صفحة 668 من 788

"My friend the Seneschal, are these Chinese shadows? Or has

Pinety208 given you his demons as servants? Do such centrepieces

still exist among you, here in Lithuania, and do all men feast in

this ancient fashion? Tell me, for I have passed my life abroad."

"No, Your Excellency the General," said the Seneschal with a bow,

"these are no godless arts! This is only a reminder of those

famous banquets that used to be given in the mansions of our

ancient magnates, when Poland enjoyed happiness and power! All

that I have done I learned by reading in this book. You ask me

whether this custom has been preserved everywhere in Lithuania.

Alas, new fashions are already creeping in even among us! Many a

young gentleman exclaims that he cannot stand the expense; he

eats like a Jew, grudging his guests food and drink; he is stingy

with the Hungarian wine, and drinks that devilish, adulterated,

fashionable Muscovite champagne; then in the evening he loses as

much money at cards as would suffice for a banquet for a hundred

gentlemen and brothers.