THE RARITIES OF RUSSIA WITH THE Interest of England In point of Trade with that Country: Which occasioned the magnificent Entertainments of the RUSSIAN AMBASSADORS; 1. By Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1589. 2. By King James, November 5. 1617. 3. By King Charles the Second, 1662. Which are here described: By WILL. WHITE Merchant. LONDON, Printed for the Author. 1662. THE PARITIES OF RUSSIA and MUSGOVIA. THe Commerce and correspondency of humane nature subsists by this: Viz. that each proper Country hath a want which another countries' Commodity may supply; and a supply which another Country may want: so that one part may not say to the other, I have no need of thee: Fruitful Europe may not say to barren America, I have no need of thee; nor rich America to poorer Asia, I have no need of thee: the fertile South cannot say to the North, I have no need of thee; nor the North to the South, I have no need of thee: that there should be no Schism in the great body of the world, but that the several Parts of it should have the same care one for another: And seeing mankind is but one family, (for God hath made of one blood all Nations of the earth, for to dwell upon the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the place of their habitation) the World a great house, sundry countries' several rooms, it is fit that we who are in the Parlour should know the out-lodgings of this great house; and the world be acquainted with itself, before it be dissolved from itself at the day of judgement. That part of the world called Russia or Muscovia (which hath thought it its Interest to court us with an Ambassador civilly, whom we have thought our interest to entertain honourably) hath these peculiar Rarities and Commodities. CHAP. I. Of the Soil and Climate. RVssia or Muscovia, formerly called Sarmatia, called so from Buss, in that Language to divide, because it was divided among eight Brethren and Sisters, lieth Northward to Lapland and the North Ocean, Eastward and Southward towards Tartary, Westward and Southwestward towards Lithuania, Livonia, and Poland, having thirty Shires far more large, though thinner inhabited than England, which are divided into four Jurisdictions, called Chelfirds, or four Ports: This Country is in length four thousand five hundred sixty five miles, and in breadth three thousand nine hundred and thirteen; a vast compass if it were well peopled, that would hardly be well governed by him, or well endured by his Neighbours: Indeed the soil being slight and sandy all over, and Northward very barren, is much of it a Desartwood for wild Beasts, rather than an habitation for Men; only the Emperor garrisons the borders, lest an Enemy presuming upon the solitude, might think to have a fair and clear footing for foreign Enemies to fasten on this Country, and from thence easily to invade the neighbouring Dominions (a thin Meadow being quickly mowed:) And moreover the Cham Tartar will neither himself plant Towns to dwell there, living a wild and vagrant life, nor suffer the Ruff, who is far off, to people those Ports; though no doubt so vast a Country would maintain its people, if the wildness thereof were tamed with husbandry: but these people scorning that their ground should be better civilised then themselves, never suffer it to be manured, being more willing to provide their bread with the Sword then with the Plough: but for seventeen hundred mile Northward, Westward, and Southward of Moscho, it is fruitful and pleasant for Pasture, Corn, Wood, Water, etc. in great plenty: this Country is like a piece of Cloth fine in the woof, and coarse in the lists; fruitful in the body of it, and barren in the borders. For five months together, viz. from November to April, the whole Country is covered with Snow a yard or two deep; and with Frost a yard thick, so cold, that if you hold a Pewter-dish in your hand, your fingers will freeze to it, and you must leave your skin behind you at parting: If you throw water up into the air, it comes down ice: if you breath, it will be so thick that it is ready to stifle you with the cold: so that it is usual for poor men to fall down in the streets and marshes; and the Beasts not enduring the weather in the Deserts, come in troops upon the Cities, and make them Deserts too: Yet towards Summer the Country is so fresh and flourishing, the Trees (which are for the most part Fern and Bent) so sweet and beautiful; the Flowers so various; the Meadows so green; the Birds (especially the Nightingale, which sings more loud and artificially there then in other Countries) so merry, that you would think Paradise were started up there on a sudden: The reason of which sudden Verdure is this, that the Snow (which keeps it warm in the Winter, clothing it against the Frost) melting in the Spring, doth drench and soak the ground, that it is, as I told, of a sleight and sandy mould; and then the Sun shineth so hotly upon that, that it draweth out the Herbs & Plants in that great plenty and variety as is at once our wonder and our pleasure; the Country besides having the advantage of Springs, Rivers, and Lakes, which are some sixty, some eighty, some an hundred miles in length; and the Summer there is as much overhot as the Winter is over-cold. Their Rivers are 1. Volghu, arising out of the root of an Alder-tree, and in two hundred miles improving an English mile in breadth. 