streets through which
they were to pass densely lined on each side by the citizens who had
assembled to witness the spectacle. Through this vast concourse the
embassadors and their suite advanced, and were finally conducted to a
splendid palace which had been prepared for them in the heart of the
city. The garrison of the city was drawn up at the gates of the palace,
to receive them as they arrived. When the carriage reached the gate and
the embassadors began to alight, a grand salute was fired from the guns
of the fortress. The embassadors were immediately conducted to their
several apartments in the palace by the officers who had led the
procession, and then left to repose. When the officers were about to
withdraw, the embassadors accompanied them to the head of the stairs and
took leave of them there. The doors of the palace and the halls and
entrances leading to the apartments of the embassadors were guarded by
twenty-four soldiers, who were stationed there as sentinels to protect
the precincts from all intrusion.

Four days after this there was another display, when the embassadors were
admitted to their first public audience with the king. There was again a
grand procession through the streets, with great crowds assembled to
witness it, and bands of music, and splendid uniforms, and gorgeous
equipages, all more magnificent, if possible, than before. The
embassadors were conducted in this way to the royal palace. They entered
the hall, dressed in cloth of gold and silver, richly embroidered, and
adorned with precious stones of great value. Here they found the king
seated on a throne, and attended by all the principal nobles of his
court. The embassadors advanced to pay their reverence to his majesty,
bearing in their hands, in a richly-ornamented box, a letter from the
Czar, with which they had been intrusted for him. There were a number of
attendants also, who were loaded with rich and valuable presents which
the embassadors had brought to offer to the king. The presents consisted
of the most costly furs, tissues of gold and silver, precious stones, and
the like, all productions of Russia, and of very great value.

The king received the embassadors in a very honorable manner, and made
them an address of welcome in reply to the brief addresses of salutation
and compliment which they first delivered to him. He received the letter
from their hands and read it. The presents were deposited on tables
wh