hrone, was in his tent; he
desired him to approach his bed, and in a faltering voice gave him
counsels in what manner he should govern the kingdom of his fathers.
The instructions he gave him comprise the most noble maxims of
religion and loyalty; and that which will render them forever worthy
of the respect of posterity is that they had the authority of his
example, and only recalled the virtues of his own life.

HEIGHT OF THE MONGOL POWER IN CHINA

A.D. 1271

MARCO POLO

The celebrated traveller, Marco Polo, was born at Venice in
1254, and died there in 1334, His father, a Venetian
merchant, had passed many years in Tartary, where he was
hospitably treated by Kublai Khan, to whose court, at an
early age, Marco was taken, and there was received into the
Khan's service. The training he acquired there fitted him to
become a professional politician rather than a traveller, in
the ordinary sense of the word; hence his more intimate
acquaintance with the social and political systems which he
describes.

Possessing, in a high degree, the versatility and subtlety
seen in so many of his nation, and improving his new
opportunities, he soon became among the high-class Tartars
as one of themselves. He adopted their dress and manners,
and learned the four languages spoken in the Khan's
dominions, of which he left a famous description in his book
of travels.

The empire seems at this time to have been at the height of
its splendor, and historians, as well as students and
readers of history, have been fortunate in possessing the
shrewd and candid observations of Marco Polo, whose unique
narratives still preserve their simple charm, nowise
impaired by comparison with our stricter historical methods.

It is our desire to treat of the great and admirable achievements of
the Grand Khan now reigning, who is styled Kublai Khan; the latter
word implying, in our language, lord of lords, and with much propriety
added to his name; for in respect to number of subjects, extent of
territory, and amount of revenue he surpasses every sovereign that has
heretofore been or that now is in the world; nor has any other been
served with such implicit obedience by those whom he governs.

Kublai Khan is the lineal and legitimate descendant of Genghis Khan,
the first emperor, and the rightful sovereign of the Tartars. H