2. Neper, called formerly Boristher, is that which divideth the Country from Lithuania, and falleth into the Euxine Sea. The third is Don a Taxais (the ancient bounder of Europe and Asia) which runneth through the Cham Tartar's Country into the great Sea, the Lake called Maeotis, by which a man may go from Mask to Constantinople. The fourth is Duina, some hundred miles long, which falls Northward into the Bay of St. Nicholas, and hath great Alabaster Rocks on the banks towards the Seaside; and other Rivers, the least as big as the Thames in bigness, and in length far bigger: The Pole at Moscho is 55. degrees, 10. minutes. CHAP. II. Of the Native Commodities. 1. THeir Fruits are Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, and Cidern like a Muskmelon, but more sweet and pleasant, Cucumbers, Goords, Rasps, Strawberries, and Hurtilberries, and many other Berries in Woods and Hedges. 2. Their Grain is Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Pease, Buckway, Isnythu, a grain like Rice, which they sell at three pence a bushelmost commonly, unless rather by reason of the Nobilities monopoly then the Earth's barrenness, there happeneth a dearth, and then their Corn is twenty pence a bushel. 1. But the Commodities wherewith they every themselves, and pleasure other Countries, is, first Furs of all sorts, as Buck, Fox, Sables, Dun Fur, Mortrones, Ermines, Miniver, Bever, Wulverin, Squirrel, whereof there is transported out of the Country by the Merchants of Turkey and Christendom to the value of seven hundred thousand Rubbels. 2. The second Commodity is Honey, whereof besides an exceeding great quantity spent in their ordinary drinks, which is Mead of all sorts, and other uses, a good quantity is carried out of the Country to the neighbouring parts which have need of it: God hath not given all Commodities to one, to elate it with pride, and none to other Countries, to deject them with pensiveness, but there is some kind of equality between the profits of Countries, to continue Commerce and balance Trade in some proportion. 3. The third Commodity is Wax, whereof there hath been transported a millions worth abroad: this Wax is the cask, where Honey is the liquor, and being yellow by Nature, is by Art made white and green; for sight the clearest, for smell the sweetest, for touch the cleanliest; useful in Law to seal Instruments; in Physic to mollify Sinews, ripen and dissolve Ulcers; the ground of all Cerecloths, called so from Cera Wax: Here are Lakes of Honey found in hollow trees; and Combs eight foot long: the Heaths have the worst Honey, and the Champion the best: the finer the Wheat and the Wool, the poorer the Honey: the best Honey is lowest in the vessel: The best Oil is at top, the best Wine in the middle, and the best Honey is in the bottom: It opneeth Obstructions, cleareth the Breasts of those humours that fall down from the Head, looseneth the Belly, and hath other good qualities not to be reckoned in a Winter's day. 4. The fourth Commodity is Cow-hides; Adam's first shoot was of leaves, his second of leather. It is a common observation, that when Wheat is dear Leather is cheap; and when Leather is dear, Wheat is cheap: their Losh or Buffe-hide is large and fair; their Bull or Cow-hide (for they have no Oxen nor Wethers) is small; there hath been transported by Merchants an hundred thousand Hides. 5. The fifth is their Meath, a drink made of Water, Honey, and other Ingredients most wholesome for Man's body: Pollio being an hundred years old, and asked by Augustus Caesar by what means especially he had so long preserved his vigour both of mind and body, answered, Intus mulso, foris Oleo, By taking Metheglin inward, and Oil outward. 6. The sixth Commodity is Tallow, whereof they transport a great weight; their pasturage being so good, their fasts so many, and their use of Tallow so little; there hath been shipped of this commodity two millions worth to foreign parts. 7. As their Beasts fat yields them the sixth, so their Fish the seventh Commodity; viz. train-oil, which they draw out of the Seale-fish, the Sturgeon, the Sterledey, the Sevengu, etc. which they take thus; before Winter they leave their Boats near the Bay of St. Nicholas, and at Spring they come and find the fish haunt and shoals, and so environ them and kill them by force, giving warning to all the Companies by firing a Beacon when they have discovered a haunt. 8. Their eighth Commodity is Sturgeon and other Sea-fish, caught in those Northern Seas in abundance: the little head and Swine's back is the sign that these fish are in season. 9 The ninth Commodity is Flax and Hemp, which hath amounted to 800000. yearly, this is sold for cordage, so necessary for us, that it is a common Proverb when Hemp is spun, than England is done; when all that necessary Commodity is employed so that there is no more left for Sailes and Cordages, England (whose strength consists in Shipping) would be reduced to a woeful condition; and I wonder there is not more Hemp sowed among us since our Land affords so much strong and deep ground proper for the same; here is excellent Flax which well husbanded would find Linen for the Rich, and living for the Poor. 10 Their tenth Commodity is Salt, their best Salt is a Stararouse in very great quantity, where they have great store of Salt-wells about 200 miles from the Sea; at Astracan Salt is made naturally by the Sea water casting it up in heaps, and so it is digged down, and carried away by the Merchants; this is most essential to man's livelihood, without which neither Sacrifice was pleasing to God, nor meat savoury to man, it is placed on the Board with bread, to show that they are equally necessary to man's sustenance; and it is observed that, 1 Some Countries have Salt without flesh within many miles, as in the South part of Africa; 2 Some have plenty of Flesh but no Salt to make use thereof, as in many parts of Tartary; 3 Some have Flesh and Salt, but the Flesh utterly uncapable of seasoning as at Nombre de Dios; 4 Some have Flesh and Salt but the Salt so dear that common people cannot compass it as in France; 5 Some have Flesh, caple of Salt, and Salt at an easy rate as they in Muscovy and we in England, Foelices bona si sua norint.