f 493 ) 
Now for the feft, when I confider that the Caravans 
paffing between Mufcovy and China are not frequent 3 
that they are confin'd to certain Paths and Lines of Trade ; 
That the Merchants and common Travellers mind no- 
thing but the Security and Certainty of the Journey, 
and the Profit that enfues} And that thofc who fliould, 
inform them of Extents and Boundaries, are a Ramb- 
ling and uncultivated Generation, and of various Langua- 
ges. If after all thefe Impediments, you (hall yet be * 
able to (hew the Credibility of your Survey, you need 
think no more of Fame, but only pray for Humility. 
To which Mr. Witfen was pleafed to Anfmr to the 
EffeS following. 
Sir, 
I *IS altnoft z8 years fince I Travelled into Ruffian 
1 and being there merely for my own Satisfaction, 
I not only Converfed with the Inhabitants of thofeCoun- 
treys, but with Tartars of all forts. There I grew firft 
informed not only in the Situation of thofe Parts, but 
of fuch Countries as lay very remote. I have not ceaf- 
ed from that time, by various Methods! have found, to 
fend Letters unto, and receive Anfwers from the moft 
Northern.and North-Eaft parts of the World For I have 
maintained a conftant Correfpondence in fflofc^ Afira- 
can, Georgia y Ifpahan, Polonia^ and CorS 'antinope* I have 
had Letters every year from Pekin, the chief City of 
China. I have gathered Volumes of Journals and Re- 
gifters, which fet forth the Names of Mountains, Rivers, 
Cityes and Towns, together with a vaft number of 
, Drafts made by my own Order, which defcribe the Ter^ 
ritories that I have mentioned. 
Tis from this Fund, which has been gathering for fo 
many years, and by comparing and adjufling all thefe 
Materials, and by perfevering without inter miffion there- 
30, that the *Map is made up. 
Fa., Ate 
