A few weeks latter (27 Nov.) the streets of the city again presented a gala appearance, the occasion being the reception of the Russian ambassador. For the last three winters there had been, we are told, scarce any frost, and the opening of the year 1662 had been so exceptionally mild as to cause apprehension of dearth and disease.(1259) But now, on the very day that the Russian ambassador was to pass through the city from Tower wharf, where he had landed, he was reminded of his own country by seeing the roofs of the houses covered with snow.(1260) At eight o’clock in the morning 500 men "apparelled in velvet coats with chains of gold, well mounted on horseback," from the several livery companies made their way to Tower Hill to escort the ambassador.(1261) The streets were lined with the city trained bands and the king’s Lifeguards. Pepys was there of course; he rarely missed any sight. He had been disappointed at not getting a better view of Sir Harry Vane’s execution, which had taken place in June.(1262) This time he was more fortunate. The ambassador to be sure was late, but Pepys beguiled the time with dinner. "And after I had dined"—he records in his diary(1263)—"I walked to the conduit in the quarrefowr, at the end of Gracious Street and Cornhill and there (the spouts thereof running very near me, upon all the people that were under it) I saw them pretty well, go by." He failed to catch sight of the ambassador himself, but was struck with the handsome appearance of the ambassador’s attendants, most of whom carried hawks on their "fists" as a present to Charles. The strangeness of this sight caused the mob to jeer, upon which the diarist characteristically remarks, "but lord! to see the absurd nature of Englishmen that cannot forbear laughing and jeering at every thing that looks strange." Later on he makes a note of having seen the ambassador’s retinue at York House engaged in a manner that does not speak well for their habits of cleanliness.(1264) (M647) On the 2nd February, 1663, the _fiat_ went forth for the confirmation of the City’s charter, "they having fulfilled the required condition of displacing four or five of the aldermen."(1265) The charter itself bears date the 24th June.(1266) It is of all the City’s charters the most ample, reciting and confirming as it does the entire _Inspeximus_ Charter of Charles I, as well as the latter king’s letters patent, granted in the 16th year of his reign, confirming to the mayor and citizens the offices of package and scavage. (M648)