— 10. The tenth Commodity is Tar which they make out of their Fir Trees, in the Country of Duyna and Smolexsho, whereof much is sent abroad. 11. The leventh Commodity is Oak, when the Spies were sent into the Land of Canaan among other instructions given them, they had order to make enquiry whether there was Wood therein or not, this Country affordeth abundance of Wood, excellent for Shipping and other uses. 12 The twelfth Commodity is Barley white large plump and full of Flower, it is (though not so toothsome) yet as wholesome as Wheat itself, and was all the staff of Bread which Christ's Body leaned upon all his life, eating to attest his Humanity, Barley loaves to evince his humility. 13 The next Commodity is Diamonds in blackness and hardness for short of the Indian, yet set with a good foil (advantaged hypocrisy passeth often for sincerity) may at the first sight deceive no unskilful lapidary, as their lustre is less than Orient Diamonds, so herein they exceed them that nature hath made both their face and their dress by whom they are pointed and polished. 14 Ambergreese so precious a Commodity as is fixed to no place in the World, as too great a treasure for any one Country to engross, and therefore it is only fluctuating and casually found by small parcels, sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, yet much of it is found upon the Coasts of Muscovy; it's by some thought to be the sperm of a Fish; by others the roiling of sea water; by others a gum growing on the sea shore, however it is very refreshing for the spirits, and Sovereign for the strengthening of the Head, besides the most fragrant scent, for stronger in consort, when compounded with other things, then when singly itself. 15 The fifteenth Commodity is Metal which of all sorts is found with much ado in these parts especially Iron and its elder brother steel extracted from the same Oar, differing from it not in kind but in degree of purity as being the first running thereof, it's more hard and brittle then the Metals of other Countries. 16 Fish tooth called Ribazuba, the powder whereof is good against poison, which makes Beads Knives, and swords, Hafts for noble Men and Gentlemen, two foot in length, and weigh eleven or twelve pound a piece. 17 Near Dudia is a soft Rock called Slude which cut to thin pieces serveth instead of Glass and Horn and gives a clearer light, 18 They have Fallow Deer, Roe Bucks great store their Staggs are stately Creatures, jealous and revengeful, insomuch that a Stag unable for the present to master another, who had taken his Hind from him, waited his opportunity, till his enemy had weakened himself with his wantonness and then killed him; their Flesh must needs be good whose very Horns are accounted Cordial, besides there is a concave in the neck of a green headed slagge, when above his first crosting wherein are many worms some two inches in length, very useful in Physic and therefore laid up by many discreet persons. 19 There Beasts of strange kind are the Lash, the olen, the wild Horse, the Bear, the Wolvering or Wood Dog, the Lyserne, the Beaver, the Siabt, the Martron, the black and dun Fox, the white Bear towards the sea-coast of Pechora, the Gurn-state, the Miniver, their Hores and Squirells which are of the usual colour in summer, but the one turns white, and the other Grey in Winter, some Heathen have causelessly complained of nature as a step mother to Mankind, because other creatures come into the World clothed with Furs and Feathers whilst man is exposed naked to the world, I say a causeless charge because what the Beasts have by nature we wear by art, the Fur they wore when alive, we wear when they are dead. 20 For Birds they have divers of the principal kind, as Hawks, Eagles, the Gerfaulcon the slight Falcon, the Goshawk, the Tasset, the spar-Hawke the stork, the Crane, the Teddor, the Pheasant and Partridge, and the great Owl; Muscovy may be called the Aviary of the World, where the wild Fowl are remarkable for, 1 Plenty, so that some ten thousand small Birds have been caught at a draught; 2 Variety no man being able to give them their proper names, except one should get Adames Nomenclator of Creatures; 3 Delsciousnesse, wild Fowl being more dainty and digestable then tame of the same kind as spending their grossy humours, with their activity and constant motion in flying, 21 They have all fresh water Fish, as Pikes, the fresh water Wolves, and therefore an old pond-Pike is a dish of more state than profit to the Owners; seeing a Pikes belly is a little Fishpond, where lesser of all sorts have been contained, although tyrants are short lived, yet Pikes live six score years, this Fish they say cheweth the Cud, is fine and wholesome, and the less the sweet carp which were brought thence to England in King Hen. the 8th. time; Trout, pleasant and wholesome Fish as whose feeding is pure and cleanly in the swiftest streams and on the hardest gravel, they are in their Perfection in May, and yearly decline with the Buck, Eels which loves not the Ruff as well he loves them, so true is the Italian Proverb give Eels without Wine to your