MARCO POLO.
Born 1250.—Died 1324.
The relations of Ascelin, Carpini, and Rubruquis,
which are supposed by some writers to have opened
the way to the discoveries of the Polo family, are
by no means entitled to so high an honour. Carpini
did not return to Italy until the latter end of the
year 1248; Ascelin's return was still later; and although
reports of the strange things they had beheld
no doubt quickly reached Venice, these cannot be
supposed to have exercised any very powerful influence
in determining Nicolo and Maffio to undertake
a voyage to Constantinople, the original place
of their destination, from whence they were accidentally
led on into the extremities of Tartary.
With respect to Rubruquis, he commenced his undertaking
three years after their departure from
Venice, while they were in Bokhara; and before his
return to Palestine they had already penetrated into
Cathay. The influence of the relations of these
monks upon the movements of the Polos is therefore
imaginary.
Nicolo and Maffio Polo, two noble Venetians engaged in commerce, having freighted a vessel with rich merchandise, sailed from Venice in the year 1250. Traversing the Mediterranean and the Bosphorus, they arrived in safety at Constantinople, Baldwin II. being then Emperor of the East. Here they disposed of their cargo, and purchasing rich jewels with the proceeds, crossed the Black Sea to Soldain, or Sudak, in the Crimea, from whence they travelled by land to the court of Barkah Khan, a Tartar prince, whose principal residences were the cities of Al-Serai, and Bolghar. To this khan they
