ACCOUNTS OF TRAVELLERS. ill 



VOrfevre and other artifts who were employed in the fervice of 

 Mongu-khan. To this day many rich proofs of the fkill of Eu- 

 ropean artifts are difcovered in tombs and other places. The 

 Po/oJ" remained nine years abroad; and returning, JV/co/o found 

 his wife dead ; he had left her pregnant ; the child furvived, 

 and became the famous traveller ^o well known by the name of 

 Marco Polo. His father in 1271 accompanied his brother on Marco Pota; 

 another journey, and took Marco, then only eleven years T)f age, 

 wnth him. They arrived at the court of Kublay-Kban, com- 

 monly called by the Cbinefey Shi-lju^ fifth emperor of Cathay or 

 northern China, of the Mogol race, a monarch of abilities, and 

 a great encourager of the arts. He took a particular liking 

 to young Marco, who foon learned to read and write the four 

 languages in ufe in the country ; he was in the fervice of the- 

 emperor feventeen years. The royal refidence during fummer at 

 that time was Kambalu or rather Hampalu, i. e. the feat of the 

 Emperor, the fame with the modern Pe-king ; but the capital of 

 the empire was the prefent Nanquin. Kublay-Khan made ufe 

 of Marco on feveral important embaffies and weighty affairs. 

 The father and brother continued with the court; and in their 

 commercial capacities contributed to its fplendor by procuring 

 jewels, and all the materials of luxury. Marco, his father, and" 

 uncle remained with the Khan a great number of years, and re- 

 turned fafe to Venice in 1295, enriched by their profeflion, and 

 in the higheft efteem with their countrymen. 



Marco wrote his travels, which have been publiflied in moft 

 languages ; he was a diligent and faithful obferver. I nuift: 

 refer to Bergeron, to Piirchas, but particularly to 'John Reinhold 



ForJIer, 



