As before stated, the railway between the two great cities of the Czar's dominions is very nearly a straight line, and was laid out by the Emperor Nicholas with a ruler placed on the map and a pencil drawn along its edge. There is consequently no city of importance along the route, with the exception of Tver, where the line crosses the Volga. Novgorod, the oldest city of Russia, is about forty miles from the railway as originally laid out. Until within a few years it was reached by steamers in summer from Volkhova Station, seventy-five miles from St. Petersburg. In winter travellers were carried in sledges from Chudova Station (near Volkhova), and to novices in this kind of travel the ride was interesting.
Latterly a branch line has been completed to Novgorod, and one may leave St. Petersburg at 9 A.M. and reach Novgorod at 6 P.M. The pace of the trains is not dangerously fast, and accidents are of rare occurrence. Between Moscow and St. Petersburg (four hundred and three miles) the running time for express trains is twenty hours, and for way trains twenty-three to twenty-five hours. Nine hours from St. Petersburg to Novgorod (one hundred and twenty miles) should not startle the most timorous tourist.
Doctor Bronson had told the youths some days before their departure that they would visit Novgorod on their way to Moscow. He suggested that he desired them to be informed about its history, and soon after the train started he referred to the subject.
[Illustration: WORKMEN OF NOVGOROD--GLAZIER, PAINTER, AND CARPENTERS.]
"It is rather an odd circumstance," said Frank, "that the oldest city in Russia is called Novgorod, or 'New City.' _Novo_ means 'new,' and _Gorod_ is Russian for 'city.' It received its name when it was really the newest town in Russia, and has kept it ever since."
"It is also called Novgorod Veliki," said Fred, "which means Novgorod the Great. In the fifteenth century it had a population of four hundred thousand, and was really entitled to be called the great. At present it has less than twenty thousand inhabitants, and its industries are of little importance compared to what they used to be.
"It has a trade in flax, corn, and hemp," the youth continued, "and its manufactures are principally in tobacco, leather, sail-cloth, vinegar, and candles. In former times an important fair was held here, and merchants came to Novgorod from all parts of Europe and many countries of Asia. Afterwards the fair was removed to Nijni Novgorod, on the Volga, and the ancient city became of little consequence except for its historical interest."