of Musco partly are dispos'd in the Frontier-places The Customs are very considerable in Muscovy Five per Cent. of all Merchandices imported or exported being to be paid to the Czar The Custom-House of Archangel has some Years paid in near 200000 l. Sterling and since the Establishment of a free Commerce betwixt China Persia and Muscovy the Customs paid on those Frontiers amount to a great Sum yearly The Czar is as it were the General Merchant of the Empire employing under him a great number of Factors who are all accountable to him What is imported by the Greeks and Persians is engrossed for the Czar's Use at a certain Price Hides Pot-ash Wax Hemp Flax and other such like Commodities which are of the Product of Muscovy are sent by these Factors to Archangel and other places where they are truck'd off for Silk Cloth Velvet Cloth of Gold and such other Commodities as the Czar stands in need of it being a Custom in Muscovy for the Czar to bestow his Graces among his Subjects in Silks Velvets Sables and such like As his Houshold-Servants are for the most part paid with Meal Honey Fish Nut-oils Oaâ—s Beer Mead and other Necessaries His Revenue out ofâ—the Fur and Caviare as also the Ithyocolla and Agarick â— must needs be very great forasmuch as he monopolizes these Commodities Bath-stoves being so common in Muscovy that there is not a Village so small but has one or more of them The Impost laid upon those that keep them for publick Use amounts to a vast Sum But as the Taverns and other Houses where strong Liquors are sold infinitely out-number the Bath-stoves so the Revenue arising from to the Czar is incredible some of them being farm'd out at 2000 others at 6000 some at 10000 and 12000 Rubbles per Annum reckoning a Rubble atâ—the rate of 8 Shillings Sterling It is to be imagined that all these several Branches when united must needs make up a vast Treasure but if his Receippts are great his Issues and Expences are proportionable thereto For not to insist here upon the extraordinary Splendor and Pomp of his Court the Presents and Expences bestowed upon foreign Ambassadors and the vast Consumption of all manner of Provisions of his Table and the rest of his Court where above a thousand Persons have Meat provided for them every day His Military Expences are almost incredible The vastness of his Territories obliges him to keep above a hundred thousand Men in constant Pay which in time of War are sometimes augmented to three hundred thousand His Wars are more expensive to him than most other Princes of Europe by reason of the great number of foreign Officers as well as Soldiers he entertains in his Armies who are both very plentifully and punctually paid so that notwithstanding the vastness of his Revenues at the commencement of any War he is obliged to lay extraordinary Impositions upon his Subjects The Great Duke Coin having only the Power of Coining Money the same is commonly Farm'd out to several Merchants of the Cities of Musco Novogorod T were and Plescou these four Cities enjoying alone the Privilege of Coining throughout all Muscovy Their Silver Coin for Gold they have none unless it be Medals is of an Oval figure and very small the biggest being worth but a Penny they call them Copees or Denaing haveing on one side the Arms of Muscovy as we have described it before and on the other the Great Duke's Name then Reigning and that of the City where it is Coin'd They have two lesser Sorts call'd Poluske and Mustofske the first is worth half the second the fourth part of a Câ—pee both of Silver so that this small Money being so very troublesome to Tell the Muscovites in their Trading make up their Accompts by Altins Grif and Rubbles the first of these they count worth Three the second Ten and the third a Hundred Copees tho' there be no such Coin in Muscovy but only is made use of in Commerce to avoid the Multiplication of Copees Besides this small Money they make use for the most part of Rixdollars and some Spanish Reals The first they call Jâ—simâ—i from the word Joachim a name of a certain Saint whose Image was formerly Stampt upon one side of these Rixdollars and who hath communicated his name to a certain City in Bohemia call'd Joachimstad where in the Year 1519 these Rixdollars were first Coin'd and are in Germany to this day call'd Joachim's Dollars The Czar rarely appears in Publick unless it be on Festivals or some other extraordinary Occasion when he shews himself in the utmost Splendor none but his Domesticks and Lords in Office are admitted to approach within the inward Court The Guards which are within the Court are kept under so exact a Discipline that they stand at their Duty silent and as it were immoveable He dines but seldom in publick and whether at Dinner or Supper there is not the least Noise made by the Sounding of Trumpets or otherwise but a certain Officer goes to the Cellar and Kitchen-door where he calls to the Servant Godusar Kushinung that is to say The Grand Seignior would be Serv'd when immediately the Meat is carried up The Grand Duke always Dines alone but if he invites any of his Lords they are placed at another Table at some distance from his and are Served with the same Meat that has been presented to the Grand Duke For it is to be observed that the Grand Duke has always fifty Dishes dress'd for his Dinner which the Gentlemen that bring them up all at once hold so long in their Hands till the Carver hath shew'd them to the Czar who after he has made choice of such of them as he likes best sends the rest to such Persons of Quality as he has invited to Dinner or if he Dines alone he sends those Dishes that have been untouch'd to some of his Boyars to their Houses There is a House of Pleasure at about three Miles distance from the City of Musco belonging to the Great Dukes where they goe once a Year towards the end of May. It is called Obrasauksky which is as much as Transfiguration it being dedicated to the Transfiguration in the Mount Here the Czar in imitation of these Words Master 't is good for us to be here let us make three Tabernacles has very magnificent Tents set up for him and his Retinue where he spends some time very retiredly no body being admitted to disturb the Czar with any Petitions or other Business Nay round about these Tents are not only Rails but Guards placed to hinder the approach of the People whom the Czar does not allow to be Eye-witnesses of his Retirement It being an established Custom in Muscovy His Marriâ—ge as we have said before that the Czar never makes Alliances by way of Marriage with foreign Princes he always chuses one of his own Subjects which is generally done with a great deal of Secrecy and never
had by all possible means endeavour'd to insinuate himself into the Favour of Wisnowiski with very good Success was only watching an Opportunity of making his intended Discovery which soon after offer'd it self when he least expected it For Wisnowiski being in a violent Passion one day not only call'd him a Son of a Whore but also seconded his Words with some Blows which Occasion Grisko taking hold of with a feigned Perplexity and Tears in his Eyes You would not said he my Lord treat me thus if you were as well acquainted with my Quality as my Person and what grieves me most is that I should receive this Affront from the Man in whom I had centred all the Hopes of my future Re-establishment Having spoken these Words abruptly and with a becoming Sadness and Modesty he was turning away from Wisnowiski who being surprised at Grisko ' s Discourse ask'd him all on a sudden And who art thou then what is thy Name what Business is it has brought thee into this Country Grisko Otropeja being not unprepared with an Answer told him with a well-composed Countenance The same Confidence which swayed me to put my self under your Protection obliges me to reveal a Secret to you which otherwise ought to be kept concealed in my own Breast Know then that Muscovy is my Native Country that the Great Duke John Basilovits was my Father and that I am the same Demetrius who by the Assassins sent by Boris Goâ—denou was to have been slain at Ugletz had not my Mother who had got private Intelligence of the intended Murther preserved my Life by sending me away secretly and putting a certain Priest's Son of the same Age in my place who was accordingly assassinated and buried in my stead I have ever since lain conceal'd in a Monastery till prompted by a just Ambition of