The fruits also due farre exceede the fruits of Moscouia. The
people are bolde and warlike men.
A speciall note gathered by the excellent Venetian Cosmographer M. Iohn
Baptista Ramusius out of the Atabian Geographie of Abilfada Ismael,
concerning the trending of the Ocean sea from China Northward, along the
coast of Tartarie and other vnknowen lands, and then running Westwards
vpon the Northerne coasts of Russia, and so farther to the Northwest.
Descriuendo poi il predetto Abilfadai Ismael luoghi della terra habitabile,
che circuendo il mar Oceano tocca, dice cosi.
[Sidenote: La regione delle Cine. Contini delli vltimi Tartari. Alcune
Terre Incognite. Contini Settentrionali della Rosia.] Riuoltasi l'Oceano da
leuante verso la regione delle Cine, et va alla volta di Tramontana, et
passata finalmente la detta regione, se ne giunge a Gogi et Magogi, cio e
alli confini de gli Vltimi Tartari, et di quiui ad Alcune Terre che sono
Incognite: Et correndo sempre per Ponente, passa sopra li confini
Settentrionali della Rossia, et va alla volta di Maestro.
The same in English.
The aforesaid Abilfada Ismael describing afterward the habitable places of
the earth, which the Ocean sea in his circuit toucheth, sayth in this
manner following.
[Sidenote: The Countrey of China. The coasts of the vttermost Tartars.
Certaine vnknowne Countreys. The Northern coasts of Russia. The Northwest.]
The Ocean sea turneth from the East toward the Countrey of the Chinaes, and
stretcheth toward the North, and at length hauing passed the sayd Countrey,
it reacheth vnto the Gogi and Magogi, that is, to the confines of The
vttermost Tartars, and from thence vnto certaine vnknowen Countreys: and
running still Westward it passeth vpon the Northerne coasts of Russia, and
from thence it runneth toward Northwest, (which it doth indeede vpon the
coast of Lappia.) By this most notable testimony it appeareth, that the
Ocean sea compasseth and enuironeth all the East, Northeast, and North
parts of Asia and Europe.
The Emperors priuate or houshold Officers.
The chiefe Officers of the Emperors houshold are these which follow.
[Sidenote: Master of the Horse.] The first is the office of the Boiaren
Conesheua, or master of the Horse. Which conteineth no more then is
expressed by the name, that is to be ouerseer of the Horse, and not
Magister equitum, or Master of the Horsemen. For he appointeth other for
that seruice, as occasion doth require, as before was sayd. He that beareth
that office at this time, is Boris Pheodorowich Godonoe, brother to the
Empresse. Of Horse for seruice in his warres (besides other for his
ordinary vses) he hath to the number of ten thousand which are kept about
Mosco.
The next is the Lord Steward of his houshold at this time, one Gregory
Vasilowich Godonoe. The third is his Treasurer, that keepeth all his
monies, iewels, plate, &c. now called Stephan Vasilowich Godonoe. The
fourth his Controller, now Andreas Petrowich Clesinine. The fift his
Chamberlaine. He that attendeth that office at this time, is called Estoma
Bisabroza Pastelnischay. The sixt his Tasters, now Theodor Alexandrowich,
and Iuan Vasilowich Godonoe. The seuenth his Harbingers, which are three
Noble men, and diuers other Gentlemen that do the office vnder them. These
are his ordinary officers and offices of the chiefest account.
Of Gentlemen besides them that waite about his chamber, and person (called
Shilsey Strapsey) there are two hundred, all Noblemens sonnes. His ordinary
Garde is two thousand Hagbutters readie with their pieces charged, and
their match lighted, with other necessarie furniture continually day and
night: which come not within the house, but waite without in the court or
yard, where the Emperour is abiding. In the night time there lodgeth next
to his bedchamber the chiefe Chamberlaine with one or two more of best
trust about him. A second chamber off there lodge sixe other of like
account for trust and faithfulnesse. In the thirde chamber lie certaine
young Gentlemen, of these two hundred, called Shilsey Strapsey that take
their turnes by forties euery night. There are groomes besides that watch
in their course, and lie at euery gate and doore of the Court, called
Estopnick.
The Hagbutters or Gunners, whereof there are two thousand (as was sayd
before) watch about the Emperours lodgings, or bedchamber by course 250.
euery night, and 250. more in the Courtyarde, and about the Treasure house.
His Court or house at the Mosco is made castle wise, walled about, with
great store of faire ordinance planted vpon the wall, and conteyneth a
great breadth of ground within it, with many, dwelling houses: Which are
appointed for such as are knowen to be sure, and trustie to the Emperor.
Of the priuate behauiour, or qualitie of the Russe people.
The priuate behauiour and qualitie of the Russe people, may partly be
vnderslood by that which hath beene sayd concerning the publique state and
vsage of the Countrey. [Sidenote: Constitution of their bodies.] As
touching the naturall habite of their bodies, they are for the most part of
a large size, and of very fleshly bodies: accounting it a grace to be
somewhat grosse and burley, and therefore they nourish and spread their
beards, to haue them long and broad. But for the most part, they are very
vnwieldy and vnactiue withall. Which may be thought to come partly of the
climate, and the numbnesse which they get by the cold in winter, and partly
of their diet that standeth most of routes, onions, garlike, cabbage, and
such like things that breede grosse humors, which they vse to eate alone,
and with their other meates.
[Sidenote: Their diet.] Their diet is rather much then curious. At their
meales they beginne commonly with a Charke or small cuppe of Aqua vitae,
(which they call Russe wine) and then drinke not till towardes the end of
their meales, taking it in largely, and all together, with kissing one
another at euery pledge.
