s not proved advantageous
to the party of Nayan, the effect has been consistent with reason and
justice, inasmuch as he was a rebel and a traitor to his lord, and to
such wretches it could not afford its protection. Let none therefore
presume to charge with injustice the God of the Christians, who is
himself the perfection of goodness and of justice."

The Grand Khan, having obtained this signal victory, returned with
great pomp and triumph to the capital city of Kanbalu. This took place
in the month of November, and he continued to reside there during the
months of February and March, in which latter was our festival of
Easter. Being aware that this was one of our principal solemnities, he
commanded all the Christians to attend him, and to bring with them
their book, which contains the four gospels of the evangelists. After
causing it to be repeatedly perfumed with incense, in a ceremonious
manner, he devoutly kissed it, and directed that the same should be
done by all his nobles who were present. This was his usual practice
upon each of the principal Christian festivals, such as Easter and
Christmas; and he observed the same at the festivals of the Saracens,
Jews, and idolaters.[66] Upon being asked his motive for this conduct,
he said: "There are four great prophets who are reverenced and
worshipped by the different classes of mankind. The Christians regard
Jesus Christ as their divinity; the Saracens, Mahomet; the Jews,
Moses;[67] and the idolaters, Sogomombar-khan,[68] the most eminent
among their idols. I do honor and show respect to all the four, and
invoke to my aid whichever among them is in truth supreme in heaven."

But from the manner in which his majesty acted toward them, it is
evident that he regarded the faith of the Christians as the truest and
the best; nothing, as he observed, being enjoined to its professors
that was not replete with virtue and holiness. By no means, however,
would he permit them to bear the cross before them in their
processions, because upon it so exalted a personage as Christ had been
scourged and (ignominiously) put to death. It may perhaps be asked by
some why, if he showed such a preference to the faith of Christ, he
did not conform to it and become a Christian? His reason for not so
doing he assigned: "Wherefore should I become a Christian? The
Christians of these countries are ignorant, inefficient persons, who
do not possess the faculty of performing anything (miraculous);