The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 253 (Color Image)

0253	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

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CHAr. LXXVII. 'TIE GREAT CITY OF KINSAY

205

most winning manner, affording them every help and

advice on their business. But on the other hand they

hate to see soldiers, and not least those of the Great

Kaan's garrisons, regarding them as the cause of their

having lost their native kings and lords.

On the Lake of which we have spoken there are num-

bers of boats and barges of all sizes for parties of pleasure.

These will hold 1 o, 15, 20, or more persons, and are from

15 to 20 paces in length, with flat bottoms and ample

breadth of beam, so that they always keep their trim.

Any one who desires to go a-pleasuring with the women,

or with a party of his own sex, hires one of these barges,

which are always to be found completely furnished with

tables and chairs and all the other apparatus for a feast.

The roof forms a level deck, on which the crew stand,

and pole the boat along whithersoever may be desirèd,

for the Lake is not more than 2 paces in depth. The

inside of this roof and the rest of the interior is covered

with ornamental painting in gay colours, with windows

all round that can be shut or opened, so that the party at

table can enjoy all the beauty and variety of the pros-

pects on both sides as they pass along. And truly a

trip on this Lake is a much more charming recreation than

can be enjoyed on land. For on the one side lies the

city in its entire length, so that the spectators in the

barges, from the distance at which they stand, take in

the whole prospect in its full beauty and grandeur, with

its numberless palaces, temples, monasteries, and gardens,

full of lofty trees, sloping to the shore. And the Lake is

never without a number of other such boats, laden with

pleasure parties ; for it is the great delight of the citizens

here, after they have disposed of the day's business, to

pass the afternoon in enjoyment with the ladies of their

families, or perhaps with others less reputable, either in

these barges or in driving about the city in carriages.'

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