Recovering my Right I took a Resolution to seek for Aid abroad against the Vsurper of my Throne the Murtherer of my Brother Fedor the late Great Duke and my mortal Enemy He shew'd him also a Cross richly beset with Diamonds which he pull'd out of his Bosom This said he is the only Remnant of my former Greatness and the dear Pledge of my Mothers Love and since I have freely trusted you with a Secret known but to very few in the World and thereby made you Master both of my Life and Fortune I live in hopes that you will not refuse me your generous Assistance in the Recovery of my Father's Throne which I shall always be ready to acknowledge to the utmost of my Power Demetrius was a Person of a great Presence of Mind and of an Understanding much above his Years and being besides this of a very handsom Aspect this with the late Rumour industriously spread abroad by the Old Monk first put Wisnowiski under a great Astonishment but having soon recollected himself he a thousand times asked his Pardon for the Faults committed against a Person of his eminent Rank with a Promise that he would endeavour to expiate the same by his future Services for his Interest Scarce a few Days were past before Wisnowiski got a most magnificent Equipage prepared in some Measure suitable to the Greatness of such a Guest which he offered to Demetrius with reiterated Promises that he would engage in his Interest and of all his Friends to support his Pretensions against the Usurper Boris Goudenou This sudden Change in the Court of Wisnowiski being soon spread abroad as well in Poland as in Muscovy as it served for a strong Confirmation of what had been whispered about by the Contrivances of the Old Monk so it was not long before it reached the Ears of Boris Goudenou He soon took the Alarm at so unexpected and surprizing a piece of News and thinking it most advisable to stifle this Monster in the Birth he immediately dispatch'd away a Messenger to the Duke Wisnowiski with Orders to inform him of the Imposture put upon him by this pretended Demetrius and how unbecoming his Quality it would be to espouse the Cause of an Impostor against a Legal Prince neither was he sparing in his Promises offering not only vast Sums of Money but also considerable Possessions to that Duke if he would surrender him dead or alive into his Hands But this had a quite contrary Effect upon Wisnowiski who being in some doubt before concerning this Demetrius was now by the great Offers made by Boris entirely confirmed in his Opinion that he must needs be the true Demetrius and therefore renewed his former Resolution of Adhering to his Interest maugre all the Temptations of Boris Goudenou But having wisely considered with themselves that he would leave nothing unattempted on his side which might facilitate the Destruction of Demetrius it was judged most advisable not to expose his Person any longer so near the borders of Muscovy as was the Duke's House but to retire to Wisnowiski a certain place well fortified and more remoâ—e from the Frontiers belonging to the Duke Wisnowiski who in the mean while returned to his own House to get the better Intelligence of what past in Muscovy Here he was met by another Messenger from the Great Duke Boris Goudenou who not only by his Master's Orders renew'd his former Offers but also promised more ample Rewards if he would surrender the Counterfeit Demetrius either dead or alive But this Messenger meeting with no better Success than the former he received secret Instructions to endeavour the Destruction of this Impostor at what rate soever not to be sparing of Dagger or Poyson great Rewards or any thing else which might contribute to his Ruin This was not so secretly carried on but that Wisnowiski had got some Scent of the Design laid against the Life of his Friend wherefore thinking him not sufficiently secured against the Attempts of the Muscovites in that place especially since they had drawn together a considerable Force upon the Frontiers it was resolved to send him to George Mniszeck Waywode of Sendomiria the Duke 's particular Friend which would both put him out of the reach of his Enemies and probably strengthen his Pretensions with the Interest of one of the most considerable Men in all Poland Pursuant to this Resolution Demetrius being provided with Letters of Recommendation from Wisnowiski went to the Weywode of Sendomiria's House by whom he was received with all the Honour imaginable due to his pretended Quality Demetrius being now at leisure to make serious Reflections upon the present posture of his Affairs had no reason to be dissatisfied with his Condition as being not without hopes of encompassing his End with the assistance of such powerful Friends but wisely considering with himself that their first Heat might by degrees grow weak if not quite become cool if not sustained by sufficient Fuel to nourish it he employed all his Thoughts to establish by some means or other his Fortune upon a more solid Foundation than that of bare Friendship He was sensible that
Juan â—elike or Great John was built by Czar John Basiâ—vitz standing by it self covered with Copper â—ilt its height being computed to be near the same â—ith that of St. Mark 's in Venice The second is â—nly Remarkable for its Great Bell which being â—ot to be managed but by the hands of Thirty Men 〈◊〉 seldom made use of but on great Festivals and 〈◊〉 honour the Entrance or Audience of a great Amâ—assador There are also within the compass of â—e Castle kept several of the Courts of Justice â—e Exchequer and the Grand Magazine of Proâ—â—sion and Ammunition Immediately without the â—ates of the Castle Walls is a very fair Church on â—â—e South side called St. Trinity or Jerusalem â—hich appeared so extraordinary a piece of Archiâ—â—cture to that great Tyrant John Basilovits that as soon as it was finish'd he caused the Architect's Eyes to be pull'd out to prevent his attempting any thing like it hereafter The Castle is faced by a very fair spacious Place the chief Market of the whole City and place of Resort not only for Buyers but for Persons of all degrees eve◠〈◊〉 the very Slaves The midst of it is taken up for the most part with Sempstresses Shops and 〈◊〉 store of other Women-Traders who 〈…〉 of selling Rings set with Rubies and 〈…〉 endeavour to vend their hidden 〈…〉 But what is the most regular and beautiful is that each particular Street leading to this Market-place has a certain Trade allotted by it self so that the Merceâ— does not intermingle with the Woollen-Draper noâ— the Linnen-Draper with the Goldsmith Furrieâ— Taylor or Shooemaker but every Trade having its proper Station the Buyer may with the greatest conveniency in the World in an instant cast his Eyes upon such Commodities as will serve his occasion It ought not to be forgotten here that the Painters have none of the meanest Station among the rest here for their Employment being to furnish the Muscovites with the Images of Saints they deal with their Chapmen by way of Exchange or Trucking where they are sure to make their own Market for a Muscâ—vite looking upon it as a point of Conscience to buy or bargain for a Saint seldom refuseâ— the Painter's demand The remaining part of this inner Circuit or Quarter of the City is taken up with the Houses of the Principal Merchants besides thâ—se of some Knâ—z and Muscovian Lords The Second Quarter Czaargorod or the Royal City which includes the First iâ— a Semicircle is called Czaargorod or the City Royal the little River Neglina passes through it being enclosed in a particular Wall called Biela Stenna oâ— the White Wall Here is the Arsenal and the Place called Poggana appointed for the Casting of Gunâ— and Bells in which the Muscovites are not behindâ— hand with any other European Artificers In thâ—â— part also live a great many Knâ—z Lords and Gentlemen besides a prodigious number of Traders of all sorts the rest is fill'd up with Butchers Bakers Drinking-Houses Corn-Chandlers Meal-shops and the Grand Duke's Stables The Third Quarter which running from the East all along the North-side to the West The Third Quarter of Musco called Skoradom includes the Quarter of Czaargorod is called Skoradom the little River Jagusa runs through it and afterwards falls into the River Mosca In this Quarter is the above-mentioned place for selling and buying of Houses The Fourth and Last Circuit is that called Strelitza Slavoda The fourth Quarter called â—trelitza