Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/47

Rh between Coluga and Vorotin. This river formerly divided Lithuania from Moscow.

Demetriovich is a fortified town lying eighteen miles south-west from Viesma, and about twenty from Vorotin. Smolensko is an episcopal city situated on the river Dnieper, and on the eastern bank of the river it has a fortress constructed of oak, containing a considerable number of houses like a city. On that side of it which stretches towards the hill (for on the other side it is washed by the Dnieper), it is protected with ditches, and in addition to these, with sharp stakes, which form a barrier against the attacks of the enemy. Vasiley Ivanovich very often attacked this place in the most desperate manner, but never could take it by force. At length he gained possession of it through the treachery of the soldiers, and of a certain Bohemian who was governor, and of whom we have spoken before in the account of Michael Linski. The city lies in a valley, is surrounded on all sides with fertile hills, and is begirt by immense forests, from which is derived a great supply of furs of various kinds. In the citadel there is a church dedicated to the blessed Virgin, and other buildings constructed of wood. In the suburbs there are considerable ruins of monasteries built of stone. In going southwestwards from Moscow towards Smolensko, a journey of eighteen miles will bring you first to Mosaisko; twenty-six miles more to Viesma; eighteen more to Drogobusch; and another eighteen to Smolensko: the whole journey making eighty German miles, although the Lithuanians and Russians reckon it a hundred. I have myself, however, travelled through these places three times, and never found the distance more than eighty miles. While Vasiley reigned over this principality, Vithold, grand-duke of Lithuania, took it from the Russians in the year 1413. Vasiley Ivanovich took it from Sigismund king of Poland, on the 30th of July, in the year 1514.

Drogobusch and Viesma are fortified towns built of wood,