Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

240 JUr MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
small cylinder-shaped loaves piled up in large baskets,
which were placed in the veranda or front entrance
to the dwelling. A small-sized cheese went with each
loaf. Beer and schnaps were being brought down to
a barn, in which the people, by the light of two or
three big tallow candles, danced nearly all night long.
In Eussia the sun does not set at midsummer until
half-past nine, and after sunset all the lovely tints
seem arrested as if by enchantment ; and when they
do change, instead of fading into soft gray, they dis-
solve into a transparent blend of all colours ; and the
light does not wane, but grows so sweet and tender,
that when I first saw the May twilights in St. Peters-
burg, I said to myself, ' This is what I should imagine
the night might be in heaven.'
The home of my friend was situated on a gentle
rising-ground, and as there was no wall round it, and
the surrounding country was flat, it was possible to
see for a very long distance. It had been a lovely
day, and after sunset the entire country was all in a
glow of warm yet mysteriously soft light. I retired
to my room, which had three windows, and was in
the front wing, and on the ' first story of the house.
By-and-by strange sounds of men and women's
voices could be heard in the distance, rising and
falling with many weird changes, and becoming more
and more audible, until at last a long procession was
seen winding its way along the road. As the singers
came nearer, I could see that they all wore wreaths,