Slavoda or the Suburbs of the Musqueteers belonging to the Great Duke's Guards who have this part of the Town assigned them for their Place of Abode It lies on the other side of the River Mosca Southly from that part of the City called Cataygorod its Ramparts and Bastions being all of Wood were design'd against the Irruptions of the Tartars Musco is inhabited not only by Muscovites but also by a great number of Tartars Persians and Greeks the latter being most agreeable to the Muscovites both in Religion and Manners are preferr'd by them before all other Strangers They allow nevertheless the publick Exercise of Religious Worship not only to the Lutherans and other Protestants but also to the Turks Persians and Tartars except the Jews and formerly the Roman Catholicks There is a large Slaboda or Suburb without the City Gate of Prokoski The Suburb called Nova Inasemska Slaboda called Nova Inasemska Slaboda where most of the Foreign Christians live together every one according to their own Country Fashion in which place the Germans English and Dutch c. do most commonly reside Besides the Grand Duke's Palace and the Castle that which appears most beautiful to the Eyes of Strangers is the great number of Churches and Chappels in the City and Suburbs of Musco of which their being Two Thousond in number every Lord having his private Chappel and each Street one at least some two or three built of Stone and of a Circular Figure whose Steeples being all covered with Copper make a most glorious glittering show at a distance especially if you happen to approach the Town in a bright Sun-shiny day The next City of Note in this Province is called Columna Columna situated on the right side of the River Mosca about 70 English Miles distance from the City of Musco by Land it being near Sevenscore Miles by Water It is of a considerable bigness and environ'd with a very fair Stone Wall and Towers a thing not very common in Muscovy it is the Residence of a Weywode or Russian Governour which shews it to be one of the most considerable of the Province It is to be observed that there is but one Bishop in all Muscovy who keeps his Residence in this City But what is most Remarkable here is that about three Miles above this Place near the Convent of Kolutin Serge Monarstir founded by one Sergius a great Saint among the Muscovites The River Occa. The Mosca falls into the River Occa which coming from the South is not only much largeâ— and broader than the former but having besideâ— that on both sides a Noble Country very populouâ— and fruitful and a great number of fair Oaks oâ— both shores which are look'd upon as a Rarity 〈◊〉 Muscovy renders it the most delightful in the World Two days Journey from Columna near the Borders of the Province of Rhesan is the City of Peresla or Preski seated upon the very Banks of the River Occa at 42 Degrees 42 min. Elevation being governed by its particular Weywode or Governour There are also in this Province some otherâ— less considerable which for brevity's sake we must pass by in silence The second Province of the Southern Muscovy 〈◊〉 the Province of Werotin Werotin having borrowed its Name from the Capital City of the same Name besides which it has two Cities more the first called Croom the latter Arvel all three of them so inconsiderable as not to deserve a particular Description here
Christian Religion Notwithstanding this the Circassian Tartars are Govern'd by their own Princes Lords and Judges who administer Justice in the Czar's Name and in Matters of Importance not without the Presence of the Weywode or Russian Governour being all obliged to take the Oath of Allegiance to his Czarish Majesty The Men are not unlike the Nagajan Tartars but not so broad-fac'd their Hair is black and long their Complexion yellowish they shave the midst of their Heads from the Forehead to the Neck leaving a small Lock at the Crown The Women here are excellently well shap'd have noâ— only good Lineaments in their Faces but also of a clear and smooth Complexion which with their black Hair hanging down in two Tresses on both sides of their Faces makes them appear very agreeable The Circassian Tartars are less barbarous than those of Dagesthan having in some measure abated from their former Barbarism The Habiâ— of the Circassians since their conversing with Christians The Mens Apparel is near the same with the Nagajans their Caps being only something larger their Cloaks being likewise of coarse Cloath or Sheep-Skins fastn'd only at the Neck with a String which being not large enough to cover the whole body they turn it according to the Wind and Weather The Women wear about their Heads a black Coif cover'd with a fine white Cloath ty'd under the Chin. The Widdows have hanging in their Necks an Ox-bladder full blown covered with a piece of Cotton of several colours The Women wear all of them during the Summer nothing but a Smock of divers colours which being cut so deep before that one may see down below their Navels and their Faces being always uncovered contrary to the Custom of those Parts this with their good Humour and Familiarity they use in Conversation makes them very desirable notwithstanding which they have acquired the Reputation of being very chaste tho' they seldom want Opportunity of hornifying their husbands it being look'd upon as a piece of common Manners among them in a Husband to go out of the doors as soon as any body comes to speak with his Wife so that whether this Continency of theirs be founded upon their own Generosity to recompence their Husbands for the Confidence they put in them or more upon Fame than real Truth we will not pretend to determine in this Place Their Language they have common with the other Neighbouring Tartars tho' the chief among them are also not ignorant of the Muscovian They are Pagans for tho' the Ceremony of Circumcision is received among them yet have they neither Priests Aâ—choran or Churches like other Mahometans Every one here offers his own Sacrifice at pleasure for which they have some certain Days established rather by Custom than any positive Commands The most Solemn Sacrifices they offer at the Death of their nearest Friends especially if they be of an Eminent Rank among them Upon such an Occasion both Men and Women meet in the Field to be present at the performance of the Sacrifice which is a He-Goat The first thing they do is to cut off its Privy Members which they cast against a Wall and if they stick against it the Goat is judged fit to Sacrifice if not they are obliged to kill another till such time they are satisfied in its fitness by the before-mentioned Tryal Then they proceed with the Ceremonies fleaing it and stretching the Skin with the Head and Horns on upon a Cross on the top of a long Pole planted commonly in a Quick-set â—edge to keep the Cattle from it Near this the Sacrifice is offered by boyling and roasting the Flesh which they afterwards eat The Feast being over the Men rise and after having adored the Skin and muttered out certain Prayers the Women withdraw and the Men conclude the whole with drinking good store of Aqua-vitae generally to that degree that they seldom part without being as drunk as Beasts and sometimes not without fighting They are very Ceremonious in their Burials and adorn their Sepulchres with Pillars Over those of Persons of Quality they build certain little Houses but only of Wood the Boards whereof are commonly painted of several colours and placed Chequer-wise upon the Roof of which are to be seen some Statues but very mean and sometime some Pictures poorly done representing commonly the Hunting of some Wild Beast or another The Tartars of Dagesthan inhabit now adays that part of Albania Tartars of Dagesthan from whence Thalestris the famous Queen of the Amazons came to give a Visit to Alexander the Great in Hyrcania to obtain that Kindness which Ladies tho' never so desirous of seldom care to beg They inhabit a Tract of Ground of above 200 Miles all along the Caspian Sea-shore from the City of Derbent the utmost Frontier-Town of Persia on that side extending Northward as far as to the River Bustro near the City of Terki the Capital of Circassia They are called Dagesthan or Mountain Tartars from the Word Dag which signifies in their Language as much as a Mountain because they live between the Mountains and in the Plains at the foot of these Mountains which are very fruitful and pleasant except it be towards the Sea-side where it is all Heathy and Barren These Tartars are generally of a tawny dark Complexion Their Shape enclining to black they are very strong and well-set in their Limbs but very ugly in their Faces having long black Hair hanging down over their Shoulders The Women wear the Hair ty'd up in a great many Tresses which hang down about their Heads much after the manner of the Persians but are not kept so much under Restraint having their Faces uncovered and not being shy of being seen by Strangers Those who live towards the Northern part of this Province are called Kaitack as those that inhabit the more Western Parts are called Kamuck Their Form of Government is that which is most worth Observation Their Government it having a great Resemblance with those which in very Antient Times were established in the Western Parts of Europe For the whole Country is divided into a great many Petty Lordships each of them under the Jurisdiction of its proper Lord or Myrsa who tho' Hereditary is nevertheless not Absolute but his Authority controuled by that of some of the chief Men among them All these Petty Lords acknowledge one whom they call Schemkal for their Supream Head He succeeds not by Inheritance but by Election For after the Death of a Schemkal all these Petty Lords or Myrsa's meet and being set down in a Ring one of their Priests casts a Golden Apple among them the first Person which is touch'd by this Apple is their Schemkal to whom by common consent they pay their Respect but no absolute Obedience They are generally very Barbarous Savage and Mischievous living most upon Robberies and exacting Contributions from the Caravans that pass that way from Persia A great part of their Livelihood
Sacrifice as before which they called in the Russian Language Ozinck which signifies the End of the Harvest When they were to Sacrifice to their Idol called Putscaetus or the God of Groves and sacred Trees they used to perform it under an Elder Tree where they brought Bread Beer and other Eatables offering their Prayers to the Idol and begging his Intercession with Marcoppol the God of Noblemen to preserve them from being oppressed by their Lords and desiring him to send them some of the Barstucks or Subterraneous Spirits They were verily persuaded that if these Demons take to a House they bring good Luck to the Owners of it for which reason they did set upon a Table in their Barns towards Night Bread Cheese Butter and Beer if they found this eaten up against next Morning they promised themselves all the good Fortune in the World but if they found it untouch'd as they left it the Night before they did presage to themselves nothing but Misfortunes In the same manner they were persuaded concerning the Cobolds as the Germans or Colky's as the Russians call them that they dwell'd in the most obstruse Corners of old Buildings or among great Heaps of Wood and that they would carry their Neighbours Corn into their Barns for which reason they would be sure every night to leave upon the Table the best of Victuals the House afforded They believed that when any of these Demons did intend to fix their Habitation in a certain House they used to make the Master of the House sensible of their Intention in the manner following They would carry what small Wood there was ready cut in the House together in one Heap and put into their Milk-Pans fill'd with Milk the Dung of several Sorts of Creatures If the Master of the House be willing they should appear and settle in his House he must with his whole Family drink of the Milk thus seasoned with Dung They used to keep a perpetual Fire on the top of a very high Mountain in Samogitia betwixt Lithuania and Livonia committed to the Care of certain Priests in Honour of the Idol Pargnus whom they believed the God of Thunder and Tempests To the other Gods we have named before they either jointly or sometimes to one in particular used to sacrifice a He-Goat which was thus perform'd The Priest after those that were to be present at the Sacrifice were Assembled having laid both his Hands upon the Goat mutter'd out certain Prayers to such God or Gods as they intended the Sacrifice to and having craved his or their Assistance all that were present lifted up the Goat and held it so long in the Air till the Priest had finish'd a certain Hymn which being done the Goat was again set upon his Legs on the ground Then the Priest made a Harrangue to the People containing in Substance That they should be very careful in performing this Sacrifice according to the Institution of their pious Ancestors with all imaginable Devotion and transmit it without blemish to Posterity Having ended his Sermon he kill'd the Goat and having sprinkled the Standers-by with the Blood the Flesh is given to the Women to boil which done they feast upon it all the Night till they are all drunk and if any of the Flesh happen to be left the next Morning they bury it under Ground for fear it should be defil'd by the Birds or other Beasts Some of these Pagan Nations used to keep Snakes or Serpents in a certain Corner of the House especially near their Sâ—oves which heat their Rooms at certain times their Priests were to come to the House and to Conjure these Creatures to come forth out of their Holes and to taste of such Dainties as were ready prepared for them upon a Table set for that Purpose if the Snakes are obedient to the Priest's Command and take a Taste of all what is set before them the whole Family after the Snakes have withdrawn themselves into their Holes eat the rest with a great deal of Joy and Content as presaging to themselves nothing but good Fortune for that Year But if these Creatures happened to prove disobedient not hearkning to the Conjuring Priest they appear very sad and melancholy as believing that some great Misfortune is likely to befall them that Year They had also a certain Sort of Southsayers whom they call'd Burty in the Russian Language these acknowledge for their Patroon the God Potrympus unto whom having made their Addresses and mutter'd out certain Words they used a certain way of powring melted Wax into Water and according to the several Figures and Shapes that appear'd whilst they were casting they pretended to resolve such Questions as were presented to them Their Nuptial and Funeral Rites were performed in the following manner Their 〈◊〉 After the young Couple had made mutual Promise of Marriage to one another two of the nearest Relations of the Bridegroom used to take the Bride as it was by force out of her Fathers House which being done they address themselves to the Parents or such as have the Disposal of them who then publickly give their Consent to the Marriage The Day appointed for the Consummation of the Marriage being come the Bride with Bells hanging from the Girdle down to her Knees is led three times back and forward into the Kitchen and being afterwards put into a Chair her Feet are wash'd with Spring Water wherewith they sprinkle the Nuptial Bed their Houshold Stuff and all the Guests invited to the Feast After that they used to give to the Bride a taste of Honey and putting a Veil over her Face conduct her to every Door that belong'd to the House where she was obliged to knock with her right Foot against them In the mean while a Servant who followed her with a Sack fill'd with all sorts of Corn to wit Wheat Rye Barley Oats Pease Beans and the Seed of Poppies used to strow the Ground round about her wherever she went frequently repeating to her these Words If thou remain'st devout and constant in thy Religion and be'st careful of thy House thou shalt never want any of these Things Then the Veil is taken away and the Bride placed at the Table with the Guests invited to the Feast At night they begin to Dance and whilst the Bride is a Dancing they cut off her Hair and put upon her Head a Garland which the Married Women wear till they have brought forth a Son being till then look'd upon as Maidens At last she is conducted into the Room where the Nuptial Bed is prepared and being forced not without some Blows to undress her self she is thrown by the rest into the Bed and let to the Mercy of the Bridegroom But after an Hour or thereabouts they refresh themselves in Bed with a Cup of good Liquor and a Dish of Stones of Kids or young Bears which they believe to contain a great fortifying Quality and to further Conception for which Reason
