This is a large handsome town, with a considerable navigation upon its shores; it is strongly fortified. Here you pass through two barriers, at each of which you are detained some time whilst the officer of the guard examines your passport and podoroschna; and then, before you leave the town, they are again visited by the Military and Civil Governors, which detains you better than an hour; and, as you cannot enter the town after dark, the best way is to contrive to arrive here about dinner time, as here is a tolerable inn kept by an Italian, and an ordinary, wine included, for one silver rouble and a half.
George Green: An original journal from London to St. Petersburg