vessels of gold, and that as much as could stand one by another upon
the tables. Besides this there were four cupboards garnished with
goodly plate, both of gold and silver. Among the which there were
twelve barrels of silver containing above twelve gallons apiece, and
at each end of every barrel were six hoops of fine gold. This
dinner continued about six hours.

Every year upon the Twelfth Day they use to bless or sanctify the
river Moska, which runneth through the city of Moscow (Moscovia),
after this manner:-

First, they make a square hole in the ice about three fathoms large
every way, which is trimmed about the sides and edges with white
boards. Then about nine of the clock they come out of the church
with procession towards the river in this wise:-

First and foremost there go certain young men with wax tapers
burning, and one carrying a great lantern. Then follow certain
banners, then the cross, then the images of Our Lady and St.
Nicholas, and of other saints, which images men carry upon their
shoulders. After the images follow certain priests to the number of
100 or more. After them the Metropolitan, who is led between two
priests; and after the Metropolitan came the Emperor, with his crown
upon his head, and after his Majesty all his noblemen orderly. Thus
they followed the procession unto the water, and when they came unto
the hole that was made, the priests set themselves in order round
about it. And at one side of the same pool there was a scaffold of
boards made, upon which stood a fair chair, in which the
Metropolitan was set, but the Emperor's Majesty stood upon the ice.