whole Family upon a very slender Account So much are they accustom'd to Slavery that they scarce look upon it as a Punishment Sometimes the Executioner for a Present will suffer the Debtor to put a small Iron Plate under his Boots The same Rigour is used without any difference to all of what Quality Condition Sex or Age soever A Bojar or Muscovian Lord giving his attendance at Court or at any extraordinary Solemnity Pag. 177 CHAP. X. An account of the Coronation of the Czars of Muscovy their Grandeur Revenue Marriages c. NO sooner is the Czar of Muscovy dead but Messengers are sent every where to summon the Chief Officers of the Court and others who are to be present at the Coronation to repair to the City of Musco where this Solemnity is perfoâ—med with all the Expedition imaginable and sometimes the very next day after the Decease of the Predecessor The Metropolitans Archbishops Knez Boyars and the principal Merchants of the Kingdom being entred the place at the day appointed for the Coronation of the new Czar a Scaffold is erected three Steps high and covered with Persian Tapestry in the great Church within the Castle On this Scaffold are set three very rich Chairs at an equal distance from one another to wit One for the Great Duke another for the Patriarch and the third for the Ducal Cap embroider'd with Pearls and Diamonds with a Tassel on the Crown of it on which hangs a little Crown all over beset with Diamonds of a great Value and the Robe which is made of the richest Brocado lined with Sables The new Czar The Czar's Coronation attended by the Patriarch and Metropolitans being come within the Church the Clergy begin to sing certain Hymns which being done the Patriarch prays to God St. Nicholas and other Saints desiring them to be present at this Great Solemnity The prayer being ended the Chief Minister of State takes the Grand Duke by the Hand and presents him to the Patriarch and says The Knez and Boyars having acknowledged this Prince the lawful Heir to the Crown as being the next of Kin to the late Czar they desire that you may Crown him immediately The Patriarch then leads the Prince upon the Scaffold where being seated in one of the three Chairs he blesses him with a little Cross beset with Diamonds by putting it to his Head and immediately after one of the Metropoâ—â—tans reads the following Prayer O Great Lord our God thou King of kings who by the Prophet Samuel didst once chuse thy faithful Servant David to be King over thy People of Israel hearken to our Prayers which we thy unworthy Servants offer up unto thee at this time Look down from the highest Heaven upon thy faithful Servant here present who through thy Grace thou hast exalted to be King over thy People and thy Son hath redeemed by his Blood Anoint him with the Oil of Chearfulness protect him by thy Power and Crown him with a precious Diadem grant him a long and happy Reign put the Royal Scepter into his Hands that he may sway it upon the Throne of Justice Let all barbarous Languages acknowledge his Power and let both his Heart and Vnderstanding be always directed to thy fear and during the Course of this mortal Life let him never recede from thy Commandments Let Heresie and Schism not come near his Person or Government and may he always maintain and observe what is commanded and ordained by the holy Greek Church Judge thy People in Justice and shew thy Mercy to the Poor that when they leave this Valley of Misery they may be received into eternal Joys The whole Prayer he concludes with these Words For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost be with us and remain with us The Prayer ended two Metropolitans by order from the Patriarch take the Cap and Robe up which are taken from their Hands by some Boyars who put them upon the Grand Duke whom the Patriarch blesses a second time by touching his Forehead with the Cross of Diamonds and whilst he is saying In the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and imparting the third Blessing to the Grand Duke the Ducal Cap is by two of the Boyars put upon the Patriarch's Head who causes all the rest of the Prelates there present to approach and give the Benediction to the Great Duke but only with their Hands Then the Great Duke and Patriarch sit down but raise again immediately when the Litany is sung every Verse ending with God have mercy upon us and the new Czar's Name The Litany ended both the Great Duke and Patriarch sit down again when one of the Metropolitans approaching to the Altaâ— sings the following Words O God preserve our Czar and Grand Duke of all the Russes whom God out of his great Mercy hath bestowed upon us God grant him good Health and a long and happy Life All that are present repeat the same Words and the Boyars and Chief Lords approaching to the Great Duke as a sign of their Subjection smite their Foreheads before him and afterwards kiss his Hand This Ceremony being over the Patriarch standing alone before the Great Duke admonishes him in the following Words Since through the singular Providence of God the Estates of the Kingdom as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal have Acknowledged and Crowned You Great Duke over all the Russes and have Entrusted You with a Matter of so great Weight as the Government of so great a Kingdom You ought to employ all Your Thoughts to the Love of God to the Obedience of His Commands to the due Administration of Justice and the Protection of the True Greek Religion Then the Patriarch gives him once more his Bendiction and the whole Assembly goes from thence into the Church of St. Michael the Archangel which is opposite to the former where the Lâ—â—any is Sung over again as before the same is done afterwards in the Church of St. Nicholas where an End is put to the Ceremony and the whole Assembly is most magnificently Entertain'd in the great Hall of the Great Duke's Palace In former times the Chiefest Dignity in the whole Empire Principal Offiâ—ers of the Court. was that of Lord High Steward of Muscovy call'd Sunderstrevoi Coiniske When Zurki was called to the Crown he was in that Office since which time it has been suppressed The next and which is now the first in Dignity is the Duaretskoy or Great Master which is correspondent to our Lord High Steward of the Houshold The next in order is the Orusnitshei or Master of the Horse These three precede all the other Boyars and Lords of the Court. Next to these are the two Secretaries of State the first whereof is the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal or Chancellour the other is the Vice Chancellour After them come the Posticnizei or Lord Chamberlain who makes the Great Duke's
Bed next to him the Catamutzoy Klut-ziom or Vice Chamberlain the Cratzey or Carver Then follow the Stolniki or Gentlemen Sewers the Strapsi or Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and the Duoroini or Gentlemen-Ushers besides the Pages Secretaries and Clerks and a good number of Interpreters for all Languages Besides these there are six Capital Officers belonging to the Court which they call Courts of Chancery The first is for foreign Affairs under the Tuition of its Chancellour the second for War the third for Crown-Lands and the Czar's Revenues under the Lord Treasurer The fourth receives the Accompts of Factors and those that manage the Taverns The fifth is for Appeal in Civil Causes and the sixth for Criminal Causes The Czar has also two Councils with whom he consults concerning Matters of Moment the first is in the nature of the Cabinet Council composed of the Boyars the second is corresponding to our Privy Council composed out of the Ocolnits or Lords out of whose number the Boyars are chosen and all of them depending from the meere Pleasure of the Czar they commonly meet in the Night-time when they are to consult about State Affairs All the Knez and the Boyars who have plentiful Estates are obliged to give their Attendance every day at Court and to smite their Forehead in the Great Duke's Presence which he looks upon as an Argument of their Fidelity and his Security which by their Absence might be put in danger considering the great Authority they have in their respective Provinces They are obliged to appear at Court in great Splendor to live very Magnificiently both in their Houses and Retinue so that those who have no Employments and want Means to make their Appearance at Court have leave given them to retire into the Country where they live rather like Peasants than Noblemen The Knez