[5] The word Leopolitain, may possibly be a corruption for Neopolitan, or
    a native of Naples.  Perhaps it may refer to Leopol, in that part of
    Poland now belonging to Austria, and called Galicia.—­E.

[6] Such is the expression in the original, which ought perhaps to be
    reversed.  Yet Contarini possibly meant to say, that the inhabitants of
    Moscow laid up a sufficient stock of money from the profits of their
    long winter labours, for their subsistence during summer; when, by the
    absence of the court, they had little employment.—­E.

[7] There are two cities named Novogrod or Novgorod in Russia, nearly at
    equal distances from Moscow, one to the northwest, and the other to
    the southwest; the latter of which, named Novgorod Sieverskov, is
    probably meant in the text, and which ought rather to have been
    described as towards the frontiers of Poland.  The other Novgorod did
    not then belong to the Russian sovereignty.—­E.

[8] The geographical ideas of Contarini are very vague and superficial. 
    This is perhaps the only instance wherein Poland; a portion of
    European Sarmatia, is considered as belonging geographically to
    Germany.—­E.

[9] The reigning sovereign of Russia at the period was John III. who began
    to reign in 1463, and was succeeded in 1505 by Basil IV.—­E.

SECTION IX.

Contarini leaves Moscow, and having passed through Lithuania, Poland, and Germany, arrives at Venice.

On the day before that which I had fixed for my departure, I was invited to dine at court.  Before dinner, I was taken into one of the halls of the palace, where I found the grand duke, accompanied by Marcus and a secretary.  His highness addressed me very graciously, and desired me to report all the marks of esteem and friendship he had shewn me, from respect to our illustrious republic, and offered me every thing I could desire, and which lay in his power to grant.  While speaking, I drew back from respect; but as I retired he always advanced.  I answered every thing to his satisfaction, and humbly offered my most grateful thanks for all his benevolence to me.  He treated me with the utmost politeness and familiarity, and even condescended to shew me some robes of gold tissue, magnificently lined with Scythian sables; after which we went to dinner.  The repast was extraordinarily magnificent, at which several of the barons and great officers of state assisted.  When we rose from table, the grand duke called me to him, and gave me my audience of leave in the most gracious terms, speaking so loud as to be heard by all the company, and expressing his high esteem for the illustrious republic of Venice.  After this, by his order, a silver cup was brought to me filled with mead, of which he made me a present, as a mark of high regard with which he honours ambassadors,