Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-16
Am Ancient Traveller.

The oldest book of travels in Asia that
has been preserved was written by Mar.
co Polo, an italian, who was born near
~ $50 years before his famous country
man, Christopher Columbus, discovered
America.
The father and mother of Marco, who
were merchants in Venice, had already
been to China, then called Cathay, and
spent some years at the court of the
Emperor Khubla Khan, who became
their warm friend. On their return to
Venice they had many wonderful stories
to tell of the mysterious country they
had explored, and the strange sights
and adventures they had met with and
two years afterward they started again
on their travels, with letters and pres
ents for the Chinese monarch from Pope
Gregory K. Marco, then a young man
of 20, went with them on this journey.
They travelled over land and water and
desert, and had many hardships and
dangers to encounter; but finally they
reached the city of Cambalu (Which was
discovered In the seventeenth century
to be Pekin), after journey of four
years! When the Khan heard that
they were coming he sent people
to meet them a month and a half be
fore they arrived, and directed that they
should be received with every possible
honor.
At last they reached The royal city
and were conducted at once to the
Khan, before whom they Frustrated
themselves, after the fashion of the
country then they were invited to a
magnificent banquet. The throne, which
stood on platform at the head of the
long table, sparkled and glittered with
precious gems ; and on this was seated
the monarch Of Catbay, sparkling and
glittering likewise In his festal robes,
with his four wives around him, and
long string of attendants for each of
the ladies'.
Everybody who was considered to be
in good society in Cambalu was present
at this feast of welcome to the returned
travellers; and jewels and plumes and
gold and precious stones and brilliant
colors and beautiful faces were mingled
together in bewildering confusion. After
the company had left the table jugglers
and acrobats and musicians were brought
in to entertain them and very likely the
tired strangers we're very glad when it
was all over, and they could retire in
peace to the splendid palace that had
been arranged with every imaginable
luxury, and hosts of servants to wait
upon them and do their bidding.
The next day they presented thagen-
erous monarch with the Pope's letter
and small bottle filled with the oil
used for the silver lamps in the chapel
of the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem.
The Khan SOW, from the revarent man
| ner Of the traveller, that this oil must
possess rare virtues, and received it with
much gratitude. He was an intelligent
man, and he asked them many questions
| about their journey and about matters
| and things in Europe, the Polos having
become well acquainted with the Mon
gol language during their former stay,
| so that they could talk without an inter-
| prefer. His Royal Highness was partic-
ularly pleased with Marco, and said that
he would give him an important position
| at once in his household.
The young man Immediately began to
study the language, laws and customs Of
this strange country, that he might be
able to perform the duties of his Office,
| and the Khan soon had such confidence
| In him that he sent him on affairs of i'm
portance all over the empire.
It was In this way that Marco Polo
learned so much about Cathay, and the
| book of travels which ne wrote was read
| for long time with the greatest inter-
est. Now it is looked upon as an an
he mi, f.ox1-
larly funny. In one of them is repre-
sentatien Of the Khan in q portable
room carried on the backs of four ele-
| plants, which are shaped very mucA
like pigs, and have gorgeous rosettes on
their backs, supposed to be intended for
saddles. A crowd Of people gaze with
awe upon their sovereign as he is borne
triumphantly along in this very novel
manner, the front side of the room be-
ing open, SO that all can see him. 49,
Another picture, whichis intended for
an elephant hunt, represents the ele-
plants shorter than the horses on which
the hunters ride and shoot at them with
bows and arrows-as though elephants
would mind that while the trees seem
to be growing on the elephants backs.
'khubla Khan was at war with the
sovereigns of the provinces south OF his
kingdom, and his friends the Polos
were Of great use to him by showing
him how to make and use the European
machines, called catapults, for hurting
immense stones against the walls and
towers of besieged cities. These we're
highly thought of before the invention
of artillery.
The monarch was very much delight
ed, and as soon as the machines were
ready he sent the learned Venetians to
head fresh attack upon the important
city of Sa-yan-fu. The banner of Khu-
bla Khan was soon waving above the
crushed walls, and the Polos were iber-
ally rewarded with wealth and honors.
Marco, who was the Khan's especial IA
vorite, was made noble of the empire,
with a more magnificent palace and a
larger retinue than ever.
After spending seventeen years of this
exciting Life, the Polos .longed to see
their native city again !; butthem monarch,
who was now an old man, would not
consent to part with them. Fortunate
~, however, for the homesick visitors,
the Khan's granddaughter was to marry
the King of Persia, and started on her
journey to that country; but after trav-
cling for eight months the Princess and