Boyars and Gentlemen enjoy this Prerogative as well as the Monasteries that they are exempted from Taxes but are obliged to maintain a certain number of Soldiers both Horse and Foot proportionable to their Revenue No body is permitted of what Quality soever to appear in the Czar's presence with a Sword on his side nay not as much as within the Palace The Court of the Czar of Muscovy never appears in greater Splendor The 〈…〉 than at the publick Audiences of Ambassadors when all the Knez Boyars Officers of the Houshold and the Chiefest of the Czar's Factors are obliged to appear in the greatest Magnificence in the World Besides several Regiments of Guards which are drawn up on both sides of the Courts of the Palace to the very bottom of the Stairs where the Ambassador is to pass In the Hall which leads immediately to that where the Audience is to be given the Guards of the Czar's Person are placed in a most splendid Equipage their Vests of Velvet lin'd with Sables their Caps adorn'd with Pearls and precious Stones and their Partisans cover'd with Gold and Silver At the upper End of the Hall of Audience His Czarish Majesty is placed in a Throne of Massie Silver with his Scepter in his Hand and a Crown on his Head The Throne is most curiously wrought standing seven or eight Steps higher than the Floor The Crown which the Czar upon such an Occasion wears upon a Cap lin'd with Sables is covered all over with precious Stones it terminates towards the Top in the Form of a Pyramid with a Golden Cross at the Spire The Scepter glisters all over with precious Stones of great Value his Garments being covered before with Jewels and embroider'd all over with Pearls On both sides of the Chair or Throne but something Lower stand four young Lords remarkable for their Tallness with Silver Battle-Axes over their Shoulders putting their Hands to them as if they were going to strike They are clad always in White sometimes in Sattâ— sometimes in Ermin Vests according to the difference of the Season their Caps nay even their Bâ—ots being cover'd with the same having great Chains of Gold a-cross their Breasts reaching down to their Hips On the right side of the Chair or Throne upoâ— a Pâ—ramid of Silver stands the Imperial Apple of massie Gold of a considerable Bigness representing the World and on the same side five Paces Distance from the Throne stands the Lord Chancellour Round about by the Walls are Benches rais'd three or four steps above the Floor and about the bâ—eadth of a good Walk where are placed the Knez and Boyars sometimes to the Number of two hundred cloathed all of them with Vests of Cloth of Gold and Silver or Velvet adorn'd with Pearls and Jewels The Grose or the Czar's Merchants or Factors stand at the lower End of the Hall in veâ—y rich Râ—bes taken for that purpose out of the Czar's Wardrobe The Sides and Floor of the Hall of Audience as also the Benches where the Lords are plac'd being all covered with rich Persian Tapestâ—y As soon as an Ambassador enters the Hall of Audience he makes a very low Reverence the Throne of the Czar being exactly opposite to the Door Then advancing and stopping in the midst of the Hall he makes a second and when he is ready to speak the third The Credentials being delivered to the Czar who immediately gives them to his Chancellour that stands near the Throne and the Presents sent to the Czar being offered and the Salutes and other Ceremonies us'd upon such Occasions past the Ambassador is reconducted to his Palace where he is splendidly entertain'd with a great number of Dishes out of the Czar's Kitchen which in great State are carried from the Castle to the Ambassadors House There is one thing very remarkable in this Court in the Publick Audience of Christian Ambassadors that they and their Retinue are obliged to kiss the Grand Czar's Hand which as it is otherwise look'd upon as a thing much below the Dignity of an Ambassador so it is consider'd in the Muscovian Court as a particular Favour which is only granted to the Ambassadors of Christian Princes and never permitted to Infidels The Revenues of the Czar of Muscovy are proportionable to the vast Extent of his Dominions For besides that he is Heir to all who die intestate and without Heirs He lays what Imposition he thinks convenient upon the Estates and Persons of his Subjects which indeed in times of Peace are not great but in times of War very excessive so that they pay sometimes the Pottina as it is call'd in Muscovy which is the Fifth Part of every Man's Estate as in the Reign of Michael Federowitz when the famous Siege of Smolensko was to be undertaken in the Year 1632. But most frequently at the Beginning of any great War the Tenth is paid by the Muscovites The Great Duke's proper Demesne is always farm'd out from whence arises so considerable a Revenue that it maintains near a Hundred Thousand Strelitz or Musketeers which are in part employ'd for the Guard of his Person and the City
the Peasants whose Hair and Beards they set on Fire upon refusal On Twelfth-day when their License is expired they are Re-baptized some of them having been Baptized Ten or Twelve times and lookt upon as good Christians Those that intend to Embrace the Russian Faith be they of what Religion they will must first renounce their former Baptism abjure their former Religion and declare if Heretical spit as often as it is named and Curse their Fathers and Mothers After which they are clad in the Muscovian Habit and are maintained by the Great Duke according to their Qualities Their Festivals Their Festivals when besides Sundays every body is to attend Divine Service at Church are regulated and certain and are inserted in the Muscovian Almanack according to the Old Stile They have fifteen of them throughout the whole Year and stand according to their Year which begins in September in the following order First The Nativity of the Blessed Mother of God on the Eighth Day of September called by the Russians Prasnick Rosostua Priziste Bâ—gerodice The Exaltation of the Cross on the Fourteenth of the same Month called Vzemirna Wasdai Senja Chresta The Oblation of the Blessed Mother of God on the One and Twentieth of November called Vedenja Priziste Bogorodice The Nativity of Christ on the Five and Twentieth of December called Râ—sâ—stua Christova The Epiphany on the Sixth of January called Cresâ—â—enia Candlemass Day the second of February called Stratenia Gospoda Boga The Annunciation of our Blessed Lady on the Five and Twentieth of March called Bâ—agavesâ—enia Priziste Bogoredice Palm Sunday which they call Weâ—bna Wâ—sâ—râ—shenia Easterday or the Resurrection of Christ called Welikoiden or Wosâ—reshenia Christova The Ascension of Christ called Wosneshenia Christova Whit-Sunday or the Sending of the Holy Ghost called Schiestnie Swetaga Duena The next day after this they Celebrate the Feast of the Trinity and the next following Sunday that of All Saints The Manifâ—station of the Glory of Jesus Christ upon the Mountain which they call Prebrosiena Gospodo Christova is celebrated on the 6th Day of August The Ascension of the Virgin or The Assumpption of the Mother of God called by them Vspenia pâ—iziste bogorodice they celebrate on the 15th of the same Month. There is scarce a Day in the Year but what is dedicated to one Saint or another nay sometimes three or four Saints have but one Day allotted betwixt them But these being of an inferiour Degree are not much regarded by the Laity the Ecclesiasticks being only obliged to say the Offices appointed for those Days Formerly the Muscovites made but an indifferent Account of their Festivals and Sundays for though they would go to Mass in the Morning the Shops were open and the Handycraft's-Man did follow his ordinary Employment in the Afternoons till about Fifty Years ago by a special Order from the Patriarch the Shops were ordered to be shut not only upon these Festivals and Sundays but also on their Weekly Fasting-days to wit on Wednesdays and Fridays And that during the Time of Divine Service no Wine or Aqua-vitae should be sold but this is not executed with too much Rigour at least they seldom fail to conclude them with Strong Liquors Upon these above-mentioned Festivals Their Church-Service and Sundays they go to Church three times a Day first in the Morning early to Mattens at Noon and in the Evening to Vespers They do not make use in their Service of any Sermons or Instructions to their Auditors but