1654] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 15 hoped to have found Duke Radzlvill

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1654] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 15

hoped to have found Duke Radzlvill. After wee had stayed eight dayes,
expecting his comeing, wee were informed that he was not to come at all,
which put us upon new projects. My comerad had been two or three years
in the countrcy, could speak Polls and Dutch, had some skill in merchandis-
ing, and so, for getting a livelyhood, had many wayes the advantage of me.
But my purnose of turning souldier here failing me, I resolved to persue my
former resolution of returneing to my parents. Here Avere many merchants
of our countreymen, into whose acquaintance I was ashamed to intrude my-
self, and they shewed but very litle countenance to me, haveing heard of
my intention to turne souldier, and fearing lest I should be burthensome or
troublesome to theni. I had but eight or nine florens left, wherewith I Avas
not able to subsist long here, or to travell farr either. I began, however,
to enquire for the neerest way for Scotland, and was informed that Posna,
the cheife citty of Great Polland would be the most convenient place I could
go for first ; whither an occasion shortly after offered, with a gentleman called
. . . who had been at the seim, and had bought some horses, so that,
by the recommendation of a friend, he promised to take me along, and keep
me free of expences, which was a very good occasion, considering my
condition.

So, upon a Tuesday early, we tooke horse, being three persons and six
horses. The gentleman, his servant, and I, drove the horses along ; but
when wee came to any towne he would have me lead one, and the servant
the other two spare horses. The first night, we rode five miles, and lodged
in a village ; the next morning, through the litle towne . . , and dined
in Lovits, which is a large not well fortified towne. The arch-bishop's
castle-like faire house is fortifyed with a wall and moatt. This night we
lodged in a village ; the next night in a litle towne, Piatek ; and, crosseing
the river Warta twice, at the second crossing wee passed by a very fair
gentleman's house haveing large orchards and parkes. Foure miles from
Posna, we passed through the little towne Szroda, where the seimiks or
country committees for choosing of commissioners are kept ; and, being
Palme Sunday, accordmg to the new stile observed in Polland, about midday
wee passed through a pretty wood of firres about half a mile in breadth, the
way being streight, about thirty or forty fathome broad, ascending gently,
which made a very pleasant prospect. At the coming out of this wood wee
had a sight of the fair citty of Posna, which we entered about one acloak
aftemoone.