy, and at the same time a serious bar to the

* The Gardes d cheval and tUe Chevaliers Gardes are regiments correspond-
ing to our Life Guards and Blues, and. eq\iv^^edL\ik<& ^^xo..
