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0498 Cathay and the Way Thither : vol.1
Cathay and the Way Thither : vol.1 / Page 498 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000042
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224   LETTERS AND REPORTS

outside the city, with all the offices sufficient for twenty-two   ~t

friars, and with four apartments such that any one of them is good enough for a church dignitary of any rank. In this place I continue to dwell, living upon the imperial dole before-mentioned, the value of which, according to the estimate

of the Genoese merchants, amounts in the year to 100 golden   ca
florins or thereabouts.' Of this allowance I have spent the greatest part in the construction of the church ; and I know

none among all the convents of our province to be compared   g
to it in elegance and all other amenities.

And so not long after the death of Friar Peregrine I received a decree from the archbishop appointing me to the aforesaid cathedral church, and to this appointment I now assented for good reasons. So I abide now sometimes in the house or church in the city, and sometimes in my convent outside, as it suits me. And my health is good, and as far as one can look forward at my time of life, I may yet labour in this field for some years to come : but my hair is grey, which is owing to constitutional infirmities as well as to age.

'Tis a fact that in this vast empire there are people of every nation under heaven, and of every sect, and all and sundry are allowed to live freely according to their creed. For they hold this opinion, or rather this erroneous view, that everyone can find salvation in his own religion.2 Howbeit we are

In intrinsic value something less than ß50 ; but with respect to both time and place equivalent to a vastly greater sum of money doubtless than £50 is to us.

z The Chinese "hold that all the sects may agree without dispensing with their own observances, and have a text which says San chiao ye tao, i. e., The doctrines are three, but the reason of them is one." (Alvaro Semedo, Rel. della Cina, 116.)

concession I obtained as I have said, at my earnest request, and setting out with eight horsemen allowed me by the emperor, I proceeded on my journey, being everywhere received with great honour. On my arrival (the aforesaid Friar Peregrine being still alive) I caused a convenient and hand

some church to be built in a certain grove, quarter of a mile