immediately dismounted; I, however, got down from my horse very slowly, which made him greatly vexed that he had been cheated by me.
After this, he approached me, and with uncovered head, said, "The Captain N., of the province, etc., representative of the great lord Vasiley, by the grace of God, king and lord of all Russia, and grand-duke, etc. (repeating the names of the chief principalities), hath ordered me to inform thee, that having understood thou wert come as ambassador of so great a prince to our great master, he hath sent us to meet thee, and to conduct thee to him (repeating the title of the prince and governor). He also desired us to inquire whether you had ridden well?" (for this is their fashion in receiving you, to inquire, have you travelled well). The delegate then holds out his right hand to the ambassador; but after this, he no more takes the lead in showing respect, unless he sees the ambassador also uncover his head. After this, perhaps actuated by the duty of courtesy, he of his own accord presses upon the ambassador the inquiry as to whether he has travelled in comfort; he finally gives a signal with his hand, as much as to say, "mount, and proceed". When all have mounted their horses, or entered the carriages, he remains together with his people in the same spot, nor does he give place even to the ambassador, but follows a long way behind, and is particularly careful that no one shall go backward or ride behind him. As the ambassador proceeds, he soon begins to make inquiries, first as to the name of the ambassador and each of his servants, then as to the names of his parents, and from what province such an one comes, what language such an one knows, and what is his condition in life, and whether he is the servant of any prince, or a relative or kinsman of the ambassador, or whether he had ever been before in that province; all which points are immediately reported by letter to the grand-duke. After the ambassador has proceeded a little distance, a man
