Of course the journey seemed long.

For a large part of the way it was an uninhabited, level plain; so green, however, that it seemed like travelling on prairies.

Occasionally we passed a dreary little village of small huts, and as we neared St.
Petersburg we passed larger and better built towns, which the dome of some cathedral lighted up for miles.
"The road was enlivened, too, by another peculiarity.

The restaurants were all adorned by flags of all colors, and festooned by vines.

At one place the green arches ran across the road, and we passed under a bower of evergreens.