only read certain Passages out of the Bible and some Homilies Giving for a Reason That their Faith being founded upon the pure Word of God it is without any farther Explication sufficient to lead them into the Way of Salvation for as much as the divers Interpretations of the Holy Scripture occasion Heresies and Divisions in the Church This they lay down as so unalterable a Maxim that some of their Priests who were perhaps not quite so ignorant as the rest and undertook to preach and exhort the People out of the Holy Scripture have been excommunicated and banished into Siberia as it happen'd about 60 Years ago to a certain Proto-Pope of Morum and his Followers Their whole Service therefore consists in the Reading of certain Chapters out of the Bible some Psalms and St. Athanasius's Creed Sometimes they add an Homily out of St. Chrysâ—stom or certain Prayers or rather Anthems sung much after the same manner as the Antiphona's The general Morning-Anthems are Deliver me O Lord of thy abundant Mercy For thy Mercy 's sake cleanse me from my Sins O Lord my Saviour This is for the Mattens or Morning-Prayers At Noon-Prayers this Anthem is used amongst others We trust in Christ our Saviour and our Hope is in him Halleluja Halleluja That for the Vespers is Lord hear my Prayer and hear me when I call and let my Cry come unto thee At the Conclusion of these or any other of their Anthems the People repeat three times making every time the Sign of the Cross their Gospodi Pomilui or Lord have Mercy upon me This done the Priest attended by the Clerk goes up to the Altar where he says the Office according to the Liturgy of St. Basil He pours Red Wine and Water in Imitation of the Blood and Water that came out of our Saviour's Side into the Chalice with some little Bits of Leaven'd Bread and after having consecrated them and said several Prayers he takes out the Bread with a Spoon but gives nothing of it to any body unless it be to some sick Child brought thither on purpose to receive the Communion according to the Institution of the Muscovite Church They are all bare in the Church even the Great Duke himself The People stand all the Service-time and incessantly bow and pay their Reverences to the Images frequently pronouncing Gospodi Pomilui or Lord have Mercy upon me The most Devout prostrate themselves knocking their Hâ—â—ds against the Ground especially at Whitsuntid when they fall prostrate upon Sycamore-Branches wherewith their Churches are strewed being perswaded that the Holy Ghost descends upon these Leaves The Priests only have the Liberty of keeping on their Caps which are given them at their Consecration But if a Priest have known his Wife if he have touched a dead Corps or been at a Burial he is not to officiâ—te at the Altar the same Day but is obliged to substitute another in his Place The most Devout keep at a distance not entring the Church but perform their Devotion at the Door among the Women The fair Sex as if they were not sufficiently disciplined at home having this as an additional Mortification enjoined them that they must keep at a distance at Church especially if they have chanced to take the Husband in a good Humour and enjoyed lately the Pleasures of Matrimony In which Case also the Man is confined to the Church-door unless he have after having had Knowledge of his Wife washed and bathed himself and
as big and somewhat thicker than a Crown Piece and hath in the middle the sign of the Crucifix This figure after it is Consecrated the Priest takes off with an Instrument not unlike a Launcet and puts it up in a wooden Box hanging above the Altar to preserve it from Rats and Mice If a sick Person is to receive the Communion they take a little of it upon which they put a few drops of Red Wine and a little Water in the Chalice which they give to the sick Person with a Spoon if the sick Person be not capable of swallowing the Bread they give him only a little Wine In the ordinary Administration of the Sacrament they make use of the same sort of consecrated Bread but not bigger than half a Crown from which they also take the Crucifix and break it into as many pieces as there are Communicants which they cast into Red Wine and mix it with a little warm Water and so Administer with a Spoon What remains of the Bread after Consecration is called Kutja or Holy Bread of which the Priest gives a Morsel to each of those who have Communicated the Week before At the Administring of the Sacrament the Priest says these Words This is the true Body and the true Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which hath been given for thee and for many more for the remission of thy sins which thou shalt take in remembrance of him God bless thee There have been some who from these Words have drawn this inference as if the Muscovites believed Transubstantiation against which several pregnant reasons may be alledged to the contrary For if you Discourse the Muscovites concerning the Consequences of that belief they will not refuse to own it irrational nay absur'd and ridiculous neither do they call to their aid as the Roman Catholicks do God's Omnipotency Besides that they dont pay Adoration to this Mystery which doubtless they would do in a Religion so Zealous and Superstitious as theirs were they of the same Opinion as to this point with the Roman Catholicks Sick Children though never so Young receive the Communion but in one kind till they are seven Years Old when they Communicate like the rest as we have observed before They do not refuse the Communion to Madmen but they only touch their Lips with the Bread dip'd before in the Wine A Woman in Child-bed is not to Communicate in the same Room where she was brought to Bed but must be first washed and carried into another place Those that have committed Murther are not to be Communicated but at the point of Death if those that lie in extremity are to be Communicated they gave them first some Water or Aqua-vitae wherein some relicks have been put then they receive the Communion and at the same time the Extream Unction which done they are to take nothing else nor any Nourishment unless there be very apparent Signs of their amendment There are some among the Muscovites who at the last extremity cause themselves to be Shaven and become real Monks This once done they are not permitted to take any thing for a Week after being perswaded that they are no more Men but become Angels And if they happen after these Eight Days of Abstinence to recover their Health they must go into a Monastery because the Razor has passed upon their Heads Formerly they used to send the Consecrated Bread to those Places in the Country that were destitute of Priests They used also to give it to Travellers to reserve it for a Case of Necessity But this Custom is now quite abolished in Muscovy The Ecclesiastical Government of Muscovy consists of a Patriarch Their Hierarchy who resides in the City of Musco four Metropolitans seven Archbishops and one Bishop besides the Arch-Deacons Proto-Popes and Priests The four Metropolitans are those of Novogorodskoi and Welikoluskoi who resides at Novogorod Of Rostoufskoi and Harostauskoi who has his Residence at Rostoâ— Of Casanskoi and Sunatskoi at Casan And that of Sarskoi and Pondoskoi who lives within the Castle at Musco The seven Archbishops are those of Wologdskoi and Weliko Premskoi who has his Seat at Wologda Of Resanskoi and Moromskoi who lives at Resan Of Susdalskoi and Turruskoi who has his Residence at Susdal Of Twerskoi and Cassinskoi at T were Of Sibirskoi and Tobolskoi at Toboleska Of Astrachanschoi and Terskoi who resides at Astrachan Of Pleskouskoi and Sborskoi who lives at Pleskou There is but one Bishop in all Muscovy to wit that of Comenskoi and Cassieskoi who keeps his Residence in the City of Columna The Patriarch hath always about him an Arch-Deacon who is as it were his Vicar-General He hath also a Proto-Deacon residing in the Castle of Sabor The rest of the Ecclesiastical Order are distinguished into Proto-Popes and Popes or Priests Those that attend at Church toll the Bells and do other inferiour Offices are called Pangamari The Patriarch of Muscovy has the same if not a greater Authority as the Pope has in the Latin Church for he in a manner divides the Sovereignty with the Great Duke He is the Supream Head and Judge of all Ecclesiastical Affairs And such is his Power in all Matters that have any Relation to their Religion that he