he idea of possessing his special protection. Many of
the highest offices, both civil and military, were held by
Mahometans.

67. Neither do those who profess the Mussulman faith regard Mahomet
as a divinity, nor do the Jews so regard Moses; but it is not to
be expected that a Tartar emperor should make very accurate
theological distinctions.

68. This word, probably much corrupted by transcribers, must be
intended for one of the numerous titles of Buddha.

69. The _saggio_ of Venice being equal to the sixth part of an ounce,
these consequently weighed twenty ounces, and the others in
proportion up to fifty ounces.

70. In many parts of the East, the parasol or umbrella with a long
handle, borne by an attendant, is a mark of high distinction, and
even denotes sovereignty when of a particular color.

71. This is Polo's name for Kublai's capital--_Khan-Balig_ ("the
Khan's city")--the Chinese Peking, captured by the Mongols in
1215. In 1264 Kublai made it his chief residence, and in 1267 he
built a new city--Marco Polo's Tai-du, more properly Ta-tu--a
little to the northeast of the old one.

72. Subdivisions of counties, corresponding to the English hundreds.

73. Llewelyn's brother.

74. It is said that Edward promised the Welsh "a native prince; one
who could not speak a word of English," and then presented to
their astonished gaze the new-born infant.

75. A British diplomat who has been for many years director of the
imperial maritime customs of China.

76. These names appear to be intended for Abaka-khan, a Mongol or
Mogul, and Vang-san-chin, a Chinese. Many of the latter nations
were employed by Kublai, both in civil and military capacities,
and rendered him good service.

77. By the port of Zaitun is probably meant Amoy, and by Kinsai the
port of Ningpo or of Chusan, which are at the entrance of the
river which flows by Hang-chau, the Kinsai of Polo.

78. The idea of being rendered invulnerable by the use of amulets is
common among the natives of the eastern islands.

79. If the original operations were directed, as might be presumed,
against the ancient capital, we should infer that the city here
spoken of was Ozaka, situated at the mouth of the river upon
which, at some distance from the coast, Kioto stands, and which is
known to have been formerly much frequented by Chinese shipping.
Bu