The grand duke of Russia has likewise conquered Nowgorod, or Novogorod[34].  This is an extensive province, about eight days journey to the north-west of Moscow, which was formerly a republic.  The inhabitants were without sense or reason, and had a great many heretics among them; but at present, the catholic faith makes its way among them by degrees, though some are still misbelievers.  In the meantimes, however, they lead more rational lives, and justice is properly administered.

Poland is twenty-two days journey from Moscow; and the first place we come to in Poland is a fortified town, called Trocki, or Trozk[35], to which we arrive through woods, and over hills, travelling a long way in an uninhabited desert.  There are, it is true, certain places by the way, in which travellers may rest a while, and make a fire, if ordered before hand; and sometimes, though very rarely, one finds a small hamlet or two, a little way out of the road.  Going beyond Trozk, one meets with more hills and forests, in which there are some habitations; and nine days journey beyond Trozk, we come to a fortified town called Loniri or Lonin[36].  After this, we quit that part of Poland called Lithuania, and come to a district named Varsonich[37], which belongs to certain lords, who are subject to Kazimir, or Cassimir, King of Poland.  This part of the country is fertile, and contains a great many walled towns and villages, but none of any great importance.  From Warsaw, it is seven days journey to the frontiers of Poland, through a good and beautiful country; where one meets with Mersaga[38], a tolerably good town, where Poland ends.  Respecting the towns and provinces of Poland, I shall say nothing farther, for want of proper information; except that the king and his sons, and whole household, are very good Christians, and that the eldest of his sons is king of Bohemia.

Travelling four days more beyond Poland, we came to Francfort, a city which belongs to the Margrave of Bandenburgh.  But having reached Germany, I shall say nothing of it, as we are now in a manner at home, and in a country with which most people are well acquainted.

[1] Forster, Voy. and Disc, in the North p. 165.

[2] Called likewise the sea of Zabachi, Ischaback-Denghissi, the Palus
    Maeotis, and Sea of Asof.—­Forst.

[3] This is explained to signify Deodati, or Given by God.—­Forst.

[4] The Ch is used in Italian orthography before e and i to indicate
    the letter k.  Hence Cheremuch is Kererouk, and Chertibei, Kertibei,
    or Kertibey.  In the perpetually varying nomenclature, from vitious
    orthography, and changes of dominion, it is often difficult to
    ascertain the nations or districts indicated.  This is peculiarly the
    case in the present instance, and the sequel, which enumerates a
    number of the Caucasian petty tribes, lying between, the sea of Asof
    and the Caspian, now mostly subject to the Russian empire, whose
    momentary names and stations we dare not pretend to guess at.—­E.