The vnmercifulnesse of the Russes toward the poor.] There is no
people in the world, as I suppose, that liue so miserably as do the pouerty
in those parts, and the most part of them that haue sufficient for
themselues, and also to relieue others that need, are so vmnerciful that
they care not how many they see die of famine or hunger in the streets.
[Sidenote: Stooues or baths vsuall with the Muscovites.] It is a countrey
full of diseases, diuers, and euill, and the best remedy is for anie of
them, as they holde opinion, to goe often vnto the hote houses, as in a
maner euery man hath one of his owne, which hee heateth commonly twise
euery weeke, and all the bouseholde sweate, and wash themselues therein.
The names of certaine sortes of drinkes vsed in Russia, and commonly drunke
in the Emperours Court.
[Sidenote: Reported by Thomas Bulley.] The first and principall meade is
made of the iuice or liccour taken from a berrie called in Russia, Malieno,
which is of a marueilous sweete taste, and of a carmosant colour, which
berry I haue seene in Paris.
The second meade is called Visnoua, because it is made of a berry so
called, and is like a black gooseberrie: but it is like in colour and taste
to the red wine of France.
The third meade is called Amarodina or Smorodina, short, of a small berry
much like to the small rezin, and groweth in great plentie in Russia.
The fourth meade is called Chereunikyna, which is made of the wilde blacke
cherry.
The fift meade is made of hony and water, with other mixtures.
There is also a delicate drinke drawn from the root of the birch tree,
called in the Russe tongue Berozeuites, which drinke the noble men and
others vse in Aprill, May, and Iune, which are the three moneths of the
spring time: for after those moneths, the sappe of the tree dryeth, and
then they cannot haue it.
* * * * *
The voyage of Master Anthony Ienkinson, made from the citie of Mosco in
Russia, to the citie of Boghar in Bactria, in the yeere 1558: written by
himselfe to the Merchants of London of the Moscouie company.
The 23. day of April, in the yeere 1558. (hauing obtained the Emperor of
Russia his letters, directed vnto sundry kings and princes, by whose
dominions I should passe) I departed from Mosco by water, hauing with mee
two of your seruants, namely, Richard Iohnson, and Robert Iohnson, and a
Tartar Tolmach, with diuers parcels of wares, as by the inuentory
appeareth: and the 28. day we came to a town called Collom, distant from
the Mosco 20. leagues, and passing one league beyond the saide Collom, we
came vnto a riuer called Occa, into the which the riuer Mosco falleth, and
looseth his name:
