in Russia, is situated about 20 miles from Petersburg, and is distinguished for its palace and gardens. The palace was begun by Peter I. and finished by Elizabeth. As it is placed upon an eminence, it commands a most superb view of Cronstadt, Petersburg, the intervening gulf, and the opposite coast of Carelia. The palace is most magnificently furnished, and the suite of apartments are truly princely. The presence-chamber is richly ornamented with portraits of the sovereigns of the house of Romanoff, who have reigned in Russia since 1613.

"The gardens of Peterhoff (says an intelligent traveller) have been celebrated for their taste and elegance; and from the number of jets d'eau, fountains, basins, cascades, parterres, &c., they have been compared to those of Versailles: and indeed in one respect they are far superior; for the water-works of the latter only play upon particular occasions, while those of Peterhoff are perennial. These gardens, which at the time of their formation were greatly admired in this country, though not congenial to the taste of the empress, are suffered to remain in their present state; as during summer her majesty principally resides at Tzarikoe-Selo, where the grounds are disposed in a more modern and pleasing manner." A vast number of silver dolphins and gilded statues are scattered through them; but the most remarkable figures are those of two gladiators placed in a basin of water. These are represented, not with the sword and buckler, the ancient implements of war, but with a brace of pistols. These they point to each other in a threatening posture, while the water gushes impetuously from the barrels. In that part of the garden which lies between the palace and the gulf, close to the water, is a building which was the favourite retreat of Peter I. It is preserved together with its furniture entirely in its original state with a kind of religious veneration. Its plainness shows the frugal simplicity in which that monarch was accustomed to live. In the same celebrated gardens there is a remarkable building called the mountain for sledges, and often by travellers the flying mountain. "It stands (says Mr Coxe) in the middle of an oblong area, inclosed by an open colonnade, with a flat roof, which is raised for the convenience of holding spectators. The circumference of this colonnade is at least half a mile. In the middle of the area stands the flying mountain, stretching nearly from one end to the other. It is a wooden building, supported upon pillars, representing an uneven surface of ground, or a mountain composed of three principal ascents, gradually diminishing in height, with an intermediate space to resemble valleys: from top to bottom is a floored way, in which three parallel grooves are formed. It is thus used: a small carriage containing one person being placed in the centre groove upon the highest point, goes with great rapidity down one hill; the velocity which it acquires in its descent carries it up a second; and it continues to move in a similar manner until it arrives at the bottom of the area, where it rolls for a considerable way on the level surface, and stops before it attains the boundary: it is then placed in one of the side grooves, and drawn up by means of a cord fixed to a windlass. To a person unacquainted with the mechanism, this entertainment would appear tremendous; but as the grooves always keep the carriage in its right direction, there is not the least danger of being overturned. At the top of the mountain is a handsome apartment for the accommodation of the court and principal nobility; there is also room for many thousand spectators within the colonnade and upon its roof. Near the flying mountain is a spacious amphitheatre, in which tournaments are usually exhibited."