reforms whatever he thinks prejudicial to this Religion or good Manners without giving an Account of it to their Great Duke Yet not so but that his Orders must be put in Execution by the Czar's Commands The Patriarch of Constantinople had heretofore the Nomination of the Patriarch of Muscovy till in process of Time he had only the Confirmation and in this Age he hath lost both At present the Patriarch of Muscovy is chosen by the Great Duke and the other Prelates The Latter meet in the great Church within the Castle called Sabor where having nominated two or three Prelates the most eminent for Learning and other good Qualilities they present them to the Great Duke who after a Conference with these Prelates proceeds jointly with them to an Election If it happen that those proposed for the Election are equally eminent for their Learning and Piety it is with the Grand Duke's Approbation sometimes decided by Lot The Patriarch Their Prelates marry not Metropolitans Archbishops and the Bishop in Muscovy are not to marry but make a Vow of Chastity as long as they continue in that Dignity For the Prelates as well as the Priests are allowed here to quit their Orders whenever they think it convenient They must not wear Rings on their Fingers They wear neither Drawers nor Shirts of Linen Cloth but of Flannel Neither do they make use of Beds The ordinary Habit of the Patriarch Their Habits Metropolitans Archbishops Bishop and even of their Monks is very near the same They wear a black Cassock and over that an upper Garment of the same Colour not much different from that worn by the other Muscovites Their Hoods are at least an Ell and an half
toâ—e her Hair and Face and thus running into the Streets cryed out like a distracted Creature Either restore me my Husband Demetrius or else take pity of me and let the same Swords that so barbarously murthered him send me also to the Grave After the first Transports were a little over she ran in great Fury with a Dagger in her Hand to the Quarters of the Cosacks and calling to those she knew by their Names Dear Friends said she either revenge the Murther of my dear Lord or at least do not refuse to do an Act of Charity towards me take here cry'd she this Dagger and with it deliver me from that Life which since the fatal End of my Husband cannot but be loathsom and burthensom to me The Cosacks not able to resist the Tears and Prayers of this charming Lady fell with great Fury upon the Tartars whom they massacred wherever they met them in the Streets and very few would have escaped their Fury had they not at last been appeased by the Perswasions of their Leader Zarucki After the Cosacks had sacrificed several Hundreds of the Tartars to the Manes of Demetrius and the just Resentment of Marina A third Demetrius those of Caluga chose and proclaimed the Son of Demetrius and Marina Emperour of Russia and tho' it is most generally believed that Marina was barren and this pretended Son a supposititious Child yet Zarucki the General of the Cosacks being willing to carry on the Imposture in Opposition to the Polish Interest address'd himself to the Russians offering them his Aid with all his Forces if they would engage to aknowledge after the Example of Caluga this Son of Demetrius Great Duke and Emperour of Russia so soon as they should have chased the Roles out of Muscovy Zolkievitski in the mean time perceiving himself slighted by King Sigismund whom he found to have taken quite contrary Measures to what had been agreed on betwixt him and the Muscovites by the King's Order he left the Army under Pretence of going to fetch Prince Vladislaus to Musco and taking his Way by Smolensko to shew his Discontent he only saluted the King and without any further stay retired into Poland The Affairs of Russia having thus for a while hung in Suspence whilst the People were kept under by the apprehension of a double Danger to wit from the Poles within the Gates of their Capital City and the Demetrian Forces at Caluga they began now to change Face and to appear with another Countenance For the Muscovites after the departure of the Polish General finding King Sigismund resolute in not sending his Son Vladislaus into the Empire and in the Continuation of the Siege of Smolensko and seeing that both the Captive Zuski's and their Ambassadors were sent away Prisoners into Poland and that the King took upon him the supream and absolute Administration of Affairs putting such Officers into all Places of Trust as he thought most convenient for his Purpose they began to conceive great Jealousies and being now by the Death of Demetrius delivered from their Fear on that side prepared for an open Revolt in order to prevent their Empire from becoming a Province of Poland which they look'd upon to be the main Design of King Sigismund Whilst he therefore wasted himself at the Siege of Smolensko which he thought ignominious to abandon before it was reduced and thereby let slip the most favourable Opportunity in the World of Establishing his Affairs in that Empire the Muscovites had by his Delays sufficient Leisure given them to reunite themselves and make Provisions for their future Security The first that appeared in Arms towards the beginning of the Spring in the Year 1611 was one Lepanovits a Man of a great and ancient Family in Muscovy he having a great Interest in the Country had made secret Levies and appearing with a Body near Peresla invited and gained most of the Boyars and Nobility of the neighbouring Provinces into his Party He also sent his Messengers into the more remote Parts to represent to his Countrymen the Breach of Faith of the Poles how they had possessed themselves of their Capital City broke the Articles agreed on betwixt both Nations by continuing the Siege of Smolensko and not sending their Prince Vladislaus into Muscovy how that they not only kept the Zuski's but also their Ambassadors Prisoners against the Laws of Nations and in all other Respects treated them not like a free People but as Slaves depending from the Mercy of their Conquerours He exhorted them to shake off this Foreign Yoak and by giving timely Assistance to secure themselves and their Posterity against the Insolencies of their mortal Enemies the Poles This had the desired Effect for the Country flocked in from all Parts so that another great Army was raised near Nisi Novogorod under the Command of Prosowecki a Lord of a very eminent Rank in Muscovy and Zarucki joined his Forces with them under Condition that so soon as they should have cleared their Country from the Poles they should proclaim the Young Demetrius their Great Duke and Emperour which they were very free to promise tho' they had not the least Intention to perform it as Zarucki found afterwards to his Cost The Poles were not unadvertised of the Designs of the Muscovites but the King's Forces before Smolensko being scarce sufficient to carry on the Siege against a strong Garrison he could not spare any to disperse these Levies and the Poles within the City of Musco had enough to do to maintain their Posts and keep that vast Multitude of People in subjection so that these Levies from a small Beginning being improved into a great Bulk the Polish Forces which were quartered up and down in the Country to keep it in Obedience were so far from being able to attack them that they were scarce sufficient to keep on the Defensive The Inhabitants of the City being now encouraged by these Muscovian Lords appearing in Arms thought it now time to throw off the Mask and to give the Poles very sensible Proofs of their Aversion towards them A Design therefore was laid among them upon a Signal given to assemble and massacre all the Poles within the City The City of Musco was at that time much bigger than it ever was before or since by Reason of the vast Confluence of Strangers who during these intestine Commotions were retired thither out of all the neighbouring Provinces for Sanctuary so that it was computed to comprehend in its Circuit above a Hundred and fifty Thousand Houses All this vast Multitude of Inhabitants being enrag'd to the highest Pitch against the Poles were ready to lend a helping Hand to accomplish the Design of the Conspirators they only wanting a Head to lead them on to put it in Execution A thing of this Nature could not be carried on so privately but that Gaziowski who then commanded the Poles in Chief had timely Notice of their projected Design but thinking it