z._ p. 87; _Erdmann_, 187; _Pallas, Samml._ I. 5 seqq.;
_Makrizi_, III. 29; _Bretschneider, Med. Res._ II. p. 159 seqq.)

[With reference to Yule's conjecture, I may quote Palladius (l.c. p. 27):
"It is, however, strange that the Oirats alone enjoyed the privilege
described by Marco Polo; for the highest position at the Mongol Khan's
court belonged to the Kunkrat tribe, out of which the Khans used to choose
their first wives, who were called Empresses of the first _ordo_."--H. C.]

NOTE 7.--Rubruquis assigns such a festival to the month of May: "On the
9th day of the May Moon they collect all the white mares of their herds
and consecrate them. The Christian priests also must then assemble with
their thuribles. They then sprinkle new cosmos (_kumiz_) on the ground,
and make a great feast that day, for according to their calendar, it is
their time of first drinking new cosmos, just as we reckon of our new wine
at the feast of St. Bartholomew (24th August), or that of St. Sixtus (6th
August), or of our fruit on the feast of St. James and St. Christopher"
(25th July). [With reference to this feast, Mr. Rockhill gives (_Rubruck_,
p. 241, note) extracts from _Pallas, Voyages_, IV. 579, and _Professor
Radloff, Aus Siberien_, I. 378.--H. C.] The Yakuts also hold such a
festival in June or July, when the mares foal, and immense wooden goblets
of kumiz are emptied on that occasion. They also pour out kumiz for the
Spirits to the four quarters of heaven.

The following passage occurs in the narrative of the Journey of Chang
Te-hui, a Chinese teacher, who was summoned to visit the camp of Kublai in
Mongolia, some twelve years before that Prince ascended the throne of the
Kaans:[4]

"On the 9th day of the 9th Moon (October), the Prince, having called his
subjects before his chief tent, performed the libation of the milk of a
white mare. This was the customary sacrifice at that time. The vessels
used were made of birch-bark, not ornamented with either silver or gold.
Such here is the respect for simplicity....

"At the last day of the year the Mongols suddenly changed their
camping-ground to another place, for the mutual congratulation on the 1st
Moon. Then there was every day feasting before the tents for the lower
ranks. Beginning with the Prince, all dressed themselves in white fur
clothing....[5]

"On the 9th day of the 4th Moon (May) the Prince again collected his
vassals before the chief tent for the libation of the milk o