Easter, when no business of any kind is transacted, I rested after the fatigues of the journey.  On the following morning the king sent me a robe of black damask, according to the custom of the country, that I might go to court, which I did, accompanied by several persons of distinction, and had the honour to pay my respects to the king, according to the ceremonies of that court; after which I presented the letters of our illustrious republic to his majesty, and explained to him the nature of my commission.  The king was pleased to invite me to dinner, which was served much in the same manner as with us, the dishes being in great abundance, and well dressed.  As soon as dinner was over, I asked permission to retire, which was accordingly granted.  Two days afterwards I was again sent for to court, when the king gave orderly answers to all the proposals which I had made in the name of our republic, and with so much benevolent attention towards me, that I learned by experience that he justly deserved the character of the best king who had reigned in Poland for a great many years.  He was pleased to appoint me two guides, one of whom was to accompany me through Poland, and the other through lower Russia, to Kiow[6], or Magrano, which is the key of the kingdom.  I humbly thanked his majesty in the name of the republic, and took my leave.

I left Lenczycz on the 14th of April, on my journey through Poland, which is a flat country, ornamented with many forests; but the great want of convenient lodgings is a sure proof that it is not very fertile, nor much abounding in the necessaries of life.  On the 19th I arrived at Lublin, a tolerable city, defended by a citadel.  The three sons of the king resided there at this time for their education.  The eldest of these princes was about fourteen years of age, and the two others considerably younger.  Learning that they wished to see me, providing that their father had not forbidden, I waited upon them, and was received with much politeness, the eldest conversing with me in the most obliging manner, and I observed that they behaved with much respect to their preceptor.  I took my leave of them, returning thanks for their civilities, and they parted from me with as much courtesy as I had experienced in my reception.  Leaving Lublin, and continuing our journey through Poland, we arrived on the 20th of April in lower Russia, which is subject to the king of Poland.  In this part of our journey we travelled five whole days through thick woods, and, except meeting with a very few castles, we lodged for the most part in country houses.  On the 25th, we came to a town named Jusch, which is defended by a wooden castle.  We rested here for some time, yet not without danger, as the inhabitants were quite mad with drunkenness, on account of celebrating certain marriages.  This country produces no wine, but the natives prepare a liquor from honey, which is stronger and more intoxicating even than wine.  Leaving this place, we came to