the balustrades, begin to
slide, and in a moment reach the bottom, without having touched a single
step.

We always have a great many visitors, and I believe that if the castle
of Maleszow were three times its present size, it would still be
crowded; even now it is so gay, animated, and lively, that our neighbors
call it the little Paris. During the winter our guests are still more
numerous; our cavalry captain does not then think it worth the trouble
to lift the drawbridge: the new arrivals pour in from morning until
night--visitors are continually coming and going. The orchestra
belonging to our castle chapel plays unceasingly, and we dance as much
as we can; it is a real pleasure to see us.

In summer we have other pastimes; we take long walks, and play various
games in the vestibule of the castle, which is very lofty, reaching to
the roof of the house, and lighted from above. It is delightfully cool
during the warmest days.

I do not believe there are many mansions in Poland surpassing ours in
magnificence. Our little court is composed of courtiers (dworzanin) and
of the household suite (platny); in other words, of many persons having
various employments in the castle: the first (the courtiers) are the
most esteemed, because they serve for the honor alone, while the others
(the suite) receive salaries; but as they are all gentlemen, they all
wear a sabre at their sides. Some few, however, are of very low
extraction, but my father says that 'a noble on his own territory (and
remember that this territory sometimes consists of but a very few square
feet) is the equal of a palatine.'

No one objects to this, however, as the suites of the great lords are
thus nobly augmented, and they can control so many additional votes in
the dietines; a circumstance of no little importance. The chief duty of
the courtiers consists in awaiting their lord's appearance in his public
apartments, where, suitably attired, they stand ready to serve him and
execute any orders he may choose to give them; but if the lord have no
command for them, they are expected to maintain the conversation as
wittily and agreeably as they can, or to play cards. They must also
accompany him in his walks, rides, drives, and visits, defend him on all
difficult occasions, always give him their votes at the dietines, and
finally, entertain him and all who belong to him whenever an opportunity
may offer.

Our little Matthias performs this last duty to perfec