thanks, according to their custom, — first to the prince, then to the councillors and knesi, who remained standing, in compliment to us, and bowed our heads in each direction. Sometimes it is the custom for ambassadors from foreign princes, — especially those from Lithuania, Livonia, Sweden, etc., — when admitted into the prince's presence, each, together with his retinue and servants, to distribute their respective gifts.
The mode of offering gifts is after this wise. When the embassy has been heard and explained, the councillor who has introduced the ambassadors to the prince, rises, and addresses all the audience in a clear and distinct voice: My great Lord N., the ambassador M. strikes his forehead to thee with such and such a gift; and this he repeats a second and a third time. He then announces, in the same manner, the names of each of the nobles and attendants, and their respective gifts. Meanwhile a secretary is appointed to stand by his side, to note down the names, not only of the ambassadors, but also of each person who brings an offering, according to their rotation, and of the presents attached to each name. They call such presents "pominki", which is a kind of remembrance. They gave a hint to our people respecting these presents, to which they replied that it was not our custom. But I return to my subject.
After the salutation had been gone through, and we had been some time seated, the prince invited each of us in rotation, with these words, "You will dine with me." I may here add that, in my first embassy, he had, according to their custom, invited me in this manner, "Sigismund, thou wilt eat our salt and bread with us." Presently after, he called our caterers to him, and spoke to them in a low voice, but I know not what he said, but each of them in his turn gave instruction to the interpreters, who said to us, "Arise, let us retire to another house;" where, while we explained the remainder of the embassy, and our commissions, to certain coun-
