Бюрократии глазами друг друга. Травелоги XVII века о России

The article is focused on Sir Thomas Smythe’s Voiage and Enterteinment in Rushia (London, 1605, 4to) - an example of a ‘diplomatic travelogue’ which mainly covers the official part of the mission. Using the principles of discourse analysis, the author focuses on ideological and cultural prejudices which, though hidden, shape the ambassador’s perception of Muscovite court, bureaucracy, the country as such as well as the ultimate goals and limits of the diplomacy. According the travelogue, while equipped with practical knowledge English bureaucracy searches for new partners to bolster its economy, the art of husbandry, while the Muscovite one is still on the medieval level and remains 'theatrical', i.e. to impress the foreigners with the might and glory of the Russian tzar.