FRIAR BEATUS ODORICUS a.d. 



1330. 



intendeth his journy, he hath space enough for six 



moneths continual progresse, except his Islands which 

 are at the least 5000. 



Of certaine Innes or hospitals appointed for 

 travailers throughout the whole empire. 



THe foresayd Emperor (to the end that travailers 

 may have all things necessary throughout his 

 whole empire) hath caused certaine Innes to be pro- 

 vided in sundry places upon the high wayes, where all 

 things pertaining unto victuals are in a continuall readi- 

 nesse. And when any alteration or newes happen in 

 any part of his Empire, if he chance to be farre absent 

 from that part, his ambassadors upon horses or drome- [II. i. 63.] 

 daries ride post unto him, and when themselves and their 

 beasts are weary, they blow their home, at the noise 

 whereof, the next Inne likewise provideth a horse and 

 a man, who takes the letter of him that is weary, and 

 runneth unto another Inne : and so by divers Innes, 

 and divers postes, the report, which ordinarily could 

 skarce come in 30. days, is in one naturall day brought 

 unto the emperor : and therefore no matter of any 

 moment can be done in his empire, but straightway he 

 hath intelligence thereof. Moreover, when ye great 

 Can himselfe will go on hunting, he useth this custome. 

 Some twenty dayes journey from the citie of Kambaleth 

 there is a forrest containing sixe dayes journey in circuit, 

 in which forrest there are so many kinds of beasts and 

 birds, as it is incredible to report. Unto this forrest, 

 at the ende of every third or fourth yeere, himselfe 

 with his whole traine resorteth, and they all of them 

 together environ the sayd forrest, sending dogs into 

 the same, which by hunting do bring foorth the beasts : 

 namely, lions and stags, and other creatures, unto a 

 most beautifull plaine in the midst of the forrest, because 

 all the beasts of the forrest doe tremble, especially at the 

 cry of hounds. Then commeth the great Can himselfe, 

 being caried upon three elephants, and shooteth ^vt 



IV 433 2E 



