Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/110

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82
NOTES UPON RUSSIA.

the time; but being accustomed to Turkish habits, he offended the prejudices of the Tartars, by not appearing much in public, and did not allow himself to be seen by his subjects. The result of this was, that the Tartars, who could not endure so unusual a mode of conduct in their prince, expelled him, and put his brother's son in his place. Sadachgerei, being taken prisoner by his nephew, implored him suppliantly not to pursue him to the death, and from pity to his old age not to shed his blood, begging to be allowed to spend the remainder of his life in private in some fortress, and to retain only the name of king, while his nephew held the entire administration of the kingdom. His request was granted.

The titles of dignity amongst the Tartars are nearly as follows:—khan, as I have said above, signifies a king; sultan, the son of a king; bü, a duke; mursa, the son of a duke; olbond, a noble or councillor; olboadula, the son of a nobleman; said, a chief priest. A private man is called ksi. The post of rank next to that of the king is called ulan. The Tartar kings have four councillors, whose advice they mainly take in matters of importance. The first of these is called schirni; the second, barni; the third, gargni; the fourth, tziptzan. Thus much about the Tartars. I must now speak of Lithuania, which is the country next bordering upon Muscovy.

Of Lithuania.

Lithuania is the province which lies nearest to Muscovy; but it is not of the province alone that I now mean to speak, but also of such districts immediately adjacent to it as are comprehended under the name of Lithuania. This country extends in a long tract from the town of Circass on the