exemies' Pilchards, plenty whereof are taken in these parts, persecuted to the shore by their enemies the sunny and Hawk, till in pursuance of their revenge they all become a prey to the Fisherman, their numbers are incredible, employing a number of poor people, in pulling, gutting, splitting powdering and drying them, and then with Oil and a Lemon, they are meat for greatest Noble man amongst them, Tenches Fish that love ponds better than Rivers, and Pits better then either; it's pleasant in Tash and is called by some the Physician or surgeon of Fish, it cures the Pike, and therefore the Pike they say spares it; and other Fish, as the Bellonga, the sturgeon, the severign, and sterledy out of the rows of which four Fish they make great store of caviar, they have White and Red salmon, a dainty and wholesome Fish, and a double riddle in nature. First for its invisible feeding, no man alive having found any measure in the maw thereof: secondly for its strange leaping and shooring itself out of the water an Incredible height and Length: and they say it increaseth from a spawn to a full grown fish, within the compass of a year: plenty of these in their ports though not in such abundance as in Scotland, where servants they say Indent with their masters, not to be fed therewith above thrice a week— The Herring, a fish though Contemptible in its self, Considerable in its company, swimming in such shoals that what the Whale hath in bigness the Herring hath in Number: yea red Herrings which in England are eated for sauce, to quicken the appetite, serve in these ports for food to satisfy hunger. The last Commodity is Fustian Kersey and other kind of Stuffs made chiefly in those Ports and thence brought hither. CHAP. III. There Religion. AS for their religion for which we ought to entertain them: It's not depraved by superstition, Idolatry, and usurpation of the Church of Rome: but according the poorer way of the Greek Church, they own the scriptures and the 4 first counsels together with to the purer ways of the primitive times: they are governed by one Patrion of Chio, and works, by 4 Arch Bishops, by threescore Bishops with there assistants, there Clergy are very ignorant and unwilling to take any pains to teach the people, but they read a Lyturgy, and administer the sacraments: there Lyturgy gins with these words, Bless O heavenly Pastor, meaning Christ, In the name of the Father, etc. Lord have mercy upon us, &c, then in Chancel, saith the Lord's Prayer, and a donology to the trinity: then the Psalms for the day, than they read Chapters: the Commandments, and Athanasies his Creed; and then they pray: there children are Baptised within 8 days after they are born: the Sacrament of the Lords-supper is administered but once a year a little before Easter, very solemnly all going to it with confession of sins: the bread is put in the wine and so administered: there was one endeavour to unite them to the Church of Rome in the year 1588. but it failed because of the many Corruptions in doctrine and discipline which they found in that Church. And at the same time, and ever since they have endeavoured to make leagues offensive and defensive. With all Christian Princes that they might be able to grapple with the great enemy of the faith, the Turk, to the advancement of Religion, the propagation of the Gospel, and the conversion of the world: if any object that Religion is not to be beaten into turn with the Dint of sword, yet it may be Lawful to open the the way force, for instruction, catechising, & such other gentle by means to follow after: however if we do not offend the Infidel, we may defend ourselves and a preventive war, grounded upon a just fear of Invasion is Lawful. It's best being before hand with an enemy, Lest the medicine come too Late for the malady: In such dangers to play an aftergame is rather a shift then a policy, especially seeing war is a tragedy, that always destroyeth the Stage whereon it is acted: It is the most advised way, not to wait for the enemy, but to seek him out in his own Country. They own the Scriptures in their own Language, they leaned too much on the authority of the Church: they hold a justification by faith, working by love: they think a man cannot be assured of his salvation un●ill he die, they make some difference of meats and drinks: they hold a necessity of Baptizme as without which no salvation: the allow priests marriages: they own 3 Sacraments, the one of Baptizme, the other of the Lords Supper, the third of extreme unction: they honour the English way of profession: in so much as one of them said to a servant of Mr. Fletcher's, who writ the history of Russia: that God had given to England light to day, and might give it to morrow if he please to them: for Marriage: The persons to be married are not to see one another until they are married: There friends must woe for them: and when they have agreed of a dowry, they are married in the Church after the manner of other Churches: but the bride and the bridegroom are to be very modest, a great while after the marriage: and the woman is to have so much dowry as she hath children: In a word they agree with us in the most weighty points of Religion: whereupon the Papist condemn them for Heretics and castaways, and killing more than a third of all Christians, (as Cain did a quarter of mankind with a blow) with this their uncharitable Censure: but we must not with Rash judging throw all into the pit of hell, whom we see walking near the brink thereof. CHAP. IU. The Borderers of Russia, with whom they have most to do in War and Peace. THat we