To White Hall, and saw the King and Queene at dinner; and
observed (which I never did before) the formality, but it is but
a formality, of putting a bit of bread wiped upon each dish into
the mouth of every man that brings a dish; but it should be in
the sauce. Here were some Russes come to see the King at dinner;
among others the interpreter, a comely Englishman, in the Envoy's
own clothes; which the Envoy, it seems, in vanity did send to
show his fine clothes upon this man's back, he being one, it
seems, of a comelier presence than himself: and yet it is said
that none of their clothes are their own, but taken out of the
King's own Wardrobe; and which they dare not bring back dirty or
spotted, but clean, or are in danger of being beaten, as they
say: inasmuch that, Sir Charles Cotterell [Knight, and Master of
the Ceremonies from 1641 to 1686, when he resigned in favour of
his son.] says, when they are to have an audience they never
venture to put on their clothes till he appears to come and fetch
them; and as soon as ever they come home, put them off again.
Pages:
1256
1257
1258
1259
1260
1261
1262
1263
1264
1265
1266
1267
1268
1269
1270
1271
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1278
1279
1280