212 
MOSCOW. 
chap, of brave officers and dependents are sitting 
* X ' , py pim, to whom he is unable to offei a single 
o-lass. We sometimes essayed a violation of 
this barbarous custom, by taking the bottles 
placed before us, and filling the glasses of those 
below; but the offer was generally refused, 
through fear of giving offence by acceptance ; 
and it was a mode of conduct which we found 
could not be tolerated, even by the most liberal 
host. Two tureens of soup usually make their 
appearance, as we often see them in England; 
but if a stranger should ask for that which is at 
the bottom of the table, the master of the house 
regards him with dismay; the rest all gaze at 
him with wonder ; and when he tastes what he 
has obtained, he finds it to be a mess of dirty 
and abominable broth, stationed for persons who 
never venture to ask for soup from the upper 
end of the table. The number of attendants m 
waiting is prodigious. In the house of the 
young Count Orlof were not less than five hun- 
dred servants; many being sumptuously clothed, 
and many others in rags. It was no unusual 
sight to observe behind a chair a fellow in 
plumes and gold lace, like a Neapolitan running- 
footman, and another by his side looking like a 
beggar from the streets. 
A droll accident befel two English gentlemen 