may know our Interest in a good Correspondence with Russia; we are to understand who are the People that the Russia hath most to do with in War and Peace; and so we may know what use we may make of them in our Dealing with Foreign Nations; In Asia they have to do with the Tartar, In Europe with the Polonian, Swede, Hungarian, and Dane, where these Russia may do us many considerable services; being ready (as occasion serves) to use their Interest of Power over, or friendship with these Nations to our advantage: Queen Elizabeth made use of the Muscovite to divirt the Emperor from assisting the Spaniard, in the Year, 1588. CHAP. V Their warlike Furniture. FOr the Encouragement of the soldiery, every Soldier in Russia is a Gentleman, and none gentlemen but the soldiers: and when any is of years he presents himself to the great constable who admits him to the service, and alloweth as much Land as his father had: for there is Land to maintain the Army, & all that are not of the Army must use some vulgar ways to live for they are allowed no Land: the Emperor hath 15000. Horsemen for standing pensioners: and he hath 110. noblemans who are to find amongst them 65000. horsemen with all necessaries meet for the war after the Russia manner: and these 65000 Horsemen are to march to the borders of the Chrim Tarter: whether there be wars with the Tartars or no, and whereas it might be thought dangerous for the Noblemen to have so good forces under there Commands the Emperor prevents all Inconveniences, 1. By changing their noblemen as he thinks good. 2. By making them live and depend upon him, they being such as have but a small Estate of their own. 3. And they are seldom soldiers themselves, there charge being only to see the Army Paid. If there be need of any greater number, he entertains those men that are out of pay, and given charge to his Noblemen, that hold Lands of him to bring into the field every man a propoportionable of his servants and such as till his hand. with their furniture according to the just number he intends to make, when the service being done presently Lay in their weapons, and return to there servile occupations again, of footmen he hath 12000. whereof 5000 guard Moscow: and two thousand attend at Court: the rest he disposeth of in his Garrisons, until he hath occasion for them in the field: And receive for Salary 6. pound a year apeice, besides twelve measures of Rye, and Oales; They employ some 12000. strangers, Poland, Dutch, Scotch, etc. upon the borders of Tartary, and some Mercenary Tartars upon the borders of Poland and Sweden, thinks it policy so to use their service upon Contrary borders; the General is usually a nobleman of great extraction, but of mean parts: For in this point, they are very wary that nobility and power meet not both in one, especially if they see wisdom withal or aptness for policy to make up the defect In the General, there is some other joined with him as Leiutennant general of fare less nobility, but of far more valour and experience than he in Marshal affairs: who ordereth all things that the other Countenanceth. And he is assisted by 4 Marshals of the field, and these fear have two under each of them, that twice a week at least muster and train their several wings or bands, and give justice for all faults & disorders Committed, in the Camp: They have a great Master of the Ordinance and a Scout-Master General who hath a 1000 men about him to spy abroad; all these Officers must attend the General every day, to put him in mind of those things that may concern their offices. Upon any War the 4 Lords of the Chetsfinds sends their summons to be Proclaimed in the chief Towns of the Empire to all gentlemen's Sons to meet at the boders at such a place, and at such a time to be there Enrolled by certain Officers appointed by the high Constable. If any man makes default, and fail at the day he is punished very severely; When the Soudiers are assembled they are divided into Bands and Companies, and those Companies are reduced into 4 legions under the four great Field Marshals who are all under him, who hath a Commission with instructions for the present service, they are armed but slightly with Bow and Arrow and a sword, and here and there one with a Coat of Male; the chief Commanders go very richly with their Saddles of cloth of Gold, their Bridles fair bossed and tasseled with Gold and Silk Fringe, bestuded with Pearl and precious stones themselves in very fair Armour of shining steel yet covered commonly with cloth of gold, and edged round with Ermine Fur, with a steel Helmet upon their heads of great price, these swords, Bows, and arrows by there sides, their Spears in their hands, with other Helmets, and the Horseman's Sceptre carried before them; the footman hath nothing but his piece in his hand, his striking hatched at his back, and his Sword by his side; every man is to provide for himself sufficient for 4 months, and if need be to give order for more to be brought to him from his Tenant that tilleth his ground to the Camp, they are prepared to be Soldiers before hand their provision is dried bread & Bacon with other dried flesh or fish after the Dutch fashion: The Russin is not so hard to perform an enterprise as he is to endure hardship, courage in execution fails him partly because of his servile condition which will not suffer any courage to grow in him, and partly for lack of due honour and regard, which he hath no great hope of what soever service or execution he doth; their marching or leading is without order, only they keep in 4 legions, and so thrust onward