only incidentally, in describing neighbouring countries,—as for instance, Olaus Gothus, in his description of Sweden, Matthæus Mechovita, Albertus Campensis, and Munster,—yet such as these have by no means deterred me from my resolution of writing. And this resolution I hold, because while I was in the country I derived my information, not only from personal observation, but from accounts which were worthy of credit, and daily availed myself of every opportunity to converse much upon such matters with a great number of people, so that occasionally I have been obliged (and I hope my words will not give offence) to give a more copious and ample explanation of matters which have been exhibited by others obscurely and as it were through a lattice. In addition to this, I here give a description of subjects which have not been at all touched upon by others, and which no one but an ambassador could have become acquainted with. In this my purpose and labour, moreover, I have been encouraged by Your Majesty, who has from time to time exhorted me to bring the work which I had begun to a conclusion, and who has even (as the saying is) spurred an already willing horse; while on the other hand, various embassies and other labours in Your Majesty’s service have very frequently called me off from this occupation, upon which I have been able hitherto to bestow less time than I had contemplated. Now, however, that I find myself able to enjoy somewhat of leisure from the daily business of the Austrian treasury, I return, in obedience to Your Majesty’s command, to my interrupted task; and I pay but little regard to those inconsiderate readers of this most delicate age, who will perhaps look for greater refinement in my writing; it is sufficient for me that I have given proof by the fact itself (since I could not do so equally by my language), of my wish by any means to provide instruction for posterity, and of my desire to obey the commands of Your Majesty, than which I hold nothing in greater reverence. I therefore hereby declare to Your Majesty, that these Notes upon Russia have been dictated by me far more from a desire to investigate and elucidate the truth, than for the sake of
