Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/152

way. Then, having passed the steps, other councillors of higher rank came forward to meet us, offering their right hands, by way of salutation, their predecessors meanwhile retiring; for it is the custom, that those who advance first, should make way for those who follow, and these again for the next in rotation, and so take their place in order, according to previous arrangement. Then, upon our entering the palace, where the lower order of nobles stood ranged around, the chief councillors in like manner came forward to meet us, and saluted us in the same order, and after the same fashion. At length we were conducted into another hall, which was crowded with the knesi and other persons of high rank, from whose number and of whose rank the councillors are chosen, and thence to the prince's chamber, before which stood the gentlemen who attend daily upon the prince. During this time, not a single one of those who stood around showed the least mark of respect to us; but on the contrary, if we happened in passing to salute or speak to any one with whom we were familiarly acquainted, he would make no reply, just as if he had never known any of us, or had never received a salute from us before. At length, on our entering the presence of the prince, the councillors immediately arose (the prince's brethren, if any happen to be present on these occasions, do not rise, but remain seated, with their heads uncovered), and one of the chief councillors addressed the prince in their manner, without being required to do so, in our name, in the following words: "My great lord, the Count Leonhard strikes his forehead before thee, for thy great favour." He then says the same for Sigismund. The first is as much as to say he bows and pays thee honour; the second, he offers thee thanks for the favour received: for they regard striking the forehead as expressive, of salutation, rendering of thanks, and everything of that kind. For whenever any one makes a petition, or offers thanks, it is the custom to bow the head; if he wishes to do so in a very marked