This word has in it an idea of long service, and affectionate feeling from the man who uses it, as one proper from an old and attached servant. Panisko has a meaning of the same sort: “Good, dear master.” ↩
Szczerbiec literally means “a thing full of notches,” and is applied to a sword whose edges have become notched and broken by use. In Polish history the name is more particularly applied to the short sword of Boleslaw I, out of which he broke a piece in striking it on the gateway of Kiew when he conquered that city. The szczerbiec was girded on by all subsequent Polish monarchs at their coronation, and according to popular belief is to come into the hands of the restorer of Poland. ↩
I have retained the original word, because klucznik, though nearly, is not entirely expressed by majordomo or steward; it implies in dignity the former office, but signifies literally “the keeper of the keys,” from klucz = a key.
It may be possibly a matter of astonishment to the English reader, that a nobleman like Gervasy Rembajlo should be introduced as having been the servant of another; but in this is nothing but what is quite natural to, and consonant with, Polish feeling. The poorer nobility, though esteeming trade or manufactures disgraceful, did not object to act as servants, and receive salaries from the richer members of their order; and, in fact, noblemen were often found in the lowest menial capacities in the houses of magnates, but yet retaining in this anomalous position a theoretic equality with their masters, and the privileges of their order.
On this subject I have the following note from Mr. Naganowski:—
“Eleven years ago, in my father’s house in Podolia, the cook was a nobleman. He had in his possession all the documents required by the Russian Government to prove his noble descent. He received a salary equal to about seven pounds a year.” ↩
Stolnik. See note 8 to Book I. ↩
In ancient castles an organ was placed in the orchestra. ↩
The health of the Primate of Poland (Archbishop of Gnesen) was drunk after that of the King, because he was the highest dignitary in the Kingdom. Between the death of one sovereign and election of his successor, he was Interrex. ↩
This was commonly the last toast drunk at a banquet, and is even now in very great vogue. ↩
Lowczyna, wife of the Lowczy Wielki Koronny, or Grand Venor of the Realm. ↩
Answers to English Lord-Lieutenant. The Castellan of Krakow was called Pan Krakowski. —E. S. N. ↩
Daughter of a Stolnik, or Pantler. ↩
This is a thickish soup, made chiefly of the blood of a duck or goose, vinegar, and spice. When served to a suitor for the hand of a daughter of the house it meant a refusal. —E. S. N. ↩
The famous constitution of the 3rd of May 1791, passedduring the so-called Four Years’ Diet, from 1788 to 1792. By it a sweeping reform was effected in the state, and many ancient abuses destroyed. Its provisions secured religious liberty to all sects, with Catholicism as the state religion; representation in the Diet to the inhabitants of towns, with confirmation to the nobles of their privileges, and assurance to the peasants of the protection of the laws. The remaining articles provided for the general working of the government, and while framed upon ancient custom, decreed the abolition of many former abuses; among others the liberum veto. An hereditary monarchy, to be fixed in the line of Saxony, was decreed in place of an elective one. Like the constitutions of many of the States of the American Union, that of the 3rd of May contained in itself a provision of modification, and provided for its future revision every twenty-five years. Though in some matters imperfect, it would doubtless have inaugurated a new era of reform and progress, but that the action of the Targowica Confederation (3rd August 1793) frequently alluded to in the course of this work, annulled the constitution, and reinstated ancient abuses in full. The country was immediately occupied by Russian armies, and the war of 1794 began, with what result is known to history. ↩
The author here introduces the name of his own family, as Scott has mentioned his ancestor of Harden in the “Lay of the Last Minstrel,” among the vassals of Branksome, and elsewhere. ↩
That is, a chair in the Senate, a staff, or bulawa, ensign of a hetman or generalissimo, and decorations of honour. No official titles were hereditary in Poland, therefore we never find any dignity or office transmitted from father to son. ↩
We shall find later on additional examples of the habit
