only the second; while the King of the Indies, or of Elephants, was the third, and the King of Greece, or of comeliest men, the fourth.^ But the story proves how liberal a spirit this foreigner found in the Chinese government; as does his tale of a eunuch, high in position, who was degraded for cheating a Persian merchant, and sent to penal service for life.^ He reports, admiringly, that the poor and rich alike everywhere learned to read and write; that wars were not made for conquest; that works in art were so perfect that other nations could but faintly imitate them.^ After all this we are hardly prepared for the charge that this highly civilized people were cannibals, eating all who were put to death ! ^
The Catholic Mis
Then come toiling across the steppes indomitable Catholic priests, — Carpini and Ruysbroeck and Oderic, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, — sent to convert the Great Khan, or get his infidel aid against the infidel. They too are hospitably received. Carpini finds a "very courteous and gentle people ;" even
ibn Batuta.
fancies they worship Christ.^ Then roving Ibn Batuta of Tangier, hunting up Moslem friends at the ends of the earth, sails over sea from the Sunda Isles to this land " without parallel " for products and resources ; " for its fruits, agriculture, silver, gold." He sees the poor going clad in silks ; the porcelain, the painting not to be surpassed ; marks the strict rules of registration in full use for vessels in port. He finds a town for Mahommedans in every province ; and in one chief city great numbers of Jews, Christians, and Turks, "whose great men are exceedingly rich." " The care they take of travellers is surprising ; for these 'tis the safest of countries and the best." Innkeepers take one's property in charge ; are held responsible for it ; provide all he can want. He
Mahom. Trav., p. 53. Ibid. p. 72. Ibid. pp. 22, 33, 50.
- Ibid. p. 33. 5 Hakluyt Collection.