in a hurry, tuhrsting rather to their number then their order, when they give any charge they make a great hollow and noise with Drums and Trumpets, and Swords brandished over their Heads, their Footmen (because commonly they want order in leading) are usually placed in some ambush or place of advantage, where they may most annoy the enemy with least hurt to themselves; they have Castles of boards of 3, 4, 5, 6, or. 7 mile length to defend them on both sides from Arrows, in which they stand and have room enough to charge and discharge their pieces and to use their other Weapons; it is close at both ends, and made with Loopholes on either side, to lay out the nose of their piece or to push forth any other Weapon, it's taken in pieces and laid on Carts, sparred together, and drawn by Horses that are not seen, be covered with these carriage as with a pant-house, when it is brought to the place where it is to be used which is chosen out by the walking general, it is planted as much as the present use requireth, sometimes two miles long sometimes more, which is soon done without the help of any Carpenter, because the Timber is so framed to clasp together one piece within another, as is easily understood by those that know the manner of the Russia building, because of their disorder, the Russia are observed better at defending a Town or castle, then at an open War in an open Field; it's thought there is no Prince in Christendom hath better provision there the Russia Emper our; as may partly appear by the Artillery at Moscow, where are of all sorts of great Ordinances, all Brass pieces very fair, to an exceeding great number; a piece of gold stamped with St. George hanging on the Sleeves is the reward of the greatest service; Colonies are filled with garrisons, the Inhabitants being permitted upon their good behaviour to till the Land for the use of his garrisons which are maintained at the charge of those Inhabitants. The Emperor of Russia is of an Hungarian extraction upon this token; The Ruff Government. That the Emperor once committing some Bullion to an English Goldsmith, said to him, look to thy weights, For my Russes are all thiefs; at which the Englishman smiling, the Emperor asked him what he smiled at, saith he, when you said the Ruff were all thiefs, you forgot that you were a Ruff; nay, saith he, you are deceived, I am no Ruff but a Germane: He was Duke a great while, till about an hundred years ago he took upon him the Title of Emperor, about which time there was like to be great alteration in the Ruff Estate because of a failure, in the time the Emperor being barren: And his brother like to be made away, his nurse who tasted his meat being poisoned, His Inauguration. this Emperor being inaugurated by the Patriarch and Clergy with the applause of the Nobility, Gentry and people, and prayed for him solemnly; thus, Preserve, O Lord, under thy holy protection, keep him that he may do good and holy things; Let Justice shine forth in his days, that we may live quietly without strife and malice, this in a soft voice to which he addeth a loud, Thou art the King of the whole world, and the Saviour of our souls, to thee the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be all praise for ever and ever; then he puts on the Robe and the Cap in the Name of the Father, etc. then the Deacon adds many years to the Noble Juan, Good, Honourable, beloved of God, Duke of etc. whereto the other Priest answers, many years, many years to etc. then they thundered out many years to the Noble Juan, Good, Honourable, beloved of God, etc. He hath a very long Title at his Coronation of half a sheet, which all Ambassadors must repeat; on a good token that when Master Fletcher in Queen Eliz. time had audience, he used but two or three Titles, whereupon the Chancellor never left chase till he gave his Interpreter order to repeat the rest. All power is in the Emperor and his Counsel, Power. and a few of the Bishops to deceive the people who think all is well that goeth through the Bishop's hands, who prescribe to the Parliament what they shall do; all places are bestowed by the Emperor himself or his chief Favourite and relation during his pleasure only, he executes a man without judgement or trial: all pardons are from the Emperor, wherein the Empress usually appears very much. The Parliament confists of twenty Noble men, The Parliament. and as many Bishops with the Emperor himself; no body representing the people who are looked upon as servants and slaves, the Clergy men being asked their opinion say; The Emperor and his Counsel are of great wisdom, and they are not able to advise them: they can only pray for them according to their duty and calling; then one of them asks the Emperor's mind; the Secretary tells them, that the Emperor desireth them to speak their minds freely; then without any pause they consent, and then the matter agreed on is drawn up by the Secreiaries to Proclamation to be published throughout the Empire. The Nobility hold all they have from the Emperor, Policy. and they are kept under by emulation one of the other which the Emperor cunningly improveth to the weakening of the Nobles, who have liberty to destroy and undo one another upon private quarrels, that they may not be able to cope with the Emperor; the Emperor pretends to wafile some select men in the book of his Favourites which he shows to others, that they may envy and undermine them; which begets a mortal hatred betwixt them to pleasure the Emperor: he moreover removes them from Country to Country, that they may never gain any love, authority, or