ings either on their way up or down the river. Ships which have an inward bound cargo, are allowed to pass through an opening made in the centre of the Isaac bridge, by removing two of the pontons. This operation takes place only at night, and the charge for each ship is ten roubles. The species of harbour in which these ships are received, opposite the fine quay of the Custom-house and Exchange, is commodious, and properly sheltered. Vessels drawing not more than seventeen feet of water, from all parts of the globe, are to be seen safely moored at the entrance of the lesser Neva, between the Vassileiostroff and the Island of St. Petersburgh.

An idea may be formed of the extent and importance of the trade of St. Petersburgh, from the number of vessels which had arrived in that port during the year in which I visited it (1827). These amounted to 1257, making a total of tonnage equal to 112,4643. Of this number forty-one wintered at St. Petersburgh; 118 made two voyages in the course of the year; nineteen three, and one ship four voyages. The first vessel entered on the 25th of April, rather an early date, and the last left on the 17th of November. The principal articles imported were cotton and colonial produce, as will be seen by inspecting the official return of last year, which I have inserted in the Appendix at full length, together with those of the years preceding, beginning with 1816, in order that a comparison may be made between them of the progressive increase of the trade of St. Petersburgh. I have done the same thing with regard to the exports; but on this point I have only been able to obtain documents for the last four years. By comparing the sum total of exports with that of the imported goods during any one year, it will be seen that a considerable balance exists in favour of that Capital. Indeed this is the case at present with respect to the general export

and import trade of Russia. According to the Statistical Tables lately published by Weydemeyer, the export trade of Russia in Europe amounted in 1825 to 221,538,302 R. and the import trade in the same year

Leaving a balance in favour of

163,322,497 R.

58,215,805 R.

This general balance in favour of Russia is farther confirmed by a table published by the Ministry of Finance, which presents a comparative statement of the value of the Import and Export trade of the whole Empire, in the course of the first six months of 1826 and 1827, as follows:

1st half-year. 1st half-year. 1st half-year. 1st half-year.

In Russian produce

In Merchandise......77,878,559 83,957,320 69,495,395 107,427,640 In Money & Ingots 2,253,184 5,894,788 3,868,208 2,255,334

Total......80,131,743 89,852,108 73,363,603 109,682,974

From which table it appears that the value of foreign Merchandise, &c. imported in the first half-year of 1826 and 1827, amounted to

and that of Russian Produce and Merchandise exported, to

169,983,851 R.

183,046,577 R.

Leaving a net balance in favour of Russia 13,062,726 R.

From another equally official Report, respecting Corn alone, the value of the quantity exported from St. Petersburgh and the other ports of Russia, as well as through the Land Frontiers, during the first six months of 1827, appears to have been more than three times as much as in the same period of 1826.

Here are some elements of calculation for those who naturally and from professional habits must take an interest in the great question of international trade. One great conclusion from all these statements is evident, namely, that Russia is very properly taking care of herself, and that she is steadily pursuing the same path of improvement in regard to her commercial resources, which she has been treading for some years, and is now following, more than ever, in respect to political and military questions, as well as in general civilization.

The yearly increase of the Custom-house revenue at St. Petersburgh, shows likewise the increased activity of its commerce. The inspection of the following numerical columns will prove it.

In the course of the last six years, therefore, this branch of the National Revenue, at St. Petersburgh alone, has increased 12,794,556 roubles and 15 kopeeks, or considerably more than one-half above what it was in 1822.

Notwithstanding the evident increase of Custom-house revenue in the year 1826 beyond that of the preceding year, it is curious that the number of vessels which arrived at St. Petersburgh in those two years stand in an inverse ratio to that increase; that number having been 1263 in 1825, and only 957 in 1826. As the question of British shipping connected with the Baltic trade has just

been canvassed among persons most interested in it and those who support the present system of free commerce, my readers will pardon me for inserting in this place an official list, published under the auspices of the Minister of Finance, of the number of vessels of each nation which arrived at St. Petersburgh in the course of those two years, from which it will be seen, that from some cause or other, the number of those belonging to this country diminished in the second year from that to which they amounted in the former of those years, by more than twothirds. I wish I had been able to procure a similar list for 1827; but I left the country before it could be made up. The following, however, is in itself an important document.

The reader, however, will not fail to remark, that although

the number of English ships decreased in 1826, that of other nations does not appear to have increased in proportion, nay some, as the American ships for instance, have also diminished.

The inland navigation of Russia is another means by which the trade of St. Petersburgh is greatly promoted, and on which it in a great measure depends. The facilities of water communication which exist in Russia are not only extensive, but, it is said, perfect models of their kind. From a statement published by the Board of "Roads and Communications," it appears that the inland navigation to and from St. Petersburgh alone, stood in the following ratios, during the years thereto annexed:

The calculated value contained in the above table, changed into English money, gives a result for the total import inland trade at St. Petersburgh, for the three years antecedent to 1827, 14,146,9927. sterling. Now most of this inland trade, and the greater part of the foreign trade, is