"All the Russian churches are beautiful buildings; and you will find that those in St. Petersburg and Moscow far excel this one. The large structures in front of us are the Lutheran church, the University,—which was moved from Åbo to this place,—and the Senate House."
"I did not expect to find any such place as this away up here. Why, it is one of the finest cities I ever looked upon!" exclaimed the commodore.
"I was as much astonished as you are when I first came here," added the doctor.
The squadron anchored quite near the shore, and after the sails had been furled, the yards carefully squared, and everything hauled taut, the recitations in the steerage proceeded as usual. They were continued without interruption, except for dinner,—though of course all the classes were not occupied at the same time,—till three o'clock in the afternoon, when the boats were manned, and all hands were allowed to go on shore.
"The gig is ready, sir," reported the officer to whom the charge of this boat had been given, to the captain.
"I shall not go on shore," replied Cantwell.
"Not go on shore, Captain Cantwell?" said Mr. Lowington, who stood near him.
"No, sir; not unless it is necessary that I should do so."
"It is not necessary that you should go, but I should think you would desire to see the town."
"I cannot spare the time, Mr. Lowington," answered the captain, with a smile. "As you are aware, sir, I am deficient in seamanship; and Mr. Peaks, who has kindly consented to help me, has more leisure when the ship's company are on shore than at any other time."