then in
Europe.--E

[4] Singan, or Singan-fu in the province of Shensee. In the year 1625, a
stone was found here, inscribed with Chinese characters and a Syrian
inscription round the borders, implying, that in the year 636, the
Nestorians had sent Olopuen into China to propagate the gospel; and
that the emperor Tai-sum-ven had approved this step, and allowed the
Christian religion to be propagated through all China, with many other
particulars relative to the history of Christianity in China. This
stone bore to have been erected in 782 by Mar Isdabuzzid, priest, and
Chorepiscopus of Cumdan, the royal city of the east, now Nankin. See a
dissertation on this monument, following Renaudet's translation of the
two Mahometan travellers, London, 1788, p. 76.--E.

[5] Mani or Manes is named Thenaoui by the oriental Christians, and the
sect of Manicheans they call Al-Thenaouib, or those who hold the
doctrines of the two principles. These Tuinians, therefore, of
Rubruquis, are probably the Manicheans.--Forst.

SECTION XXIX.

_Of Cailac, and the Country of the Naymans_.

We departed from the city of Cailac on St Andrew's day, 30th of November,
and in three leagues we found a village of Nestorians, where we went into
their church, and sang _salve regina_, and other hymns, with great joy. In
three days after we came to the entrance of that province, not far from the
before mentioned sea, which seemed as tempestuous as the ocean, and in
which we saw a large island. The water was slightly salt, yet might be
drank. Opposite to it was a valley with another salt sea, from which a
river ran into this one. There was so strong a wind that the passage was
dangerous, as we much feared to be blown into the lake; wherefore we went
north into the hilly country, covered with deep snow, and on St Nicholas
day, 6th December, we hastened our journey, as we found no inhabitants
except the _Jani_, or men appointed to conduct the messengers from one
day's journey to another. On the 7th of December we passed between two
terrible rocks, when the guide sent entreating me to pray to God: we sang
accordingly with a loud voice, the _credo_ and other hymns, and by the
grace of God we got through in safety.

After this the Tartars entreated me to write papers for them; but I offered
to teach them words to carry in their hearts, whereby their souls should be
saved. Yet wanting an interpreter fo