The text describes an old lamus in Bali Wielka, an estate associated with the Dziekoński family. The note is followed by a physical description of the lamus and the story of its creation thanks to Antoni Dziekoński (Source: Tygodnik Illustrowany, Warsaw 1878, Series 3, T:6, p. 292, after: Digital Library of the University of Łódź).

A modernised reading of the text

An old lamppost in Bali

If we enter the Kingdom from Grodno, cross the Nemunas and head towards Sopotkinia, what strikes our eye from afar is a peculiar building standing on a hill, supported by a large garden, surrounded by an ancient row of extremely tall lindens. This is the old lamus in Bali Wielka, an estate that remained in the hands of the Dziekoński family until nearly 200 years ago. This wooden building, seemingly lightweight, stands on massive brick cellars; the lower part was used as a storeroom; the first floor, surrounded by a balcony, housed summer flats, and the attic was a drying room. It is, therefore, a rare specimen of these ancient lamuses, which once served as a shelter in the summer heat, since other lamuses still preserved served only as granaries or storage rooms.

It dates from the middle of the last century and owes its perfect preservation only to careful maintenance. Rumour has it that on these foundations stood another similar lamus, which collapsed due to old age, and indeed the extensive vaults of the cellars bear traces of distant antiquity. The present lamus was built by Antoni Dziekoński, Lithuanian field guard, grandfather of the present owner, who in 1786 succeeded Tyzenhau as Lithuanian court treasurer and held this office until the end of the reign of Stanislaus Augustus. As we know that the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was given a place in the ministry of state, from 1786 onwards we find the name of Antoni Dziekoński on the list of ministers.

This is why, from 1786 onwards, we constantly find the name of Antoni Dziekoński on the list of ministers. According to the last political diary, from 1794, the composition of the last ministry of the Commonwealth was as follows: Grand Marshal of the Crown Fryderyk Moszyński, Grand Marshal of Lithuania Ludwik Tyszkiewicz, Grand Hetman of the Crown Franciszek Ksawery Branicki, Grand Hetman of Lithuania Szymon Kossakowski, Grand Chancellor of the Crown Antoni Duke of Sulkowski, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania Joachim Chreptowicz, Sub-Chancellor Konstanty Plater, Grand Treasurer of the Crown Roch Kossowski, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Michał Ogiński, Grand Marshal of the Crown Stanisław Bieliński, Grand Marshal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Michał Kleofas Giełgud, Field Hetman of the Crown Seweryn Rzewuski, Field Hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Józef Zdziebłło, Grand Treasurer of the Crown Teofil Załuski, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Antoni Dziekoński.

The owner of Bali was therefore one of the most prominent dignitaries in the country, and as such was forced to live lavishly. Mrs Dziekońska, née Mizgierówna, was one of the stars of the brilliant society of the time. Famous for her beauty and wit, she gathered with her all that was most exquisite in the Crown and Lithuania. King Stanislaus was often received in Bali, came here to hunt, and even sought respite in the slender domestic circle of his treasurer. The spacious salons of the Balinese court were often swarming with dignitaries, MPs and foreign residents, and as they often could not accommodate them, the summer dormitory was furnished with splendour as an addition to the main flats.

Rumour has it that it was draped in Persian carpets and upholstered in white satin, with gold tassels. If this is indeed true, it is evident that later on these silks were replaced by paper, as there are still pieces of white upholstery with golden trails hanging on the walls.

From those times, the heir still keeps a lot of memorabilia, paintings, costly furniture, ancient chests, porcelain, and several royal gifts, which could be used to create a very large local museum. These rooms in the lamus were probably places intended for less bustling and more confidential conversations, and would undoubtedly tell us a great deal if they could speak.

What the fate of the Lithuanian court treasurer was after the division of the country is not known to us; it is only certain that he outlived his wife, whose corpse was buried in the Ejsmont family graves.

Another peculiarity we saw in Bali was a granite lump next to the lamus, shaped like a mushroom and now serving as a bench under a tree. The cap of this mushroom and its stem form a single unit, clearly worked by human hands. It is difficult to suppose that the granite mass could have accidentally rolled this way on its journey from the Ural mountains, or that the shape could have been created by weathering granite, which is a homogeneous mass. Who knows, then, whether this was not a sacrificial stump placed on the hill overlooking the vast area where the lamus stands today. Besides, it is known that here and there in our country lumps of stone, called "babas", are found, dating back to deep antiquity, in a variety of worked shapes, which are still a mystery to archaeologists.