with Persia have begun to recognise the existence of Cathay. The
voyages of the Portuguese also towards the North-East, beyond
the Golden Chersonese, have brought to knowledge many cities and
provinces of India, and many islands likewise, with those very
names which our Author applies to them; and again, on reaching
the Land of China, they have ascertained from the people of that
region (as we are told by Sign. John de Barros, a Portuguese
gentleman, in his Geography) that Canton, one of the chief cities
of that kingdom, is in 30⅔° of latitude, with the coast running
N.E. and S.W.; that after a distance of 275 leagues the said coast
turns towards the N.W.; and that there are three provinces along
the sea-board, Mangi, Zanton, and Quinzai, the last of which is
the principal city and the King’s Residence, standing in 46° of
latitude. And proceeding yet further the coast attains to 50°.[2]
Seeing then how many particulars are in our day becoming known of
that part of the world concerning which Messer Marco has written,
I have deemed it reasonable to publish his book, with the aid of
several copies written (as I judge) more than 200 years ago, in a
perfectly accurate form, and one vastly more faithful than that in
which it has been heretofore read. And thus the world shall not
lose the fruit that may be gathered from so much diligence and
industry expended upon so honourable a branch of knowledge.”