The Travels of Marco Polo Volume 1 | Page 8

supervision (a project in abeyance,
owing to circumstances beyond his or my control); by Mr. Ney Elias in
the fact of his having carried these ponderous volumes with him on his
solitary journey across the Mongolian wilds!
[2] I am grateful to Mr. de Khanikoff for his especial recognition of
these in a kindly review of the first edition in the Academy.
[3] Especially from Lieutenant Garnier's book, mentioned further on;
the only existing source of illustration for many chapters of Polo.
[4] [Merged into the notes of the present edition.--H. C.]
[5] See page xxix.
[6] Writing in Italy, perhaps I ought to write, according to too prevalent
modern Italian custom, Polo Marco. I have already _seen_, and in the
work of a writer of reputation, the Alexandrian geographer styled
_Tolomeo Claudio!_ and if this preposterous fashion should continue
to spread, we shall in time have _Tasso Torquato_, _Jonson Ben_,
Africa explored by _Park Mungo_, Asia conquered by _Lane Tamer_,
Copperfield David by _Dickens Charles_, Homer Englished by _Pope
Alexander_, and the Roman history done into French from the original
of _Live Tite_!
[7] Introduction p. 24, and passim in the notes.
[8] Ibid., p. 112.
[9] See Introduction, pp. 51, 57.
[10] See Title of present volumes.
[11] Which quite agrees with the story of the document quoted at p. 77
of Introduction.
[12] Vol. i. p. 64, and p. 67.
[13] I.e. 1306; see Introduction, pp. 68-69.
[14] The form which Marco gives to this word was probably a
reminiscence of the Oriental corruption _failsúf_. It recalls to my mind
a Hindu who was very fond of the word, and especially of applying it
to certain of his fellow-servants. But as he used it, _bara failsúf_,--
"great philosopher"--meant exactly the same as the modern slang
"_Artful Dodger_"!
[15] See for the explanation of _Karma_, "the power that controls the
universe," in the doctrine of atheistic Buddhism, Hardy's _Eastern
Monachism_, p. 5.
[16] Vol. ii. p. 316 (see also i. 348).

[17] Vol. ii. pp. 318-319.

ORIGINAL PREFACE.
The amount of appropriate material, and of acquaintance with the
mediaeval geography of some parts of Asia, which was acquired during
the compilation of a work of kindred character for the Hakluyt
Society,[1] could hardly fail to suggest as a fresh labour in the same
field the preparation of a new English edition of Marco Polo. Indeed
one kindly critic (in the _Examiner_) laid it upon the writer as a duty to
undertake that task.
Though at least one respectable English edition has appeared since
Marsden's,[2] the latter has continued to be the standard edition, and
maintains not only its reputation but its market value. It is indeed the
work of a sagacious, learned, and right-minded man, which can never
be spoken of otherwise than with respect. But since Marsden published
his quarto (1818) vast stores of new knowledge have become available
in elucidation both of the contents of Marco Polo's book and of its
literary history. The works of writers such as Klaproth, Abel Rémusat,
D'Avezac, Reinaud, Quatremère, Julien, I. J. Schmidt, Gildemeister,
Ritter, Hammer-Purgstall, Erdmann, D'Ohsson, Defrémery, Elliot,
Erskine, and many more, which throw light directly or incidentally on
Marco Polo, have, for the most part, appeared since then. Nor, as
regards the literary history of the book, were any just views possible at
a time when what may be called the Fontal MSS. (in French) were
unpublished and unexamined.
Besides the works which have thus occasionally or incidentally thrown
light upon the Traveller's book, various editions of the book itself have
since Marsden's time been published in foreign countries, accompanied
by comments of more or less value. All have contributed something to
the illustration of the book or its history; the last and most learned of
the editors, M. Pauthier, has so contributed in large measure. I had
occasion some years ago[3] to speak freely my opinion of the merits
and demerits of M. Pauthier's work; and to the latter at least I have no
desire to recur here.
Another of his critics, a much more accomplished as well as more
favourable one,[4] seems to intimate the opinion that there would
scarcely be room in future for new commentaries. Something of the

kind was said of Marsden's at the time of its publication. I imagine,
however, that whilst our libraries endure the Iliad will continue to find
new translators, and Marco Polo--though one hopes not so
plentifully--new editors.
The justification of the book's existence must however be looked for,
and it is hoped may be found, in the book itself, and not in the Preface.
The work claims to be judged as a whole, but it may be allowable, in
these days of scanty leisure, to indicate below a few instances of what
is believed to be new