Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 2).djvu/103

 So great, indeed, we are told, were the crowds of people that lined his path that the ambassador had much difficulty in reaching his lodging "in Fantchurch Streete," where he was provided with every luxury befitting his dignity and the importance of the embassy on which he had come, till he finally left London on the 3rd of May following.

Nor, indeed, were the attentions shown to this first Russian envoy bestowed in vain. Before he set out homewards, in "the noble shippe the Primrose," a valuable commercial treaty was concluded with Russia, which continued in force almost until our own day, to the great advantage of the people of both countries, but especially of the English.

It is not a little curious now to look back to the early history of that trade and the mode whereby it was conducted, nor is it either uninteresting or uninstructive. The correspondence between the Company and its agents in Russia furnishes ample means for showing how it was conducted, and provides, probably, the earliest specimens extant of the English mode of conducting business with foreign countries, and of the care and precision with which it was carried on. Nothing can be clearer than the Company's letter of instructions and bill of parcels, containing as it does in the shortest possible space all that was necessary for the guidance of their agents.

To the Company of Merchant Adventurers, and more especially to its first governor, Sebastian Cabot, England is deeply indebted. They were among the earliest traders who gave an impetus to her over-*