Departure of the Malle-Post (or Mail Diligence) from St. Petersburg.
click to enlarge
Another popular mode of travelling on the principal routes in Russia is by diligences. Of these there are several kinds: The government or malle-poste, the public diligence, and the private or family diligence. The malle-poste, which accommodates four inside and three outside passengers, is the fastest and most comfortable. It is very capacious, and in winter warmly fitted up with a huge wolfskin wrapper for the feet and legs. The public diligences are slower, and carry passengers at a less rate of fare. The family-diligence is fitted up to accommodate parties of from eight to twelve inside passengers.
see more - Means of Travel
Sears, Robert. An Illustrated Description of the Russian Empire. New York: Robert Sears, 1855