PREFACE. 
ill 
all the hired deceptions of French philosophers 
and savans, have been able to wipe away* *. 
A few words, by way of acknowledgment, to 
those who have contributed to the accomplish- 
ment of the present undertaking, it is hoped, 
will not be deemed superfluous : at the same 
time, it is not necessary to repeat expressions 
which occur in the following pages. With 
the exception, therefore, of Lord Whitworth, 
whose respectable name the author here begs 
leave to introduce, no repetition will be offered. 
To his kindness, while Ambassador at Petersburg, 
the very existence of the First Part of this 
work may be ascribed ; and his character ought 
to stand recorded, in having afforded, as an 
English Minister, the very rare example of 
liberal patronage to his travelling countrymen, 
during the whole of his embassy. 
(2) “ Omnes enim passim, cujuseunque conditions sint, nullo rc- 
spectu personarum habito, durissimit servitute premuntur. Nobiles, 
magnates, prafecti, primoies, cousiliariique uuiversi, se chlopos, id 
est, abjectissimos ct vilissimos servo* Magni Ducis fatentur; et bona 
sua omnia, mobilia et itr.mobilia, qua: possident, non sua, sed Prin- 
cipis esse agnoscunt. Uc autem cquestris ordo it Magno Duce, ita 
enim plebeius ordo it Nobilihus ct Magnatibus gravissimi! premitur : 
• olonorum enim et oppidanorum bona, militarium hominum et Nobi- 
lium praeda: exposita sunt. Sex dies coloni in septimana dominis suis 
laborant ; Septimus dies privato labor! eonceditur. Neque hi strenufi 
laborant, nisi bene verterati.” Descriptio Afoscovia. L. Rat. 1000. 