popularity, and their Estates are not above 2000 l. a year. There are four Provinces, and four Officers belonging to them, who attend the Emperor with all the business of those Provinces, and communicate to the Provinces by their under Officers the Emperor's pleasure concerning them, these Governors hear, determine, and execute all in the Provinces by Deputies, unless there happen a hard case which they refer to the Emperor and his Council; none governs where he is known, or where his Estate is. These under Officers are permitted to rack the people, because they must give their account at the end of their Office, when all that they have taken returus to the Emperor's Coffers; few of them but come to the whip when they have done, under pretence of being punished. There eight special persons of worth and valour placed in the four bordering Towns, who have large Commissions, because sometimes their occasions are such by the sudden Invasion of an Enemy, that they have not time for direction: the City of Musko itself is governed by the King and Council, only for buildings, impositions, keeping the streets clean, there are some inferior Gentlemen appointed with the Aldermen and Constables; the Noble men are newly raised, and the people so cowed, that there is no likelishood of alteration; besides the Emperor keeps the soldiery to himself by rendering them odious to the people, with whom therefore they never can Close against him; to satisfy the humours of some Noble men, he maketh them Connsellors more for state than any use he makes of them; having some privadoes whom he consulteth day by day about the important affairs of the Kingdom; others coming sometimes who are of greater birth than wisdom, taken in as may seem for that end, rather to furnish the place with their honours and presence then with their advice or Council. Of the Council are thirty one besides two Lord Secretaries: the matters they debate are such as are brought to them by the Lords of the Provinces from their several quarters, and the chief Officers of every Office of Record, who may come into the Councel-Chamber, and inform them as occasion incident to his Office doth require; besides many private causes by way of supplication in great numbers are considered by them; they sit about seven a clock in the morning, Mundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Revenue. The rents are gathered by the Steward of thirty six Towns with the Crown lands and hundreds belonging to them; these rents are paid partly in money, partly in grain, partly in provision of flesh, Fish, and Fowl, the surplus whereof is sold by the Steward to the best hand, and runneth into the Emperor's Treasury, which amounts to, 200000 l. a year, which pays wages and Salones, besides this there are sour Officers over the Taxes, gathering first Tagla or an imposition on every measure of grain. 2. The Podal imposed on every hundred in the Realm, both which amount to 400000 l. a year, besides these are Officers for the Custom which amounts to 340000 Rubbles, or makes a yea 160000 Rubbles, being gathered by the first Table of Customers 90000 to the second, and 70000 to the third, besides this there is a Mullit arising from every Process in the Courts of Justice, which amounteth to 30000 Rubbels; the Remainder of Land Rents after the Army is paid amounts to 200000 l. yearly, so that there comes a million of money clear, all charges paid to the Treasury in the Castle of Musko, where the Emperor's Money, Plate, Jewels, Sceptre, and bags sealed with the Emperor's seal; besides forces and other commodities, with confiscation, that amounts to 500000 l. more, which are so great that a late Emperor would say, That people were like his Beard, the oftener shaved the thicker it grew, or like sheep that must be shorn once a year at least, to keep them from being overladen with their wool. Policy to improve the Revenue. 1. These Emperors wink at the Officers exaction, until their time is expired that they may have it; they suck the people, and the Emperor sucks them, and seems to make them a public example (saying, These good people are they that would eat you like bread) that they might confiscate their goods, which a late Emperor did, calling an executioner, and bidding him kill a goose, and he cut off the man's legs first, than his arms, than his head, and there (said the Emperor) is a goose ready dressed. 2. They make a show of want, as this Emperor's Father did, who being left very rich, coined his plate and sold it, that he might seem to want money, whereupon presently out comes a Tax. 3. They encourage the subject to bestow upon Monasteries all their wealth which they take upon occasion without any noise: this I was told, that Juan Vasilnwick, resigned his Kingdom to one, whom he adviled to recall all Charters given to Monasteries, which done he assumed the Government as if he disliked this, and was content to renew their Charters, reserving to himself as much of their Lands as himself thought good, whereby he got 30 millions of money. 4. They send Messengers to engage the Commodities of the Provinces, buying them at small Rates, and selling them at what they list. And so for foreign Commodities as I remember in the year 1645, when I traded in Baltic Sea: and they make a Monopoly of the Commodities he receives for Rent or Custom, and to enhance the price o● them: And none must sell their Commodities till the Emperors be all sold. 5. He sets up Drinking-hours, when men spend all their Estates, from which none may be called away, lest they hinder the Emperor's Revenue, where they lay up some twenty pound a man, and vow not to brave the Pot, until they have spent all, as they say, for the honour of the Emperor, 6. A Nobleman feigns himself rob, and the City is fined 10000 Rubbles for its misgovernment. 