Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 1, 1851).djvu/137

Rh by the officers into the reception room of the grand-prince, who was sitting on a somewhat raised chair, and had a footstool under his feet. On each side of him sat one of his brothers, and next to the one at his right hand his brother-in-law, Czar Peter, as Herberstein calls him, who was brother of the Tartar Khan, and had been baptized. The whole room was full of princes and nobles, who all arose at Herberstein’s entrance. When he had respectfully approached the grand-prince, the latter addressed him first, and told him to stand before him next to a little low bench covered with carpet, which he did, and spoke a few words by way of introductory compliment. When he mentioned the name of the emperor Maximilian, the grand-prince rose from his seat, stood next to the little bench, and asked, “How is our brother Maximilian, elected Roman emperor and high and noble king?” and when the answer was given that Herberstein, at the time of his departure, had left him quite well, he sat down again, and listened to the rest of the speech. After Herberstein had delivered his credentials, he had to give his hand to the grand-prince, who asked him, “Hast thou travelled well?” To which Herberstein had been instructed to answer, “Through the mercy of God and your grace, quite well. God give your grace good health.” The grand-prince then bade him sit down, called the interpreter, and whispered to him. The interpreter then approached Herberstein, and told him in a low tone that he might now say what he had to say. Upon this Herberstein rose, and ex-