IIIF Color HighRes
National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
| |||||||||
|
| IIIF Color HighRes |
| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citation Information
ORIGINAL PREFACE
...
XX111
If
From the commencement of the work it was felt that
the task was one which no man, though he were far•better equipped and much more conveniently situated
than the present writer, could satisfactorily accomplish
from his own resources, and help was sought on special
points wherever it seemed likely to be found. In
scarcely any quarter was the application made in vain.
Some who have aided most materially are indeed very
old and valued friends ; but to many others who have
done the same the applicant was unknown ; and some of
these again, with whom the editor began correspondence
on this subject as a stranger, he is happy to think that
he may now call friends.
To none am I more indebted than to the Comm.
GUGLIELMO BERCHET, of Venice, for his ample, accurate,
and generous assistance in furnishing me with Venetian
documents, and in many other ways. Especial thanks
are also due to Dr. WILLIAM LOCKHART, who has supplied
the materials for some of the most valuable illustrations ;
to Lieutenant FRANCIS GARNIER, of the French Navy,
e
the gallant and accomplished leader (after the death of
ms ' Captain Doudart de la Grée) of the memorable expedi-
te
^of Bolgana and Cocachin, on the Karaunalis, etc., cn the title of King of Bengal
applied to the K. of Burma, and those bearing upon the Malay and Abyssinian
chronologies.
In the interpretation of outlandish phrases, I may refer to the notes on Ondanique, Nono, Barguerlac, Argon, Sensin, Keshican, Toscaol, Bzilarg uclzi, Gat Paul, etc.
Among miscellaneous elucidations, to the disquisition on the Arbre Sol or Sec in
vol. i., and to that on Medieval Military Engines in vol. ii.
In a variety of cases it has been necessary to refer to Eastern languages for
.o11 pertinent elucidations or etymologies. The editor would, however, be sorry to fall
Fall under the ban of the medieval adage :
Oft " Vir qui docet quod non saßit
, 0111 Def niter Bestia !"
and may as well reprint here what was written in the Preface to Cathay :
014 " I am painfully sensible that in regard to many subjects dealt with in the follow-
ing pages, nothing can make up for the want of genuine Oriental learning. A fair
,rr familiarity with Hindustani for many years, and some reminiscences of elementary
01 Persian, have been useful in their degree ; but it is probable that they may sometimes
also have led me astray, as such slender lights are apt to do."
•
tQt°
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright (C) 2003-2019 National Institute of Informatics and The Toyo Bunko. All Rights Reserved.