 able to do till three Days after, which I spent in cutting down
with my Knife some of the largest Trees in the Royal Park, about an Hundred
Yards distant from the City. Of these Trees I made two Stools, each about three
Foot high, and strong enough to bear my Weight. The People having received
Notice a second time, I went again through the City to the Palace, with my two
Stools in my Hands. When I came to the Side of the outer Court, I stood upon one
Stool, and took the other in my Hand: This I lifted over the Roof, and gently
set it down on the Space between the first and second Court, which was eight
Foot wide. I then stept over the Buildings very conveniently from one Stool to
the other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked Stick. By this
Contrivance I got into the inmost Court; and lying down upon my Side, I applied
my Face to the Windows of the middle Stories, which were left open on Purpose,
and discovered the most splendid Apartments that can be imagined. There I saw
the Empress, and the young Princes in their several Lodgings, with their chief
Attendants about them. Her Imperial Majesty was pleased to smile very graciously
upon me, and gave me out of the Window her Hand to kiss.
    But I shall not anticipate the Reader with farther Descriptions of this
Kind, because I reserve them for a greater Work, which is now almost ready for
the Press; containing a general Description of this Empire, from its first
Erection, through a long Series of Princes, with a particular Account of their
Wars and Politicks, Laws, Learning, and Religion; their Plants and Animals,
their peculiar Manners and Customs, with other Matters very curious and useful;
my chief Design at present being only to relate such Events and Transactions as
happened to the Publick, or to my self, during a Residence of about nine Months
in that Empire.
    One Morning, about a Fortnight after I had obtained my Liberty; Reldresal,
Principal Secretary (as they style him) of private Affairs, came to my House,
attended only by one Servant. He ordered his Coach to wait at a Distance, and
desired I would give him an Hour's Audience; which I readily consented to, on
Account of his Quality, and Personal Merits, as well as of the many good Offices
he had done me during my Sollicitations at Court. I offered to lie down, that he
might the more conveniently reach my Ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him
