manner, he bends himself so low as to touch the ground with his hand; but if he desires to offer his thanks to the grand-duke for any great favour, or to beg anything of him, he then bows himself so low as to touch the ground with his forehead. The prince sat with his head uncovered in a place of distinction higher than the rest, against a wall decorated with a picture of a certain saint, with his hat, called kopack, on a stand at his right hand; and on his left, his staff, with a cross on it, called possoch, and a washhand basin and two ewers, with a towel placed by them. They say that the prince believes that in giving his hand to an ambassador of the Roman creed, he gives it to an unclean and impure person; and that, therefore, after their departure, he immediately washes his hands. Opposite the prince, but in a less elevated position, was placed a decorated seat for the ambassadors.
After we had offered our salutation, as above described, the prince himself pointing to the seat with his hand, directed us to it, both by word and gesture. When we had duly saluted the prince from this spot, an interpreter came forward, who translated our communication, word by word. When, among other things, the names of Charles and Ferdinand transpired, he arose, and descended from his seat; and after hearing the salutation to the end, said, "Is our brother Charles, elect emperor and supreme king of the Romans, well?" To which the count replied: "He is well." He then ascended the steps, and sat down. Afterwards, when my salutation was completed, he put the same question to me respecting Ferdinand. He then called each of us in turn to him, and said: "Give me thy hand;" with the addition of the question, "Hast thou been well on thy journey?" To which each of us replied after their fashion: "God grant that thou mayst live in health many years. By the grace of God and thy favour, I have been well." Thereupon he ordered us to be seated; before doing so, however, we offered
