1689] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 165 memory, the younger Czar

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

1689] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 165

memory, the younger Czar went to all the prikases, gave money to some prisoners, and set
others free.

On the twentieth of February, at Woskresenskoje, there was firing of cannon and burning February 20.
of fireworks in presence of the younger Czar.

On the twenty-eighth of June, there was service in the cathedral in honour of the birthdav t.,„» oq

o uiic ^o*
of the younger Czar. The Boyars and other great people got brandy from his Majesty, and a
cup of wine firom his mother, the Empress Dowager,

On the thirtieth of August, Gordon writes. ' I was in Kolomensk and dined by the Boyar, August 30
when the Boyar said to me : Wee could agree well enough with your Kings father and brother,
but we cannot come to right with this ; he is prowd beyond all measure. I, makcing as if I
understood only his not sending any hither, answered. That the King, because of his great
troubles in his owne dominions, had not leasure to think of business lying so farr off, as I thou<^ht.
He said, moreover, That the English could not subsist without their commodities, as leather,
hempe, potash, tallow, and masts ; to the which I gave a dubious complying answer.'

On the second of September, eight soldiers were selected from Gordon's regiment to serve c t h •?
as grooms to the younger Czar.

On the seventh of September, the Czar Peter sent an express for five fifers and as many September 7
drummers from Gordon's regiment. The Boyar Golizyn was highly displeased that they
should have been despatched without his knowledge. The Czar soon sent for more drummers,
and Gordon gave him five.

On the eighth of September, the Czar sent to the Boyar for more drummers and fifers, and Seotember 8
the Boyar complied with the demand, although much against his will.

On tlic twenty-third of September, the younger Czar sent for a drunken scrjcant, or clerk of September 23
a company, and inquired if the Serjeants or clerks had any distinctive rank and pay. He asked
questions about other small matters. This was not well taken.

On the fourteenth of October, Gordon celebrated the King of England's birthday in company q ^ ^
with several of his countiymen. They were all very merry, and at parting, the Dutch resident,
remarked that His Majesty was happy in having subjects who observed his birthday so joyfully
at such a distance from his dominions.

On the thirteenth of November, all the drummers of Gordon's regiment were called away by November 13
the Czar Peter, along with ten soldiers, to serve as grooms.

On the twenty-second of November, Gordon had a conversation with ' the second favourite,' November ''2
Feodor Leontjewitsch Schaklowitoj, and with other persons in authority, on the designs of the
Dutch against England.

On the ninth of December, Gordon received tidings from Riga that the Prince of Orange December 'J.
had landed at Torbay on the fifth of November. It was not until the thirteenth of Januaiy
that he heard of King James' flight from England.

A.D. 1689.

On the twentieth of January, the Czar Peter, now in his seventeenth year, was married to January 20.
Eudoxia Feodorowna Lapuchin. The marriage festivities were held at court on the seventh of
February.