R u b r u q u i s .
T h e capital of thefe people is called by Ptolemy, Sera Metropolis,
and placed by him in Lat. 38° 36', which fo nearly agrees
with the latitude of King-cbew in the province o f Pe-cbe-li, as
to leave no doubt o f that having been the fite. I have, at p. 8.
o f the firft: volume of this work, mentioned the Cameda, and the
ftation of thofe who were bound for the commerce with the
Seres. A branch of the ImatiS runs from thence to the north-
eaft, and after fome fpace to the eaft. Part o f the country to
the fouth-eaft o f this chain is the Scythia intra Imaum; and the
part to the north-eaft is the Serica Regia, or land o f the Seres.
Various towns or cities o f little ufe to note are mentioned by
Ptolemy. In his time the refting places of the merchants in their
road to the Sera Metropolis. We know no more than that there
was a commerce carried on with this country by caravans from
the more weftern world; that it was interrupted by the Par-
thians, w'ho had poifeffed themfelves o f raoft of the country from
the Cafpian fea. to this branch o f the Imaus; and by that means
the intercourfe was entirely cut off.
V ery long is the interval between that period and that in
which, we can find- any travellers who had viftted this, diftant
country by land. In the year 1660 Nicola Polo and his. brother
Maffio, illuftrious, Venetians„ fet out on their commercial journey.
They took their departure, from. Canfiantinople- for the fplendid
courts o f the.Tartariaji, princes, who lived in great magnificence,
and gave the utmoft encouragement to the European merchant!
and artifts to come among them, and improve them in the arts.
William Ruyjbroek, better known by the. name o f Friar Rubruquis,
made two journeys into great Tartary,, and mentions Guillaume
4 L'Orfevre
L'Orfevre and other artifts who were employed in the fervice Of
Mongu-kban. To this day many rich proofs Of the fkill o f European
artifts are difcovered in tombs and other places; The
Polos remained nine years abroad ; and returning, Nicolo found
his wife dead ; he had left her pregnant ; the child furvrved,
and became the famous traveller fo Well known by the ha'rrie of
Marco Polo. His father in tv fi accompanied his brother on M a r c o P o l o :
another journey, and took Marco, then only eleven years o f age,-
with him. They arrived at the court o f Kublay^Kbans commonly
called by the Chinefe, Shi-Tfu, fifth emperor o f Cdfhay of
northern China, o’f the MOgol face, a monarch-of abilities,- arid
a great encourager o f the aits.- He took a particular likM'g
to young Marco, who foon learned to read and Write thé four
languages-in nfe in the country; he' Was in thé fervice o f the-
emperor feventeen years. The royal refidérice during ferrimer at
that time was Kambalu or rather Hdmpabe,-i. <?-; the feat of the
Emperor, the fame with the modern Pd-king ; but the Capital o f
the empire was the prefent Nanquin. Kublay-Khan made'trie
o f Marco on feveral important embaflies and weighty affairs1.-
The father and brother continued with the court ;-arid in their
commercial capacities contributed to its fplendor by procuring
jewels,- and all the materials- o f luxury. Marco, his father, ancF
uncle remained with the Khan a great1 number of years, and1 returned
fafe to Venice- in 1295,-enriched by their" prôféflion, and7
in the higheft: efteem with their countryrhen..
Marco wrote his travels, which ho-ve? bê-en publtffted in? rrioif1
languages?; he was a diligent and? Mïhful- obfefver. I riirifi?
refer to Bergeron, to Purchas, but particularly to John Reinbold
Forjler,