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Anno ab incarnacione domini nostri Jesu Christi 1351 deg. indictione sexta
mensis aprilis. Inuentarium rerum qui sunt in camera rubea domi
habitationis clarissimi domini MARINI FALETRO de confinio SS.
Apostolorum, scriptum per me Johannem, presbiterum, dicte ecclesie.
Item alia capsaleta cum ogiis auri et argenti, inter quos unum anulum
con inscriptione que dicit: Ciuble Can Marco Polo, et unum torques cum
multis animalibus Tartarorum sculptis, que res donum dedit predictus
MARCUS cuidam Faletrorum.
Item 2 capsalete de corio albo cum variis rebus auri et argenti, quas
habuit praedictus MARCUS a Barbarorum rege.
Item 1 ensem mirabilem, qui habet 3 enses simul, quem habuit in suis
itineribus praedictus MARCUS.
Item 1 tenturam de pannis indicis, quam habuit praedictus MARCUS.
Item de itineribus MARCI praedicti liber in corio albo cum multis
figuris.
Item aliud volumen quod vocatur de locis mirabilibus Tartarorum,
scriptum manu praedicti MARCI.
II. There is kept at the Louvre, in the very valuable collection of China
Ware given by M. Ernest Grandidier, a white porcelain incense-burner said
to come from Marco Polo. This incense-burner, which belonged to Baron
Davillier, who received it, as a present, from one of the keepers of the
Treasury of St. Mark's at Venice, is an octagonal ting from the Fo-kien
province, and of the time of the Sung Dynasty. By the kind permission of
M. P. Grandidier, we reproduce it from Pl. II. 6, of the Ceramique
chinoise, Paris, 1894, published by this learned amateur. - H. C.]
[1] 1. The Will is made in prospect of his voyage to Crete.
2. He had drafted his will with his own hand, sealed the draft, and
made it over to Pietro Pagano, priest of S. Felice and Notary, to draw
out a formal testament in faithful accordance therewith in case of the
Testator's death; and that which follows is the substance of the said
draft rendered from the vernacular into Latin. ("Ego Matheus Paulo ...
volens ire in Cretam, ne repentinus casus hujus vite fragilis me
subreperet intestatum, mea propria manu meum scripsi et condidi
testamentum, rogans Petrum Paganum ecclesie Scti. Felicis presbiterum
et Notarium, sana mente et integro consilio, ut, secundum ipsius
scripturam quam sibi tunc dedi meo sigillo munitam, meum scriberet
testamentum, si me de hoc seculo contigeret pertransire; cujus
scripture tenor translato vulgari in latinum per omnia talis est.")
3. Appoints as Trustees Messer Maffeo Polo his uncle, Marco Polo his
brother, Messer Nicolo Secreto (or Sagredo) his father-in-law, and
Felix Polo his cousin (consanguineum).
4. Leaves 20 soldi to each of the Monasteries from Grado to Capo
d'Argine; and 150 lire to all the congregations of Rialto, on
condition that the priests of these maintain an annual service in
behalf of the souls of his father, mother, and self.
5. To his daughter Fiordelisa 2000 lire to marry her withal. To be
invested in safe mortgages in Venice, and the interest to go to her.
Also leaves her the interest from 1000 lire of his funds in Public
Debt (? de meis imprestitis) to provide for her till she marries.
After her marriage this 1000 lire and its interest shall go to his
male heir if he has one, and failing that to his brother Marco.
6. To his wife Catharine 400 lire and all her clothes as they stand
now. To the Lady Maroca 100 lire.
7. To his natural daughter Pasqua 400 lire to marry her withal. Or,
if she likes to be a nun, 200 lire shall go to her convent and the
other 200 shall purchase securities for her benefit. After her death
these shall come to his male heir, or failing that be sold, and the
proceeds distributed for the good of the souls of his father, mother,
and self.
8. To his natural brothers Stephen and Giovannino he leaves 500
lire. If one dies the whole to go to the other. If both die before
marrying, to go to his male heir; failing such, to his brother Marco
or his male heir.
9. To his uncle Giordano Trevisano 200 lire. To Marco de Tumba 100.
To Fiordelisa, wife of Felix Polo, 100. To Maroca, the daughter of the
late Pietro Trevisano, living at Negropont, 100. To Agnes, wife of
Pietro Lion, 100; and to Francis, son of the late Pietro Trevisano, in
Negropont, 100.
10. To buy Public Debt producing an annual 20 lire ai grossi to be
paid yearly to Pietro Pagano, Priest of S. Felice, who shall pray for
the souls aforesaid: on death of said Pietro the income to go to
Pietro's cousin Lionardo, Clerk of S. Felice; and after him always to
the senior priest of S. Giovanni Grisostomo with the same obligation.
11. Should his wife prove with child and bear a son or sons they shall
have his whole property not disposed of. If a daughter, she shall have
the same as Fiordelisa.
12. If he have no male heir his Brother Marco shall have the
Testator's share of his Father's bequest, and 2000 lire besides.
Cousin Nicolo shall have 500 lire, and Uncle Maffeo 500.
13. Should Daughter Fiordelisa die unmarried her 2000 lire and
interest to go to his male heir, and failing such to Brother Marco and
his male heir. But in that case Marco shall pay 500 lire to Cousin
Nicolo or his male heir.
14. Should his wife bear him a male heir or heirs, but these should
die under age, the whole of his undisposed property shall go to
Brother Marco or his male heir. But in that case 500 lire shall be
paid to Cousin Nicolo.
15. Should his wife bear a daughter and she die unmarried, her 2000
lire and interest shall go to Brother Marco, with the same
stipulation in behalf of Cousin Nicolo.