-
"The matters which follow, concerning the magnificence of the Tartar
Emperors, whom in their language they call Cham as we have said, are
related by Marcus Paulus the Venetian in a certain Book of his which has
been translated by me into Latin out of the Lombardic Vernacular. Having
gained the notice of the Emperor himself and become attached to his
service, he passed nearly 27 years in the Tartar countries."[5]
Again we have that mention of Marco by Friar Jacopo d'Acqui, which we have
quoted in connection with his capture by the Genoese, at p. 54.[6] And the
Florentine historian GIOVANNI VILLANI,[7] when alluding to the Tartars,
says: -
"Let him who would make full acquaintance with their history examine the
book of Friar Hayton, Lord of Colcos in Armenia, which he made at the
instance of Pope Clement V., and also the Book called Milione which
was made by Messer Marco Polo of Venice, who tells much about their
power and dominion, having spent a long time among them. And so let us
quit the Tartars and return to our subject, the History of Florence."[8]
[Sidenote: Further contemporary references.]
77. Lastly, we learn from a curious passage in a medical work by PIETRO OF
ABANO, a celebrated physician and philosopher, and a man of Polo's own
generation, that he was personally acquainted with the Traveller. In a
discussion on the old notion of the non-habitability of the Equatorial
regions, which Pietro controverts, he says:[9]
