church were now to come to the Holy Land, it were easy to subdue all these countries, or to pass through them.  The king of Hungary hath not above 30,000 soldiers.  From Cologne to Constantinople are not above sixty days journey by waggons; and from Constantinople not so many to the country of the king of Armenia.  In old times, valiant men passed through all these countries and prospered; yet they had to contend with most valiant opponents, whom God hath now destroyed out of the earth.  In this way we need fear no dangers of the sea, or the mercy of sailors, and the price of freight would defray the expences by land.  I say confidently, if our countrymen would go as the king of the Tartars does, and would be contented with such victuals, they might conquer the whole world.

It does not seem to me expedient, that any more friars should be sent to the Tartars, in the way I went, or as the predicant friars go.  But if our lord the Pope were to send a bishop in an honourable style, capable to answer their follies, he might speak unto them as he pleased; for they will hear whatever an ambassador chooses to speak, and always demand if he will say any more.  But he ought to have many good interpreters, and ought to be at large expences.

I have thus written to your highness, according to my weak power and understanding, craving pardon from your clemency, for my superfluities or wants, or for any thing that may be indiscreetly or foolishly written, as from a man of little understanding, not accustomed to write long histories.  The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, preserve your heart and fortify your mind.

[1] The reason of the change was, probably, that they might fall in with
    the travelling Tartar camps, who went northwards in the summer, that
    they might procure food and change of horses.  In going to Mangu, he
    appears to have travelled through Soongaria, and, in returning,
    through the country of the Kalmaks.  The river here mentioned may have
    been the Borotala.—­E

[2] Sarni, Saray, or Sarey, seems to have been built on the Achtuba, or
    eastern branch of the Volga, near Zarewpod, where many traces of a
    large town, still exist.  Sumerkent is unknown, but may have been near
    Astrachan, formerly named Hadschi-Aidar-Khan.  But there are ruins of a
    town still existing on both sides of the Volga, which are now used for
    the purpose of making saltpetre.—­Forst.

[3] Schabran, or Schabiran.—­E.

[4] Shamaki, in Shirvan.—­E.

[5] The Karai, on which Tefflis or Tiblis stands, runs from the north-west;
    the Demur, Araz or Araxes from the west; and both united form the Kur,
    which runs directly south into the Caspian.—­E.

[6] Georgia or Gurgistan is to the north-west of the plain of Mogan.—­E.

[7] These were the ancestors of the present Turks, who laid the foundation
    of the Osmanian or Othoman empire.  Kanja, called Ganges or Ganghe in
    the text, was their capital.—­Frost.