The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 235 (Color Image)

0235	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. LXXVI. THE GREAT CITY OF KINSAY

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which stands a Tower, and at the top of the tower is

hung a slab of wood. Whenever fire or any other alarm

breaks out in the city a man who stands there with a

mallet in his hand beats upon the slab, making a noise that

is heard to a great distance. So when the blows upon this

slab are heard, everybody is aware that fire has broken

out, or that there is some other cause of alarm.

The Kaan watches this city with especial diligence

because it forms the head of all Manzi ; and because he

has an immense revenue from the duties levied on the

transactions of trade therein, the amount of which is such

that no one would credit it on mere hearsay.

All the streets of the city are paved with stone or

brick, as indeed are all the highways throughout Manzi,

so that you ride and travel in every direction without

inconvenience. Were it not for this pavement you could

not do so, for the country is very low and flat, and after

rain 'tis deep in mire and water. [But as the Great

Kaan's couriers could not gallop their horses over the

pavement, the side of the road is left unpaved for their

convenience. The pavement of the main street of the

city also is laid out in two parallel ways of ten paces in

width on either side, leaving a space in the middle laid

with fine gravel, under which are vaulted drains which

convey the rain water into the canals ; and thus the road

is kept ever dry.]

You rhust know also that the city of Kinsay has some

3000 baths, the water of which is supplied by springs.

They are hot baths, and the people take great delight in

them, frequenting them several times a month, for they

are very cleanly in their persons. They are the finest

and largest baths in the world ; large enough for I oo

persons to bathe together.'

And the Ocean Sea comes within 25 miles of the

city at a place called GANFU, where there is .a town and

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