7. They send for what cannot be had, as for a peck of Flies to Musco, and then fine the Inhabitants because they do not what cannot be done. 8. One Emperor fined his Noblemen 30000 Rubbles because he miss his hour one morning. Their exactions are so great, that I have seen so metimes when they have laid open their Commodities for a liking, to look still behind and about them, whereof ask the cause, I found it to be this, That they doubted some of the Emperor's Officers might be in company, and so a train were laid upon them to pray upon their commodities: Therefore they drink and idle away the time (though able enough to endure labour) caring for no more than from hand to mouth. Yet there are some Merchants very rich there, dwelling far from Court, and worth 300000 Rubbles a piece, as I knew their brethren of late. The people are ignorant, that they may be more fit to be Slaves: Therefore in the year 1643 they removed all strangers to the borders, lest they should teach the people better Manners, Qualities, and more Wit. And none is to aspire higher than his Father's Trade. 9 Justice. If any one is injured, he makes his supplication either to the Court of Aldermen, or the other two Courts, and thence hath a Writ for the other, who appears and pleads his own Cause, and if Evidence cast him either by Witnesses, or by the Plaintiffs kissing the Cross upon the matter, he is sent to the Sergeant, who irons him and cudgels him on the shins from Eight till Eleven every day, till he pays the money. Their Bills are these: I William White own Juan Vasilevel Godonor 100 Rubbels of going money of Musko without Interest, until the Council Sunday: and if not paid then, I must pay five for six: upon this are witnesses Gab. Jacovile sin, An. 1662. This Bill have I written William White with my name to it. In criminal affairs they examine by tortures. and refer the Party to King and Council. 10. They rise about four in the morning, and worship, Their private behaviour. and then to business, and then to their wives, and then to Dinner, where their food is rather plentiful then curious, with which they drink plentifully, after which they sleep two hours daily, which would kill them, but that they sweat it out in hot Baths: out of which they can go to the cold air, yea and water too in the winter time. They allow their women money for paint: They wear Caps close to their heads, and are shaved, unless they be in displeasure with the Emperor when they let their hair grow: Over the Cap he weareth a wide Cap of black Fur, with a long Bonnet within it. About their necks, Colours beset with Pearls and precious stones. Next over his shirt, (which is curiously wrought, because he stripeth himself in the Summer time) is a light garment of Silk made down to the knees, buttoned before, and then a close Coat buttoned, and girt with a Persian Girdle, whereat he hangs his knives and spoons: over which he weareth a lose Garment of rich silk, furred and faced about with gold lace: Their noise is infinite, who cry, Give me and kill me. Russian Embassy ●ent. in 〈◊〉 Eliz: ti●●●● The Ruff maketh small regard of his word, neither believeth what another speaks, nor speaketh any thing worthy to be believed: however the English have upon the account of Trade in the Baltic Sea, and interest in the Northern parts, made very much of their Ambassadors here three times. 11. I. In Queen Elizabeth's time, Anno 1589. By K. James who sent the Master of the Ceremoney with the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Chamberlain with a great Court-train to meet him at the Tower, from whence he was conducted by the Aldermen in Scarlet, with the several Companies in chains through the City to Durham-house, where they were entertained at the Queen's charge, until they were conducted by the Earl of Essexes andience, which they did in all humble manner, as they said to the second maid in the world,— II. In King James time, Novemb. 5. 1617. a Russian Ambassador with his Assistant the Counsellor of Muscovy, was received at Tower-Wharf by the Lord Cempton, having been first received at Graves end by Mr. Richard Smith chief of the Muscovy Campany: They were welcomed at Landing with the Ordnances of the Tower and Ships, and were met on Tower-hill by the Aldermen in Scarlet, and other Citizens in velvet Coats and Chains of gold, and thence conducted to his house in Bishopgate-street, whence they presented the King and Queen with 4000 l. sterling in gifts. Now he hath been entertained in like manner attended by 12000 men in arms, K. C. 2d. and hath had audience, and presented the King with Cordage, Furs, Beasts and Birds, worth 1500 l. intending to treat with his Majesty about the Northern Affairs of Trade, Peace and War. His Majesty sent the Master of the Ceremonies, with many Coaches more of the Nobility to conduct him to the City, whence he was met by the Aldermen and Citizens on horseback with Trumpets: the City all along being lined with 25000 Trained-band and auxiliaries: and he was conducted to York-house, whence he was conducted to Audience, Decem. 1. 1662. which he made in very humble manner, stooping and knocking his forehead against the ground before the King, who sat in great State, environed with the Nobility, as the Sun with stars: the Glory of his friends, the envy of his foes, and the wonder of the world. FINIS.