whereas the idolaters can do whatever they will. When I sit at table
the cups that were in the middle of the hall come to me filled with
wine and other beverage, spontaneously and without being touched by
human hand, and I drink from them. They have the power of controlling
bad weather and obliging it to retire to any quarter of the heavens,
with many other wonderful gifts of that nature. Their idols have the
faculty of speech, and predict to them whatever is required. Should I
become a convert to the faith of Christ and profess myself a
Christian, the nobles of my court and other persons who do not incline
to that religion will ask me what sufficient motives have caused me to
receive baptism and to embrace Christianity. 'What extraordinary
powers,' they will say, 'what miracles, have been displayed by its
ministers?' Whereas, the idolaters declare that what they exhibit is
performed through their own sanctity and the influence of their idols.

"To this I shall not know what answer to make, and I shall be
considered by them as laboring under a grievous error; while the
idolaters, who by means of their profound art can effect such wonders,
may without difficulty compass my death. But let the Pontiff send
hither a hundred persons well skilled in Christian law, who being
confronted with the idolaters shall have power to coerce them, and
showing that they themselves are endowed with similar art, but which
they refrain from exercising because it is derived from the agency of
evil spirits, shall compel them to desist from practices of such a
nature in their presence. When I am witness of this I shall place them
and their religion under an interdict, and shall allow myself to be
baptized. Following my example, all my nobility will then in like
manner receive baptism, and this will be imitated by my subjects in
general." From this discourse it must be evident that if the Pope had
sent out persons duly qualified to preach the gospel, the Grand Khan
would have embraced Christianity, for which, it is certainly known, he
had a strong predilection.

The Grand Khan appoints twelve of the most intelligent among his
nobles, whose duty it is to make themselves acquainted with the
conduct of the officers and men of his army, particularly upon
expeditions and in battles, and to present their reports to him, and
he, upon being apprised of their respective merits, advances them in
his service, raising those who commanded a hundred men to