[1] Erigrinul, Eriginul, Erdschi-nur; and this ought
to be read fifty
days south-west, instead of
five days east.—Forst. This may probably
be some district in the country
of the Eluts of Kokonor, not mentioned
in our modern maps.—E.
[2] Singui, Sigan, or Singan-fou, in the Chinese province
of Shensee.
—Forst.
[3] In the edition of Harris, it is said likewise
to have two similar tusks
in the lower jaw, but this
error must have been put in by some
ignorant editor.—E.
[4] According to Forster, this passage is corrupted,
and ought to be thus
read: “After eight
days journey west from Ergimul or Erdschi-nur,
we
come to Erigaia, Eggaya Organum,
or Irganekon.” And he names the chief
town Calacia, Cailac, Gailak,
or Golka.—Forst.
[5] Perhaps, the chamois are here meant, and copied
camels by mistake.
—Forst.
[6] Tenduc, Tenduch, Teuduch.—Forst
[7] This foolish story of Prester John has been explained
in a former
note.—E
[8] Cianga-nor, Cianganior, Cyangamor, or Tsahan-nor,
in lat. 45 deg.. 30. N.
long. 117 deg.. E. Marco,
in these accounts of the different districts of
Tangut, seems to have followed
no regular order, but goes from one to
another, as fancy or memory
served.—Forst.
[9] Cyandi, Xandu, or Tshangtu.—Forst.
[10] In Harris, the elevation is said to be eighty
feet, perhaps a
typographical error for eight,
as, in a subsequent passage, the table
of the khan is merely said
to be higher than those of the rest who
have the honour to dine along
with him; the particular height,
therefore, is left indeterminate
in the text.—E.
[11] In all ages of the world, except the social,
yet irrational ancient
superstitions of Greece and
Rome, mankind have vainly thought to
propitiate the Almighty beneficence,
by ridiculous acts of austere
self-torment; and even the
ignorant or designing followers of the pure
and rational religion of Jesus,
have copied all the monstrous mummery,
and abominable practices of
the heathen, which they have engrafted
upon his law of love and harmony.—E.
SECTION X.
Of the great power of Kublai-khan and various circumstances respecting his Family, Government, and Dominions.
I now propose to relate the great and marvellous acts of Kublai-khan, the great emperor of the Tartars. His name, expressed in our language, signifies lord of lords, and he certainly is the greatest prince in cities, people, and treasures, that ever reigned in the world. He is lineally descended from Zingis-khan, the first prince of the Tartars, being the sixth emperor of that race, and began to reign in 1256, being then twenty-seven years of age[1] and he has long