As the close of winter approaches, the ice of the Neva assumes a very remarkable appearance resolvingitself into a multitude of thin bars of ice, of about an inch in diameter, and equal in length to the thickness of the crust that covei s the river. These bars have at last so little adhesion, that it becomes dangerous to venture on the ice, except where it is covered by a solid mass of snow. The foot, pushing down some of these bars, will sink at times through ice several ells thick, and the large masses of ice apparently quite solid, that lie on the dry ground, break into a multitude of glassy bars when gently touched with a stick. Several weeks, therefore, before the ice breaks up, all driving or walking upon it is prohibited. Here and there some open spaces begin to sliow themselves, and a quantity of dirty snow-water collects upon the surface. The icy crast, that, a few weeks previously, had looked so gay and animated with its sledges and promenaders, becomes now quite oppressive to look upon, and every one longs to see the dirty, useless, wornout servitor take his departure. There has often been fine warm weather for several weeks before the Neva shows the least sign of recovering her liberty, for which, in the end, she is usually more indebted to rain and wind than to the rays of the sun. One good shower, at this season, has more effect upon the ice than three days of sunshine ; and it is rarely till after there have been several rainy and windy days in succession, that the ice is got into motion. The surest symptom of an approaching break-up is the disappearance of the water from the surface. As long as there is water on the ice, nobody hesitates to venture on it, even when the horses have to wade breast high ; but as soon as the water disappears, the fact is taken as a warning that the ice has separated from the banks, and has become too porous to retain water on its surface.
It is generally between the 6th and the 14th of April (old style), or between the 18th and the 26th, according to the calendar in use in most parts of Europe, that the Neva throws off her icy covering. The 6th is the most general day. On that day the interesting fact is said to occur, on an average, ten times in a century, so that ten to one against the 6th is always thought ai'air wager. The 30th of April (12th of May, N. S.) is considered the latest day, and the 6th of March (18th N. S.) is considered the earliest day on which the ice ever breaks up. On each of these days the occurrence is supposed to take place once in a hundred years. — It is generally about the middle of November, and more frequently on the 20th (2d of Dec. N. S.) than on any other day, that the ice is brought to a stand still. In 1826 the river was not frozen up before the 14th of December, and in 1805 as early as the 16th of October.
The breaking up of the ice is an anxious moment to every one. A multitude of wagers are always depending upon it, and every one is more or less interested. The carpenters and workpeople long to earn an honest penny or two by the reconstruction of the bridges ; the ladies wisli the Neva and the Gulf of Finland clear, that the steamer from Liibeck may arrive with the latest nouveautes from Paris ; the merchants are often in the most painful suspense, lest a protracted winter, by delaying the arrival of their vessels, should mar the finest speculations ; booksellers and students are longing for a supply of the new books that have been ushered into life in England, France, and Germany, during the preceding six months. The sick native, and the home-sick stranger, are alike anxious for the day that may re-establish the communication with more genial climes, and almost the only subject of speculation at this season, is the day when the river will be free again. On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday a great number of bets are sure to be laid out. One man, in 1836, had betted against every day, from the 1st to the 17th of April, and won nearly all his wagers.
The departure of the Ice always forms an exciting spectacle, and crowds are sure to be attracted to the quays by the first gun fired from the citadel. The golden gondola of the commandant is not long alone in its glory, for hundreds of boats are quickly in motion, to re-establish the communication between the different quarters of the city.